Likely breast cancer after ultrasound- thread 3

[SpartanRunningGirl]

Welcome. Previous threads :

Thread 1
Thread 2

The original thread 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).

Two full threads 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 💗)

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 breast cancer diagnosis.

You are not alone.

This is the awful club - full of awesome women💗

@JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch I was thinking about you today. So glad all went well.
Well done for being so upbeat and brave

@Snoopy1612 Sounds like you’ve done a lot more than I manage in the first few days following infusion!

Actually, what I’ve learnt on here is that there is no ‘normal’ and everyone reacts differently at different times.

I try and keep it simple. If I’m tired I rest. I’ve found that pushing myself to do things only makes the fatigue worse in the long run and I end up in bed the following day (whereas if I had rested for a few hours when my body told me to, I might have been ok).

Take it easy and don’t be too hard on yourself or expect too much

@JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch Fantastic, I was thinking about you too. Hope you got a decent sleep.

Sending thoughts to the rest of you too, I wish this bastard breast cancer wasn’t so common.

Thank you ☺️ It’s been ok - pain under control mainly with paracetamol and ibuprofen , broadly feeling fine. Have not had a coffee since mid-Thursday though which is some sort of record for me, breakfast can’t come soon enough!

@JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch Well done, glad you got through it okay. Enjoy that first coffee!

@LoudSnoringDog - thanks for asking. I had good news. The lump was smaller than they first thought from the scans - 13mm as opposed to 18mm on the scans. The grade was changed from grade 1 to grade 2. One lymph node had microscopic cancer cell/s but they are confident that it hasnt spread and I wont need any further surgery or chemo. All I need now is the radiotherapy which will be one week (got an initial consultation on the 2nd Feb) and also the Letrozole for 5 years. Strangely, the letrozole is the thing I am most dreading. I did not have an easy time of the menopause, even with the HRT, and even now my symptoms have not resolved so I'm worried that the symptoms will be worse and will also accelerate my body aging. I do do a few light weights and squats most days, but I am not sure if this is enough to prevent boss density loss. Still, I am so lucky that the cancer was caught early so I cant really complain too much. I have a small seroma under the arm, but dr said it would likely resolve, and I need to start massaging now as I'm quite lumpy and bumpy from the surgery. My only concern with the Letrozole apart from above, it that I've just read the leaflet in the box and it says it can cause high cholesterol - I already have high cholesterol, so I am going to ring the breast nurse on Monday and see if it is still okay to take. I suspect that they will advise continuing on it but taking (yet another!) medication - a statin, which I've resisted thus far, but I imagine now seems inevitable. Have you got a date for your radiotherapy yet? Did you manage to have a nice birthday?!

Hope you have had a coffee by now! How are you doing?

Did anyone on here have a therapeutic manmoplasty? Mine is just over a week away, so I’m keen to hear recovery stories.

Home! Pain under control with paracetamol and ibuprofen, bit sleepy but otherwise fine. Back in tomorrow for a check. Contemplating all the clothes I can wear now I’m flat-chested. And yes, reunited with coffee .

I hope someone here has experience of your procedure and can say more before you go in.

Great you are home and fully caffeinated! I’m sure someone will have. I feel ready for it, just not sure what I’ll be able to do after. I do a lot of yoga, so want to get back to that but anxious about using arms to weight bear etc.

@cancerycaramelbear hello, I’m pretty quiet on this thread these days but I had a therapeutic mammoplasty in April. I had to lose my nipple as I had DCIS just underneath the skin plus a tumour. I found the procedure and recovery totally fine, the surgery has been one of the easiest parts of my BC experience. Obviously you’re supposed to take it easy, not do any reaching or lifting, but I recovered really quickly.

The sentinel node biopsy I had was more painful.

A question from me: is anyone here pre-menopausal and on letrozole? I started taking it a week ago and I’ve been floored by the joint pain. I have had two ovarian suppression injections so far and I had a little bit of pain with them but it’s ramped up hugely since I’ve started the tablets. Does it get better?!

My oncologist has already said if the side effects are bad we can try tamoxifen which I am now leaning towards but… I have a high risk of recurrence and AIs are more effective. I was kind of hoping to stop obsessing about cancer with the end of radiotherapy but here I am!!

Thanks so much for responding @MonOncle. I’m having sentinel node biopsy too. Surgeon said I might lose nipple but she didn’t think it was likely. Good to hear your surgery recovery was ok. How much smaller did you end up from original size? I’m an H cup so I’m seeing it as a positive in that I may have less bother with neck and back pain afterwards. I’ve waited a long time so I’m keen to get on with it, but also very nervous about post-op and recovery.

@JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch wondering how you are doing after the op now. Mine is Monday, I’ve started to feel extremely anxious about it!

I’m feeling very good. Like, I need to hold myself back from going full tilt back to normal life (I’m off work for six weeks!). Having drains in (I’m not sure you will, given your procedure?) was the most hindering thing - I had them out after three days. By day four I was off codeine (it’s now down to paracetamol twice a day). I have some tingling/odd sensations in my chest that are mildly uncomfortable. Doing the physio exercises. Stretching to reach a high shelf is beyond me for the moment but most movements feel fine. Haven’t tried much weight bearing beyond a full kettle, on advice, as that can cause harm. Walking loads - I think I did three miles yesterday and four today.

Was quite constipated after, likely due to morphine, codeine etc - would get lactulose, prune juice etc and be liberal with it, maybe even get on the prunes in advance if you can face it. That only resolved itself today.

My main negative feeling is cold, I’m clearly missing a layer of fat there

I will be thinking of you on Monday but I’m happy to answer specific questions before, if you need. Or to speak, if that’s not too weird an offer from an internet random x

Oh that’s great to hear! Do take it easy though, don’t do too mini much too soon.

I was warned by someone else today about the pain relief-related constipation, prunes onto the shopping list! I won’t have drains but might have a special dressing with a battery pack. Surgeon will decide on the day. I’m having a sentinel node biopsy so I’m prepared for that to hurt.

@JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch @cancerycaramelbear mine is on the 12th. Just got to see therapist next week to get the ok on double. Not having reconstruction .I’m starting to feel a tinge nervous about the op the healing etc .I’m having drains. No sentinal node as clearance was done over 20 years ago but surgeon said she’ll still have a look. Good advice on the prunes !! and good to hear you’re out walking @JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch

Same here !

Sending love and good wishes noname. Again please shout if you have specific questions, really happy to help. I also have an unused drains bag (I ended up carrying mine around in a rigid shopping bag) and two 12-14 size front-button Tu PJ tops that are new and that I stupidly cut the tags off, if any of that is useful to you, can post.

@JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch so glad to hear that you’re doing so well. It’s always good to hear positive stories.

@cancerycaramelbear and @Nonamelass best of luck to both of you for your upcoming surgery.

@Lovewine1975 how’s everything with you?

I’m off to chemo this afternoon - #3 weekly Paclitaxel. Only 6 more after today!
I’ve been feeling quite good and energetic the last couple of days, so the last thing I want is to get knocked sideways again with the exhaustion today. But hey ho! 😃

Wishing everyone a calm and happy weekend

@PoptartPoptartthank you! And @Nonamelass I’ll post after Monday to update although my surgery is a therapeutic reduction, so slightly different. Similar recovery though I bet.

Good luck this afternoon @PoptartPoptart , keep counting them down xxx

@PoptartPoptarthope it went well today, with only 6 you can see the end now!

I’ve got another 2 so should have my last treatment first week of March, literally counting the weeks down! I’ve really struggled this week with the first Docetaxel, a lot of bone/muscle pain which I found hard to cope with, very tired which is to be expected, and just feeling a bit down which I’m suprised at as I’m getting to the end of chemo treatment. Anyway when I see the oncologist I’ll let him know how I’m feeling specially about the pain see if he can change the dose a bit x

Oh thanks so much that’s adorable and warms my heart ❤️. I’ve bought oversize short pjs ( I’m a 16 and ordered a 20 😅) on sale in next. They’re vest sleeve button up at front and thought very loose would be comfier ( I hate sleeping in pjs usually) I’ve not thought about drain bags? I will have a look at them and ask the surgeon ( she’s phoning me next week to confirm if I can have the double immediately). I live in France so I think It’s would be too much of a faff to send but thanks so very much . I used to walk loads but for various reasons have got out of the habit in last couple of years. I am getting back on to it asap! Will send you a pm if I have and questions thanks again xx

Thanks @cancerycaramelbear !! Best wishes for Monday xx

The rigid shopping bag sounds good. Just wondering how I’m going to manage one on each side 😉 do the tubes get crossed?

Both of mine went into one bag, which I carried on one side (quite long tubes - you could stand and the bag could be on the floor comfortably) or put between my legs if I was sitting. The tubes are quite thick and rigid, so they might get a little jumbled but won’t get tangled.