Confused and scared

In June I found a small lump, was told not to worry, just hormonal and linked to the menopause.

By end of August it had grown too much to ignore and believe it was so innocent. 

Diagnosed initially and told, “treatment and back to work just after Christmas, not too much to worry about”

Since then every time I’ve been back the news has been “its a little worse than we hoped” and after a masectomy and lymph node clearance of five tumours, between 2cm and 7.5cm, I was told blood markers were indicating metastasis of the cancer.

Initial scans picked nothing up and I was told they would proceed with a diagnosis and prognosis of stage 3c (ish) and be optimistic that the blood markers were simply a little icky.

However, whilst having my portacath fitted, the radiologist spotted a couple of small shadows on my lung. Consulting with someone on the phone they decided to go ahead with the port and continue with my current treatment plan, with the goal of an MRI scan next July/August after chemo and rads.

Turn up for my first chemo today to be told everything had been changed and I was being reassessed after all and no chemo today. 

Now, they’ve said I’m being treated as stage 4 and to wait to see the oncologist again… 

The whole “journey” has been a nightmare, nothing has gone to plan, I’m questioning everything and getting contradictory information all the time, at least it feels it because by the next appointment it’s changed!

I’m getting into a real icky mental state here and just want to know what the hell I really am facing!

Sorry for the rant, sometimes it’s needed… ? 

I am so sorry you had to go through this but this is now your chance to get your results and correspondence together and go with a close friend or partner to the next appointment and ask questions and if necessary bang a few heads  together (metaphorically).

It will make the team sit up to take notice. 

 

*****  PS. I am no medical  ****

Hi Fluffball, from your previous post your cancer type belongs to ER+ HER-. to treat the metastatic of this cancer type, they usually offer the hormonal treatment as the first line treatment ie. Fulvestrant+abemiciclib, Letrozole+pablociclib or riblociclib , etc, etc which does not need IV. In case, you may want to check with your medical team what will they do to your portacath which is already in.