Hi,

I am new to the group and BC. I was diagnosed in July. I had  a partial mastectomy with reconstruction 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I went back for the results only to be told that my margins weren’t all clear and I have to go back in on Friday for another op to remove more tissue. I’m also waiting for results of Oncotype test so decide what my treatment plan is. I haven’t been frightened or fazed by anything so far but yesterday I came away really *** off! My wound has just healed and now they are going to re open it. But hey ho. I’m 48 and like you have always been healthy and am crap at being ill. I do hope you don’t become down beat x

Hi Cazrosie - I am currently being offered a lumpectomy (assume same as partial mastectomy) or a mastectomy + reconstruction for a 3.5cm globular tumour. With the lumpectomy they indicated I would go from a B to an A cupsize so offered me a breast reduction on the good side. Size is important to me so I would rather go for a reconstruction to get symetry and also avoid touching the good breast? Are you happy to tell me about your situation? Did you have the same type of cancer? How much of the breast did they have to take? What type of reconstruction did you have (via liposuction or LIDAP)? Di they do the reconstruction at the same time or later after radiotherapy? I am sorry your margins were not clear - did you go for a further lumpectomy? - they suggested that this may well be the case with me due to the globular cancer type that I have. Were you - are you happy with your results? I do hope all went well with you after this post - best wishes Karen

Hi Vee,

that is great news. Sam is your lady to give you the low down on chemo. But we are here to support! 
Well done on today xx

Morning ladies,

I hope all is well with you. 

I forgot to mention that an MRI was booked on the 14th Jan, which I didn't expect to hear from them for at least 1-2 weeks away. However, on 17th Jan, I got a short notice cancellation, who asked me to attend the same day. After the MRI, I asked the radiographer how long the results will be. He told me it wouldn't be long. 

I missed 2 calls from the hospital yesterday, as I was shattered through not sleeping properly the night  before. I did call the hospital back on the number they called me on, but it comes back as invalid. I'm worried and anxious as to why the hospital would call me 4 days after a scan if it wasn't urgent. On the other hand, the hospital didn't leave a message for me to contact them! As its the weekend, I doubt I'll hear anything until Monday. Maybe it was something to do with my Oncology app on 25th Jan. Who knows?

Take care ladies 

Much love

Vee xx

Hi Vee, 

I work in a hospital and know that the number that they call out on isn't one you can redial. Maybe give a call to your bcn and ask if they know anything about the missed call. And like you said, if it was urgent they would have maybe left a message with a number you could call back. 
Caroline xx

Hi Vee,

Hoping all goes well today,

Christine xxx

Hi Christine x

Hope all is well with you 

Thank you

Vee xx

Hi Vee

Long time no hear!  How are you and what is happening?

This isn't a demand for info if you don't want to discuss it, I'm just a bit worried about our new friend.

love

Christine xxx

Hey Christine, ladies, 

I thought you had forgotten about me?

How is everyone getting on? I've had a lot going on. Lots of appointments. 

I've had my first treatment. My Chemo was originally for an hour, but I had to have a cannula in the back of my hand. Because of this, it lasted 2 hours. (All explained below).

I was supposed to have a port fitted in my inner upper left arm, as the lump is on my right and the nurse wanted to steer away from the breast where I might need an op to remove sentinel nodes. After 4 attempts, the nurse apologised and said she would have to try the right arm, and she still couldn't get it in. I ended up with 2 badly bruised arms and nowt to show for it. The nurse ordered a chest port, which  should be fitted soon (I hope ) in time for my next round.

All went well after all Chemo was administered, I didn't feel a thing. While waiting for my hubby to pick me up, I felt an immense wave of sickness threatening to splurge out and embarass me in front of all the new found friendly crew (patients and nurses) I'd met and warmed to. But I held it in like a good-un. Everyone was asking "are you alright Vee"? I didnt turn around when I headed for the door on my departure, I could only raise my my hand above my head for a quick wave. 

By the time I got home, I felt so sick, I only had some water, put my pj's on and crawled into bed, and there I stayed until my bladder could take no more. I didn't even wash the conditioner out from having the cold cap. The nausea has continued since  Chemo, but not as bad. Today, I actually felt somewhat human enough to take hubby to dialysis, put washing on after  changing all bed linen, put dried clothes away, washed dishes and put them away cleaned rest of house, washed the car, did homemade soup for lunch and vacuumed. 

I have never felt so ill in my whole life! When I was in bed feeling sorry for myself, I could imagine everything piling up and getting out of hand, so I used the little energy I had to sort stuff out. Someone please tell me it gets a little better. 

Take care ladies

Much love  

Vee xxx

Hi,

I'm sorry, I can't tell you anything about chemo as I was too old to benefit from it.  

You sound as if you are doing too much, though.  Wash the car??? Mine has green mould on the passenger side cos I never see it. I park right outside my front door up against the garden fence.I'm sure you are supposed to rest after chemo!  The search for veins isn't something I have experienced either, mine are only too eager to gush forth when required, and even when not required some times.

it's good to hear you still sound to be facing it as cheerfully as could possibly be expected. I hope Sam, the Yorkshire Wonder Woman gets in touch because she has had the lot and can tell you much more than I can. It must be bearable because she still manages to sound cheerful, although that could be the old Yorkshire grit we hear about. I'm a Lancastrian myself and I think we're supposed to be pretty gritty, too.

