Hi all,

I'm new here, was diagnosed a couple of months ago with breast cancer, had lumpectomy and SNB two weeks ago and recovering well. I'm 31. They managed to do the lumpectomy without the blue dye and it really doesn't look as bad as I thought so I'm a little relieved. But it's terrible to be diagnosed during the pandemic, my family lives in another country, my friends are far away as well and I haven't been able to see any of them since I've been diagnosed. That is the worst part of it for me. 

I'm really scared of radiotherapy too and I was wondering if it is needed in every case. I read on macmillan that some women with low risk of the cancer coming back might not need it at all. Since I am ER+ mucinous grade 1-2, I was hoping that maybe tamoxifen would be enough.

How has radiotherapy been for you? Is it really painful? Is there anyone who just had lumpectomy but no radio? 

Thank you!!

Lots of love to you all

Hello lovely, well done for everything so far.  Yours sounds very similar to mine last year (except I'm probably older than you).  I had a lumpectomy in June and the SNB.  I was Grade 2, and oestrogen-led too. Margins and SNB came back clear.
 

In September 2019 I had 15 sessions of radio and I have to tell you it was absolutely fine, no trouble at all.  It's natural to be apprehensive and I certainly was when I had my preliminary appointments where they measure you up, etc.  I also needed to learn the breath hold technique - again really easy, I thought I wouldn't be able to manage it but it so much easier than I thought.

The radiologists are so kind and lovely and yes, the first few times you do feel a bit foolish lying there all exposed, but you get used to it really quickly.  I found the whole procedure really interesting - look at it this way: your cancer is gone, now this is just about dotting the i's and crossing the t's.  
 

The procedure itself takes about 15-30 seconds and is totally painless, you can't feel anything at all.  As you progress through your 15 sessions you will find that your skin will change a little - mine took on a slightly darker colour and the skin on my nipple turned very dark brown.  Then that came off (the brown skin, not the nipple!) and now it is actually paler than the other one!

Really important to keep your skin moisturised and, as I'm a fan of all things natural, I would recommend two creams: Moo Goo Skin Milk Udder Cream (I'm still actually using this one year on), which was devised specifically for use by people going through radio, or Weleda Baby Derma Lotion which is also an excellent moisturiser and I use this one a lot also.

Any other questions, just ask!  You've done the hard bit, the radio is easy in comparison, just a bit time-consuming especially if you have far to travel to your appointments.

xx

Hi [@Angelika707]‍,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Glad you are recovering well from your lumpectomy. It must be awful not to see your family and friends. Sending hugs, I really hope you get to see them soon. If you need any support, do come on here as this place helped us all so much! 
 

The actual treatment of radiotherapy was fine for me, I moisturised everyday and went for a jog most days to get some fresh air. My skin luckily was fine, a little itchy toward the end and my skin darkened, but other than that was not physically bad at all for me. I get twinges sometimes in that breast and it feels harder, but overall it was very doable. Hardest things for me were, which no one really mentioned before I started the radiotherapy was that 1) I was emotionally at my lowest ever point and would cry all the time, sometimes while getting it done! I just was so overwhelmed and traumatised by diagnosis it was all a bit much. However, I look back now, and think that was part of my healing process. 2) I have never felt so tired, I would sleep in the day when I could and slept so much at night. It was abit of a revelation as I had a baby that didn't sleep before BC and then I slept loads for 4 months! (I stopped working at end of radiotherapy for 3 months to come to terms with everything and get back on track) This is exactly what I needed at the time. 

I am sure you decide what's best for you, but if I can be more help just let me know. 
 

xxx

e‍choing what [@NobbyWatts]‍ has said perfectly! I also used Moo goo, it was very good! 
 

It is very doable, you can't feel anything when having it and the staff were incredible that look after you! X

Echoing what these lovely ladies are saying. Radio isn't nearly as scary as it sounds, but that's not to say it isn't a total pain in the backside having to go into the hospital every day. I had to have chemo prior to radio and I couldn't see the point if I'm honest thinking, ****, if the chemo hasn't got rid of it then why am I havning to do this too.... BUT it's 'belts and braces' stuff and if it gives you another little layer of coverage that this *** thing won't come back then honestly it's best to take it. You will look back and know you did the right thing. 

I nearly refused chemo, but I look back now and feel grateful that I'm through it  and I did it, because unfortunately if I'm honest, you get over the treatment, but the worrying doesn't go overnight, well it hasn't for me. You will smash the radio, I'm sure. I used to try and treat it a little bit like a yoga mindfulness session and like Millie said, the breath holding made me have something to focus on.. Good luck. You will be amazing xxxx

Hello everyone 

I have been following this post, I hope you don't mind. 

I am 33 and got diagnosed with breast cancer last week, now awaiting for more tests to determine the best treatment. 

Just wondering if there are any wise words, advice, tips. I have a young boy of 8 nearly 9, he knows. Ita the most hurrendous time of my life, just hoping it gets better once I treatment plan in place x

Hi [@Lauragib87]‍ 

i was diagnosed Aug '19 at the age of 34 with a 5 month old baby. It was the most hard and testing time I've ever been through. Mine was grade 3, hormone + but0/1 stage so hadn't spread to my lymph nodes luckily. My plan was lumpectomy then 6 rounds of FEC-T chemo then 4.5 weeks of radiotherapy followed by at least 5 years on tamoxifen.   
 

At this point you probably feel a mess and if like me cried everyday thinking 'why me!' Honestly it will get better. I think once you know what your treatment plan will be you can start ticking treatments off one by one. I didn't help myself at the start as I kept looking long term but doing it in small chunks helped me and thinking I've only got so many sessions left of chemo. The side effects are harsh but glad I've experienced it as it's made me such a stronger person and made me feel so grateful of life itself. 
 

I did lose all my hair including eyebrows and eye lashes but had an amazing wig which people wouldn't even notice wasn't real. My hair started to grow back about a month after my last chemo and is now in a short pixie style. I'm refusing to cut it as I missed my hair so much.

 If you ever need to ask anything please do as I had a million and one questions at the time and wanted to find someone to chat to who had or was experiencing the same things [@Lambkin43]‍

I think once you know your plan you'll have something to concentrate on. Look after yourself and if people offer help take it! 
Here if you need to chat xxx

Thankyou for your reply, I have grade 3 too and in one of lymph nodes under my armpit. Atm I'm just petrified it's all over my body and I've missed it. The actual lump in my breast is so small even the consultant didn't feel it. I feel such an idiot as I should have checked more. The wait now is torture. My consultant has reassured me it's very very treatable. Which I just keep hearing him say in my head.

I just want to get things started as I can't stand the thought of it being inside of me. I have scans this week so hoping next week I will know the plan. 

That must have been so hard with a baby bless you. I am looking into wigs, was considering the cold cap but not sure xx

Thanks [@Millie123_]‍, I think we were both replying at the same time!

You know, thinking back on it, the three worst bits for me were 1) waiting to find out what sort of BC I had and what my treatment plan would be (it's impossible not to think the worst - if I have a mastectomy, will I have a reconstruction? No, I decided. If I have to have chemo I'll get all my hair cropped really short before, etc).  2) The dressings on my wound when I came home - OMG SO UNCOMFORTABLE! I had a bit of a reaction to them and my skin blistered but after phoning the breast care nurses they said, just start peeling them off over the next few days - so many layers of dressings! - and then I was much happier! And 3) waiting to hear the results of the SNB and margins.  
 

after that, everything doable just like Millie says.  You'll be fine xxx