Hi Jolamine, 

thank you so much I’m just so happy. 

As I said previously I wouldn’t have gotten this far without all the support and encouragement you and all the other ladies have given me . 

They said at the beginning it will be 3/4 weeks of radiation. I’m at the hospital today for Herceptin so I’ll ask my onc what’s the next step. 

Thank you again 

take care 

j xx

Hi

So I managed to get my results over the phone from the breast nurse and I have mixed feelings about them for some reason. The good news is the cancer is out, the residual cancer they took out seems to be bigger than the original tumour which is confusing me as I was told they couldn't find the tumour after my last chemo session, so I am assuming that the residual is what's been left behind after the chemo (what do you think). There's some skin involvement but radiotherapy will be used to treat that (always knew radiotherapy was in the cards), and my nipple biopsy has come back to say I need to have the nipple bud removed (hoping they can do it at the same time as the skin graft next week). Then need hormone tablets, injection and some bone meds (again nothing I didn't already know). I've got a rescheduled session with my surgeon so I can clarify some of my questions as the breast nurse didn't know the answers.

hope all is well with everyone.

X

Hi BigJean,

I hope that your oncologist was able to tell you more about the next step yesterday.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Woolylamb,

I am glad to hear that you managed to get your results over the phone, but sorry to hear about the confusion with regard to the size your tumor and, the need to remove your nipple bud. When are you seeing your surgeon? It might be worth asking if they can do your nipple along with the plastic surgery next week.

Radiotherapy is fairly intensive, but it doesn't last for that long. Your other treatments are all fairly routine.

I hope that you are getting plenty of visitors while you are in hospital over the weekend. This always seems to be such a quiet time, as so many staff are off for the weekend, and you begin to feel that it is almost pointless being in hospital.

Thinking of you and, hope that all goes well for you this coming week.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi WL , 

Great to hear you managed to get your results over the phone . I know it can be a little confusing trying to take everything in especially on the phone . But the main thing she told you is the cancer is out . Could someone in the hospital you are in explain things to you ?

if it helps you my original tumor I was told it was 4-5 cm but was told after surgery it was 8cm !!

Keep focusing on what they told you it’s out . 

I too will be kept on Herceptin injections for a year. He’s also started me on Tamoxifen tablets 1 a day and they still want me to have radiation,

Try to get plenty of rest in hospital . Hopefully everything will be done for you together next week . 

Sending you lots of love and hugs 

j xxx

Hi Jolamine,

He was delighted with the great news that the 

chemo worked.  He’s keeping me on the Herceptin injections for a year . He’s started me on Tamoxifen tablets aswell and still wants me to have Radiotherapy. 

Hope you are having a lovely weekend. 

Take care 

j xx

Hi BigJean,

This all sounds very positive. Did he say when your radiotherapy will start?
Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

I have done exactly that, I've asked for them to be done at the same time I order that I don't need to have 2 separate ops. I knew there was a risk that the nipple bud would need to be removed, so I'm not surprised. I think my confusion is because I was told I'd had such a good response to chemo I could have had a WLE instead of mastectomy and the MRI and ultrasound confirmed they couldn't see anything to then having a large amount of residual cancer removed was a bit of a surprise. I'm seeing my breast surgeon on the 18th so I can get him to talk me through it in more detail then. 

I am quite frustrated being in hospital as I am well, just tethered to a machine. And I can't sleep as the ladies I'm sharing a bay with are checked every 2 hours.

Thanks for checking in on me.

wl

Hi BJ

You are absolutely right I need to focus on the right things and it is out, and the remaining treatment will make sure it stays out and doesn't come back.  I just think my emotions are high with so much going on and I'm missing the kids and normal life goings on at home. Been a bit teary today.
 

thanks for your message, gives me a boost knowing that you guys are there for support.

wl