Hi BigJean,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry for the reason you've joined. I hope that your results on Tuesday can help to put your mind at rest. Even if the news is not so good, it helps to know what the next moves are and puts a more positive slant on things.

I suspect that the pain in your back is consequential to your diagnosis. We always seem to think the worst and develop all sorts of additional symptoms. In most cases this seems to be due to stress.

I have lost my mum to breast cancer and, have had 2 bouts myself within the past 9 years. Waiting for results is always one of the most stressful times of a cancer journey. Try to keep yourself distracted by other pursuits and do your best to stay away from Google. The fact that you are healthy and have never smoked, should stand you in good stead with any treatment needed.

Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on on Tuesday. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine ,

thank you for your kind words . I’m so sorry you lost your mum and you going through it twice . I am not going to let it get me down just back from a big walk with my family and I feel great . That’s the weird thing I don’t feel sick at all . 

I’ll let you know how I get on on Tuesday but I am ready to fight 

talk soon xx

Hi bigjean

how are you doing? X hope you feel better after your first few days of chemo? X 

Hi Mejules,

I am glad to hear that you have now got your mastectomy and lymph node clearance behind you. You're lucky that you only have one side like an ironing board. I had large breasts which were my pride and joy, but now I am as flat as a pancake all over the frontal area!

It's good to be home so quickly after surgery and, I hope that you don't need your drain for much longer.

Be good to yourself for the next couple of weeks!

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Wollylamb,

I wonder whether or not you started your chemo today? I hope that your wound has healed sufficiently to allow this and that you are now on your way.

Thinking of you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi mejules , 

im really good this week , feel back to “normal “, ready for the next session this Friday!! 

Really great to hear you are at home and recovering well after your surgery. I think that’s the part I’m dreading the most ! But hey I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it . 

Talk soon 

J xx

Hi Jolamine, 

lovely to hear from you , hope you are keeping well ?

All good this week , ready to face second round of chemo this Friday, was back at the hospital last Friday to have my bloods checked and all are good so on to round 2 . 

Just hoping I don’t get as sick as I was the first time !! 

Talk soon 

J xx

hi everyone, sorry I’ve been a little quite.

Big Jean- glad you are ready for your next round, I can’t believe how quickly it’s come around.

Mejules- so pleased that you’ve had your op and you are recovering, what’s the next stage in the plan for you?

I unfortunately haven’t started Chemo, wound was infected so had to have antibiotics. Anyway I’m scheduled to start on the 28th, talking to the oncologist we will go ahead even if the wound hasn’t healed totally as we need to get the treatment started. I’m worried about this to be honest, it’s playing on my mind, but then I remind myself that she is the expert and wouldn’t put me at any unnecessary risk. I’m frustrated and a bit low this week. Kids are on half term next week so a great week to start my treatment!!!

Jolamine- thanks for keeping in touch, I really appreciate it. 

WL

Hi BigJean,

I'm glad to hear that you are fighting fit this week and ready for round two. Have you got a different anti nausea medication to take to overcome your sickness this time? Make sure to mention the bad reaction you had last time before you start this one.

I'm hoping and praying that it all goes well for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Wollylamb,

I had a feeling that this might happen. You must be very disappointed. Still, in the bigger scheme of things it is only another week. I am sure that this sounds like forever to you at present, but it shouldn't have any adverse effects.

I am sure that your oncologist wouldn't put you at any unnecessary risks. She is doing this all the time and knows exactly what she is doing.

I agree that next week is not the ideal time for the kids half-term, but you can enjoy the long week-end together before you start treatment.

I shall be thinking of you on Tuesday and hope that it goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine.

you are right, it’s only another week.... and more time to heal from the appendix op.   I just wish it was properly healed then I would feel better. 

It is what it is.

WL

Hi Jolamine, 

thank you for your kind words. Yes I’ve extra anti sickness tablets for tomorrow and the weekend. 

Got very upset this morning was washing my hair and a huge clump of hair came out . I know I said it wouldn’t bother me but it was such a shock . Anyway I have my wig . 

Hope you are keeping well xx

j xx

Hi Jolamine, 

thank you for your kind words. Yes I’ve extra anti sickness tablets for tomorrow and the weekend. 

Got very upset this morning was washing my hair and a huge clump of hair came out . I know I said it wouldn’t bother me but it was such a shock . Anyway I have my wig . 

Hope you are keeping well xx

j xx

hi BJ

glad to hear you’ve got some extra anti sickness tablets.

sorry to hear about the shock of your hair coming out. I’ve decided to put my big girl pants on and get it shaved off rather than wait for it to fall out. I may not be as brave once I get to the hair salon though!!!!

Hope all is ok tomorrow, will be thinking of you. 

WL

Hi BigJean,

I'm glad to hear that you have been stocked up with extra anti nausea tablets to see you throughthe weekend.

It is always upsetting when your hair starts to fall out. You are very brave to just let it happen. I think that I would be like Woolylamb and opt to cut it all off before this happens. I cannot explain why I feel like this, possibly because I might feel still in control of the cancer, rather than having it controlling me.

Now that it has started, you may find the rest follows quite quickly. At least you have your wig at the ready!

