Hi JBee,

ive just gone through the sentinel node biopsy and it's very over rated. My kids are feeling very cheated because I did not turn into a smurf -not even a tinge. Just pea green pee and interesting toilet paper! Nuff said.  The radioactive injection, which I was told would sting, was nowhere near as bad as my biopsy.  

I have just had a mastectomy- no other treatment yet, just depends what the sentinel nodes show.  Five days on from surgery I'm doing fine. 

Good news that the bowel is still good, I don't know anything about Tamoxifen, except I probably won't be given it as I'm an old bird!  I'll have some other hormone treatment instead but I can't remember what it was called.

Good luck with it, it's not as bad as you might expect  

Christine 

Nawwwww I hate overrated promises was really looking forward to being a smurf Haha ok maybe just a little green?? 

Thanks so much for your response, appreciate it. So glad to hear you doing well . Trying to keep my little boobie if possible but guess will know after surgery.  

This crazy disease is really trying my patience now, wish it would just get the hint it's not welcome

Thank you for the wishes I'll be sure to pop by and let you know if I'm the exception to becoming a smurf

Speak soon x

Good morning 

hope the last few days have been on the up for you and you feeling good.  Please do you know exactly what ER8, PR8 & HER2 negative actually means?  This is what is written in my letter... when I try research on NHS/Medical websites they come up with that but with either a + or - .... mine is just as it is no symbol.

Thank you in advance

JBee

Good morning,

As it happens I do know what they mean. The ER8 and PR8 mean your tumour is positively receptive to both Oestrogen and Progesterone (ER+ and PR+) but not receptive to HER2 (HER2-) . Hence the Tamoxifen, 

My tumour was a Grade 2,Lobular carcinoma and was ER8/8 PR4/8 HER2 negative and I was told I probably wouldn't have Tamoxifen because I am way post menopause!  Also I may not have chemo as my tumour doesn't usually respond to chemotherapy!  Apparently it is better to be hormone receptive than not.

Still feeling ok, wound site is tender as the bruising comes out but only to be expected.  My drain should come out today but I am still draining quite freely so my nurse is going to phone the ward for advice if there is more than 50mls in the bag today. 

Hope that makes sense. 

Christine

:)  Thanks yes sort of making sense, the letter says... in front of what I said above Grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma,  axilla normal - can I take this part as good news?... although not sure why Grade 2 except I understand that is just the pathology report and the grade stage etc is normally done after surgery... very confusing breast cancer, my bowel cancer was way easier to understand :grin:

You sound like you doing great, hopefully the drain will be taken out today or very soon at the very least.  Wet day to be running around, dress up warm and try stay dry.

Thanks again for your advice it really is helpful

Speak soon

JBee

I think I read they can tell the grade from the biopsy, it shows if the cells are normal looking and  slow growing, grade 1, a bit less normal looking and faster growing, grade 2, or bigger still and fast growing, grade 3.  The stages are only decided after surgery when they have the whole tumour under the microscope.  It is complicated.  My brother sent me a book called The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer, How to feel Empowered and Take Control.  It is written by two expert doctors who met after they had both been diagnosed with breast cancer!  It contains expert information together with personal experiences and is very interesting. The down side being the detail could be a bit overwhelming about things that could happen. 

X

Hi

just wanted to check how today went for you? Any luck with getting the drains out? Thank you, you've been very informative and the book sounds very interesting I'm going to try buy it.  I've watched quite a few videos of surgical procedures lol although I hate the sight of blood, but I do feel like at least I know sort of what to expect.

hope you have a relaxing evening. I've now finished work and will be off two weeks at a minimum.  Hopefully that is going to be the case.

xx

....and Sheltie lady - story very similar to my own 

good luck x