I have breast cancer

I have no experience of cancer but I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who shared your stories and that I am in awe of how brave you all are to have got through it. It really is humbling.

ZondaR - giving you a big ((hug)) and wishing you the very best xxx
 
Not sure if this has been mentioned but after any breast op, (and you do need a good bra) one needs to be careful dismounting. Before you get on for a first calm therapeutic potter around in walk, work out a way of getting off the horse which wont put any pressure on your breast.
 
jokadoka said:
To everybody else, I noticed my lump myself, the mammogram that followed couldn't really pick it up, so please don't rely on mammograms only, please please please check yourselves regularly!!
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I just want to reiterate what Jokadoka has said here

I was lucky, I only had a benign lump, which had also abscessed which required a major ductectomy.

I found the lump on a windy day when the field gate blew into my boob!

The mammogram did not pick up any trace of the lump, but it could be felt very easily - so ladies, please do check yourselves, even if its only using your hand to wash instead of a flannel or sponge.

I would also say that a good soft supportive bra is a godsend after the surgery - I used a sports type for a good while

The very best of luck to everyone who is about to undergo treatment or is on the road to recovery
 
Another one here for the surviors club!

Like others have mentioned on here, everyone is different in how we coped with the treatments, I had everything thrown at me and it seemed to go on for ever, even 5 yrs on I still don't have the proper use of one arm. Just listen to your body it will tell you how much you can cope with.

My horses were my saving grace too, they were my reason for getting up and getting out of the house every day (only missed them a few times towards the end of chemo).

Good luck for nxt week, we'll all be thinking of you (((hugs))) x
 
Also another in the survivors club.

Had six months of chemo & 30 sessions of radiotherapy, Bought a 2 year old TBX inbetween chemo & rads, (probably wouldn't recommend that one!!) already had a connie cross Seven years on still have TBx & the connie cross. They certainly kept me going.

All the best, you will be fine x
 
Adorable Alice waves to Jaycee - your pm's and support were wonderful, thank you so much.

The comment about dismounting is so true, especially if the op is on the right breast/arm as that is the arm/hand that stays on the top of the saddle as you jump down. Ouch to say the least. I got off my small cob, only 15.2 by standing her next to a bank and doing an inelegant slither off whilst holding the poorly boob with my left hand. Even now a year on I can feel it in my armpit if I jump down without care.
 
Another one here - I've kicked cancer's backside and won :D
Lots of people are saying how important it is to check your boobs and have the routine mammograms BUT also remember it's not necessarily an old ladies disease - I was diagnosed at 36. Everyone, young and old should check for lumps and changes at least once a month.

I had a lumpectomy. The tumor was grade 2 and 2cm. This was followed by 6 sessions of chemo, 30 sessions of radiotherapy and another 6 sessions of chemo. I coped amazingly well and just took a day of work for the chemo sessions - felt fine the next day so went to work. Was sick once and felt a bit queasy another time - other than that the most upsetting thing was loosing my hair. It grows back though... all be it curly :D

The radiotherapy is tiring but mainly because the drive to the city (which I did myself everyday) was long. The treatment does burn you but slap on E45 cream and you'll be fine.

I did let my horses live out that winter as I think mucking out would of been too much but I continued to ride as normal. The most awkward thing was fitting my hat over my wig :D In the end I ditched the wig and just put a woolly hat under my riding hat.

This was all a long time ago. 10 years to be precise. Breast cancer is no longer a death sentence - you've caught it early and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Good luck with the treatment xx
 
wiglet said:
Another one here - I've kicked cancer's backside and won :D
Lots of people are saying how important it is to check your boobs and have the routine mammograms BUT also remember it's not necessarily an old ladies disease - I was diagnosed at 36. Everyone, young and old should check for lumps and changes at least once a month.

