Hi there

I was so pleased to see your post on this subject. Im in for a 

massectomy next tuesday for grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. They are doing the lymph thingy then so i have no idea about that yet. 

Like yourself i have done a bit of reasearch and used Predict,...and like you i cannot see the point in taking hormone theapy for such a small recurrence percentage. The side effects sound awful.

Ive searched all over the place to find anybody that hasnt taken them and how theyve got on.

Thanks.

Hi Amethystcrystal,

yes it’s a bit of a puzzle really!! 

Your diagnosis is exactly the same as mine, although I had a breast reduction rather than a mastectomy. Not quite sure why if I am honest. It’s just something they do at my local hospital. 

Yes they checked my lymph nodes whilst I was under anaesthetic too. Luckily I was clear. 

I wish you so much luck for Tuesday   My op went very smoothly and I recovered very quickly  to be honest. Are you having radiotherapy afterwards?? I did.  I had 15 sessions which also went easily enough. I completed that on 28th February  

Be kind to yourself and take things easy for a while.

Let me know how you get on.  You will be in the very best hands  

Go well  

Kebbs. 

Thanks so much for getting back to me.

I know this is a *** time but it makes such a difference just knowing someone else feels the same. I can only assume i will have radiotherapy. Have you tried the Predict site. Ita what clinics use etc. I just couldnt understand the small percentage for survival rates etc and lowering your qualityof life.

Keep in touch and im always here if you have a wobble. xx

Hi!

no I haven’t looked at the Prefict site but I will. 

Yes this site is really good. People on here are very supportive and knowledgable about what it’s like to have cancer.

It isn’t for sissy’s is it??!!   I do have wobble days of course. I guess we all do. Yes I will keep in touch and please let me know how your op goes. 

Many thanks for the advicr re.  Predict. 

Good luck!!! 

Kebbs x 

Hi, I just came to read your chats with Kebb.  I hope your surgery went well and that you are now feeling better.  When is your radiotherapy?  I just finished mine two days ago and luckily, was not affected by it.  Tbh, it is bearable; you may feel alittle more tired than normal towards the end of the treatment. (Btw, I had Gd2 / S1 invasive lobular carcinoma (7 & 4 mm) ER+ and glands are clear. Had lumpectormy). 

In fact I just posted a query about taking hormone meds as I am not keen at all in suffering from the side effects for the gain of 1% benefit.  (Thank you for sign-posting Predict - just went on it!).  Have been given Taxoxifen, but have not taken any yet.  Chatting with oncologist next Tuesday.  (Kebb, hope you are well and tolerating Femara better than Tamoxifen?)

This is a great forum page and there are many lovely 'angels' here, always willing to share and comfort those who are in need.  My heartfelt thanks to them!

Let us know how you are both doing.  Virtual hugs x 

Hi there

Thanks for the reply. 

Yup massectomy 5weeks ago. No lymphnode involvement. No radiotherapy, no chemo. Can't believe how lucky I am. They want me to take letrozole for 5yrs. I'm such an active person etc... I don't fancy joint pain, sweats, etc etc. I've done the predict site again and again. I still haven't taken a tablet. I know people will have an opinion about it but hey... My choice

My tumour was 20mm...i think you get radiation therapy if you don't have a massectomy when it's not in lymph nodes x

Hi Anethyst Crystal  and NeverU

yes I am doing ok thanks. 

Well the Femara dilemma?!!  I couldn’t get it on the NHS (neither could I get a clear explanation for that?!!) SO I have a private prescription for it at a massive amount of £120 a month??!!! Plus an oncologists bill of £50 when I need a new prescription as my GP won’t write (or perhaps can’t ) issue private prescriptions!  

Anyway that’s how it is. I have decided to take it every other day. Not sure why but it’s a trade off between giving me some protection from a recurrence and allowing myself a life without massive drawbacks. I have only take 4 so far though (!) so wouldn’t expect any great changes yet. Will keep you posted though on how it goes. 

I find comfort on this site  because we are truly ‘all in it together’ At different stages of course but if I have a colly-wobble day I can take comfort in other people reflecting similar feelings and some suggesting ways around those days. It’s  all good.

Please keep me posted on how you get on with the hormones!! I have yet to find anyone who has had a ‘breeze’ with them.  Most people it seems are disadvantaged physically with a lot of pain with moving soon after starting them.  I want to live of course(!) but living only half a life is a massive compromise and I don’t really feel up to that.  I am a very physically active person and just not ready for an armchair yet!! 

Sending big love to you both!

Kebb x x 

Hi Amethyst Crystal and Kebb

It has been a while and thought I would touch base.  Hope this finds you both healthy and well.  AmethystC, perhaps you are sailing in your boat along somewhere beautiful and using your paint brushes to capture a few scenes?  I do paint as well, but have not for a while as there are too many other distractions, including music.  What sort of artworks do you do? Btw, how are feeling in yourself since post op and treatment?  Guess you have not started HT as you originally decided? 

Kebb, have you increased the dosage of Femara or still on alternate day?  Hope the side effects is manageable?  Let us know how life is treating you at present.  (Did you have a good birthday celebration?)

Well, like AmethstC, I have decided not to take HT tamoxifen (at least for now) and enjoy being my old-self again!  Doing fitness exercises everyday and hitting tennis and golf balls now and again, so I am feeling good.  Have appointment with Consultant next month for post op review.

Look forward to hearing from you both.  

Sending you virtual hugs xx

hi there

all is well. Ive not taken the letrasole...my choice . 

Im fit and well and living in the moment.

My heart goes out to all the cancer sufferers...the testing...the waiting..the treatment.

Thanks for getting in touch I wish you the best. Follow your gut instinct. 

xxxxx