Hi all 

I haven't commented for a while but have been following the thread and everyone's cancer journey. I had original surgery in December lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy.  Was called back a week early for results so knew something wasnt quite right however lymph nodes were clear so that was good.  Tumor turned out to be bigger than thought at 4.5cm so is now grade 3 invasive ductal cancer.  Margins were not clear so needed further surgery which was done on 28 Jan.  Again no pain after surgery.  Went back to clinic last week for results and unfortunately the margins are still not clear.  As I am a larger breasted woman I have been given the choice of two options.  Either a reduction so they remove a large amount of tissue with surgery to the other breast at a later date or masectomy with implant done at the same time.  Although the reduction cannot guarantee clear margins the delay in further treatment would not impact on my prognosis as they have removed the invasive cancer. They have said going straight for masectomy does not change my treatment plan either but some woman can't bear the thought of another surgery.  To be honest that doesn't phase me.  I think the consultant wouldn't suggest trying the reduction if medically my best option is masectomy.  They have been great and I am due back Friday to sign consent for surgery.

They are also doing an oncotype test to see if I will need chemo which won't be ba k for a few weeks. 

Although each time I've gone back it's not great news I am still positive. 

We have all got this stay strong everyone 

Sue xx

[@Sue49]‍, Hi sue, What a worrying time you’re having, I’m sorry to hear this. You are totally right, optimism is key to our overall well being. It’s hard not to stress, thankfully I am pragmatic and strongly feel what will be will be, i’ve learnt that things change, my original diagmosis was HER2-positive invasive ductal carcinoma some history - The lump I felt at 6 o’clock in my breast was thought to be 6mm, I then went for ultrasound immediately, having spoke to the consultant the same day, it was then two lumps thought to be 10mm and 6mm, biopsies taken and two clips were put in at the sites, I knew that wasn’t a good sign. I then got the grade 2 diagnosis. Surgery was swift, 3 weeks ago yesterday, I got the negative node test but the overall size was vastly different, 25mm and 18mm and grade 3. I didn’t get the stage yet, as the path lab is rechecking it all at the request of the surgeon. This puts me in radiotherapy territory now, at the end of all other treatment. My mastectomy choice was governed by the only 20mm space between the two tumours. I have a large breast 38e, though I acceot that these are small compared to some. It would have been tricky to get the margins. It was a no brainer for me, I wanted peace of mind. So I had a  mastetomy with recon on the day, and I now have an expander in 2/3 full, the new boob size should be a healthy C cup with which I’m thrilled, I will find it freeing, no more ‘sweaty summers’ under the boob, i’ve tried bras at £20 up to £90 but they don’t stop the droop and awful moisture under the breast in the heat, I lived in temperatures of up to 46 degrees living abroad for years, it was murder. My surgery looks amazing now it’s settling and the bruising is lessening, to say I’m thrilled would be sn understatement. So, we are all in a constant situation of ‘change’, the surgeon only has a best guess of cancer size until it’s out and on that lab table, that’s no ones fault. I am looking at chemo, then herceptin for a year, then radiotherapy. I’m not over the moon at what’s to come, but come it will, and we just have to get on and play the hand we’re dealt, to the best advantage we’re given. I see the onco in two weeks for a definitive treatment path. I hope your choice gives you that peace of mind Sue, please keep in touch, and keep that positivity, I know you will from what you’ve written. sending you a huge hug. Lyn. X

Hi lyn

Sorry to hear what you have been through too but your message did make me smile.  I feel your pain with regards to the downside of big breasts.  I am a 36H cup and also have to say that the thought of them being reduced in size is a big positive for me.  The consultant did say that if I had been smaller the reduction would not be a viable option.  I have said all all along that if they need to take the whole breast to do it.  I also had the clips put in during biopsies as they originally thought there were two areas of concern. Luckily for me the other area was fibrosis.  That was a bit if a shock finding out there might be another area.

I still have the blue boob from first surgery.  I have always been told I woukd need radio and hormone tablets but don't have stage yet.

If the reduction works he says I will be about a D cup but if I end up having masectomy then like you woukd be a C cup.

