Likely breast cancer after ultrasound

[spartanrunnergirl]

Hi all after routine mammogram I was referred for an ultrasound, which I had today and the radiologist said it's likely a cancer, thus did a few core biopsies. I did not know that cancer could be detected at ultrasound stage but she was pretty certain it was cancer and said the biopsies were to see what they were dealing with. Has anyone else had this? Thank you

@chococakey I'm glad you've finally got your plan. I did the same chemo regime as you.

I second little lifts, you get some really nice stuff in the box!

I ate a lot of ginger biscuits during EC, and gummy bears to try and stave off the nausea. My skin was really dry but reacted badly to my normal moisturisers etc - I used moogoo too and then aveeno oat on my face. I switched to E45 shampoo too, my scalp was very sensitive.

If you cold cap, definitely take a snuggly blanket, paracetamol to take before it goes on and some big fluffy socks. I only cold capped once, my hair fell out between the second and third cycle of EC. I used to suck on polos as the EC went in because I found it tasted funny.

I found it helpful to write down my side effects each day, then I could highlight the ones bothering me most to my oncologist. I also needed to write down and tick off all the medication I had to take - there was a lot!

I got really bad mouth ulcers with EC, if you get them be sure to ask for the mouthwashes they can prescribe. Some people say eating pineapple helps but I can't stand the stuff 😂 I also drank cordial as I found it really hard to stomach plain water. And I went right off tea, couldn't touch it apart from on chemo days.

I see you've made your mind up about the fertility stuff but on the off chance you want to understand the process etc, I went through it and am happy to help.

The main bit of advice I can give you is take it day by day, sleep when you need to but try and get out for 10 mins each day if you can. It affects us all differently, I consider myself quite lucky with how I had it but then it wasn't a walk in the park. If you want to ask me any questions let me know!

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic good luck with number 2 tomorrow xx

@chococakey I hope it helps you to have a plan.

Thank you ladies for those tips.

They said cold capping is an option but I don't need to make any decisions on that now. I can discuss it with the chemo nurse when she calls me next week to discuss starting the treatment. I was told today it only works for 30% of people. I don't know how true that is.
I am worried about my hair falling out. I have very long thick hair.

Nothing mentioned about bishopsporates.
He mainly discussed the chemo today as he said that's what I need to complete first and they'd go into more detail about the radiotherapy and then tablets once I'm through the chemo.

I do actually have a routine dental check up booked for Friday this week anyway (booked 6 months ago!)

Good luck for cycle 2 tomorrow @dancingwhilstfacingthemusic

@chococakey my nurse said to me to book the cold cap and then decide on the day if I wanted to use it or not. I used it the first session, but decided at the second session not to carry on, I couldn't have done it for 8 sessions. I was terrified of loosing my hair so I understand how you feel. It's a really big part of who we are so it's tough.

One other thing I would do is stock up / batch cook easy to eat foods. When your mouth and throat hurt it's nice to have things you don't need to chew much xx

I highly recommend the cold cap. It made a huge difference keeping my hair (I lost a bit but have long thick hair like you so it wasn't noticeable). I saw lots of women have success with it so I'd definitely do it. The initial sensation is very unpleasant but once you're frozen it's fine.

I recommend a blanket and warm socks. Cardigan. Snacks. Plenty of water. Reading material or music or whatever. I had some lovely long chats with other patients that passed the time. I can't recommend exercising enough. I am certain that's what got me through and massively reduced side effects to almost nothing. BCN was very supportive of this as there is research evidence of the benefits during chemo.

For radio I recommend 100% aloe Vera gel from Holland and Barrett with E45 lotion (not cream). Slapped that on after every treatment and it really helped. BCN can prescribe cooling pads and gel should you need it.

I'm glad you're feeling a bit more in control. It's the not knowing what you're facing that's difficult

I'm so glad you have your plan, @chococakey . You have a bit of time before chemo starts, so if you don't already have your eyebrows microbladed you could do that? I didn't have time unfortunately.

I cold capped throughout - 4 x EC and 12 x paclitaxel. Lost about 90% of my hair from just after the second EC to the last one. EC is very, very tough on hair, in my unit none of us (we all cold capped) kept our hair if we were on EC. I kept cold capping and my hair started to grow back during the paclitaxel. Some of it is over an inch long now, so it's worth continuing, as it helps protect the follicles and can speed up regrowth.

I don't have any advice that you haven't already been given - I didn't have a sore mouth on EC, that happened with paclitaxel for me. And major skin sensitivity - I had to use Dermol for washing and Cetraban for moisturiser as everything else irritated my skin.

I second the microblading for eyebrows. I had mine done on good advice from posters here and now I’ve lost most of my brows, it’s not noticeable due to the tattooing. I like it so much that I’ll continue to top up in future.

Off for EC #2 today. I’ve kept all my hair with cold capping apart from a small patch on the crown. I’m very aware that it will thin and may go dramatically in the next week or so. I have head coverings (which I already use as I’ve been advised only to wash twice weekly whilst hair and scalp are more fragile and it goes a bit wild) and will consider a wig if I need to. Just hope the potential hair falling doesn’t coincide with the steroid wired/ chemo-induced anxiety! This too will pass.

