Hi MickeyM,

A very warm welcome to our forum. 

Stereotactic biopsy will give your team the chance to look at your breast in more detail. This doesn't always signify bad news, but is a good sign that your care team is being thorough. It is impossible to find out much until the results of your biopsy come back and you know exactly what you are dealing with. You should find some information about DCIS and calcifications on the Cancer Research Website. Try to avoid consulting Dr Google, as much of his information is out of date, poorly researched and aimed at the more spectacular cases. This will only serve to worry you further.

There is a lady called Karen1971 on the forum. She has been posting under the title ‘Waiting on breast biopsy results.’ If you do a search for her, you may be able to help one another through this.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine, your reply was really helpful and appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time xx 

Hi Mickey,

Happy Boxing Day to you too. I hope that you've managed to have a lovely relaxing day today. We certainly have, although I feel guilty for doing very little today.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine, 

I managed to get out for a walk amidst the rain yesterday, which was great.  My pace is getting a little faster now, my legs seem able to stretch a bit further as my tummy isn't soo tight now. My back is also easing and so I think being able to sleep a bit on both sides now, rather than wholly on my back is helping.  I also think that my exercises are starting to pay off (although I've only managed twice a day since Christmas Eve).

I've also managed to take the dressing off my last left tummy drain at the top of that leg and so that is now starting to scab.  Bruising is noticeably reducing around my breast, it's only really around where the drain was that is still quite bruised.  I can't remember, if I mentioned that I didn't actually have to go up a bra size at all? I've managed really well with my usual 36C wearing the M&S flexifit front opening bras. Very comfortable, but now I've typed that I seem to recall that I did say....

I really can't see any hole, stitching where they removed my sentinel lymph node(s)....... If he stitched internally, I really can't tell at all. 

I've reduced my paracetamol last few days to just two doses, I'll see how that goes. To be honest the most pain I have now is in my left under forearm leading to my wrist. That is where I've had the biggest darkest bruise (wrist almost to elbow), which I can only assume came from cannulas in that arm - the bruise is starting to get darker, but for the last few days I've been getting internal pain on that area and find it hard to get a comfortable position without pain. I've not experienced that before, but I assume it's the extent of the bruising there and healing process causing the pain. 
 

Foggy and raining here this morning, but hoping for a little reprieve so that I can get out first a little walk again. 
 

Im glad you had a restful Boxing Day Jolamine and please don't feel guilty for resting, that's what Boxing Day is for. 

Is Hubby finding his exercises any easier now? 

Love and hugs Mickey 

Hi Mickey,

You must feel a great sense of achievement to have managed a walk yesterday. I hope that you've got a break in the weather  to allow you out again today. It sounds as if everything is gradually easing off, which is good. I think that you're allowed a little leaway with your xercises over the holiday period. I am glad to hear that your last drain dressing has been removed and that it is now dry and healing well. The bruising is nothing to worry about. It will slowly disappear.

I was delighted to hear that you are still able to wear the same size of bra and that the M & S ones you have are comfortable. The surgeon was possibly able to access your lymph nodes when he removed your breast, without making another incison. This could be why you can't see any stitches. It sounds as if the bruising and discomfort in your forearm may be due to the canula - certainly the bruising will be. I have been left with a legacy of bilateral lymphoedema since I had my surgeries. I have also had an occasional ache in my forearm and a continuous one under my arm, where 6 lymph nodes were removed..

You are doing well with your pain killers. You should find that you need them less the more your movement returns. It's dull and damp here, but no fog. We've had enough of that for the past few weeks to last for a while. Hubby is still struggling with his exercises, but he'll keep on persevering.

Love and hugs, Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine, 

Thank you for your kind words and reassurances. Managed a smaller walk yesterday, but still got wet. I'm hoping for a longer one today. 

I hadn't even thought about the surgeon removing the lymph node(s) via my breast.  That would certainly explain it and thank you very much for pointing that out to me as a likely explanation. 

