Hi Izzy,

I am so sorry that your results have brought up other questions and, shown your cancer to be more aggressive than it seemed at first.

I hope that your Oncotype test comes back with a low score. in this instance, I agree with your surgeon. If your score is between 1-10, the treatment is often Hormone therapy, such as Tamoxifen. This is supposed to reduce your cancer, so could naturally skew the scores for your Oncotype test. You will want to get your true figures, so don't impact upon this by taking the Tamoxifen before you have your test.

Another benefit of a low score, would possibly indicate no need for chemo. It will all depend on how high your score is. Have you any idea of when you'll get your Oncotype test appointment? I hope that it comes through soon and that it all turns out to be low scoring.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

I've questioned why he won't do a biopsy for oncotype and he said it should be done at the time of the surgery.

so it could turn out to not be as aggressive as they may think after all and they will have pushed me into the mammoplasty I don't want and off the lists for dieps...

Hi Izzy,

Is your surgeon doing any DIEPS at present? Most are not doing any reconstruction at all due to Covid. This may be why he is pushing for mammoplasty. I agree that it is scary to agree to a mammoplasty instead of a lumpectomy. However, because the majority of hospitals are not carrying out scans at present, many people are having mammoplasties.

As someone who has had breast cancer twice in the past 11 years and, has had a lumpectomy first time, followed by a bilateral mastectomy for the second bout, I wish that I had been given a mastectomy initially and, saved myself the bother of having two operations in one year. I also found that aesthetically, the breast which had 2 operations, doesn't look great, whereas the other is ok. Unfortunately, I was unable to have a reconstruction due to previous non-cancer related surgery. That's just my experience and, I suspect that I was much older than you when I was diagnosed, so this may have also influenced my last operations.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Hayley,

I hope that all goes well for you tomorrow. It's good that you are first on the list tomorrow, so it should all be over quickly.

I shall be thinking of you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Not doing DIEPs right now but due to resume in near future not exactly sure when. 
i don't understand why he can't do a biopsy now to send for oncotype then put me on tamoxifen until I can have a diep 

Hi Izzy,

The Oncoype test is usually carried out on breast tissue removed at the time of surgery. I haven't had this test, so cannot say why it is done them - perhaps because they take more tissue than in a normal biopsy? Perhaps someone else who had had this carried out could shed more light on this for you? If not, why not phone the nurses here and ask them. Their number is 0808 800 4040. It is free to call this number and they are available from 9.00am - 5.00pm Mon - Fri.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi all,  I have wanted to chat to other women  for such a long time. 

I had my op in December ,I had recontruction tflap  then February Radiotherapy,  

I dont have all my notes  handy  ,as my daughter told me I  am up in the clouds,I   take a day at a time .

All i did was listen to my consultant as to what was next as my journey seemed forever it started April 2019  went to GP who fasttracked me to Hospital.

From day one i think everyone is the same terrified,I had  a Mammogram  and  Biopsy  and was told straight away    I had Breast Cancer.

i  am a 69 year old but dont feel it.

I try not to think about too much a day at a time iI reccomend.

Since my news there are  4  family members with different diagnosis of Cancer.

So I have been  as the older one been offereng comfort and keep pushing them on and staying positive. 

It is the most terrible experience in my life but all the Consultants and nurses staff all have been ,

fantastic My treatment,still ongoing its a long journey but you will all be ok, I am sure.

OK sending  all my love to you all as i have just joined ,

jane 51

Hi Jane,

A very warm welcome to our forum. The first year after diagnosis is always a ruelling and scary one, as I'm sure you've found out for  yourself. Do you know what grade, stage and type of breast cancer you have? Your daughter is probably right about your head being in the clouds since diagnosis. You're not alone in that. Most of us find ourions all over the place after a diagnosis. You are fortunate that you have your daughter to support you.

I am so sorry to hear that other members of your family have also fallen prey to this dreadful disease. It can't be easy trying to support them, whilst you are going through all this. I have a broad family history of cancer and know how difficult that can be. How are you coping with your treatment at present?

It is a terrifying experience, but you will come out of this a stronger person. I am 72 and have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years and, I am always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi all, 

Well I am all done and dusted...went down to theatre at half 9 and was back on the ward for half 1 x 

I'm home now....I have to wear a surgical bra for a week and No drains yay x 

You wouldnt honestly think I had surgery, because they inserted the expanded i dont look any different...obviously just no nipple x 

And I have a good range of movement in my arm as well.

The build up and wait is worse than the actual surgery x 

Well I am off to bed now because I'm still a little sleepy

Hayley xx