**Tamoxigang Thread 52** With virtual tea, cakes and chat for all with cancer concerns

[Lilymaid]

We were almost at our 1000 post limit for Thread 51 - hope the title is OK but wanted people to know that we aren't just about people on Tamoxifen but for all with cancer concerns!

Naice, and anyone else who's new to the breast cancer tests bit, hoping that you get pleasing results.
As you may read on this site and elsewhere from the wise people, only one in ten lumps is cancer.
And if it is cancer, the chances of it being a rudely behaved sort are also one in ten. So the odds are 100-1.
And if it is a rudely behaved sort, most of those can be converted into 'long-term nuisance' . So it's more like 400-1 of it being a really rude and deadly sort.
You can't die from a lump in your boob. So if that's where it is, you are quite safe, with a good team.
And if it has leaked into the lymph nodes under your armpits, those are the 'safety net'. So if it's only there, you're still OK.
And if it's nipped out beyond that into just one other place, modern treatments can zap that effectively for most people.
And if it's in several other places, modern treatments normally give people years of life...during which time there's even more modern treatments.
So...the chances of copping it from breast cancer are now rare.
It's not the biggest consolation in the world - not least because treatment isn't fun. But there's almost no need to fret about sudden disaster.
Hope that helps a bit.

Me, coming up for my fifth anniversary of diagnosis now.

Hi amber! Lovely to see you

How are you on wombs?.....just in case, y'know....

Amber, wish I read that three years ago - I love what you've written. I remember reading that there was an 85% cure rate, so I knew chances were good, and these rates were improving all the time.

I second Marshy - womb stats analysis?

Marshy - had the wand scan already. That wasn't too bad. During it, I wondered whether, when they were younger, when asked what they wanted to do when they grew up, they said sticking a wand up ladies bits!

Will rustle up the womb stats tomorrow...

Hi all.

I'd like to join ye. I have a large lump in my breast and attended the breast clinic last week. I had an ultrasound and a biopsy. The radiologist didn't have a clue what it is. I'm worried I discovered it 3 weeks ago, asit was awfully painful, pain in Breast down my arm and going around my back. I had a cyst in my other breast two years ago, but they don't seem to think its that again.

I'm driving myself mad, wondering what it could be. And of course worrying myself silly.
I'm a 35 year old single mom with 3 kids, and there dad is a alcoholic. My mom is elderly, so I'm worried for my kids.
Sorry for rambling.
I hope ye all are doing well. I'm in awe of yer strength and courage.

Great, thank you. I'm kind of hoping for a pope in the ensuite scenario

So you're waiting for biopsy results Call?

Waiting is the worst part. Have you got to go back next week? In a way I would have thought that 'not a clue' might be quite good as the docs are pretty used to identifying cancers. Fingers crossed for good news for you. Have you got someone to go with you for results?

Hi Marshy,
I'm back Monday morning to see consultant for results.
Thankfully have a lovely new partner, so he's coming with me.
I just want tyo know now, earlier in the week I didn't want to know. But the not knowing is driving me at bit bonkers.

On Monday, even though it's bank holiday? Well that's good. It's such better to know, whatever the news, because then a plan starts to come together and you have done with the horrible waiting. Positive vibes coming your way

*so much....not such.....and maybe it's not BH where you are?? I live in my own little world I think.

Are you doing the cold cap hotchoc or not bothering? I am attempting it and so far, no hair loss, which is helping me cope a bit more emotionally I think, as I don’t “look” ill yet! I have lost other body hair though, so a silver lining of sorts I suppose!

Sorry Sienna that you’ve had to join us – the shock is the worst but you do get your head around it a bit more once you have a plan in place. Or at least that has helped me. And I hope it isn’t bad news for others waiting – definitely take a partner to the appt, for those who asked… I didn’t take my DH as I was convinced it was a cyst, and then when it rapidly became clear it was probably cancer, I fell apart and called him and he was at the clinic within 10 minutes (very close to his office) so I then fell apart on him, but I wish I had just taken him from the off-set and not tried to do it on my own (especially as I didn’t speak the language being in Rome!)

So am trying to keep up my Insanity/P90X training throughout chemo but is definitely a bit tougher this weekend, especially as DH has now gone on a work trip (on a Sunday!) leaving me with the 3 DC to look after until his return on Wednesday – and then I head off on Thursday back to the UK for my genetic councelling/testing appt, and then back on Friday – we are like ships in the night!

Marshy hope you are starting to slow down a bit and give yourself a rest. I hope it’s not too long for your results too now.

Now, what to do to keep the 3 DC entertained on a rainy weekend in Rome flying solo...

Tbh I think I'm 'standstill to going backwards' compared to your schedule boobz but yes I did have a relaxed day yesterday and guess what...hardly any bleeding! So maybe that's it. Another planned for today. Might go for a rainy walk in the bluebell woods.

Hi everybody.
I need to vent or I will go mad with stress. It's a bit long. Sorry.

I had breast cancer ten years ago. Had a lumpectomy, chemo and radio. I had re constructive surgery three years later.

For the last few weeks my boob has ached most of the time. It's the opposite boob to the lumpectomy. Both boobs hurt occasionally, but mainly my left one.

I went to my gp last week and neither of us can feel anything. As the pain is mainly where my bra wires are, and sort of chest wall ish, she said she would refer me to the breast care nurses for a bra fitting just to reassure me etc.

