Hi Jolamine, 

Had my results today and it was good news, CT scan was all clear which was the biggest relief. The cancer is I think they said bilateral cancer, grade 1 but larger than last time. Just need lumpectomy then radiotherapy and carry on with the Tamoxifen. 

Regards 

Jo x x x

Hi jo ...

Sorry not been on for awhile, but that angel jolomine has been looking after you , so know you were in good hands ... high 5 the C T was clear ... looks far more strait forward now ..

So here's hoping everything goes well ... Chrissie xx

Thanks Chrissie 

X x x

Hi Jo,

How are you feeling in yourself about your diagnosis?

Although you may not think so, this is really good news if it is still grade 1, even though it is larger than last time. Did you remember to ask what type and grade of breast cancer you had last time and, is this the same type or a different one?

Having been through the lumpectomy , radiotherapy and Tamoxifen before, you know exactly what you are facing and, you know that it is all 'doable'.

Have you been given any idea of when your surgery will be?

Thinking of you and hoping that you don't have too long to wait.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

Hope you are well? 

I did ask what type of cancer it was last time and this time but can’t remember. They are virtually the same but some slight differences meaning this is a new cancer which is good news. I have surgery on 21st March, we actually celebrated last night as no sign anywhere else and it’s not the original cancer. I feel so different to how I did a year ago whenever i first diagnosed. It  feels like a weight has been lifted even though I had a cancer diagnosis again. We asked about my daughter, she is going to visit her GP to ask to be referred for a family history check as she is 27, just for piece of mind for us all. 

I did ask a lot of questions, the consultant is confident I won’t get cancer again even though he said the team were all surprised I had it in the opposite side, we did point out that’s what I was told a year ago!! 

Kind Regards

Jo x x x 

Hi Lottie,

This is where it is helpful to have someone with you who can write down the answers, as we only manage to remember a small proportion of the discussion that takes place during consultation.

First time around I was told that if I had to have cancer, mine was one of the least aggressive types and was unlikely to recur. Yet, within a year , I had a new cancer in the same breast. There is no reason why you shouldn't have celebrated last night. The fact that it hasn't spread is good news, so I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

Because my mum had breast cancer, as have I, we offered to get my daughter tested, but she declined. She decided that she would rather take her chances and get tested if she notices any changes. She didn't want to know if she was a prime candidate and said that she didn't want to live with that knowledge for the rest of her days.

I am glad to hear that you feel different than you did a year ago, despite being diagnosed with cancer again. At least you know what to expect this time. What surgery are they going to do and, have they discussed follow up treatment for you yet?

I go in for my melanoma next Monday and, I am looking forward to getting the surgery behind me.

I shall be thinking of you on 21st March and hope that it all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jo,

I went to the hospital for my procedure on Monday. The Plastic Surgeon was really pleasant and very thorough. He explained that if he removed the lesion with a 2½cm margin (the minimum he needs to remove) and the pathology result comes back as benign, then I couldn't have plastic surgery afterwards (no funding), but if the lesion proves to be cancerous, then there is no problem in getting a skin graft.

He looked at some of the other lesions on my body and found another suspect one on my right leg, just above my ankle. I have had 2 excision biopsies, with quite a sizeable chunk removed from both lesions. I have to keep the dressing on my face for a week and go back to the clinic to get the stitches on my face out then. I also have to see my GP to remove the stitches from my leg in 2 weeks.

I must confess that I was not looking forward to getting the anaesthetic in my face, but both were virtually painless. They weren’t even too bad when the local anaesthetic wore off!

The pathology results are not likely to be back for 4-6 weeks - what a time to wait! He was saying that if they turn out to be benign, then he wouldn't operate as he has already removed the pigmented area today.

My return appointments arrived in the post during the week. I have the appointment for 1 week to get my stitches removed, but my 4 week return is for 2nd July. I phoned my consultant’s secretary on Wednesday and left a message stating that I thought that she had made a mistake giving me an appointment for 4 months instead of 4 weeks. I was at work on Thursday when the secretary phoned back and told my hubby that this was the first available appointment. She told him that they don’t give results over the phone and the only way that I might bring this date forward is by phoning regularly to see if she has a cancellation. As you can imagine, I'm not going to leave it at this without a fight! Why is nothing ever straightforward?

How are you bearing up with your wait for surgery?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

Havent been on here for a while, it’s hard working and coping with everything. 

Hope you are well? Did you manage to get an earlier appointment and any results yet with the pathology? 

Had my surgery, all went well but had cancer in one of lymph nodes so having additional radiotherapy(was offered all lymph nodes to be removed but didn’t want that) then being put into the menopause so I can take other medication to prevent any recurrence. 

Jo x x 

Hi Lottie,

Sorry about your shock.  As you can see Jolamine as your lady for this once, but just wanted to add a couple of things.

If it is a different cancer to your first one then it will just be treated however it needs to be treated, and that may well be lumpectomy and radiotherapy again (depends on the cancer obviously).  However, the other thing to consider if it is a different cancer is that you may wish to push for genetic testing, especially if you have family.

My mum had has two different cancers in the same breast, ages 43 and 60) the latter one aggressive.  She's in her 70s now and very healthy so I hope that gives you hope.

Your doctor will be uber cautious as they will want to make sure it definitely isn't metastases (that would undoubtedly be the worst of the two) so it could mean longer waits than usual, but it is worth it to know for sure.

Fingers crossed (albeit that sounds odd!) it's a new, different cancer and they can treat it easily.

Will be thinking of you.