Hello,

I was diagnosed with grade 2 invasive ductal breast cancer in my left breast in early February. I underwent a lumpectomy in day care surgery on 23rd March.  The operation is straightforward and sentinel node biopsy done at the same time under ga. I was back on my feet after 2 days. They will explain about radiotherapy if you need it, when you see the oncologist, which will be a few weeks or maybe months after surgery.  My cancer too is oestrogen positive. I am now taking letrozole to block any remaining hormones as I am post menopausal. You will be fine, look after yourself in preparation for the operation, eat well and exercise. I just thank my lucky stars I went for the screening (my first mammogram). Hope this helps. 

Thanks so much Kazza

I'm only 40 so went as a found a lump which  the nurse at the GP practice  initially thought was nothing to worry about. I am so pleased that they still referred me, non-urgently, for a mammogram and ultrasound otherwise who knows how long it would have been before it was picked up.

I am trying to stay upbeat about it all as just somthing to deal with and keeping fingers crossed that the recommended treatment post op will be straightforward.

Did you have chemo or radiotherapy as well as the letrozole?

Hello,

I was scheduled for possible radiotherapy but had my follow up today when I was told there was dcis around the tumour removed. This is non invasive cancer cells in the ducts which may turn into tumours, so it's been decided I will have a mastectomy. I am fine with it. All our journeys are different and I am sure yours will be straightforward. Ask any questions you feel necessary, however small. My team are fabulous and I am sure yours are too.  I believe normal practice is lumpectomy and radiotherapy and either tamoxifen or letrozole, dependent upon whether you are pre or post menopausal. Let me know how you get on, keep positive and keep on this forum, its helped me so much.

Thanks so much Kazza, I'll let you know how it goes with the consultant tomorrow.

Had a bad night ( too much googling) but i am feeling much more positive this morning.

xx

Hi jojo2020

So sorry to hear your diagnosis today.

I was diagnosed with aggressive grade 3 idc er+ her2+ last September and my lump was 4cm and I am now towards the end of my journey whilst you're at the beginning. I had 6 Months of chemo followed by a mastectomy in February (without reconstruction) and have just had my 4th herceptin injection out of 18. Originally was planned to have lumpectomy and radiotherapy but after a second lump was found in the same breast, a full mastectomy was done. 10years of letrozole too.

Looking back it all passed very quickly but when it's ahead of you it can feel like a long road to travel.  Everyone reacts differently to chemotherapy and I was dreading it, however it wasn't as bad as I thought, doable!

If I could give you any advice, keep off Dr Google and listen to your body, rest when you feel the need to. You will have good days and rougher days.

Good luck with your treatment, and look after yourself, especially with covid19.

If you wish to ask any questions please feel free.

Lulu

Hi 

im very new to this journey- I had the same diagnosis as you a couple of weeks ago also HER + . I'm 42. My hospital is delaying surgeries so my treatment plan has changes a bit. I won't have my lumpectomy for a couple of months.  In the meantime they have put me on tamoxifen so I'm hoping it is doing its stuff!!!  After the lumpectomy I'll have radiotherapy. Sorry I can't answer any of your questions, but seems that we are at similar stages. Take care xx 

Good luck for this morning, hope all goes well xx

Hi Sunshine,

I seem to have the same diagnosis as you and I have also been told there may be a delay with my operation. However my doctor said she was going to put my case forward as she didn't think taking the drug first is not as effective in younger women. Sorry I don't want to alarm you as this time is scary enough but thought you could raise this with your doctor and we could see what they say? I am 40 and it sounds to me we have similar diagnosis of course I'm not a doctor so I may be wrong.

I was thinking of asking if there will be additional screening to ensure the drug is working if I'm not able to have the operation.

Ursulah x

Hi Ursulah 

That's interesting, I've not heard this before, but might be worth looking into. I'm seeing the consultant in a few weeks time and I'm hoping they can ultrasound me to see if the tumour has shrunk. In the meantime I have completely overhauled my diet so that the cancer can't feed off anything and exercising once a day as per government instructions!!!! I don't know how much of a difference this will make, but it makes me feel a bit better as I feel I'm a bit more in control of an overwhelming situation. 
 

Keep in touch as I would be interested to know if your doctor is able to do anything and in the meantime I might speak to my BCN

Takr care x