New here...my story so far
Hello, I’m new the group and haven’t shared my story yet. It’s taken me a little while to be able to read some of your stories and not have ‘freak out’ moments. Thank you to all of you for sharing your stories. It is important to see the full gamut of what is happening and what is to come. In my initial moments I was overwhelmed reading here because I was so scared every time I read and got caught up in thinking if it would happen to me too. So I selfishly took myself away from reading and gave myself time. I was diagnosed with EBC (early breast cancer) in August after a Breastscreen appointment that picked it up. I have a fibroademona that was detected and checked when I was in my 20-30s so I fully expected that would come up in scans. In fact, I had noted a lump in my breast and had managed to convince myself that it was just the fibroadenoma that had grown. It’s amazing how we can easily convince ourselves isn’t it? Not quite delusion, not quite outright denial but I did have a few things going on at the time. I lost my job of over 20 years, Covid shut down the world and just when I was finding balance and working again I fell down some stairs and broke my leg. So for two years, I let other things take priority over having my Breastscreen checkup. I’m one of those cautionary tales and I’ve had to give myself grace and not blame myself too much over it and think on the ‘what ifs’. If I keep on the ‘what if’ I will just go crazy and overwhelmed emotionally and I have to get on with it. Decisions have to be made and now knowing what I know, I can’t wait any longer. Here is where I tell you all that this isn’t my first time with cancer. In 2010 I had surgery and radiation for a liposarcoma in my arm. I was finally cleared and cancer free by 2018/9. So I’ve had a few years of not thinking about it except when I see my scars. To say that I am scared is a huge understatement but I’m a planner and practical person mostly so I cope by finding solutions. I don’t know what the stats are on survival rates for my situation, it’s one of the questions I haven’t asked yet. Partly because I’ve gone into solution mode and partly because I am just that bit too scared I guess. My EBC journey so far has been all about finding a surgeon which I was lucky enough to be able to do from my specialist physiotherapist. I’d been seeing that physiotherapist for my arm and knew she also worked with many women with breast cancer. She referred me to my cancer surgeon. The decision to have surgery was an easy one after the sarcoma I knew it was necessary. Having the choice of breast saving surgery and reconstruction is a blessing. I chose to have my other breast symmetrised at the same time. To my thinking, if I was going for surgery I preferred to do it all at the same time. My surgery was 8 October so I am now 2 weeks post surgery this week and healing amazingly well. I’m grateful that my body heals so well. I am also grateful that I was able to read up on tips on the BCNA site. I chose to go private so that I could choose my surgeons, both of whom are excellent in their fields and have been wonderful. So what are my numbers? My EBC lump was 37mm Grade 3 invasive carcinoma, ER and PR 75% 3+ positive, HER2 negative with clear surgery margins. However, 2 of 3 lymph nodes showed metastasis with largest tumor deposit 22mm. That is the current concern and so I’m due to have a PET body scan this week and consultation with a radiologist and oncologist. My surgeon tells me that she wanted more information before deciding my radiation protocol and further treatment. I know I will also have hormone suppression treatment but am not there yet. I am thankful that the research on breast cancers is so extensive that treatment protocols are updated often. My surgeon tells me that previous protocol for lymph node involvement would have meant instant removal of all lymph nodes. Whilst I am grateful I may not lose all of my lymph nodes and that I may have options, a part of me is also really sad and scared knowing that the reason there is so much improvement in treatment is because there are so many women that have had to go through this before me. That’s me, my story so far. I was brief though wordy. I will continue to read and share where I can, you may have noticed that I struggle with sleeping 😊 Sad to be here, grateful to have your support.
Post-surgery swelling
Moderator moved @Stillstanding comment to own dedicated discussion: Stillstanding Melbourne Member Posts: 1 ✭ 10:12AM Hi I’m 2 weeks post op and very glad I was introduced to this site. I’m nervously finding ways to help manage symptoms, is it too early to start using ice packs for swelling, on the back and under arm? Thanks in advance.
hit me with your go to question for the chemo dr's
So surgery done and dusted 2 weeks a go now (8.11.2023), lumpectomy completed with 2 cancers being removed from the left breast, as well as all 27 lymph nodes, with only 1 cancer found in that, however the cancer had shown signs they had got it in the nick of time as it was showing signs of spreading out shoots to other nodes was what my surgeon told me this week on getting my results back from pathology from the surgery, so after 3 months of tests and chasing everything, that part is over, now onto oncology I go, and while this isn't my 1st rodeo with breast cancer, but its my 1st time with chemo, and having no lymph nodes!! Last surgery I did dodge that one, but not this time, I've been doing everything in power to get mentally prepared for it, or so I thought till they called today, to go over my appointment, this coming Monday at 9.45am. The nurse said to bring all my questions with me, so I've been compiling a list, as as you can see its now close to midnight, so I'm clearly not sleeping - just lying there thinking about all these things, in fact since that phone call I've been feeling rather flat and upset, even though I knew it was coming, it still didn't stop the tears. and well I'm a bit taken back on my reaction to how I took it all, as I thought it was going to be a walk in the park as I knew it was coming, but clearly not. So what are some question you think would be helpful to add to my list, I have the normal ones, How long will my treatment be 3-6 months? (the nurse did say it was a short treatment they were looking at for me, I had no idea short was 3-6 months, I was expecting less.) How many time a month/week etc will I need to attend the hospital for these appointments? How long will the appointment session take each time I come? Am I ok to drive myself in and out for these sessions? Side effects? although I'm sure they will give me all that. any extra help in questions to ask would be wonderful. I'm a bit numb at the moment, mentally and physically, my boob is killing me and still swollen, my arm is a pain to lift up, my side isn't that happy with the dressing on it from the drain being taken out on Tuesday just been, so I sound like a bag of misery at the moment. Thanks all :smile:
6 week whirlwind.
Hi all I am brand new to the community. A bit about me: I recently turned '40', and did not foresee that this would be the next major life event for me. I have 2 children, 18 yr old daughter, 10 yr old son, partner, dog and I work full time. The last 6 weeks have been a whirlwind. I found a lump on my upper breast after rubbing an aching shoulder. After the scans, tests, biopsies, I was diagnosed in June 2022 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 2. My primary tumour was 23mm x 22mm. Last week I had breast conserving surgery. I am now awaiting results from surgery and will discuss next treatment decisions at my upcoming appointment. I have shown little emotion about my diagnosis and still a bit numb to it all, even after surgery. I look forward to sharing and learning from your stories. Take care x
Post op - A bit lost
Hi everyone, I just had my right breast n right lymph axcillary clearance on 19 May. Now recovering at home, and just had my drain out yesterday 26 May. Ever since my 1st drain out at the hospital, I can feel as if there's fluid running down my chest sensation till current. I've have spoken to the community nurse who came n check on my 2nd drain. She said it's normal that I can feel the drain. Now that I have no drain on me, I still have that sensation of fluid running down my chest. Is this normal? My GP only works Mon-Wed n I'm going to meet my breast specialist on 30 May. I really don't know who I can consult or should I go into Emergency Dept?
Post surgery
I’m 66 and a paraplegic. Just been diagnosed and having a mastectomy in 2 days time. I’ve decided to go for bilateral if she agrees and there’s enough time in the theatre but I want to know how much can you use your arms after surgery? I’ve got good support and want to get it over and done with. Love to hear from anyone how much you are allowed to move your arms
Edema experience
hello...i had a wide local excision for DCIS and sentinel node biopsy on 4 Feb followed by a re-excision on 25 Feb to excise a positive margin on the DCIS. Surgery was at the 1'oclock position. I understand that tissue was mobilised into the void and internal sutured so the whole breast has probably endured a fair bit of trauma. Since surgery #2, the lower part of my breast ( has had red blotches and orange peel (peas d'orange) appearance which is most likely edema. Surgeons didn't seem too worried about it at surgical review on 16th March (just said it was fluid and the location was due to gravity) but it just isn't going away. Depressing enough to have a diagnosis and then a surgical scar, without having other weird changes also going on. I'm 3 sessions into radiotherapy now. I showed it to them but they didn't seem too worried. I just feel like the surgery was long enough ago now to be looking better (apart from ugly scar) Has anyone had breast edema and did it eventually just go away on its own or did it require compressive or other treatment? I've put my firmest sports bra back on. Thank you :)
Post Op at Xmas
Light and live to all those undergoing surgery or treatment over Christmas 2020. Being diagnosed with breast cancer mid Dec and rush operation just before Xmas was a shock and big downer to an already crappy year. On the mend physically and mentally now. Question: I had breast co serving surgery via areole incision. My areole is now blood red on one side and looks really puckered along the cancer edge. Sore but clean, no ingestion, but looks pretty gnarly. Hoping it calms. Anyone have similar issues?
