Oh bless ya Karen ...

Cancer sure sucks ... l can't imagine how your coping with 3 little ones ...  l hope you have a good support network behind you... if so, let them help as much as poss ... you can repay it later when your well ... but apart from, you've done amazing to get where you are now, and still there with boxing gloves at the ready ...

I'm a breast cancer lass too .. so I'll get my gloves back on... get in that ring... and we'll box it together ... always here if you want a chat ... hold on my hunny ... and let's hope you can start treatment again soon ..  sending you all my positive vibes ... and a big hug too boot ... Chrissie x

Hi Karen,

I'm sorry to hear about your concerns.Waiting for the results of any test is always scary. Most of us would admit to it being one of the scariest parts of our cancer journey. It is always even more worrying when you have a young family. It is not pleasant having to inject yourself every day, but you don't have to do it forever. I remember being horrified when I was told that I'd need to do this, but it was no bother once I got used to it. It is certainly better than developing a clot.

I am delighted that you have already discovered massive shrinkage in your underarm and a stable breast lump after only 2 sessions of chemo. Chemo is a hard thing to get through. Don't give up hope. You will get through this and come out the other side.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 9 years, I had a lumpectomy first time around and a year later I had a double mastectomy. I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer 21 years ago. The treatment that I have received bears no resemblance to what she had. There are advancements being made all the time. Whereas people used to die of breast cancer, now people live with it.

I shall be thinking of you on Thursday and, hope that your results don't show up anything untoward in your other breast.

Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

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Hi Chrissie

Thanks so much for your reply and positive vibes.

It is a hard journey especially fitting treatment and appointments around the kids.

I rely heavily on extended nursery care and after school clubs.

I'm thankful that the school have been very accommodating with short notice appointments etc.

As regards support network I don't have much of one as most people are just too far away.

I hope treatment can begin again next week as being neutropenic last week did kind of throw me into despair and my anxiety has been exceptionally bad wondering about biopsy results tomorrow.

Eating and sleeping are particularly difficult feeling so churned up.

Kind regards Karen x

Hi Karen

sending you a hug as it is a really scary time. I was diagnosed with triple negative last January which seems a life time ago now.

if the cancer is in your other breast I think it is dealt with as a local recurrance and not as secondary so try not to worry (easier said than done) it doesn’t nec mean it isn’t treatable. They will just need the results to make sure you are having the right chemo and treatment. It is great news that your lumps have responded so try to stay positive . 

Are you on EC or docetaxal? 

I am 40 and have two kids under ten. Just also wanted to ask if you had been tested for brca gene? I tested positive (with no family history) but it may be worth thinking/asking about if no one has suggested it already. 

Really hope the results are ok tomorrow - it is good they investigate every query so they have a full picture and can give you the best treatment. 

Thinking of you 

Rach xxx

Hi Karen,

Both of my cancers were primaries and, if it is cancerous in your other breast, I hope that it will be a primary too. They often put a marker in the breast so that the surgeon knows where the problem is.

I am so sorry to hear about your mum. Like you, I miss mine every day, even after all this time.

It cannot be easy juggling child care around your appointments, but having 3 young children must keep you busy. We always advise people to try and distract themselves from the wait by keeping busy, but I guess that this is no problem for you.

I hope that all goes well for you tomorrow. Can you take someone with you to your appointment tomorrow? This is always a good idea. It can also be helpful to write down a list of questions for your consultant.

Please remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Rach,

Thanks for your reply and kind words.

I have one more EC to go and then 3 rounds of Docetaxel

I was told about the gene test you mentioned but at the present time I can't cope with getting it done and facing the results.

I told the genetics counsellor I would contact them again once I felt ready.

It was also mentioned before that if there was anything in the other breast the treatment wouldn't change but it may influence the surgery.

Kind regards Karen x

Thanks Jolamine

I am taking someone with me to the appointment as too anxious to go alone.

I just hope whatever it is can be fully treated and my chemo gets underway again as soon as possible.

I've no problem keeping busy its the staying focussed which is difficult.

Best wishes Karen x

Hi Karen,

I am glad to hear that you are taking someone with you tomorrow. It is so easy to forget what was said, when you are so hyped up about your appointment.

I know that you are anxious to get back to your chemo, but you are better to get a full diagnosis first, as your treatment may need to change.

Fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

I hardly slept a wink last night cos I had my appointment to get my biopsy results today.

The results showed that my right breast has a pea size triple negative cancer which is so small you can't even feel anything there.

My consultant said it hadn't been picked up before as it was so small and it was the area on my Mri a few weeks ago that brought it to their attention.

The consultant said my treatment is the same as what I have been having and he is confident of melting it all away and killing the cancer with a view to surgery in 4 - 5 months time but he thinks my prognosis is good if this happens.

He was reassuring in that he mentioned many women of whom he has successfully treated.

I am feeling abit more positive now and determined to beat this disease.

Kind regards Karen x