Grade 1 breast cancer

[ohdoriswheresthesalad]

I have been diagnosed with grade 1 Non specific type breast cancer today with dcis in situ. Lymph nodes clear from ultrasound.

I am massively worried. has anyone had any experience of this?

• [Title and first post edited at OP's request - originally titled Stage 1 breast cancer]

Just had a call, got to go and sign paperwork tomorrow, then CT planning scan Friday.
Hope to get me in for radio in 2-3 weeks after CT scan

@ohdoriswheresthesalad Oh, that’s good. Hopefully, when they explain it all to you, you can have an opportunity to ask about the delay between the op and the radiotherapy.

@Ikeameatballlunch I think I’m feeling better already since upping the protein. Is that possible?!? I do feel there’s hope for finding a way to manage being on Letrozole and still feel like me. Fingers crossed!

I notice that I need to keep an eye on it if I don’t want to feel completely whacked and achey for days after exercise. Apparently it’s also important for bone density.

I also find I do feel more energetic if I have a bigger breakfast with more protein in it (extra fat free yogurt, nuts, seeds, ground flax etc in my porridge). I started to have pea protein shakes with soya or cashew milk around a year ago, either in the morning or just before or just after a work out, as well as more plant based protein and that’s when I feel I actually started to feel and look stronger and be able to do more exercise/ lifting . (I do eat occasional meat but sometimes I feel it makes me achey. I am fine with fish, and eat a lot of that.)

I do also now have creatine, 5-8 grams a day. I spent a long time dithering and worrying about that but it’s more researched than caffeine and after reading how beneficial it is for menopause and brain function I just started taking it. But do do your own research there.

(I put frozen berries in my porridge that’s been microwaved - cools it and de frosts the berries and makes it taste nicer 😁)

Had a call after my appointment today, start 5 days of radio on the 30th March. I’ll miss a day for Good Friday and Easter Monday so will have 2 extra days the week after x Hope everyone is ok!

Glad you finally have your plan! It will be here and all over and done with before you know it!

get moisturising now in prep!

@LoudSnoringDogthank you!
Will moisturising help the burns? How are you feeling ?

I’ve been ok overall. My boob is red like sunburn but other than that I’m fine. I don’t feel tired.
I’ve started tamoxifen (Monday). Not noticed any side effects yet.

@Ikeameatballlunch All this information that you’re sharing is so helpful. It’s lead me to the role of protein in strengthening immunity. There’s so much more to it that I would never have known. I guess that’s one of the positives of the situation we’re in.

I’ve been thinking about taking creatinine for a while. I think I’ll start to introduce it gradually. Do you have any recommendations for one. Also for pea protein? I haven’t yet found a way to have enough protein without having too much carbohydrate. I think the only answer is protein shakes, but without ingredients that I don’t recognise as food.

Your porridge sounds good. I put 2 soft boiled eggs and half an avocado on mine this morning. I think nuts, seeds etc might be quite nice on it too.

@ohdoriswheresthesalad Glad you’ve got your date for radiotherapy. I’ll be 2 weeks post radiotherapy tomorrow and also had some slight sunburn, scars are feeling a bit tighter and a bit irritated. Nothing else yet. I think 2 weeks post 5 day radiotherapy is when symptoms peak. Fingers crossed.

hows it going for everyone? I’m 3 weeks post radiotherapy. Boob is no longer sore. Just taking the Tamoxifen now and not really noticed any huge side effects as of yet.

Hey, I’m ok thank you! Glad you’re doing well!
how is the tiredness? Everyone says oh you’ll be like a sack of shit for weeks after?
Radiotherapy starts Monday, 5 days last one Easter Monday. Tamoxifen is giving me horrendous night sweats but that’s it so far.

Glad you’re doing ok @LoudSnoringDog . I was so focused on finding ways to manage on Letrozole that I completely forgot about potential effects of radiotherapy and booked a trainer at the gym for a few weeks to strengthen up. Luckily, no tiredness, just a little bit of mild ‘sunburn’. I’m sure you’ll be just fine @ohdoriswheresthesalad .

Might be down to keeping active and the nutritional advice I’ve had from the trainer, but I think it’s helped with energy levels and calming the hot flushes.

I booked blood tests at the GP for a week or so after radiotherapy which showed very low normal ferritin levels. I’m wondering if that was caused by the breast cancer, radiotherapy, or how low on protein my diet had been.

I’m alternating Ferrous Fumerate and Floridax because I was only just within the normal range for Ferritin so couldn’t get a prescription for anything. The pharmacist was unwilling to advise so it’s down to trial and error.