Hi [@WarriorWilko]‍ welcome to the thread but so sorry you find yourself here . This group of ladies have been a fantastic support to me and will be to you also . 

I’m 45 was diagnosed in March IDC her2 + , Ed &pr+ , and it’s in my lymph nodes . Had chemo and have had mastectomy and auxiliary clearance last Thursday. It’s a tough long road but you will get there . We have all been there when you feel every little ache and pain and you imagine the worst . I’m sending you positive vibes and support. 

Hope all goes well for you with your results . 

Take care 

j xx

Hello BigJean

It’s good to hear from you - thank you for replying. It’s so good to know we’re not on our own on this journey, although I wish none of us were on it in the first place. I really hope you get your drain out today or tomorrow and that you can catch up on some sleep. You sound very positive though and I know that will really help, both physically and mentally in our recoveries. I’m trying to get there and today has been fractionally easier than yesterday. 

Sending you too my best wishes

Helen 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

Of course you are tearful and upset you have every right to be . It’s been very tough on you the last couple of weeks and you have had a lot to deal with . Tears are good . 

It is tough being in hospital and missing your family . FaceTime the kids I did that a lot when I was in hospital, also gave me a chance to check up on the house with my husband doing the housework

I’m always here if you need to chat . Just keep thinking this time next week you will be home .

Might be worth a try but could you ask the nurse if they have any rooms free could you be put into one as you are not sleeping and exhausted., never hurts to ask !!!!!

mind yourself and take care 

j xxx ️ ️ ️ ️ ️

Hi Woolylamb,

If you have already asked them to do both ops at the same time, what was their reply? I agree with you, in that I am also confused as to why you were given the all clear, yet still had a large amount of residual cancer removed so soon after. It sounds like 'a rud** great shock', rather than 'a bit of a surprise' and, I would certainly be looking for an explanation.

I have spent many weekends in hospital and agree with you about just how frustrating it can be. Isn't it strange that no matter what type of ward you are in, there is always something or somebody to spoil the peace and quiet at night? I agree with BigJean's suggestion. It's definitely worth asking whether or not they have a single room that they could put you in to.

I hope that you do this and that you are successful.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Woolylamb,

If you have already asked them to do both ops at the same time, what was their reply? I agree with you, in that I am also confused as to why you were given the all clear, yet still had a large amount of residual cancer removed so soon after. It sounds like 'a rud** great shock', rather than 'a bit of a surprise' and, I would certainly be looking for an explanation.

I have spent many weekends in hospital and agree with you about just how frustrating it can be. Isn't it strange that no matter what type of ward you are in, there is always something or somebody to spoil the peace and quiet at night? I agree with BigJean's suggestion. It's definitely worth asking whether or not they have a single room that they could put you in to.

I hope that you do this and that you are successful.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

My plastic surgeon isn't in until Monday, however I think if he can do it together he will, the doc I saw today also thought the same but won't know till Monday when I am reviewed. 
 

I will definitely pursue getting an understanding of why there is a difference  between scans and pathology results, doesn't change anything, but would be good know. 
 

take care

WL

Hi Woolylamb,

You say that it doesn't change anything, but it could do so. These results seem so different in such a short period of time. What if the've mixed up the results and, given you someone else's results? It would certainly be worth asking your plastic surgeon before he operates on you.

I don't mean to panic you, but these things can happen.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine 

I've double checked this morning and they are definitely mine, I'm seeing the plastic surgeon in the morning and also talking to me breast nurse again to get some more clarity. 
 

wl

Hi Woolylamb,

I'm glad to hear that you have managed to double check, so the big question for tomorrow  - for both the plastic surgeon and the breast care nurse - must be why is this result so different from the last in such a short period of time.

I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and, hope that they can give you some satisfactory answers.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi WL

been thinking of you today. Hope you got the answers re your results today xx 

Hey

Thanks, I saw the breast surgeon and he explained everything and the measurement which I understand now. He said it's all out and said he was really happy with the results, it was downgraded from 3 to 2 aswell. 
Should find out on Thursday when I will have my skin graft and then it's focus on healing in order to start radiotherapy. I feel so much better now. I'm at home as well, was discharged yesterday.

thanks for your support everyone, means everything to me that I have you guys here when I need you. 
 

WL

WL

so glad you have been discharged and back at home. Nothing beats being around our home comforts x so glad too you got clarity over your results and for it to be downgraded is great news x sending you hugs WL you are nearly there me lovelie xx 

Hi Woollylamb

Thrilled to hear you have been discharged and can continue to recover at home.  There is nothing better than being in your own home!!

You must be over the moon with your results now you have been downgraded, that is truly amazing.  

Keep the positive news and thought coming!!

I was at hospital yesterday and my infection has finally cleared so they were able to stitch me up and remove my drain (only 35 days!!!), oh it feels great!

I'm booked in for my mastectomy next Wednesday and this morning woke up with a desire to clean my kitchen through so that's what I'm doing and enjoying every second.  Taking it very slowly but just a good feeling.

Please look after yourself, keep warm and well.  Good luck for the appointment on Thursday. Rosie

Hi Rosie 

So pleased your infection has cleared and the drain is out, just take it easy with the cleaning. I ended up redecorating the downstairs loo before my op! 

So op next Wednesday, will be good to get it over and done with. Just a suggestion, I got myself a mastectomy pillow for under my arm and it's been a god send. I got it from Jens friends on Facebook, she does them for free and asks for a donation towards postage, might be worth a look. Will be thinking of you next week. X

Hi Woolylamb,

I'm glad to hear that the breast surgeon was able to explain everything to you a bit more clearly. It's great to hear that it is all out and, even better to discover that it has been downgraded.

I thought that you were staying in hospital until you had your skin graft, so it must be a bonus to have got home for a few days. Let's hope that you don't have too long to wait for it.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx