Remember you can deal with what you know. Sending strength x

Thank you xxxx

Oh lovely dont give them second though in your work and definitely dont let them make you feel like you have to be back before your ready. RedRuth84 is spot on, treatment plans can change and your better off in the long run taking the time you need than going back then taking time off again. Im lucky my work has been understanding but then my workplace is so unstable Im not even sure if I have much of a job to go back to! Xx

Hi just read your post and I find it unbelievable that they are trying to get you back into work so soon and no caring attitude or empathy ,even when I had a knee replacement the time off was supposed to be 2 weeks to 12 weeks ,I was actually off 20 weeks because everyone heals differently and only you can say how long you need ,its a shame you don't have an occupational therapist  because they would have helped, they helped me lots when they started getting on my case , it takes as long as it takes for you physically and emotionally as well , don't be rushed its your health .

Yes a lumpectomy and radiotherapy do go hand in hand. That was my plan too. Hopefully that's all you'll need. Mine is apparently more aggressive than they thought so hence the chemo. It's not too long until 4th October now. Let us know how you get on. 

You'll have to have a frank conversation with your boss. Radiotherapy itself is exhausting and causes fatigue. It's daily for 3 or more weeks. My sister in law is a GP and suggests being off until after radiotherapy and a bit more time to recover. 

This recovery isn't linear and there are good days and bad. Xx

Hi Jenny, you are so right! Everyone is different, no one knows until they are in this situation. I certainly don't want to be rushed x

That's right it isn't linear and I'm certainly not taking the *** being off, just getting a good night's sleep is all I want at the moment. Frank conversation with the boss, dreading that, she'll talk over me as always and I won't be able to get a word in....I'll keep you posted, thanks ladies for your support xxx

Hi, how are you doing? I've been off all week and planned to go back to work from Monday...still getting nerve pain which has been horrible at times..  got appointment at my doctors in a bit, see what he says...xx

Hello lovely!! Awe hon have they given you anything for the nerve pain? Hope your feeling better soon, what yourself and all of us have gone through is a big deal physically and emotionally, I know you have mentioned your employer arent the most empathetic bunch to say the least, if you can in any way avoid it please dont feel pressured to go back until your ready! 

Im doing okay and healing well, had my post surgical meeting today and my bandages off. Big long scar but its neat and tidy and healed up well. I had my pathology in, the 5 sentinel LN my surgeon took during surgery all came back negative!! It came back as stage 2a, grade 2. The Oncologist on my MDT feels I should have chemotherapy due to my age so waiting to have a meeting with them to discuss it further and see what they think, because Im medically in a grey area in terms of true benefit of chemo they have put the ball in my court but I think Im leaning towards it. After chemo its tamoxifen for 10 years then. Xxx

Hi hun, been Doctors and definitely have nerve pain so I've got amitriptolene to take each night and see how I get on, very understanding doctor to. I k ow what you mean about work but last week I was asked for sick noes so I know I'm only getting SSP and well...that won't pay the bills!! Doctor said if I can't manage then she's happy to give me another sick note...I can only try...this shooting pain in my arm pit, omg and when my arm is by my side it feels like it's sticking to me...its hard to describe. I'm pleased you are healing well hun, my scar area is so numb to touch still. If you think chemo will help then it's your decision, I've still got to wait for final results and will no doubt be on my next appointment and any tablets which no doubt will be same for me..  I've had to say a few times to people that even though they've removed the tumour doesn't mean I'm OK! Think some need reminding of that, in my head I'm definitely not but I know I've got to deal with it best I can, my mind my body etc. Just like yourself. Getting the dressing off was a big thing for me and coming to terms with the scar, but then I think of you hun, much more than a scar taken away and then guilt gets hold of me...that's not anything bad towards you at all, I'm grateful mine was where it was at when it was found thank God but we all in this together and that means so much to me. You have come a long way since you first posted, like I have.  Only we know what it's like.. I'm happy you are hun...hope you have a lovely weekend luv T xxx

Hi Rambleon I'm glad you've had good news from the surgery. That's really good.

Have a good chat with the oncologist. Chemo is scary. I had my meeting with the oncologist but my benefit with chemo is 15% so definitely worth it after the 59/100 on the oncotyping result and definitely recommend for me. Plus tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors and likely bisphosphonates. I just wish they'd sent me straight for chemo rather than do oncotyping. The oncologist was suprised the other hospital did that test given my tumour was Grade 3. It's just delayed everything a month or so.  

However the list of health impacts is really scary.  I just view it as a necessary evil. Xx

I'm wondering if I have this now too as since the holiday I've been getting pains on and off. 

Coming to terms with the scar is a big step forward. Every step forward is important here I feel. 

I start chemo on 1 October, the day after my 40th birthday.  I just want to get on with treatment now. Xx

I'm wondering if I have this now too as since the holiday I've been getting pains on and off. 

Coming to terms with the scar is a big step forward. Every step forward is important here I feel. 

I start chemo on 1 October, the day after my 40th birthday.  I just want to get on with treatment now. Xx

Hi lovely, good luck with the chemo. Seems we both have September birthdays, mine on Tuesday but can't be bothered lol. Got my appointment on 4th October so I'll let you know. Xx

Hello lovelies. 

Thought Id hop on and see how your all doing? Hope you all had a lovely weekend and doing well. 

Not sure about anyone else but my anxiety has been a mare these last few days. Before BC I ate a keto diet to help control my hormonal acne and moods, since being diagnosed Ive been eating oreos, cake, basically any carb that looks like it would temporarily cheer me up worked at the time but just started my menses and its the worst its been in months for my skin and anxiety my thoughts are just a bit rain cloudy right now! Praying I get along okay with Tamoxifen as all I hear are the stories around that. 
Thats my moan for today anyway, hope everyone is all okay but if your feeling fed up, anxious, angry, hormonal or a cocktail of them all please don't feel alone and if you need to chat Im here xxx

Hi Rambleon.  I think this whole journey is a rollercoaster. I haven't cried much during this journey but yesterday I had a full on meltdown whilst having my PICC line inserted before my first EC chemo. They couldn't get it in until the 4th attempt. I was in full panic mode! 

As a result I felt shocking yesterday. Today isn't so bad. 

What did you decide in terms of chemo? Did you speak to the oncologist? 

I was on tamoxifen between diagnosis smd surgery about a month and a half all in all. I didn't find it at all bad. The only side effect was being dehydrated. It actually stopped the night sweats I had been getting before hand. Hope that helps. Xx

Oh bless you, Im sending you a massive hug right now.
Is the PICC line insertion sore? How many chemo sessions are you having? 

ive decided to go for it, Im now waiting on meeting with the oncologist to see what they feel the next best steps are. Im scared but it felt like had I not gone for it Id be feeling like I should have and not felt like I did all I could. I am hoping Il be one of the 4months of chemo ones but I’ll go with what they feel is best. 
It really is such a rollercoaster isnt it, on the good days I feel brave and on the bad I almost feel like a scared kid. I have a sensitivity to hormones so although Im praying I get along with tamoxifen okay Im also a bit nervous about  it. Xxx

Don't worry the PICC line shouldn't be sore. They do give you local anaesthetic but they said my veins are really smaller so they kept hitting problems and nerves so it was sore for me. Hopefully though you won't have a problem. It's fine now expect the ends are long. 

I'm on 3 rounds of EC. So 1 infusion every 21 days and then 3 rounds of Docetaxel with the rounds every 21 days and then radiotherapy as I had a lumpectomy. 

Yeah I think the what ifs are the big issue. There's so much to consider. Mine is a no brainer at 15% benefit. Everyone at the chemo unit was brilliant and very friendly yesterday. It's very chilled. 

I have PCOS so my hormones are all over the place anyway  maybe that's why I got some benefit to tamoxifen - who knows. Xx 

Awe Im glad the atmosphere there is chilled, that in itself makes a huge difference. How long from your oncology meeting to starting chemo was it for you? I doubt we will end up in the same chemo month chats that are out there unless referral to starting treatment goes really quickly for me but keep me posted on how you get on lovely. Just messaging on here has made my anxiety a little less so thank you. 
Are you giving cold capping a go? Xxx

2 weeks and 1 day from the consultant meeting to starting.  I'm not doing any other chats. Just the Younger Women Together group from Breast Cancer Now. Which is also brilliant group support. They are all a bit further on that me so I've had a few hints and tips from them.

I decided against cold capping. I can't stand the cold and I have borderline Raynauds Syndrome and all the extra time and faff I didn't want to bother with. I just keep telling myself it's temporary. And especially with the outcomes I've heard of it was the right decision for me. Xx

Hi Rambleon88 RedRuth84  ladies, just reading your posts....I'm emotional this week, Friday when I get results from operation. I'm back at work, this is second week in....took me til now to catch up with everything! I'm dreading Friday, it is a roller coaster of emotions. Pain is much better today, amitriptolene from doctors helped so much...still taking it as its definitely helping me sleep to as I was struggling with that as well..  I'll let you know how I get on xx

2 weeks! crickey thats not long to wait! 
I hope it all goes well lovely, its a big decision but its one of those “the only way out is through” situations I think. Im here if you need to chat and will share any tips I hear.

Im tempted to give cold caping a go but then part of me just feels like it may be a lot of faff and the results arent a given, may get my eyebrows microbladed though as all I went through my teens/early 20s drawing on my brows and even with all those years experience I was absolutely rubbish at drawing them on. Il see what my BN and Oncologist says.

Your right this is temporary “this too shall pass” as they say xxx

Oh lovely Ive been thinking of you. 
Im so glad your in less pain and sleeping well, that will help you no-end. I just wish I could give you a hug because its a lot when waiting to get your surgical results. I found it was like a slightly less intense “Biopsy limbo” but still incredibly difficult. 
keep us posted, you arent alone xxx