Hi how are you doing?

Have you had any more news yet?

I had my phone meeting with surgeon Monday and felt like I had more questions than answers, but then a breast nurse called me yesterday and was amazing, she went through all my results and told me everything! 

So I'm triple positive er, pr and her2, I'm booked in for surgery Tuesday, the lump is 3cm, grade 3 and I'm having therapeutic mammoplasty as they'll have to take a lot of tissue out (basically reconstructive surgery), 4 weeks after surgery I've got to have 4-5 months chemo and herceptin, then 15 sessions of radiotherapy, then anti hormone tablets for 5-10 years...

I'm in a bit of a daze to be honest, after initially being told lumpectomy and radiotherapy, it all sounds a bit much, they haven't mentioned what stage it is, but the surgeon said they'd get more details 2 weeks after removal.

I hope you are ok xx

Hi

That is so much info for anyone to take in. I hope you are OK with it all? Your info provided is much more detailed than what I have been told. I got my pre op yesterday and only got my biopsy results about an hour ago. I am her2 negative but highly hormone sensitive or something. Nit quite sure what it means. I know nothing about size, grade etc. I'm getting surgery on Friday morning for lumpectomy and removal of 4 or 5 lymph nodes. I have 2 go to 1 hospital in the morning to have dye in my chest then head 2 the 2nd hospital for the op. I asked what treatment I am getting after surgery and she said I would be told what's ahead of me in 2 weeks time. I'm now at the stage where I am glad at least that the surgery 2 get the cancer out of my body is about to go ahead. How are you feeling about it all? Xx

Hi, 

It was a lot to take in but I'm glad I know what's coming! I will get more info 2 weeks after as well, when they get more tests and info from the tumour, they are taking 2 lymph nodes too to check. I guess they base what treatment we need on these results.

I think as I'm her2 positive that's why I'm having chemo, im not 100% to be honest!! I've got a face to face appt tomorrow with surgeon tomorrow so I can ask more questions then.

I'm glad its moving fast for us though, I'll be so glad when it's out of me!! 

Very best of luck for friday, what a polava though going to 2 different hospitals! I'll be thinking of you 

Zoey xx

Thanks ever so much and we will do this. You seem to have consultants that are keeping you well informed so Keep positive and all will be OK...best of luck for Tuesday. I am focusing on the sooner they operate the sooner its removed from us and keeping my chin up. 

Best wishes 

Nikki xx

Hi,

Just wanted to say I've had my breast conserving surgery and lymph node removal and the surgeon seems happy enough with everything. I don't know if You are having the dye injected around the nipple before surgery but if you are I wanted to let you know that it wasn't as bad as I imagined it to be. It was over and done with in seconds.

Also after the surgery I felt OK and luckily for me I was allowed home around 5 hours later once I'd shown I was OK and could eat and drink.

I was given 3 different pain killers home and some pairs of lovely white blood clot preventing socks to be worn for the next 6 weeks.

I feel OK this morning although I am taking pain relief. My arm has limited movement and across my shoulder blade feels sore too but generally not so bad after only a day after surgery. I have now to stay isolated incase I require anymore surgery once the results come back from the bits they have remove. If if I do require surgery it will be immediate. Fingers crossed I don't. From there I then get my treatment plan as I don't know what I'm getting next.

I hope this little bit of info on my experience yesterday may be of help to you and again all the best for Tuesday. Hope everything goes well. We can do this.

Nikki x

Hi Nikki,

So glad it went well and you're feeling ok, thank you for all the info, it really does help!

I only researched the dye injection today and did freak out a little when I realised what they did! so that's a relief thanks!

Yes fingers crossed your lymph nodes are clear and no more surgery in the pipeline!

I had my covid swab and mrsa swab and 4 lots of bloods today and I'm isolating now ready for Tuesday.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, thanks again for the updates, take good care of yourself and I'll let you know how I get on after Tuesday,

Stay strong,

Zoey x

Hi Zoey,

Just a little message to say that I hope all goes really well today and I will be thinking of you.

Once the surgery Is over don't try and do everything all by yourself and take all the help you can get. I've found it takes so much more effort to do little things. Blow drying my hair with the left hand has been a disaster . 

I will hear how you have got in when you are able too.

Best of luck. You can do this

Nikki x

Hi Nikki,

Thank you for your kind words.

I am home and feeling ok, not too much pain, thankfully, I'm just on paracetamol.

It was a bloody long day though, arrived at hospital at 7.30am but I was last on the list and didnt go down to theatre until 4pm, fortunately all went well and I was discharged just after 9pm.

I too have the lovely socks, but only for 2 weeks, follow up appointment in 2 weeks and I have to take all the dressings off 2 days before.

I'm feeling really well in myself, I'm just very tired, I don't think the 8.5 hour wait without food and drink helped yesterday!!

I hope you are feeling ok and looking after yourself x

We can tick the first step off now!

Take care,

Zoey xx

Hi zoey,

Absolutely brilliant news hearing it has all went well for you. As you said that's us both got the first step out the way and hopefully the cancers cut out us both.

I was phoned yesterday to be told I will have a letter in the post for an appointment next tues/wed. Hopefully my results are in by then and I can be told my treatment plan and get out of isolation.

I think the waiting is the worst in this full situation. 

Take it easy zoey and remember your arm exercises

Nikki x