Yesterday I received a letter for an appt with the breast care consultant on the 3rd June. I am beside myself. Is she lying to me? Why do I need to see the consultant?
I know they only tell you things on a need to know basis. Last time I was told by the surgeon that I didn't need chemo, the oncologist then said that I did. The gp that referred me last time told me it was precautionary. I later found out he thought I had extensive cancer.

I should also tell you that I have felt unwell for the last month, very tired and listless. I have a had a bug and also a UTI, but I am convinced that I am like this as I have cancer again. I was tired like this for the months leading up to my diagnosis last time.

I am convinced it's come back, something I have been dreading for the last ten years. I'm going to die. At very best I'm going to have to go through chemo again. I can't do it again. It nearly killed me last time. I get IBS and reacted very badly to the chemo.

I am so stressed I can eat or sleep and my IBS has jumped in with both feet.

Please reassure me with some common sense/knowledge.

*can't eat or sleep

Hi didge
didn't want to read and run although I don't have experience of what you're going through now, except I guess that everyone on the thread would identify to some extent with the cancer experience robbing you of peace of mind.

It sounds as if all the symptoms you are experiencing can be explained by things other than a recurrence of the breast cancer. And of course they are going to err on the side of caution. Try not to think 10 steps ahead - you're not there yet! Can you get to speak to your BCN before June 3rd to talk things over and get some support?Waiting really is not nice as we all know only too well

I'm going to try to get hold of the bcn on Tuesday. I wish I could do it tomorrow. Bloody bank holiday.

I'm in Ireland, not a bank holiday here.

Womb stats - oddly, it's about the same as it is for breast statistics. So what I said for breast applies to womb too. If that helps.
Didge, in the last ten years, treatment of breast cancer has been totally transformed. There are now more wonderdrugs and new procedures than you could shake a test tube at. Especially personalised plans that examine genetic stuff, and tailor the treatment precisely to the person. Quite a few don't need chemotherapy now, as the wonderdrugs do the work instead. And if it's in a boob, you still can't die from it. I'm not saying you definitely are OK - but I am saying that it's very unlikely that you are going to cop it, if it is. Even from second time around. Breast pain is very unlikely to be cancer. But you're in good company during the waiting bit to find out what's what.

Thanks Amber. Ever helpful

Didge sorry you're worried. I guess if I was a GP and someone who had had cancer before came with any kind of problem I'd refer them just in case. As for other symptoms it's easy to blame everything on a reoccurrence, I had back ache the other week and convinced myself it had spread- it went a few days later, it was just run of the mill backache but we will always have those worries now :( You are doing the right thing in getting checked out but try not to let your worries run away with you.

Thank you everyone.
I didn't realise that treatment had moved on so much. I suppose it's obvious really.
I think you're right about the gp being extra cautious. I think I was just thrown by the appt with the consultant.

Amber - thanks for womb stats, or wombat stats as I misread it!

Didge - not knowing is awful, and the mind can play awful tricks. i had bc three years ago and didn't have chemo. I had lumphectomy, radiotherapy followed by zoladex injections for two years.

I keep bursting in to tears, am trying to keep busy but I just feel so lonely. Friends have texted with offers of help when I go in to hospital so hopefully I will manage to sort out getting my daughter to school and back.

People keep telling me I'm lucky, they've caught it early, it's non-invasive etc. I don't feel lucky. I feel like why am I going to put myself through all this when it will probably come back anyway. Guess I'm just feeling very sorry for myself at the moment!

Sienna, very glad to hear that your friends are offering help. It's a scary time, waiting. Many find it much easier when treatment starts happening.

If it helps, it is unlikely to come back. Even with DCIS that had no radiotherapy, the chances of more DCIS happening is only 1 in 5. With radiotherapy, it's even more unlikely. And people can't die of DCIS itself. So them catching it early and treating it well should work. Meantime, keeping explaining how you feel. There's plenty here who will understand.

Hi everyone, I’ve been lurking since March when I was diagnosed with a small grade 1 lump in my breast. That was a shock! I’ve found this thread incredibly helpful and positive and hope you don’t mind if I join in and ask some questions?

I had a WLE almost 6 weeks ago, 3 lymph nodes removed and was told that one had ‘specks’ on it (individual cancer cells I think?) but was not classed as positive so no chemo planned for me, just four and a half weeks of rads and probably tamoxifen. I had all the measuring done for radiotherapy about 10 days ago and am due to start on June 1st. However, since then the swelling in my breast seems to have changed - there’s now puckering (weirdly to the side, not quite where the lump was so maybe it’s where the lymph nodes were?) and a band of swelling above that and going up to my armpit. I imagine it’s fluid. I tried to speak to my BCN about it, but got hold of her colleague instead and she said they wouldn’t touch it as the measuring had already been done (but swelling has changed since then) and to go along to the first rads appointment and see what happens. Has anybody else experienced this? It’s quite hard and sore and I’m worried that the radiotherapy will make it worse or stay like that forever. I’ve also got a holiday booked for me and my two DC in mid July so am dreading going in, them saying they have to drain it and then putting back the rads so we can’t go away…

I feel like a bit of an idiot worrying about this when other people have had to go through far tougher problems with chemotherapy but would appreciate the benefit of other's experience.