Likely breast cancer after ultrasound - thread 2

[spartanrunnergirl]

Welcome. The original thread (linked here ) was started after I had a mammogram recall and was told at the ultrasound that it was likely I had breast cancer - before biopsies were taken, and before I was ready to hear that (if you are ever ready to hear that).

I drove home gulping down tears with no idea what to do and no idea how to get through the days until my biopsy results. So I opened Mumsnet and made the original post, hoping someone might read it, and they did! One full thread later we are still sharing support, experiences, and advice. We’ve celebrated breast cancer wins and thrown virtual hugs around those who’ve needed it. (We’ve all needed it 💗)

For anyone opening this thread because they’ve found themselves in the same situation I was in … this is a hugely kind and caring bit of Mumsnet - where we’ve all felt that awful fear waiting for scans, tests, results, or with an early and uncertain diagnosis.

You are not alone.

This is the awful club - full of awesome women💗

Me too. They say it's non-drowsy which amazes me as I'm like a zombie when I take it.

FWIW I take the loratadine last thing at night. I get really drowsy with antihistamines so if it helps me sleep through the letrozole aches that’s great! I also take two magnesium glycinate (I checked this with my onco). I was previously told to take loratadine to help with the side effects of the filgrastim injections - the onco was very specific that it was to be this particular variety of antihistamine.

Ask him why he is specific. It’s really interesting how such daily use drugs can make such a difference. Admittedly, I’ve never had drowsiness with Loratadine. However, I also have as yet undiagnosed ADHD (in the pipeline), so maybe it’s not useful in terms of sleep for people like me.

Ladies can anyone on here recommend or suggest a health friendly deodorant… trying to make some big changes at home now and feel this is a sensible place to start. Any suggestions so appreciated x

@TheFormidableMrsC that was during chemo and was one of the ward onco staff. I’ll look out for them when I go back for my zolendronic acid infusion next month.

Definitely worth asking about I reckon?

I asked about this but was told that the risk was small with “normal” anti perspirants. I did buy one aluminium free one but it was awful. I don’t
buy the ones that claim to keep you fresh and dry for 24/48/72 hours. I just use a nice cheap Aldi one and it’s fine. Post surgery I used the Dove cream stick as that was the recommendation.

@chinoisierychic i started using Fussy deodorant since diagnosed and it’s pretty good.

Has everyone given up alcohol? I know it has proven links and the only safe amount is none, but do most people who drank before still have a couple of drinks a week without worrying about it?

I had invasive ductal carcinoma which is not impacted by alcohol. It is also not impacted by exercise which was an arse because exercise is my thing. So no amount of exercise, which is a massive BC preventative with most types, would have made a difference. I asked if I needed to give up wine and was told no. I don’t know if that’s different with other types. I believe that generally the alcohol risk is low. Life is too short for me so I carry on.

I also continue to exercise daily and I lift weights. Weightlifting is a very good preventative according to research.

I used to go to the gym 3x a week but haven't been since I broke my shoulder last year. I'm still doing physio exercises 2x a day and twice a week at the physiotherapists.

I rarely drink alcohol. Once or twice a year, if that. So I don't know if I need to stop that.

I have had a pretty textbook lifestyle for 6 + years before my BC. Lots of exercise , good diet, no alcohol. In fact the final deciding factor in quitting drinking was the known link between alcohol and BC, in consideration of my family history. I did though have a few but significant stressful/traumatic events in those same years and I think that could have been a factor. My type of BC does have a link with alcohol I think - ER positive because alcohol raises estrogen/estrogen circulation levels.

I drank alcohol in careful moderation before cancer. Mine is hormone positive so I haven’t been having alcohol. My onco said I was fine to have the occasion wine or gnt. It was the anniversary of the mammogram that picked this up yesterday so we went for a lovely meal (also to celebrate post chemo taste returning!). We shared a good glass of champagne between us and although it was very pleasant I honestly could take it leave it now - something I never thought! I’ve found a few good zero alcohol beers , having not been a beer drinker before. The odd chilled zero % bottle in the sun at the end of the day is a refreshing treat.

I switched to fussy during treatment but found I still had a tangy smell and the solid stick built up in the armpits of my clothes, which wasn’t nice. Liz O’Riordan did a reel and said that the link between deodorant and cancer was false, so I’ve switched back to dove.

Just checking in. Surgery Monday went well, I came home Monday evening as planned. I’m really surprised how well I feel although shattered after getting washed and dressed.
Hoping it continues this way

Really glad to hear this. That’s great news. Keep doing the exercises! 💐

Great news @AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc Lots of fluids, rest and those stretches!

Great to hear this @AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlancrest up and hopefully you will continue to make good progress and stay feeling well. When will you get histology results and next steps?

The stretches are interesting aren’t they ?! I literally sat there and thought, how the hell am I supposed to be my hand there 🤣
should be 2 weeks tomorrow for results

Great news, rest up now@AlwaysALargeSauvignonBlanc

Did anyone use any ice or similar for the swelling ?

Sorry about the tag to the original post! I don’t post often and just learning!

How long did your post surgery swelling last? I'm 3 weeks out now and my breast is still massive.

Checking in here for the first time in a few weeks. Glad recent surgeries have gone well, and welcome to new folks! I hope you’re all doing ok.

@MrTiddlesTheCat I’m nearly 6 weeks post-surgery and I think I’m still a bit swollen (but pain free!). For me it still feels hard where the tumour was so I think it can take a bit of time.

I got great results from my surgery: clear margins and no lymph node involvement. Woop! However I was told that the oncologist wants me to have chemotherapy because of my relatively young age (early 40s) and tumour grade (3) and ngl I am gutted. There have been lots of tears! Anyway, I have my first oncology appt in a few weeks and I guess I’ll find out more then.

Oh, no. I'm so sorry. Chemotherapy is my biggest fear. I think I'll be crying too if I get told similar.

apologies, have not RTFT, but just wanted to offer some reassurance. I was diagnosed with BC 13 years ago at the age of 43, I didn’t expect to need chemo but was also advised to by my oncologist. I took the view that no matter what the future held, I wanted to know I had done everything I could to prevent it coming back, outside of that it was outside of my hands. I wish you well in your treatment, hopefully it won’t be as bad as you fear (it wasn’t for me and I tolerated it really well).