Hi Jobab,

When I was diagnosed in September my brother sent me a book that his partner had found very useful when she was diagnosed last February .

It is called "The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer, How to feel empowered and Take Control  it is written by two expert doctors who have both had breast cancer.  It is full of professional information and personal experience and I found it answered all my questions. It covers everything you could want to know  

I had a mastectomy and I have to go in for lymph node removal in two weeks, but I'm recovering well, and although I suspect the next surgery might be a bit harder to recover from I'm sure I'll be fine. I think it's the unknown that is worrying, and once you know what's what you will just get on with it, like we all are doing.

Good luck, you're in good company on this forum.

Christine xx

Thank you Marlyn, it wasn't that speedy lol, given that I found "Larry" whilst on a three week holiday in Tenerife and found him on the 2nd day. Although I didnt let it spoil the holiday for my hubby I wasnt half glad to get home.  Hubby says that now I know it is definity a tumour I should re-christen him to "Tommy the Tumor" but I am hoping he wont be there long enough to warrant a change of name.

You ladies have given me some hope just reading your blogs and I now know where to come if I feel down and out at any time.

Thanks for your time.

Hi Christine

Thankyou for taking the time to respond to me and for recommending the book, I have just downloaded it from Amazon.

It's definitely the unknown that's getting to me but I find talking about it helps. I dont know whether you had the same experience but it seems that people dont know what to say when they find out that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I have had various comments like, "Oh it wont be as bad as you think", and some of them will call it anything but they wont use the word cancer.

Anyway you ladies are an inspiration and I am glad that I found you.

Good luck for your next operation, (naive as I am I would have thought that they would have done it at the same time as the mastectomy).

Love Jo x

I had Kevin removed a month ago following chemotherapy. I'm now waiting to start radiotherapy. I've been on Herceptin for a few weeks and will also start on hormonetherapy. 

The treatment plan will depend on so many different factors including your age, fitness level, size of tumour, position, lymph node involvement and if it is receptor positive or negative. 

Be gentle on yourself throughout the treatment and try to stay positive. All you can do is turn up for appointments and treatment at the right time. You can't change any diagnosis.

Fingers crossed for you. 

Still waiting for treatment plan!

Thursday 6th November

Appointment with Consultant who confirmed that “Larry the Lump” was an oestrogen receptive positive tumour and was not aggressive, (sigh of relief)! Prescribed Letrozole to minimise the oestrogen in my body which was feeding “Larry the Lump”.

Thursday 7^th November

MRI Scan and CT Scan to check if there was spread. 

Monday 11^th November 2019

I was experiencing a few niggles like aching joints, dry cough, high blood pressure etc so I rang breast nurse to see if these symptoms were a side effect from the Letrozole and whilst on the phone the breast nurse told me that although they were still waiting for the results of the MRI scan they had the results of the CT scan which showed no spread in the major organs although there was an indication of something on my breast bone, and it has spread to my lymph nodes.

Tuesday 12^th November 2019

She told me that there was a MDT meeting that afternoon where various doctors would discuss the results and see what plan they can come up with.

She also told me that the Anaesthetist would be considering my case on Thursday, due to other health problems, with a view to a mastectomy, due to other health problems, and I should get an appointment shortly.

Still waiting to hear something.  It feels like a lifetime.

I was sent something today, which many of you may have heard, but I have put it up in my kitchen to put me back in charge!

“What makes me ill, is making me better!”

”I’ve got cancer it doesn’t have me!”

Positive thoughts to everyone.

Love & Prayers

xxx

Hi, gosh, a lot to take in....I hope the letrozole is kind to you, I'm on anastrozole and fingers crossed I'm ok.....

keep us updated xxx

You too.

Have a "good" weekend.

xx

Hi Marlyn

I have finally got a date for surgery, 16th January!

The Letrzole is working well and has shrunk the tumour so it's all systems go.

Dont know what the Treatment Plan will be after that as they will wait to hear pathology results but I am told a lot depends on your physical health as well. I am not in the best of health so God knows what they will do.

Anyway, onwards and upwards, Christmas has always been my favourite time of year and I am not going to let Larry spoil that for me.

I hope you have a happy, peaceful and most importantly a "well" Christmas.

Let me know how you are keeping.

You are in my prayers.

Jo xxx

Yay! Finally!! Also a relief to know the letrzole is doing its job.....are you tolerating it ok?

all ok this end, had some bloods done last week and today found that chemo has destroyed my iron levels....so now on prescription pills....but fingers crossed I pick up soon....

Have a peaceful Christmas and here's to a positive good 2020 xxxxx