My arm was very painful again last night, I hope it eases. I am sorry to hear about your bilateral lymphoedema and occasional arm aches. How do you manage the lymphoedema? 

I hope that hubby makes a breakthrough with the exercises soon so that they feel a bit easier for him. I'm glad to hear he's persevering. 

Back to see the BCN for me tomorrow and so I guess we'll see if my tummy strip is totally removed or needs replacing. No news about my histology yet, they did say four weeks though and it's two weeks today post op for me. 

Have a great day Jolamine. 

Love Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

It's a lovely bright sunny day here today, so hopefully you'll manage your walk.

I am sorry to hear that your arm was so painful last night. Mention this to the BCN tomorrow, although I expect that you'll be told that it's still early days. It's a pity that you're having to wait so long for your histology, but I suppose that this is the price you pay for getting your op fitted in before Christmas. 

I attend the Lymphoedema clinic for 2 weeks out of every 12. The staff there are great. They give me a manual massage to try and drain the lymph into the right channels and apply layers of compression bandage. They do this twice a week for the two weeks. Unfortunately, I look like the Michelin Man for those two weeks with both arms covered in bandages from shoulder to fingertip and it does encourage some very curious looks and plenty of questions. It also limits what I can do for those 2 weeks. In between I wear an elasticated sleeve on both arms and hands. I also wear a compression bra. Neither are particularly comfortable or pretty, but they serve a purpose. Other than that, I have to be careful what clothes I wear, as sleves can be too tight on a lot of clothing. 

Enjoy your walk Mickey.

Love, Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine, 

That sounds like a big chunk of your time at the Lymphoedema Clinic and so I'm really pleased for you that the staff are so good and that you benefit from their treatment. Must be very weird looking like the Michelin Man, I expect it feels it too. You amaze me how positively you handle everything, I'm sure there must be days when it is harder than others. Sending my positivity and big hugs to you.

I did manage a walk yesterday, which was great.  Raining heavily today, so we'll have to see if there is a break in the weather later. 

I will update you later after I've seen the BCN.  

Love and hugs Mickey xx ️

Hi Jolamine, 

All went well today, dressing removed over tummy. They're very pleased and so I don't need to go back until I see the Plastic Surgeon on 18th March. 

Not such good news with my results appointment, which has now been arranged by phone for 24th January (six weeks). Secretary says this could change if MDT feel a face to face is needed once results back, but currently they are only now offering phone results appointments due to delays. I expect staffing issues due to covid are playing a huge role in that.

Hope you've had a good day - Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

I'm glad to hear that all went well with the BCN today  and that the dressing is now off your tummy. It's not so good to hear that you now have to wait until 24th January for a telephone consultaton re your results. This frequently changes, so don't give up hope of an earlier appointment.

Today was a miserably wet day here too, so it's good that you managed to get a walk yesterday. I can't say that the Lymphoedema treatment is much fun. I have my down days like everyone else, but it is what it is and I just have to cope with it. 

I hope that you have a better day today.

Love, Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine, 

Thank you for your kind words. Fingers crossed I get my results earlier. 

Bless you, certainly a rollercoaster and sending a load of virtual hugs to store when you need them. 

Wet again here today, but hopefully will get a little walk later. 

Love Mickey xx ️
 

Hi Mickey,

I hope that you managed to get out for a walk again today, despite the rain. I have spent all day today removing personal files from my business computer for the new buyer and am going goggle eyed as a result. I've still got more to do, but at least I've broken the back of the job.

Yes, a cancer diagnosis is often a rollercoaster, but fortunately, most of us do get through the worst of it pretty soon.

Love,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mickey,

I hope that you managed to get out for a walk again today, despite the rain. I have spent all day today removing personal files from my business computer for the new buyer and am going goggle eyed as a result. I've still got more to do, but at least I've broken the back of the job.