I had a lumpectomy. The tumor was grade 2 and 2cm. This was followed by 6 sessions of chemo, 30 sessions of radiotherapy and another 6 sessions of chemo. I coped amazingly well and just took a day of work for the chemo sessions - felt fine the next day so went to work. Was sick once and felt a bit queasy another time - other than that the most upsetting thing was loosing my hair. It grows back though... all be it curly :D

The radiotherapy is tiring but mainly because the drive to the city (which I did myself everyday) was long. The treatment does burn you but slap on E45 cream and you'll be fine.

I did let my horses live out that winter as I think mucking out would of been too much but I continued to ride as normal. The most awkward thing was fitting my hat over my wig :D In the end I ditched the wig and just put a woolly hat under my riding hat.

This was all a long time ago. 10 years to be precise. Breast cancer is no longer a death sentence - you've caught it early and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Good luck with the treatment xx
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You are a wonder woman, working through chemo, how the blooming heck did you manage that ! I had 6 x FEC and in the first week of each three week session I could barely walk.
 
AdorableAlice said:
You are a wonder woman, working through chemo, how the blooming heck did you manage that ! I had 6 x FEC and in the first week of each three week session I could barely walk.
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Which just goes to illustrate how it affects everyone differently :D
I did have my bad days - not feeling sick but just feeling down and scared. A lot of the time I felt angry that this could of happened to me - no way was it going to beat me :)

Every breast cancer victor is a wonder woman :)
 
Good Morning ZondaR. Just a quick message to wish you well tomorrow. Hopefully you are having a horse day today. Stay cheerful, tomorrow will come, go and soon be well behind you.
 
((((Hugs)))) so sorry to hear your news. A dear friend has just been through this and as best she could she kept herself involved with her daughters riding. There were days when she felt too ill but other days were better. It's now 8 months since her op and 6 since chemo and today I saw her for the first time in a while, her hair had grown back - curly - and she had done her first competition since the diagnosis.

Give your body time, take each day as it comes and let friends help when they offer. Cuddle your horse regularly.

xox
 
I'm another one whose mum had a lumpectomy and went on to have another healthy 20 years before she died of something unrelated. She recovered quite quickly, although also found the radiotherapy the worst bit.
Wishing you the very best of luck for a rapid recovery - listen to your body and it will tell you what you can manage. Hugs
 
Renvers said:
I want to add my good wishes for next week.

I have no personal experience, but I think a lady who posts in Competition Riders may have had same as you and she got back to competing - can't remember her name right now but others might know.
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I think that was Baydale :)
Wishing you all the best OP.
 
wiglet said:
Another one here - I've kicked cancer's backside and won :D
Lots of people are saying how important it is to check your boobs and have the routine mammograms BUT also remember it's not necessarily an old ladies disease - I was diagnosed at 36. Everyone, young and old should check for lumps and changes at least once a month.
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This is a very good point! My biological mother was 29 at diagnosis, unfortunately she didn't survive and passed away aged 32 :( but then that was in 1989 so things have moved on from then!

Kalshwitz (I've probably spelled that wrong, sorry!) if you feel there is family history then please go to your GP and explain this. You will be put on the advanced screening program, I've been on it for years (I'm 29 this year...) because of my family history.

I would also like to thank everyone for their stories, whilst I haven't had cancer I do have 100% rate of it in my family and have had a blood test which has come back positive for BARC2 defect, I feel it is a black cloud that is hanging over my head some days especially now that I am the same age as my BM when she got it.
 
wiglet said:
Another one here - I've kicked cancer's backside and won :D
Lots of people are saying how important it is to check your boobs and have the routine mammograms BUT also remember it's not necessarily an old ladies disease - I was diagnosed at 36. Everyone, young and old should check for lumps and changes at least once a month.
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My friend had just had mammogram and been given the all clear and then just a couple of weeks later found a lump when she did a manual check in the shower.