Feeling for you and hoping that all goes well tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello to all the girls on here 

reading all your experiences is good for preparing what may be ahead  good luck to everyone on this journey  all I know is I’ve never sat on couch so much 

I’ve had a lumpectomy followed by second operation last Thursday to improve margins and remove all nodes as one was positive  I was discharged home after 3 nights and was upset as everyone was saying u must b delighted to b going home but this was only upsetting me as I was thinking no I’m not happy as this journey is only beginning.  

 I’m recovering from this and drain is coming out today and I’m getting results ...  I know nodes are clear as nurse told me on phone but margins  were not ready yesterday. I don’t what I’ll do if I need more margin work ??  It’s all a big scary journey 

My arm is aching and has a heavy feeling following the lymph node clearance I’m really trying to exercise a lot has anyone experience with this procedure  Mejules  looks like you are recovering from this too I’m just hoping I will be able to get back running again 

sorry for the big mumbled rant 

swiperbaby  

Hi there, I'm sorry you are in this situation, but wanted to reassure you about the issue with margins.  I had 3 surgeries to get clear margins at the start of last year. Stayed in hospital overnight after the first, but same day return home after the next two. It was very doable, and I recovered very quickly from the actual surgeries. I found the worst effect was having three general anaesthetics in a short space of time, which left me very tired and with muddled thinking. However, I returned to work within a week after each surgery.  I found the best thing was to do the arm exercises regularly, go for lots of short walks, and sleep whenever I felt like it, no matter what time of day.  All the best, hopefully you will have clear margins now, but if not, remember - you can do this!

Black cat 

thank you for your positive answer and reinforcing that we can manage all these steps when they r broken down   It’s just mad having all these surgeries tis a  bit scary  I’m also running out of things to tell my girls why I need another operation  another cyst !! They r 11 and 13 

Hi swiperbaby

sorry to hear what you going through. As you know I had node clearance but only on Monday. I have pain in my arm and totally numb under the armpit. I too am doing the exercises given  but finding it hard. I too am a runner or rather a slow plodder and I can’t wait to get back to it for my own headspace. At moment as I have drain in as they leaving it a few more days they have suggested short walks. I totally get your need to run. 

I cant speak about margins hun as I had a masectomy and haven’t had results yet. Get mine in over a week. 

Thinking of you and feel free to rant anytime. Ladies on here are lovely and supportive even when they are they having their own struggles. 

Take care x

Hi mejules. Great name by the way 

I asked for mastectomy after first lumpectomy and surgeon said not yet wait and see how this goes  so fingers crossed it’s good 

I overdid it yesterday I went for a walk through fields with kids and had to climb gates and roll under electric wires and I paid for it last night I was all sore in my shoulder blades and arm 

my lady run was before first lumpectomy and boy do I miss it  I’m not ready yet for walks but Chen this drain is out and I’m not stronger I’ll walk the roads  before the next hurdle maybe radiotherapy or chemo I’ve yet to b told 

mine is invasive lobular stage 2 oes pos her2 neg   So I’ll b on tamoxifen as well at some stage  

take care and mind yourself plenty ibuprofen I find these good with gapapentin for nerve pain. 

Take care all 

Hi Jolamine 

thanks for your advice and honesty  You have come a long way with this. Yes with anything left in margin  you would not rest easy.  I’m like that now but the surgeon was clear that my boob was so busy it was like s time bomb   He said at their meeting 5 other surgeons recommended mastectomy so I guess I’m off to theatre again.   The op it self apparently will. Easier then nodes so at least that.  I will prob need to tell kids at this point as up to now I’ve been saying cysts and gland removed.  

The mri showed other boob ok but I’m beginning to worry now as all this was not seen on mri. 

 I’ll run again for sure just maybe not for a bit but loads of walking in the fresh air will suffice for now.   

Do u think I’ll need radiotherapy if I have a mastectomy   

It’s nice to b drain free for now 

i hope the op is soon they said June 10 but sooner hopefully.   

Regards 

‍♀️

Hi Swiperbaby,

You are really going through the mill aren't you? If it's of any consolation to you, I found my double mastectomy easier to cope with than my lumpectomy. You don't always need radiotherapy after a mastectomy (I didn't), but if your boob is that 'busy', your oncologist may decide to do a belt and braces job just to be absolutely sure. Your should draw up a list of questions for your next visit, as your oncologist will know what was decided at the MDT meeting. I still do this for every appointment, even after attending the clinic for 10 years.

I have mucinous cancer and that doesn't always show up on mammogram or ultrasound. My routine mammogram missed my lump, although it did show up on mammogram and ultrasound at the breast clinic. I paid privately for a thermoscan, just to reassure myself.

You are probably best to tell the kids as soon as you can. They are old enough to be aware that something is amiss and, you don't want then finding out by overhearing something that they shouldn't. A cancer diagnosis affects the whole family and, you are best to approach this with a positive attitude, where you can all fight it together.

So, you have another wait until 10th June. Let's hope that this is a case of third time lucky. I don't envy you the wait. Do your best to keep as busy as you can to distract yourself.

I shall be thinking of you on 10th and hope that all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx