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Chemo before mastectomy

Laurenren
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Hi all,

Hope you're all ok :) I met the consultant today after weeks of scans, appointments and the usual dreaded waiting after being told I had breast cancer and lymph node involvement. Good news that the ct scan showed no spread anywhere else in my body. That has been my main worry so now I am concentrating on getting this horrible C bomb out of me!

The plan I was told a few wks ago was lumpectomy and then chemo but today he told me it has changed to chemo first and then mastectomy. I totally trust my breast team and am happy to do whatever he thinks is best for me, although it was a shock to hear I'll lose the whole breast but it's better than worrying about the tumours as he found more and quite large.

Not totally sure why I'm posting here but it's just to see if anyone else has had chemo first and how it all went. If truth be told, the thought of chemo scares the *** out of me :( But obviously I know it's going to help me!

What a long, strange road we all find ourselves on.

I'm 40 and healthy and happy! Hate how it just strikes any of us whenever it feels like it!

Anyway, thanks for listening to my big rambling message. Sending every single one of you strength and so much love!xx

Parents
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    Hi Laurenren,

    I think I've responded to you on other posts as we had a similar diagnosis. I had my first chemo last Thursday which I'll be having before surgery. At this stage I'm not certain if I'll be having a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I have lymph node involvement and a second smaller lump in the same breast. I get my CT results today. 
    I'm having 6 sessions of chemo, surgery then possibly radiotherapy. 
    When I spoke to my breast nurse we spoke about how getting the chemo first means the horrible lump is been treated immediately. My consultant said I may even be able to feel it shirinking which is encouraging. It was also encouraging to hear that with lymph node involvement chemo is the best treatment plan for me now. 
    Hope all goes well with you.

    x

  • Offline in reply to rmscj

    Hi,

    Yes I think we have chatted before! I seem to dip in and out of here depending on what I can handle that day haha. I feel better now that I know what the plan is and I concentrate on that and stop my mind worrying about other possible problems! 
     

    Our plan sounds much the same! So glad you have started now and heading towards kicking its ***! How was the chemo for you? It's what I fear the most but also know it's what will get rid of it for us.

    Sending hugs x

Reply
  • Offline in reply to rmscj

    Hi,

    Yes I think we have chatted before! I seem to dip in and out of here depending on what I can handle that day haha. I feel better now that I know what the plan is and I concentrate on that and stop my mind worrying about other possible problems! 
     

    Our plan sounds much the same! So glad you have started now and heading towards kicking its ***! How was the chemo for you? It's what I fear the most but also know it's what will get rid of it for us.

    Sending hugs x

Children
  • Offline in reply to Laurenren

    Hi,

    I also have dipped in and out. It is reassuring in a way to have a plan and know what the plan is. 
     

    Chemo itself wasn't so bad. I had a PICC line put in on the day and everyone was lovely. Felt ok afterwards. I was suprised at how quickly it goes. Have had a rough couple of days with tiredness and feeling sick but they did give me medication for the sickness if needed. Each day is better now though than the day before which is hopeful. 
     

    Hope your chemo goes well. Keep us updated x

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