HI All,
Well the good news is i’m 2 years on from my lumpectomy, chemo & radio and just had an all clear check up & mammo, but i’m now having to face gynae investigations for fibroids and ovarian cysts and i’m going to pieces. The waiting for test results and the thought of scans & surgery has just upset me so much, just bringing it all back to me i guess. Have lovely friends who are great but finding it hard to understand why i’m so upset. I know i should just be feeling grateful that i’ve got to this point but its hard to even think about more hospital stuff.Does this sound familiar to anyone else?
Glad of any tips to help me to cope.
Rivergirl.
I had same in Feb only one year after diagnose . My gynae prob turned out to be a benign polyp. I went through absolute hell mind wise the day came for me to have my op and I cannot believe the state I was in . I sympathise with you completely, bite the bullet and let gynae do his job … tell him how scared you are . I found a few counselling sessions helped me through. YOU must remember you are never on your own, we are all with you.
Lots of love Bobbie…YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS I PROMISE!!!
Hi …glad I popped in …I am almost two years on x 3 surgeries etc etc … have no been referred for further scans one gynae the other bowel cancer screening as the symptoms I have manifested can be attributed to both .like you I am stressing was hoping it was all over and have been positive throughout ,my mum died of Ovarian cancer so you can imagine what my head is like need I say more .I am telling myself she is being thorough !!! and just routine !
Hopefully Maz xxx
Hi Corsa and Mazaroo,
Thanks so very much for your posts, i’m sorry to hear you have both faced similar things but its so reassuring to know that my feelings are ‘normal’. I just can’t seem to stop crying this weekend but i guess its good to have a weep and get some of the emtion out. Have either of you had an MRI, the gynaecologist has requested an urgent one for me which has freaked me a bit to say the least, and i’m now worrying i might feel claustrophobic as i’ve never had an mri before and people say its noisy and you get put inside a tube, help! also waiting for the rsult of a ca125 blood test, the thought that might be raised is also freaking me out. too much to think about at the mo.
Thanks again for your support,
take care both, rivergirl.
Hi Rivergirl
My situation was different from yours in that I had major gynae surgery for endometriosis first. I had suffered with that for years and to see what was going on before major surgery I first had a laparoscopy, this was followed 4 months later by a hysterectomy and bowel resection (endometriosis was in the bowel) and other areas resected. This meant I had a stent put in my urethra so this was followed by more surgery to remove thisa month later.
Then 18 months later - this February - I was diagnosed with the breast cancer. I’ve had now just gone through a double mastectomy. My wound then opened up a week later and I had to have further surgery and resuturing.
I have to had a portacath for my next lot of chemo so I’ve been told that this will most likely be done under a general anaesthetic.
That will be my sixth general anaesthetic in under 2 years!
So what I can say is that I totally understand why you don’t want to face further surgery and hospital stays. The thing is we do get through it all somehow becuase we want to get well. The reality wasn’t as bad as my expectation.
As to being upset, you’d be feeling that even if you hadn’t had breast cancer first. Having been through all that first it’s more than understandable plus you have the anxiety now of CA125 blood test.
MRIs are noisy, they make a loud clicking sound but I didn’t find it too bad. I’ve had two in the past and I try to make my mind go as blank as possible so as to relax. They usually talk you through while it’s all going on and they told me first how long it would all take.
Hope it all goes well
Elinda x
Hi Elinda,
Thanks for the reassurance especially regarding the MRI scans. You sound like you’ve had a rough time, i really hope things go well for you from now on. Thaks again for taking the time to post,
Take care, rivergirl.
Hi, Well the MRI was ok they were lovely to me and i took an audiobook on cd that was good to listen too, it is a very loud device thats for sure! Sadly i’m now being advised by both my gynaecologist and oncologist to have a hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy & oopherectomy. I’ve been told my history of breast cancer and my recent diagnosis of the gynae stuff both increase my risk of ovarian & endometrial cancer. I just feel utterly gutted, i’m 43 and not had the opportunity to have children and thought i’d have a good few years to come to terms with my it all as my fertility faded naturally and i went into the menopause. The thought of surgery etc just makes me feel physically sick at the moment, i thought i’d finished with it all.I was fortunate enough to not have to take tamoxifen and my ovaries carried on working despite the chemo so i haven’t had to deal with the menopausal symptoms, but now I will be. I’m worried about how i’ll cope if i get lots of symptoms particularly with my job which i love but is full time & demanding, i’ve so enjoyed being back as well since i finished my treatment, i don’t do well not sleeping so the thought of hot sweats keeping me awake is scary at the moment. Its all feeling a bit much at the moment, i’ve got lovely friends who are all being really supportive which is such a blessing but i am just so sad and its difficult for them to understand all the cancer stuff. Has anyone else had to deal with this situation?
Rivergirl.
Hi Rivergirl
Life’s a bi***. So sorry you are going through this and I empathise about the surgery, that is so gutting. I sort of did it in reverse having had dreadful stmach pain and being investigated for cysts - have lots but they are not giving me huge problems at present. I did think i was going to have to have full pelvic clearance and was actually in theatre but came back with my bits intact. But i went through hell and the sadness was on a par with how i felt losing the boob, an attak on my feminity. I am still scared that Tamox will start these issues up and I will be where you are. There are n words that really comfort and I personally get tired with friends who seem to think that you have the op, which is easy enough and it is all in the past - if only. But do not let it destroy your life.
