Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

All the fives... Tamoxigang cancer support thread 55

926 replies

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 12/03/2016 14:01

Welcome newbies and oldies to our 55th thread!

Our previous thread is here.

If you have any sort of cancer please feel free to join us. We are always happy to offer a hand to hold if you're waiting for test results too.

There are no stupid questions here, and there will usually be someone who can answer, or point you in the right direction.

OP posts:
Celendine · 11/06/2016 18:09

Hi Chewingawasp , they can tell quite a bit by the ultrasound of the underarm and the surgeon did another exam, the biopsy of the nodes is to make sure , I think they remove the first two or three to look at under microscope. The waiting is terrible, I really sympathise with you but hopefully you will get good news .
I am just so glad I went to GP . Hugs X

Mysillydog · 11/06/2016 19:15

Hi Celendine
It is strange how getting a result is a relief after the uncertainty of waiting, even if it is a positive result, but many of us have felt this way. After your operation and histology results you will know more about your treatment and then it is just a case of getting on with it.
Chewing, good luck for getting through the weekend. Not too much longer to wait now.

chewingawasp · 11/06/2016 19:42

Thanks silly
Yes,it will be a relief to get the results. I just want to move forward,however that is, rather than being in limbo.

Donki · 11/06/2016 20:27

Anyone got any experience of Exemestane?

I had a year on Anastrazole/letrozole but had severe joint and muscle pain so was put onto Tamoxifen.
After 6 months, the oncologist is moving me onto exemastane because tamoxifen was causing significant cognitive impairment.

I just hope I don't get such severe side effects this time.

mrsrhodgilbert · 11/06/2016 23:15

Hi celendine, sorry to hear it was a positive diagnosis but that surgery is very manageable, I had it two years ago. It was done as a day case and they gave me some long lasting pain relief so I didn't feel anything much until the next day. Even then I just took paracetamol and ibuprofen. They did give me cocodamol but I didn't need it. The SNB scar was the more painful, it felt a bit like having a sharp brick under my arm for a few days. Obviously you have to take care and movement is a bit limited for a few weeks. They give you a set of exercises to do, make sure you persevere to get your range of movement back fully. I didn't drive for about six weeks but I know others have after 2 or 3.

They thought my lump was 17mm but when out it measured 11mm so things can change right up to the last minute. You'll have clear plastic dressings over the scars, you're suppose to keep these dry but I was showering carefully on day 2, just be careful. Overall I'd say it was uncomfortable rather than painful. Ask away if there's anything particular I can help with.

rovercat · 11/06/2016 23:15

Hi Celendine I had a lumpectomy and snb in April and although it was sore afterwards I was fine with paracetemol for the first 7 to 10 days and then didn't really need anything at all. Unfortunately I then developed an infection in one of the wounds which took 3 weeks of antibiotics to clear and that delayed rads starting but I'm now half way through radiotherapy and am looking forward to the active treatment being finished. My lump was slightly smaller than yours (just over 2cm) and they took out 4 nodes all which were clear thank goodness.

Fresta · 12/06/2016 08:20

Celendine, My lumpectomy gave me very little pain to be honest, I had it alongside axillary clearance and I only took painkillers for the first two nights. I had a lot less bruising and swelling with the lumpectomy than with the core biopsy. Your sentinel node scar will probably bother you more as it's quite a tender area and you might have some numbness in your upper arm and armpit. I found it felt quite strange in that area for while after, but not painful as such.

Good luck with your results chew

I went back to work this week, it felt so good to have some normality back. Just another week though and then I start my course of RADs so will need to take more time off.

Hope everyone else is having a good weekend and not bogged down with the rain.

Celendine · 12/06/2016 17:34

Fresta hope you have an easy time with the rads, it would be great to be finished the treatment Smile
Mrshodgilbert and Rovercat thanks a million it helps to hear from someone who's gone through it firsthand. I spent today just stocking up my freezer and trying to think of what I need. I read about sports bra

Celendine · 12/06/2016 17:40

Posted too quickly thereSmile
Not sure if I will need sports bras and loose tops/pjs?
Chewingawasp fingers crossed and best of luck Flowers
Thanks to everyone for all the kind advice Star.

JoandtheTribe · 12/06/2016 18:27

So sorry to hear about the results Celendine but good to hear you sounding so positive and strong and ready to face the next bit.

chewing I'm keeping everything crossed for tomorrow for you

chewingawasp · 12/06/2016 18:57

Thanks for all the good wishes Flowers

mrsrhodgilbert · 12/06/2016 19:06

Celendine, I went to M&S a couple of days after surgery and bought non wired bras but in a bigger band size, 36 instead of 34. You want support but not tightness, I find some sports bras are a nightmare to get on and off and a bit uncomfortable. You will find it a bit tricky to get your arm up initially so go for things that are easy to get on and off. I also wore them in bed for a few weeks, just to support my injured breast.

I also walked around a lot with my arm across my chest in a protective way for a good few weeks, crowds were a bit frightening as although it's not too painful it would be if someone bumped into it. Filling the freezer is a great idea, I did that, but also partly because our kitchen was ripped out two days before my surgery so we only had a microwave for a couple of weeks. It's amazing what you can cope with when you have to.

weebarra · 12/06/2016 19:12

Donki - I don't post here very much anymore but wanted to respond to your question.
I am almost 3 years post dx - was on tamoxifen until last month then moved to exemestane as I've also had my ovaries removed ( brca +ve). No issues so far at all. Night sweats and hot flushes marginally better. No joint pain although I was warned this could be an issue.
Hope everyone who was around during my time here is well, and hello to any newbies!

Donki · 12/06/2016 22:49

Thank you weebarra

chewingawasp · 13/06/2016 15:36

Well, the results are in. One smaller lump is benign but the bigger lump is cancer. I have to have a sterotactic biopsy in a few days on a very small lump and the results from that will determine what surgery is required. Still managing to hide everything from ds and he has his last exam next week so nearly there.
I did expect bad news but am still reeling a bit and trying to take everything in.

pepperrabbit · 13/06/2016 16:32

chewing - so sorry to hear that, you've done so well to keep it from your son. It's a pity you have to have further tests but at least you mainly know what you're up against. Were they any more specific about the main lump and if it's invasive?
Celendine, sorry to hear your news too, I had SNB and WLE, it was definitely sore and it's still a little tender right under my arm at the top of the scar. And my boob is still blue (I had the op 1st March!) can anyone tell me when that will finally fade?? I have no plans for topless sunbathing Grin but am a bit bored of the alien tinge. I would just say that my ultrasound showed the nodes clear but the single node they removed was cancerous - because they had initially told me it looked clear, I was completely devastated to hear that news and all it entailed for further scans etc. I was a little naïve in hindsight, though hope of course they are right for you.
Really hoping I pass my bloods on Wednesday and get my last chemo on Fri, 2 of the DC are under the weather and much as I love them, I could really do without catching anything Hmm

Mysillydog · 13/06/2016 16:45

Chewing I'm sorry to hear that you got a positive result, no wonder you are still reeling. It took me a mastectomy, a node clearance and a cycle of chemo before having cancer fully sunk in, such was by sense of disbelief.

You're doing a great job hiding all this from your ds. Hopefully once you do tell him you will have a better idea of the treatment options you will need both in terms of surgery and possible rads or chemo. GCSEs end next week in this house too. Then maybe I will be able to get into dd1's bedroom.

chewingawasp · 13/06/2016 16:46

Thanks rabbit Hope you get to have your last chemotherapy this week.

It appears to be contained in the one area and lymph nodes appear clear but I'll take on board what you've said about that. They may be able to shrink it with chemotherapy before surgery to remove it. If the small lump is also cancerous then I'll have a mastectomy to get rid of the lot. Just have to grin and bear it. I can obviously hang around here a bit more now though and take strength from all you wonderful lacies Wink

Nervous1971 · 13/06/2016 17:11

So sorry Chewing. BUT I'm sure you will get through it all soon, and move on with your life.

My dad's wife had breast cancer 40 years ago (had a double mastectomy), as she is still going strong today at 80+......and treatment options were pretty limited in those days...so you're gonna be just fine at the end of your treatment Flowers

mrsrhodgilbert · 13/06/2016 17:29

Hi chewing, sorry to hear you got a positive result after all that waiting. Do gang around, hopefully you've seen that were all just normal, supportive women making the best of it and ultimately getting on with our normal lives again.

Pepper, I'm afraid the blue hangs around for a while, I had surgery in May two years ago and it had finally gone by that Christmas. It shrinks down and fades but takes ages.

Hi weebarra, hope you're keeping well.

chewingawasp · 13/06/2016 17:38

Thanks everyone Flowers
I am determined to stay positive to get through this. Next target is to get through the biopsy without fainting Grin

Celendine · 13/06/2016 17:50

Hi Chewingawasp, so sorry to hear the news , it takes a while for it to sink in and I expect you will be reeling.
I am like a poker face with DS at the minute it's very hard keeping it pushed down when he's around. Look after yourself today x

Mysillydog · 13/06/2016 18:02

Chewing don't be surprised if they treat you with kid gloves for your next biopsy! I'm sure they won't let you faint again.

I'm afraid I'm another one who got clear FNA/core biopsies for my nodes but a positive SNB. I only had two positive nodes, and in the ultrasound they sampled a clear node. I guess that's why they do the SNB, because it is so much more accurate than just picking a node at random. I'm sure it's not because they have love of blue boobs Wink

royalmama · 13/06/2016 18:15

Chewing, so sorry the newswas not good. Now you know, they can get on with tackling this and you can go on and tell your DS as i expect that will ease the stress. It has been a year since my diagnosis and I still feel like it is all one long nightmare!
Rabbit, I hope your chemo goes ahead and that it is all soon over and trust me it does come to an end!
Best of luck !
Waving to all ye lacies Grin

JoandtheTribe · 13/06/2016 20:12

So sorry to hear your news chewing