Take care, I know it must be hard to let things go, but I would say rest is more important than a clean car

love

Christine xx 

Hi ladies

Sorry its been so long, things are and have been challenging with my father.  Am up in Leyburn currently, was trying to work up here as well as spend time with him and help out my step-mother but the working bit is proving to be an uphill struggle, there’s so much to do to help my step-mother as my fathers condition worsens.  He’s got a friend around currently so am trying to occupy myself rather than reflecting on his condition and inevitable death….its not really working but will battle on all the same.

On the plus side I have FINALLY received the letters of administration in connection with the mothers death last year so there won’t be too much overlap of parental death sorting! Bloody ridiculous eh?  Anyway her house is now on the market so hopefully that will be sold soon (and whilst the housing market is still buoyant).

However still keen to pass on my experts knowledge and see it as my role to share experiences that can often be seen as painful or negative so for our pals who are still going through treatment and surgery…

Vee, 

I too had a PORT fitted, best decision ever!  And like you had to have an annoying chemo the old fashioned way (via cannula) before the port was done.  It is sooooo much easier and less painful with the port…and less fannying around for the poor nurses trying to located often elusive veins too.  Hope you get yours soon, really small & straightforward operation btw and you can’t tell its there other than a small scar.

You really need to tell your BCN about the sickness as they will have you initially on the cheaper anti-sickness drugs that they sent you home with and you may need the more expensive stuff so please do tell them how you were so they can give you the right stuff booth before the chemo & after.  I was very lucky that I never felt sick per se, just nauseous and rough for the week after, but how you feel is very personal and everyone is unique so comparing experiences needs to be done with caution.

For most people (I was on the MacMillan forum too so have read quite a bit about those going through chemo- MacMillan’s online community have a breast cancer monthly chemo thread for those going through it which you may find useful (I did)) they feel rough for the first weeks post chemo (I had mine Weds, took drugs till the Sunday/Monday and felt rough till the following Saturday) so fingers crossed you’ll start to feel better soon.  I was able to work and exercise outside my rough week.

It is generally the case though that as the chemo sessions get towards the end the after effects do get somewhat worse, in my experience they do but are still very manageable.  I had my final chemo (12 in total maybe?) Dec 2019 and managed to eat a large plate of Christmas fodder a week after (I am a pig however!).

And I agree with Christine re trying to do too much straight after chemo, please be kind to yourself, you’re no good to you or your hubby if you overdo it.

Good luck Vee and hope everyone else is well XX

Hello Sam the superwoman,

Do you realise that you never gave us one hint of what you were going through during your chemo etc, I knew you were being stoic about it all but you were just lying to us!  I'm glad you are telling it how it is, now, so that Vee will know what's in store and what to do to make it as bearable as possible. 
I'm sorry you are going through it again with your father.  My parents' deaths were only 14 months apart 
and I was the one who had to sort everything out. My dad had been lured by a local solicitor and the chance of a free will, to make them the executors, who took their permitted year,  and they sold their house through their associated estate agent for half its worth! It's no wonder I ran away then, to an adventure in Central America with a very unsuitable new boyfriend.  I saw the error of my ways after 6 months and came back without him!  Actually, I found a lump in my breast - no relation to my real cancer 25 years later - and was advised to return to zum to get it checked out properly ( and for free).

I hope you don't go mad, like that, when it's all sorted! 
Thank you for taking the time to help Vee in the middle of everything that's going on around you. But, as I keep making it my business to tell others, you need to take care of yourself in the middle of everything! 
I need you to live up to your admission to be lazy, so I don't feel guilty about my absolute slothfulness in cold weather!

Good luck, Vee, I knew Sam would be a count of information for you.

Samneedscoffee21, Good luck, also, I hope you got the advice you were hoping for

Caroline, hoping everything is going well for you and your family, don't work too hard!

Lots of love to you all

 Christine xxx

Hello Sam the superwoman,

Do you realise that you never gave us one hint of what you were going through during your chemo etc, I knew you were being stoic about it all but you were just lying to us!  I'm glad you are telling it how it is, now, so that Vee will know what's in store and what to do to make it as bearable as possible. 
I'm sorry you are going through it again with your father.  My parents' deaths were only 14 months apart 
and I was the one who had to sort everything out. My dad had been lured by a local solicitor and the chance of a free will, to make them the executors, who took their permitted year,  and they sold their house through their associated estate agent for half its worth! It's no wonder I ran away then, to an adventure in Central America with a very unsuitable new boyfriend.  I saw the error of my ways after 6 months and came back without him!  Actually, I found a lump in my breast - no relation to my real cancer 25 years later - and was advised to return to zum to get it checked out properly ( and for free).

I hope you don't go mad, like that, when it's all sorted! 
Thank you for taking the time to help Vee in the middle of everything that's going on around you. But, as I keep making it my business to tell others, you need to take care of yourself in the middle of everything! 
I need you to live up to your admission to be lazy, so I don't feel guilty about my absolute slothfulness in cold weather!

Good luck, Vee, I knew Sam would be a count of information for you.

Samneedscoffee21, Good luck, also, I hope you got the advice you were hoping for

Caroline, hoping everything is going well for you and your family, don't work too hard!

Lots of love to you all

 Christine xxx