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

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 

Thanks for your message. My original surgeon is happy to do an immediate LD flap recon even though I need radiotherapy.  The surgery I prefer is the Diep one which is done by plastics, my original surgeon thinks they won't do it. So I'm guessing I may have the choice of delayed recon if I want Diep or immediate if I'm happy to go with the LD flap. In my head I'm thinking I want to get it all over and done with, it's a hard decision, one I never thought I would have the chance to make.

Hope you are ok.

x

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

Hi Woolylamb,

I hope that all goes well for you when you meet your plastic surgeon tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Woolylamb,

I hope that all goes well for you when you meet your plastic surgeon tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

hi woolly I hope everything goes well for you all the best Lorraine I'm waiting for results after 2 operations hoping clear margins plastic surgeons are good x

Hi

update from today. So the plastic surgeon is happy to go ahead with immediate reconstruction by DIEP, operation date is the 21st Oct. I'm really apprehensive of such a big op, but really happy as it's my preferred option. 
 

Praise - hope the chemo is going ok.  Lots o hope you get the results you need. Will be thinking of you.

Jolamine thanks for your best wishes.

wl
 

Hi Wollylamb,

I am delighted to hear that your plastic surgeon has agreed to do your reconstruction at the same time as your surgery. 21st is not that far away now and I do hope that it all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi WL, 

delighted you got your chemo date . I got mine too it’s the 24th ! Hard to believe we are finished with chemo and both having surgery the same week ! 

Ive just been to my gp I’ve a chest infection hoping it won’t effect surgery date ! 

Wishing you all the best for your surgery. Let me know how you get on . 

Take care 

J xx

Hi [@Jolamine]‍ [@Woollylamb]‍ [@BigJean]‍ [@Loz]‍ 

hi all sorry if I’ve missed anyone. Jolamine can I just say what a truly inspirational lady you are. You carry me through my bad days just by reading what you are going through and yetvyou still seem positive and upbeat and always here for friendly advice.thank you x 

hope you all ok x I’ve just had round six of chemo only two more to go. Can’t wait. Struggling with pain in legs and knees and groin but taking painkillers regularly nurses said if continues to call and they will give me codine. Eldest son has suspected case of mumps so his staying away from home for abit. Nurses said nothing that can be done as been in contact with him before symptoms so just got to keep eye on temperature. Feeling tad low but looking forward to the good days. I know I’ve been quiet but I do read your comments and think of you all often x take care all 

Hi Mejules,

It is great to hear that my posts can help you through the bad day - thank you for that. I find that, by helping others, I don't dwell on my own problems so much, as other peoples' situations are often so much worse than my own.

I am off to see a neurologist on Saturday, as I have been struggling with seizures for the past couple of years and, have recently begun to get a strange 'waterfall' effect in the left side of my head. This works its' way down my neck, shoulder and upper arm and stops just above my elbow. My GP is not sure whether or not this is a side-effect of some of the medication I'm taking or, whether it is something more sinister - Let's hope that it's the former!

It's great to see you getting through your chemo and, I'm sure that you can hardly wait to get it all behind you. I'm sorry to hear about your pain and, hope that it settles soon. I hope that your son is getting over the mumps and, that he hasn't passed anything on to you.

I'm not surprised that you are feeling a tad low with all that you are going through.  You are fully entitled to be quiet too. Still, once all your chemo is behind you, here's hoping that there will be plenty of sunnier days ahead!

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mejules, 

sorry to hear you are having aches and pains . You are nearly over this hurdle of your treatment so try and persevere. I found nice hot baths, lots of Deep Heat ( that was my new scent ) really helped  and of course pain killers ! 

You are doing fantastic and you will get there . 

Take care 

j xx