Hi Lagerlime,

I hope that you heard from the breast team and now feel happier knowing your path forward. I'm not saying that treatment will be easy, but you'll get through it and, by this time next year, you can put all of this behind you.

I can understand your worries about the hospital. Most face masks that people are wearing don't protect the wearer, only others around them. Can you get your hands on a FFP3 face mask? These are the ones that doctors are wearing in hospitals. They are single use and a lot more expensive, but they should give you better protection.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Dear Jolamine,

Thanks for the message. Yep! Got phone call yesterday a good 30 minutes talking with the breast team. The lady said because my BC is very small the surgeons managed to take all out the .7mm cancer and nothing left, but I need radiotherapy to avoid it from coming back. The therapy  session only 5 days then on Tamoxifen.

I will get all the schedule by post - first will be CT scan, swab test then dates when to start my radiotherapy. Actualy  I just learned yesterday that patient can say NO to radiotherapy treatment if they are concern about the side effect and opt to just oral medication after surgery. But I said to the lady that I will go for the therapy then oral medication fearing that the cancer might come back after a couple of months or year. Now that I am on their hands I will go whatever treatment they will offer as they know what is best for me. As they can  access to my medical records they know that I have other health issues so they know exactly what to do. 

I will look for the FFP3 mask in Amazon if I can find and buy for double protection attending my hospital appointment soon. Thank you. 
 

Best regards, 

LL2011

Hi Katie, 

I have sent you a friend request as I am similar to your diagnosis by am 31 years old.

maybe we could support each other through out care?? 
 

kirsty x

Hi Lagerlime,

Your doctors can only advise treatments. Any treatment you have is up to you. I had a few deays to radiotherapy at first and, after seeing two eminent researchers in radiotherapy for advice 11 months after my initial surgery, I followed their advice and decided not to have it. I had Tamoxifen fot the first year after my lumpectomy. When I discovered my second cancer, I had a double mastectomy and, took Letrozole for 6 years.

I was thinking about face masks further for you. There is also a Cambridge face mask which is supposed to give you good protection. Unlike the FFP3's which are single use, this can be washed and re-worn for a couple of months. These come in at about twenty-five pounds, but work out the cheaper option in the long run.

I hope that your schedule comes through soon and that your radiotherapy goes without any hitches. They are used to dealing with people who have medical issues, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

Thanks for the reply.

On Tuesday 26th January will be my CT scan then at that time I will know when to start radiotherapy. It will be 5 session so not too long to finish the therapy.

That's true. The breast team know  exactly how to treat individual as they check their medical history before giving  treatment. I decided to go for all the treatment they offered and that give me peace of mind. 
 

Regarding to face mask for double protection, we have a friend sew mask and we ordered a couple of those and when I go out for my appointments or food shopping I will wear disposable mask under the cotton mask and plastic face shield. Then wearing disposable gloves when to go the grocery shops. 

I search those FFP3 in Amazon but it's very expensive. 3-5 cost £65-£69.. I will search those mask you mentioned about from Cambridge and see if I can buy them. My only concern is when going to hospital for appointments and make sure I have a proper/double protection from catching this worsening virus. 
 

Take care. Big hugs!

LL2011

Hey 

so you don't know your pathology yet?  At least 7mm is very small and if oestrogen positive and if there's no HER2 (which I have) sounds like you'll have a great prognosis, especially as the grade of your cancer is grade 1.  There are grades one to three which represents how fast the cancer is growing and yours in the lowest.  Even if you need another op for clear margins I think everything sounds really good.  I'm 58 with a pre existing condition and I've done chemo and 3 weekly injections.  Take care x

Hi Lagerlime,

Not long now, until you start, which is good.  If you go for all the treatment offered then you can have no regrets later on. This has to be good for your peace of mind. 

The FFP3 masks are very expensive and are just single use. The Cambridge ones have military grade filtration technology and are the ones which I use myself – see https://cambridgemask.com/. They are still expensive at around £25.00 each - but what price can we put on life?

I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello gailygobs,

Thanks for the message. I've seen my oncologist after my lumpectomy and told mine is ER + breast cancer and there is no need for second operation for clear margin and that's why my doctor prescribe me Tamoxifen and 5 session of radiotherapy. I was told to be on Tamoxifen for 5 years but it depend on how I get on after the treatment and with yearly mammogram or if I notice something it is not right then I need to call my breast team for check up. 
 

So how are you after the chemo? Hope you feel a lot better now and look forward for your speedy recovery and back in good health soon.  I don't start any therapy except taking this Tamoxifen a week ago. 
 

Take care and best wishes. 
LL2011

Hi Jolamine,

It is always a pleasure chatting and sharing with people on the same health problem. 
 

Me and my husband both decided to go all the treatment the breast team offered to treat me. That will give us both peace of mind. 
 

I've been in that Cambridge mask website but it was out of stock. I will keep an eye and hope I can purchase from this company for my protection when going to hospital for treatment. 
 

I'm just started to my long journey and thank you for your best wishes. That is very much appreciated!

Hugs.. 

LL2011