Have been away from the thread for a few days so just catching up

@SunnyValemin So pleased for you 🎈🎉🎈

@chococakey So glad you now have a plan. Not the plan you would have wanted, but it will be much easier to deal with not you know what you're dealing with. So grateful for this group of women who can give advice and help you through it.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic hope you feel the week off has given you a bit more strength to deal with it

@catin8oots all the best for tomorrow's appointment.

Sorry if I've missed people out! Have had a few days in a row of migraine - hoping it's just things catching up with me and not the effects of the tamoxifen

I had my first day back at the office this week after 4 months. I had been working from home but hadn't seen anyone in real life. I felt very shy going in with my newly flat chest but if course it was fine. People were lovely and it felt normal (if tiring) very quickly.

Well done @StartupRepair. That must feel like a real achievement. I'm sure it was exhausting - do make sure to take it easy, with breaks as you need them. Hope work is being supportive.

Hope today is OK @catin8oots

I've enquired at a couple of local salons about microblading and they're telling me they won't do it unless I'm at least 8 weeks away from starting chemo? Consultant said I'd likely start in 2-3 weeks so looks like that's not going to be an option. I've been looking at those eyebrow tattoo stickers, lots of videos on YouTube make them look quite good. For a couple of quid I might give them a try when I get to that stage of my treatment.

I'm feeling slightly more settled now I have a plan. But I'm so scared to start the plan! Trying to put my everything into staying strong and inspired by the other lovely ladies on here who have been through it and are going through it and using that as my inspiration that I can do it!

After telling the hospital I didn't want to freeze my eggs, I had a wobble thinking maybe actually I did! But after talking it through with DH he doesn't want me to go through more procedures and heartache. We were basically decided on only having the one child anyway and my son is now 6 so not sure I do want to do it over again. I guess it's the reality that it's actually being taken away once I start my treatment. The book is 'officially' closed so to speak. So I'm not going to freeze my eggs. We're happy as a family of 3. I just want to get better and concentrate on that.

Hope everyone is ok, looks like a busy week for everyone with back to works, more chemo, appointments and everything else. Hope everyone is doing ok xx

Chocolacakey, I used Karen Betts and if you’re within 5 weeks of chemo they’ll do it with a letter from your consultant. You may feel it’s a bit tight, however. She has offices in London, Yorkshire and first Weds of month in Cheadle. Top people more pricey.

I’ve only really lost my brows on EC. Kept them through pacli and cold capping helped that.

I'll be having 4 x EC followed by 4 x Pax.
I'm going to give the cold cap a go, see how I get on with it. Worth a try at least. I haven't had a call from the chemo nurse yet to give me a start date. But consultant said to me on Tuesday he expected me to start in 2-3 weeks.

So looks like I won't be able to get microblading done. Which is a shame but hopefully I can get by with makeup and hopefully the brows will come back!

Thanks for the recommendation though.

How did you get on with EC 2 this week @dancingwhilstfacingthemusic ?

Lovelies I'm hoping to be a positive fairy for all! My results came back negative x

3d mam, ultrasound, biopsies and not a thing to show. My app with the plastic surgeon for the reconstruction is still booked in for next Friday.

Just shows this agonising and awful waiting is not what we always imagine.

Lots of love to everyone who hasn't had good news like me this week.

Happy and healthy boobs to all. You guys have been a life saver these last few weeks x

Im sorry if i seem a bit giddy i don't want to be insensitive - i will read back through everyone's updates in the morning.

This journey is a rollercoaster for all of us.

From what I’ve heard, choco, hair loss through EC can start to grow back through Pacli - cold capping helps with this. Try to stick with it if you can. I’ve done 14 cold caps now and have 2 treatments left. Even if I lose my hair I’ll continue to the end so that I get the benefits of faster and stronger regrowth.

EC went fine. They have me on a reduced dose as I was sick on a couple of paclitaxel treatments. I’m also on strong antiemetics (aprepitant/ ondansetron). I’m having plenty of figs and prunes to deal with the side effects of those! Fingers crossed that the next few days are kind. Last cycle I was very weary on days 4-7.

Take each day as it comes, keep on top of the meds and let your team know if things aren’t as you would wish.

Do apply to Little Lifts for a chemo box. Mine was full of useful things and gave me a real boost. Do you have fruit/lemon sherbets? They can help with the icky mouth feel.

https://www.littlelifts.org.uk

You’ve got this.

Yay, @catin8oots I'm delighted for you- congratulations! Xx

Giddy is both appropriate and allowed!

Brilliant news @catin8oots sorry I missed it at the time - was cross posting. Have a great weekend.

Bloody marvellous @catin8oots !!

Oh my goodness @catin8oots I am so glad you've posted, you've been on my mind. That is amazing news! So happy for you! Girl, be as giddy as you like! We're all giddy for you! ❤️

Great news @catin8oots . What a relief!

Great news @catin8oots - so glad for you 😊

Headaches seem to have settled here, thankfully.

Had a very helpful chat with the breast cancer nurse today about an issue with my wound. Also spoke to her about the radiotherapy consultant appointment and she fully understood why I would rather have a face-to-face one (I had met her in clinic before) and she is going to arrange it for me. Very thankful.

Great news @catin8oots !