Get to know your boobs well so that you notice any change early, don't rely on a mammogram to find lumps.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I managed to ride on week 3 of each chemo session. Week one spent in bed mainly, week two I could potter but the immune system is non existent so great care has to be taken. Week three the blood count is picking up and I felt slightly better. My horse is sensible and I always had someone with me. Should I have done it - probably not and the doctors were not impressed. I was sick on her once which was not pleasant, but the mental boost just ambling around the village gave me was immense.

I also found the sanctuary of the yard kept me going, I just sat in a deckchair in the field and the horses came and spoke to me. Looking and feeling like xxxxx, bald, dizzy and tearful those horses never questioned me and gave me the company I needed.
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Absolutely, everyone's different and you do what you've got to do to get through it xxx

Like somebody else said - or was it you? - breast cancer is not a death sentence anymore. My mum was the first person I knew to get cancer and being my mum, my first thought was she's going to die. Now I know different and when my friend was diagnosed my first thought was that she's going to have a really s*** year.

Not to discount the seriousness of the big C, it is horrible and scary but my mum, friend and every Wonder Woman on here is proof that you can get through it.
 
I had exactly this last autumn. Had lumpectomy one afternoon - home in the evening. As usually very hectic with 7 horses and full time job/commute, quite enjoyed my afternoon laying down snoozing in hospital - out like a light with the anaesthetic!
Mucked out 7 horses following morning (with elbows tucked into my sides, lol). Did get husband to push most of the wheelbarrows up ramp to muck trailer and got him to turn horses out as didn't fancy trying to remove headcollars from feisty 17 handers. But generally back to doing everything within a couple of days - turning horse out with just a rope round their neck so no stretching involved. (Husband is the "you'll be fine" type - real meaning ="don't ask me to help"). Rode as soon as dressings removed and out competing straight after, bit of dressage first, then back to jumping. Went to Am Champs at Aintree a few weeks later.
Started radiotherapy the day after Aintree. No real side effects for me. Think the daily grind of travelling to hospital, waiting around etc was more tiring than the actual treatment. They usually spend most of the time getting you into exactly the right position before they zap you. Can make your arms ache a bit laying with them up above your head and not being able to move a millimetre but the actual radiotherapy doesn't hurt at all. I had 3 weeks of daily treatments. Luckily I don't really burn in the sun so even my skin wasn't too fried - but do use the cream religiously as the effects on your skin don't really show until after treatment finished, so you may be tempted to think you don't need it - then when it's done be ready for the manic itching to start!! I maybe felt a little tired for a couple of days after treatment finished, but was doing the horses twice a day as usual. Agree re bras - straight after op I just wore those vests with built in support. Now I wear some M&S seamfree soft things with very deep sides, or just sports bras. Defo avoid underwiring which I think they recommend you avoid anyway. Could maybe do with a bit more support aged 56, but hey ho, comfort first!
Have just finished my follow up check ups - from their tests on what was removed, they reckon I've only about a 5% chance of getting it again. Could reduce this to about 3% by having hormone therapy with all it's grotty side effects for the rest of my life, but I said no ta. (May have been different if it had been a difference of say 50% to 30%). Seeing consultant who did surgery in a couple of weeks to make sure he's happy with op site. Then just have to have mammograms every 6 months.
Hope it all goes as well for you as it has for me.
 
Firstly id like to say how sorry I am and I wish you a full and painless recovery.

Secondly I was going to post along these lines as I wondered how you tell the difference between a lump and hard breast tissue? The reason I ask is last week I noticed on the top of one of mine is a hard lumppy tissue it doesnt stick out but I can grab around the sides of it? Should i be concerned Id hate to waste a doctors time but its not on the other one and I was really after advise?

Do breast lumps stick out ?
 
stacey_lou said:
Firstly id like to say how sorry I am and I wish you a full and painless recovery.

Secondly I was going to post along these lines as I wondered how you tell the difference between a lump and hard breast tissue? The reason I ask is last week I noticed on the top of one of mine is a hard lumppy tissue it doesnt stick out but I can grab around the sides of it? Should i be concerned Id hate to waste a doctors time but its not on the other one and I was really after advise?