Keep in touch and you stay positive too. Hope the next steps for you are not too grueling. Take care

Sue xx

[@Sue49]‍ , Hi again. Thanks for getting back. What type is it if you don’t mind me asking? We’re all different with different treatment paths as you will know. Having a C cup sounds very agreeable after a H cup, you will know exactly what I’m talking about with bells on! I used to love running up until an ankle injury almost 20 years ago, but sports bras back then were worse than useless, and the pain and discomfort I got from doing something I loved was not enjoyable. I’m thinking - when the other is reduced to match, assuming all goes well..........pretty bras from anywhere, wearing a tailored suit or dress without my boobs walking in a room first, wearing something tailored ‘well’, I was a size 10/12 in my youth, I’min my 50’s now and  a 16, so my back size has gone up, but a jacket never fitted me right, always pulling at the front. I can’t help but see the positives, and hopefully will do for as long as I’m around. Good luck with everything, and do get back through your treatment, I’d love to hear what you ‘chose’ surgery wise. All the best, Lyn. X

Hiya

All I have been told is that it is now grade 3 invasive ductal cancer.  It was originally grade 2 as they thought it was about 3cmbut after surgery it was actually 4.5cm.   I have been told that dcis is in the margins bit the invasive cancer has been removed.

Chemo has never been ruled out and part of me is expecting that I might need some but radiotherapy has been mentioned tight from the word go along with hormone tablets. 

I think I'm more or less set on trying the reduction first unless advised differently from the medical team.  The nurses have said there is no right or wrong answer.  I've just turned 50 so hadn't started having mammograms.  Just felt a lump and then noticed a dimple. I knew it wasn't right. 

I will let you know how I get on.  I also am very positive with everything you have to be

Sue xx

[@Sue49]‍ Hi Sue, I think you should go for whatever you yourself feel the most comfortable with, only you can decide that. If the reduction is fine to go ahead with as far as your surgeon is concerned, rather than the mastectomy that’s brilliant news for you. By the type I meant the oestrogen or progesterone negative or positive as in mine being Her2-positive, they’re all different, I didn’t know which type has hormone tablets as treatment, I’m a bit green about anything other than Her2-pos.  I wish you all the best going forward and do let us know. You take care, Lyn.X

Hi, recently found this forum, I am triple positive with 5cm lump and positive lymph nodes. I am to have chemo first, then mastectomy, then radiation therapy. I am to have herceptin. Can anyone tell me how this is administered?? I read it is IV, do you attend clinic for it?.

Thanks and sorry for the hijack 

[@Anniemc2]‍ Hi Annie, please don’t apologise for the hijack, all are very welcome. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. You are having chemo first to shrink the tumour. If you’ve read the thread I am 3 weeks post mastectomy (with reconstruction on the day), my treatment path is - surgery first, small tumours (or first thought to be), then chemo, then 1 year Herceptin, then radiotherapy after everything else including surgery is finished. Herceptin can be given via IV or a via a subcutaneous injection to alternate thighs, I don’t really know why the decision is made on the administration of Herceptin or what determines it. My first onco appointment is the 2nd march when I will find out more, but that is definitely a question on my list. If IV i’m sure it would be given at the same place as chemo, unsure about the injection. If someone else doesn’t add to the link with more info for you given on their experience I will get back to you as soon as after my appointment. All the very best, Lyn. X 

Thanks for the reply, it was also mentioned to me that it could be IV or subcutaneous. How are you feeling after mastectomy? Is recovery longer with reconstruction?? I am starting chemo on March 3rd, my oncologist said the first four treatments are the worst and then it gets better after that as the drugs are changed, I'm getting pertusamab at the start. 

[@Anniemc2]‍ Hi, I’m nor sure if it’s longer with recon, I only really experienced real pain when the nerve blocker they insert during surgery wore off on about day five. I was given strong painkillers for ten days, they killed the pain almost immediately. By the tail end of week two I was fine. The drains coming out made a difference to things, it was very ‘freeing’. I had heard someone mention that Herceptin was a bit tough and Pertuzumab is similar. The very best of luck for march 3rd, I do hope you get a smooth ride, please do let me know how you get on, if you feel up to it. I will get my exact treatment path on march 2nd. Look after yourself, Lyn. x