Oh bless your mum and how funny it was the head that was grabbed instinctively!! 

Thanks my dear. I'm certainly trying to deal with this. Xxx

Evening ladies!

Just thought I'd check in to see how everyone is doing.

Sending hugs x

Hello

How are you doing? So my update is that I saw my oncologist yesterday and start chemo on Tuesday. I also had the results of my neck biopsy tonight and it's negative thank goodness!! I cried with relief. So it's only in my left boob and the invasive nodules are both less than a cm. I'm triple positive so hope to respond well to chemo and hormone therapy. My chemo qill be every two weeks for 8 weeks and then I'll be checked and then move on to a different chemo drug once weekly for 12 weeks. 5 months in total. 

Xxx

Hi Vicki, 

So good to hear from you and so pleased that the neck biopsy was negative. And triple positive is great news too. Wishing you all the best for your first chemo. You've got this!

I'm doing fine. Still waiting for MRI date but expecting it to be next week then assuming all as expected will be having my surgery 10th March. Fingers crossed.

It's my birthday next Thursday so hoping I will be able to have lunch with my mum and sis rather than in an MRI but we shall see!!!

Thank you for your update! Sending lots of love xx

Hope everyone is doing well.  
I had the results of my second biopsy yesterday and thankfully it was DCIS low grade and no invasive so that's reassuring I suppose.  It would have been better if they were benign but I kind of knew they wouldn't be!

They are sending all my pictures for a second opinion as I'm so anxious about something else being missed.  Once they hear back they will schedule surgery.

I've decided on a mastectomy as my 2 areas of calcs were wide apart and she said they could be "talking to each other".  I want to be super safe.  Surprised to hear that as long as no lymph node spread not even radiotherapy needed, just tamoxifen.

Worries how it will look but I don't fancy a reconstruction.  A relative had one and she said she looked like someone had attacked her with a machete!  Awful scarring.  I'm happy to be flat and tidier!

Anyone else had it done??   

Hi Mary, 

It's good news that the DCIS is low grade. I also had to have masectomy, as I think I told you before. It's a hard and very personal choice whether to have a reconstruction or not. I just wanted to say that my reconstructed breast is very well done with minimal scarring and certainly doesn't look like I have been hit with a machete. If you wanted to, you could ask to be seen by a plastic surgeon to discuss reconstruction options before ruling it out. They can show you photos of how they generally look. 

Good luck making your decision, I just told myself that I have to live with my choice and I wanted to be sure it was the best one for me before I finalised it. 

Virtual hugs Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey, thanks.

I'm so glad to hear that your reconstruction was good.  My relative had a bad experience and I don't think she's particularly happy with the results.

I did wonder about the plastic surgeon.  The breast surgeons are just that aren't they, and will focus on removing the cancer.  In my mind they're not plastic surgeons who focus on a good aesthetic result.  I suppose it's too late once it's all gone and perhaps there isn't enough skin left for reconstruction.  
 

I'm a bit surprised she didn't mention a plastic surgeon actually.  She agreed straight away to do a mastectomy.  She said because I had found the whole experience hard with anxiety (who doesn't), she felt it would be easier for me rather than coping with yearly check ups and a possible recurrence.  That's true tbf, I couldnt cope with that.

So, as I've got some time I will get a second opinion from a plastic surgeon.  Thanks again. Xx

Hi Mary, 

You're quite right the breast surgeon is specifically that. Only the plastic surgeon can review reconstruction options and recommendations for you. 

You certainly would rule out any skin sparing options if you have a masectomy. They can do other delayed reconstructions, but again if you want to know about that you need to see a plastic surgeon. 

It's not too late for you to ask your BCN to be referred to a plastic surgeon to discuss options if that's what you want. It will mean a surgery delay but that will be managed safely. Completely up to you, but don't sit on the fence with your decision, time is of the essence. 

Good luck - hugs Mickey xx ️

Good advice Mickey that I'll take on board xx