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Hello ladies, another new one for the board. Was diagnosed on Feb 14th, a Valentines Day I'll never forget. Don't know a huge amount yet about the type of cancer I have but what is I do know is that it's grade 2 ductal cancer, estrogen +, herceptin neg. Going for surgery with sentinel node biopsy. No MRI or CT scan at moment until after surgery if deemed needed. I'm attending Waterford. It's so confusing as so many women on here seem to be having all these tests doing first before surgery but my doc seems to want to get surgery done before doing more tests. I realise that there are so many diff types of 'breast cancer' no one fit solution for all. Anyway booked in for mastectomy next Wed March 6th. Not suitable candidate for partial as I have a few lumps when removed will result in basically the top half of my breast going so have decided that losing the entire breast may be less traumatic than waking up and finding just a bit of one left (not that I think waking up without my breast will be anything but traumatic) Meeting my surgeon tomorrow again so I'd like some advise on what questions I should be asking him? I have some questions that I know I def want the answers to but for those of you who are further along this journey than me you may be able to advise me on what I need to know. I'm the type of person who needs to be fully informed. Once I have details I can start to deal with things but don't keep me in the dark. Any and all advise would be really appreciated. Thx.

Hi there, was told today that my cancer is 'occult'. That it couldn't be seen on my mammograms but showed up on the ultrasound. Tumours can also be easily felt through the skin. Seemingly it happens in 10-15% of cancer cases. Anyone else get this diagnosis?

Hi all You might find this interesting. Aine Lawlor was talking to an oncologist about breast cancer treatments this morning. It's listed as "Saving women's lives every day". It mentions new research into a drug for hormone receptor positive tumours. http://www.rte.ie/news/morningireland/player.html

Anyone on herceptin experienced runny nose sinusy type feeling? Just recall someone saying it. I've got it now just wondering is it the herceptin or just me?

Isn't it amazing that my lashes and eyebrows were fine while having chemo and now 8 weeks out of chemo land and I've three lashes on one eye and two on the other eye and the brows are nearly gone. Dies it take long before they start to come back? Hair is good hopefully in another month I can go public!!! All this is not that important just curious. Xxx

I'm just wondering if other people are experiencing long delays in having their disability allowance claims dealt with by the dept of social protection. (have no entitlement to disability benefit as not enough relevant stamps now). I sent mine in after my surgery in Aug.2012 as I didn't even have time to think about things like money when I was hit with a cancer diagnosis. Fast forward and its now over 7 months later and last I was told was maybe April 2013 I might hear something. There are also secondary benefits like support with fuel, travel etc. which I couldn't access this winter as my claim has to be approved first. I'm finding it hard coping with the long delay and feel surely I can't be on my own. The dept says they are dealing with claims by date sent in. Just curious how others finding the system.

Hi Ladies, just an update on where I am at. Had my first appointment in Beaumont with plastic surgeon today, having been referred from Limerick for a Diep recon. He was an absolute gentleman unfortunately I didn't get on a waiting list yet as I need to see a breast surgeon too, because I want the other side removed (This should have been in the referral). I want the other side removed because it is at risk of cancer due to radioactive iodine I had for thyroid disease 7 years ago (there are medical studies which show this) and I don't want to be sitting waiting for another cancer to appear if I can prevent it now. I don't know how long it will take to see the breast surgeon, but the good news is that if he agrees to the procedure I will go on his list, which is shorter than the plastic surgeons, and I still get the same plastic surgeon to do the recon! keep your fingers crossed for me, I feel I have waited long enough already as my referral from Limerick was delayed several months because my surgeon was on maternity leave.

Hi all Had a bad week, this is one problem, I'll write about the other one in a min. I've been having shoulder trouble for ages, on left side only. Previous to diagnosis I was having physio. Since the mastectomy was also on the left side, the problem has been worse. I used to go for back massage regularly and couldn't wait to have one after all the treatment, last radiation was end Dec. I got the go ahead from Breast Care recently to have shoulder massage with light pressure only. So on Thursday I had a shoulder massage. It was mainly light pressure except for a few knots in my shoulder at the back. The problem now is I notice my front chest area, around where the radiation was done is after swelling up. It's not painful but slightly uncomfortable and feels squishy if I poke it. Could this be lymphoedema? Related to the massage? Or something else? Any suggestions like apply heat or cold or anything else? Thanks Jo

Here is the second item on my bad week list I had a gynae appt this week and I thought I would fly through it as all my gynae troubles seemed to have gone away as a bonus side effect of the chemo. However, I was stunned to find that I was already written up for a hysterectomy and ovaries out. It's not that I've had the genetic test, it's because of all my previous gynae troubles. I was just getting myself together after all the surgery/chemo/rads and now I'm in bits again. I'm very weepy even at the silliest things. Can anyone who has had all these surgeries offer any advice please? I feel like there won't be any female bit of me left. And it won't be good news for missing-in-action libido

Hi ladies I have my first mammo in the morning since all treatment ended and recon.Have to say nerves are shot am sick with worry.Anyone know if they do both good breast and reconstructed one or just good one?Just wondering what to expect.Im sure all will be fine but you know that niggle!!! XX