Do breast lumps stick out ?
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I have no personal experience but I would certainly say if you have any lumps or bumps you are not sure about definately get them checked out. It's absoluteley NOT a waste of a doctors time...better safe than sorry (and I'm sure the doctor would say the same).
 
stacey_lou said:
Firstly id like to say how sorry I am and I wish you a full and painless recovery.

Secondly I was going to post along these lines as I wondered how you tell the difference between a lump and hard breast tissue? The reason I ask is last week I noticed on the top of one of mine is a hard lumppy tissue it doesnt stick out but I can grab around the sides of it? Should i be concerned Id hate to waste a doctors time but its not on the other one and I was really after advise?

Do breast lumps stick out ?
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No, mine certainly didn't.
I had to 'prod' quite hard to feel it. I thought i was being paranoid as my husband couldn't feel it at all. Wasn't convinced though so went to my GP who felt it straight away.

I second what the other lady said, it is NEVER a waste of time to see your GP about breast or any other lumps, that is what they are there for after all!!
 
stacey_lou said:
Firstly id like to say how sorry I am and I wish you a full and painless recovery.

Secondly I was going to post along these lines as I wondered how you tell the difference between a lump and hard breast tissue? The reason I ask is last week I noticed on the top of one of mine is a hard lumppy tissue it doesnt stick out but I can grab around the sides of it? Should i be concerned Id hate to waste a doctors time but its not on the other one and I was really after advise?

Do breast lumps stick out ?
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If any doubt at all, please go to doctor.
I had absolutely no lumps (have had benign cysts needle aspirated before, so know what they feel like) and my DCIS was only picked up on a routine mammogram.
 
stacey_lou said:
Firstly id like to say how sorry I am and I wish you a full and painless recovery.

Secondly I was going to post along these lines as I wondered how you tell the difference between a lump and hard breast tissue? The reason I ask is last week I noticed on the top of one of mine is a hard lumppy tissue it doesnt stick out but I can grab around the sides of it? Should i be concerned Id hate to waste a doctors time but its not on the other one and I was really after advise?

Do breast lumps stick out ?
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Ring the doctor now please.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Ring the doctor now please.
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This. You are not wasting the doctors time. I have naturally lumpy boobs so it is difficult to tell what is normal and what isn't, so I have had 2 or 3 lumps investigated over the years (nothing abnormal found). All health professionals much prefer that you present early with any symptoms.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Ring the doctor now please.
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Please, please do this.

From the benign side mine did not stick out - but it was very obviously a lump not just the "grainy" feeling you get just before your period.

So it could very well be something of nothing, but why take the chance, much better to be safe than sorry.

ETA - tell them you have found a lump when making the appointment and they will see you straight away - I was seen the same day
 
jokadoka said:
No, mine certainly didn't.
I had to 'prod' quite hard to feel it. I thought i was being paranoid as my husband couldn't feel it at all. Wasn't convinced though so went to my GP who felt it straight away.

I second what the other lady said, it is NEVER a waste of time to see your GP about breast or any other lumps, that is what they are there for after all!!
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It silly i know how important it is but do not want to seem like a drama queen. Ill call tomorrow if after my shower tonight i can still feel it as well as i have been.

I only noticed it because my boob felt as though id wacked it.
 
stacey_lou said:
It silly i know how important it is but do not want to seem like a drama queen. Ill call tomorrow if after my shower tonight i can still feel it as well as i have been.

I only noticed it because my boob felt as though id wacked it.
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There should be no 'if' about it. Please go to the doctor they will not judge you to be a drama queen. They will be far more happy to give you the appropriate scans and tell you there is nothing to worry about now than they will be months or years down the road when you admit you had a lump that you ignored because you didn't want to be a bother to them.

I and the other ladies on this thread are living proof that early intervention is crucial. I had no signs whatsoever, the doctors could not feel anything even after the mammo had shown a problem.

Please, I beg you, get checked out.
 
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