Just wishing you the best and sending love.
Jane x
I have no words to comfort and I don’t want to say you will get through it, but of course we do, somehow.
Hi rivergirl
I’m glad the MRI wasn’t too bad. I am sorry you’re having to face further surgery - you probably remember mine was the other way round. All I can say is that is you will get through it hard as it is.
I went through similar feelings regarding my fertility even though my husband and I were resigned to the fact that it was virtually impossible for me to conceive (due to endometriosis) and rapidly reducing fertility at that age (same as you are now). I think that a hysterectomy feels so final that it is not surprising you feel the way you do and that’s certainly how I felt to.
I think with regard to menopausal symptoms they seem to vary from person to person. A natural menopause can be difficult too as I’ve seen from some of my friends. On the otherhand some people suffer very little whether it’s natural or brought on my surgery etc. There’s a lot of hype about menopause too and this brings a lot of fear and trepidation with it.
My philosophy (and I have to keep reminding myself) is to try and face one thing at a time. Not saying I always stick to this but I try to instead of fearing everything in the future and finding it all too overwhelming.
Sending you a big hug.
elinda x
Hi Rivergirl
Yes, the last thing you want it to be spending more time in the company of health professionals, isn’t it?
I imagine you are getting the belt and braces treatment because of your bc history, so much of what is being done may well be precautionary. The ‘urgent’ scan may just be to make sure you don’t have to wait your turn with all the sports injuries, etc. Try not to worry overmuch (easy to say, impossible to do, I know) - much better to have a thorough investigation, to leave no stone unturned!
As for the MRI, if they are scanning your pelvic area, is it possible that your head might say out in the open? If not…I’m not particularly claustrophobic…but I find it has helped to close my eyes. The ear defenders will help with the noise.
I know how you feel - I’ve had bc twice - mastectomy, lumpectomy, oophectomy, reconstruction, further op to balance sides, more d & c than hot dinners, another op to remove a cancerous node in chest wall and an abdominal hysterectomy (SE of Tamoxifen). I think I’ve had 13 ops in all. Now when an anaethetist asks ‘have you had any previous surgery?’, I invite him to pull up a chair.
I think it’s excellent advice to make it clear to all concerned how anxious you are - sometimes it helps just to say it out loud to someone.
Will be thinking of you and hoping for a tototally routine outcome for you.
X
S
Hi Elinda & Bahons2, Thank you both for your kind responses and wishes, i’m feeling a bit less frantic today. Elinda i’m sorry you’ve had to go through the same surgery but its reassuring your feelings were similar to mine,makes me feel like i’m not going mad or being a complete wuss. Ah, well one day at a time. By the way i love your cat photo, is it your cat? I have a silver tabby maine coon who insists on being adored and is is lovely company when i’m feeling blue.
Best wishes to you both, take care, rivergirl.
Hi Rivergirl
Really pleased to hear you’re feeling a bit calmer. And no you’re definitely not going mad or being a wuss! It’s a lot to face and entirely natural - probably be more worrying if you were blase about it all.
I’ve actually had 6 general anaesthetics in less than two years - two of those for major operations and the rest for smaller procedures and each time I’ve been anxious or down about it.
That is my cat, he’s half Cornish Rex so very lively, very affectionate and very chatty and sits on the bed with me all day for 3 days after my chemo when I can’t get up. They are amazing aren’t they - they seem to know when we’re down or not feeling well. I love the silver tabby maine coons, they’re stunners.
Elinda x
HI Elinda,
Have put a picture of my gorgeous girl on for you to see! She too loved it when i was in bed for a few days after each chemo, she was miffed when i started to feel well and got up, gave me ‘what do mean you are getting up, i was just settling down for the day look!!’ she’ll be pleased when i’m post op and needing a siesta!
Take care and thanks again for your support & kind words, rivergirl.
What a beauty! Looks like she loves the camera too! Amazing how cats seem to pose as soon as the camera comes out.
take care and hope all goes well.
Elinda xx
Morning Ladies, I’m having a bad morning, I was not on wedns that i have mets in my my chest. So i’m Today i’m waiting for a date to see the onc. Today i’m going to tell me lovely, lovely god daughters, oh help.
rivergirl
Rivergirl, I just wanted to say that I’m so sorry to hear your news. I cannot imagine what you are going through today, and just wanted to send you love and strength
Shenagh xxx
thenks shenahal, rivergirl xx
Hi Rivergirl , Sending you my love. I have 2nd post op mamm Jan 10th, already have the jitters. I can only imagine what you must be going through. HELL!!!
Bobbie Aka Corsa
hi everyone
im feeling much the same as some of you, at the thought of going through more treatment after having had a break for about 2 years too. my breast cancer has spread into tummy area, and ovaries, and theyre not offering surgery, but more chemo. at the moment i have a drain in, as id had a build up of fluids,they drained 4-5 litres and its still draining. i have no energy and have been lying about for a week, worried if i feel like this, how will i cope with chemo.
hope everything goes well for you all. god bless x
Hi all Like rivergirl I have to have the full hysterectomy oopherectomy and all on Jan 15 th my scan showed up ovarian tumours and with my breast cancer and my mum having ovarian have no choice ,a bit worried about the outcome ,spread whatever and not looking forward to more surgery after 4 ops in two years but sure I will get through it love to yu all xxxx