Yes, a cancer diagnosis is often a rollercoaster, but fortunately, most of us do get through the worst of it pretty soon.

Love,

Jolamine xx

Happy New Year Jolamine, here's hoping it's kinder to everyone. Love Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

A Very Happy and Healthy New Year to you too and I sincerely hope that this will be the year when we all get back to a more 'normal' life.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Happy New Year Jolamine 

I didn't want to pass the page without saying a quick hello.

I hope things are good with you too

Hi Lisa,

Thank you. A very Happy and Healthy New Year to you too.

How are you keeping now?

Kind regards,
Jolamine xx

Morning Jolamine, 

How are things with you and your family? Is hubby finding his exercises any easier yet? I truly hope they are starting to make a difference. 

Love n hugs Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

I was just catching up on your news last night and am so sorry to hear that your tummy is still giving you trouble. Does this mean that you are still having to dress it? What a pity that this is limiting your exercise regime too. It's good to see that you are still managing to get out for your walks. 

The physio was back to see hubby today. She has changed some of the exercises she gave him to make them a little more challenging and has referred him to the Active Fit class, run on behalf of the   NHS at our local gym. she is coming back to see him again in 2 weeks.

Love,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

I was counting on you reading it, rather than me re-posting and I'm very grateful that you did.  It's ok, in the scheme of things they are just little niggles that should sort themselves out within ten days or so. I consider myself very lucky with my recovery. 

I chased my FSH results today to clarify whether I am actually post menopausal or not as I had no idea. The BCN has phoned me back to confirm the score confirms that I am. That makes more sense of the muscinous cancer type to me and also excludes tamoxifen. She says they will discuss which hormone therapy at my results apt, so I don't know which they will recommend. I feel better knowing where I am though, I don't do well with assumptions based on age or whether you've had a period in 12 months. 

I am so pleased that the Physio has come back and progressed hubby including the Active Fit Class. That shows he is progressing and confidence in his progress to me - great news! 

Love n hugs Mickey xx ️

HI Mickey,

I am back at work and trying to juggle so many balls in the air at the moment, that I have not been on this site so much. I am glad to hear that you got the results of your FSH test and now know that you are post-menopausal. I was too. I was given Tamoxifen for the first year. When I was diagnosed with the second cancer a year later, I was told that the Tamoxifen hadn't worked and I was given Letrozole.

It sounds as if you are gradually getting to know a little more. I found it a great help when this happened, as like you, I need to know the ins and outs of everything to deal with it properly.

Hugs, Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

The joys of juggling ‍♀️. Hope it settles down a bit for you. 

I'm curious as to why they put you on tamoxifen to start when post menopausal - did they say? How did you get on with Letrozole ? 

Thank you, I take that as a great compliment coming from you. I try to just stay one step ahead - so I can be as prepared as possible for what's possibly coming next. 

I hope the rest of today has been kinder to you. 

Love Mickey xx ️

Hi Mickey,

No reason was given for the Tamoxifen. Unfortunately, I had quite a few issues with both medications. Both caused horrendous hot flushes, night sweats, visual disturbances, liver enzyme changes, insomnia, extreme fatigue, nausea, constipation, weight gain, depression, dry skin, oedema, memory and concentration impairment, hypertension, pruritis, urinary frequency, mucosal dryness.

Tamoxifen caused more emptional disturbances and Letrozole caused me more trouble with my joints (arthralgia and musculo-skeletal pain), but this seems par for the course. I have had both my knees replaced as a result of this, have a lot of pain in my back and hands and now use a rollater to walk with, along with relying on a mobility scooter to get me around the shops, etc. I have also had 7 operations to my eyes and am pleased to say that I am now back to 20/20 vision.

However, that was just my luck. Many people don't have any bother with these drugs.Personally, I would still do it all again, as this has bought me 12 years so far and, I hope that it will continue to buy me more time.

Love,

Jolamine xx