Hi Phili, Christmas has been okay, no relaxing though. Hubby and me have my mum with us as dad had a horrendous fall on the 16th, the same day I got the cancer diagnosis, and is still in hospital 90 miles away - parents live in Yorkshire us in Lancashire, no visiting of course, so all in all i’m anxious, though nothing to do with the cancer! (Oh the irony). So pleased you have extra treatment options, that must put your mind at ease a little. Will Let you know how wednesday pans out. To other lovelies out there possibly reading, here’s to a brighter, healthier 2021.

Dear Phili1, Sue49, Amy1988 & Yorkiegal,

There are indeed a great number of different types, grades and stages of breast cancer, something that many of us don't realise until we become directly involved. Fortunately, treatments have progressed tremendously over the years and many people now live with it rather than die with it.

I lost my Mum to breast cancer, so thought the worst when I was first diagnosed, yet here I am 11 years on, still living a good quality of life. I had two young teenagers to break the news to, but they were and have been a tremendous support, as has my hubby. This first year is always a hard one, with so many uncertainties, surgery and treatments to get through, etc, but it is doable.

I had a seond cancer less than a year after the first and am currently undergoing tests for a third. This was a shock, but I have found that positivity has helped me through my journey

I wish you all the very best on your individual journeys and am always here if I can help you in any way.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx

My name is ruth aged 54

mammogram in feb 2020 all clear

three benign simple cysts aspirated left breast feb may july Diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease

Diagnosed with grade 2 cancer right breast

nurse for 30 kept telling anyone who would listen something wasnt right

Even the dog kept sitting close to me

married adopted child of 17

spent xmas day in bed on diazepam

history of pcos

Drank too much wine due to my sister dying  four yrs ago

overweight brought it on myself

Totally devasted and cant even look to see what a grade 2 is

Hi Ruth,

sorry your having a hard time at the minute. Please don’t think you have bought this on yourself. I think we all have moments like that but there are so many factors at play, we can’t blame ourselves. We can just try and be healthy enough to move forward. 

Im sorry you lost your sister four years ago. Any death of a loved one is the most heartbreaking experience. Do you have any other family members about to offer you support? 

I think grade 2 means it might grow slightly quicker than grade 1. I’m not 100% sure . Mine is grade 3 so I am probably going to have chemotherapy before surgery. 

Im always here for a chat if you need someone to talk to. 

Phili x

Jolamine,

Thank you for your support. Your story is definitely inspiring! 

Im here to offer support back so keep us updated with your current tests

xx

Thanks Phil 

Im just in total shock to be honest I cant google because my husband has banned me do you know anything about a grade 2 

I cant move from my bed at the minure paralysed by fear

Hi Phil,

Thank you. I shall certainly let you know how I get on.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx

hi phil

im coming out of the shell shock but worried sick about the ct scan on thursday

Do you know anymore about this grade 2 stuff i cant find much on it

still blaming myself fot the drinking

Hi Ruth, 

Im glad your starting to feel a bit better. Of course we are going to worry but I’m sure it will get easier for us once we know our plans and start treatment. 

 I’ve just had my CT scan today and it was absolutely fine. 

Breast cancer now is a really good website for info and support. There’s a forum on there too, and you can request booklets for free on the website either pdf or free delivery. I’ve ordered a couple. 

Did you not get any leaflets or anything from the dr? 

So ive had a little look on breast cancer now website and it says ;

Grade 1 is looks like most normal breast cells and is usually slow growing

Grade 2 looks less like normal cells and is growing faster

Grade 3 looks different to normal breast cells and is usually fast growing

So the positive is that your in the middle, and hopefully your CT results come back with good news too. 

Aw hun, please don’t blame yourself. I used to be a huge party animal back in the day. The thing is everybody could find something they did too much of, or should have done differently, but sometimes it doesn’t matter, even the healthiest people get cancer. The main thing is you focus on you now. It’s ok to research but do it in the right places so this website or breast cancer now are good, with accurate information. I actually feel a lot better after having done some research.

xx

Hi, I don't even know where to begin, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis this year was the hardest year of my life; it was meant to be special and exciting but it turned out to be a nightmare.

At the start of the lockdown in March I found out I was pregnant with my second child everything was great I was over the moon my partner and my daughter were so excited, then a few months down the line I felt a lump on my right breast.

I booked an appointment done some test and got diagnosed with TNBC in July whilst 5 months pregnant at 30. I didn't enjoy the end of my pregnancy at all 

I started chemo 3 weeks later, at first I was scared because I didn't know if the treatment would harm the baby, but the doctor's assured me that my baby would be safe. I think because my hormones were all over the place I used to cry non stop... I thank God every day for my partner he's been my rock through out this horror movie.

I started chemo in August I would have treatment every 3 weeks but unfortunately my tumor was not shrinking. The my treatment was changed in October, I had to go in every week for 3 weeks and then stop a month before I was induced.

I was induced on the 11th of November 2020 and my princess was born on the 14th of November she was born 2 weeks early. 

For that moment I forgot I had breast cancer I  went home the same day because I had a natural birth and the doctors gave me the all clear.

On the 19th of November I had a mastectomy I'm still coming to terms with it, all I could say to myself was im doing it for my children. They took some lymph nodes to check the staging.

The surgery went well, my lymph nodes were clear and my ct scan was clear aswell. I due to start treatment again in a week.
 

We will beat this beast and it will never come back again.