I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this, I am 27 found a lump last week and have been referred to breast clinic on Thursday. I am petrified and I still have a chance of being lucky. I have found myself analysing every inch of my body to the point that I’m convinced I’ve just found a dodgy mole above my hip in the same side as the breast with lump, so now my head is being all stupid. 

I hope you’re appointment went well today and it was some positive news. Thoughts with you xxx

Hi Kmj,

Welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear about your lump, but glad to hear that you have been referred to the breast clinic and, that you are due there on Thursday.

Don’t forget to let your GP look at your mole, as this will need to be referred to a dermatologist if anything suspicious is noticed. It can take longer to get an appointment with a dermatologist, so the sooner you see your GP, the sooner you’ll be seen by one.

I do hope that all goes well on Thursday, but please don’t expect to get a definite diagnosis straight away. You will possibly have tests done to see if your lump is malignant or benign. The results of these tests then take 1-2 weeks to come back to the clinic, so you are likely to have an anxious wait for that time.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi

What fantastic news, hopefully you will get more details tomorrow on how big the response has been.  It’s hard to believe isn’t it, i was the same when I was told that mine had shrunk.

I also developed pains as well, I’m convinced it’s in my other boob, I guess that’s just natural and will probably be with us forever now, wondering if every ache and pain is cancer.

Hope the session with the surgeon goes well, I’ve got my third meeting with a surgeon on Friday, I’ve been referred to the plastic surgeons as my preferred option is the DIEP, however my surgeon doesn’t think the plastic surgeon will do it as I will need radiotherapy afterwards.  If he won’t then I will opt for the LD flap. I’m interested to hear what options you have and your thoughts after you’ve met with your surgeon. 

Will be thinking of you. 

WL

Hi BigJean,

This must be a great relief to hear that, after all that you have had to put up with, you have made some progress. I'm delighted to hear this.

I hope that all goes well tomorrow when you meet up with your surgeon to discuss surgery.I know that it is difficult to stay positive all the time, but the more positve you can be the better the treatment tends to be.

We all tend to find extra aches and pains at this time. Hopefully, this is all due to stress. Sorry to hear that you have had an emotional day today. Isn't that strange, when for a change, you've got some good news to celebrate? Not to worry, we all have good and bad days.

Fingers crossed for more good news tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Ladies , 

Well met the surgeon yesterday he’s very happy with my response to chemo . 

He told me I will be having a mastectomy and lymph nodes removed with no reconstruction for the time being . He said I will probably have lymphodema which he told me is very common. 

The surgery is scheduled for 2 weeks, I’m ok with loosing the breast I think the thought of being put to sleep is freaking me out a bit . 

I hope all is well with you ladies . 

Take care 

j xx

Hi

I am really chuffed that you have had a good response to chemo. I find it interesting how different surgeons are happy to take different approaches, mine is happy to do recon straight away, even though I need radiotherapy and lymph node removal,  I was originally told I would have to wait. 

When did you have your last chemo session?

I have the same fear of being put to sleep, I've not met anyone who doesn't worry about it. Just think in two weeks the next phase will be done. You are completely nailing it.

x
 

Hi WL,

Good to heat you are doing well too . It is strange how different surgeons opt for different things . He did say something about my BC being quite invasive can’t fully remember what else . He said in time he would reduce the other one . They aren’t small I’m a 34 E !!! I didn’t question him about not doing reconstruction! 

I too will be having radiotherapy afterwards . My last chemo was 20th September. 

Have you got a date for surgery yet ??  Only good thing is it will be done before Christmas will be really looking forward to that . 

Take care 

j xx

Hey

no date yet. I had my last chemo on 11th sept,seen them surgeon twice and he referred me to the plastic surgeon as my preferred option is done by plastics. Seeing him on Friday , he may say no to doing it with immediate recon. Got a ct scan to check my tummy blood vessels as they take the fat from there and put it  in the boob and connect the blood vessel back up. I'm desperate to get a date as I would like to be in reasonable health for Xmas too.

how are you feeling after chemo, I'm still struggling with fatigue and my fingertips are numb.

wl

Hi , 

Hopefully you will have a date soon and fingers crossed all goes well with your meeting on Friday . 

Im still very tired after chemo and still have aches and pains . Luckily I didn’t have any numbness in finger tips . 

Let me know how your meeting goes on Friday will be thinking of you . 

Take care 

j x

Hi BigJean,

I'm delighted to hear that your surgeon was so happy with your response to chemo. I understand that they don't usually do a reconstruvction at the time of surgery if radiotherapy is planned after your surgery. I have never had reconstruction, but have managed well without it.

I also have lymphoedema.and, this is manageable. I attend a lymphoedema clinic for 2 weeks in every 12 and have manual lymphatic drainage followed by bandaging. Those 2 weeks ca be a bit awkward, as I look like the Michelin Man with both arms bandaged from fingertip to shoulder. I get some very strange looks and questions as result, but I can cope with that. In between I have elastic compression sleeves, which I wear all the time. Unfortunately, despite this I never get rid of it. One part of my arms will go up while another goes down, so at least I'm maintaining the status quo.

I shall be thinking of you as you undertake your surgery and hope that it all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Woolylamb,

I hope that all goes well with the Plastic Surgery guys on Friday. Don't be surprised if they decide not to do your recon at the same time as surgery. If radiotherapy is planned after surgery they tend to leave recon until later.

I hope that it all goes ahead for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

Thank you so much for your advice . To be honest from the start I said I never wanted reconstruction so that really doesn’t bother me . 

Oh wow there seems to be a lot involved with the lymphodema you poor thing . You are an inspiration. I know I’ll manage . He did say something about a sleeve too . 

I hope your son is doing well. Thanks again for all your advice and support. I really appreciate it.

take care 

j xx

Hi Jolamine, 

Thank you so much for your advice . To be honest from the start I said I never wanted reconstruction so that really doesn’t bother me . 

Oh wow there seems to be a lot involved with the lymphodema you poor thing . You are an inspiration. I know I’ll manage . He did say something about a sleeve too . 

I hope your son is doing well. Thanks again for all your advice and support. I really appreciate it.

take care 

j xx

Hi BigJean,

There are different degrees of Lymphoedema and I count myself lucky that mine could have been more debilitating. It can be awkward finding sleeves that are wide enough to fit over my arms and the 2 weeks of manual bandaging can be a little tricky. It also took some time for me to find the right type and size of compression bandage. The early ones tended to dig into different parts of my arm and some were very uncomfortale. We've overcome this now and, I now know what is comfotrable, but still gives me the necessary compression.

All of this is a small price for still being here 10 years after my first diagnosis.

My son is having 3 weeks of intensive rehab at the moment, but is doing well, all things considered.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx