Thanks Rose, I’m not due to have the biopsies until 3pm, which means it’ll be at least 4.30pm before I get done but at least there is a coffee shop in the hospital close to the Breast Clinic so I don’t mind waiting. The worst thing about that is seeing all the other people waiting, especially the ones on their own, because I want to go in with them in case they have to hear bad news. And of course I have to apologise to the Radiologist who I shouted at last week…preferably before she starts jabbing me!
I’m a proud mum to a cat called Dollop and he is the little light of my life :heart: My other cat, his brother, died in the Summer and since then Dollop has been super-clingy and I’ve been wondering how I’ll manage him post-surgery as he likes to be picked up and cuddled regularly and always sleeps curled up on my chest. Don’t want him to think I’ve abandoned him but he is enormous, about the size of a pit pony, so cuddles will be off the agenda for a while!
Hi, I also had diagnosis on Friday that I have stage 2 BC and will require a lumpectomy (or mastectomy if I choose) followed by a course of radiotherapy. I found a lump a couple of weeks before Xmas and took myself straight to GP who didn’t think it was anything sinister. Last Tuesday I had my appointment with the consultant , who at this point thought it was glandular tissue, however he sent me straight off for a mammogram on both sides, an ultrasound and possible biopsy. Following the mammograms (wasn’t expecting that to be painful!) I had the ultrasound. The radiologist looked puzzled and informed me that she had no idea what it was and therefore wanted to perform a core needle biopsy. On Friday I went back for the results. The news hit me like a bus!. The first thing that sprang into my mind was that I was going to die! How long would I have left?! Then the consultant began to explain that it was still in the early stages and that the ultrasound I’d not show any abnormalities in the lymph nodes, however I’m not out of the woods yet because they would need to run further testing on the lymph nodes once I was under GA having my ? Lumpectomy. He then went onto say that the chance of survival was good. I was starting to come back into the world at this stage, although still in shock! I could not speak to anyone that day and had to let my husband break the news to family and friends. I eventually plucked up the courage to tell my 6 yr old why mummy had been suffering with a sore arm ( this was what I told her following the biopsy so she wouldn’t jump all over me!) she doesn’t really understand the cancer part but is aware that I have to have an operation. It is nearly 4 days now since the diagnosis and am feeling a lot more positive. I’m not so much of a blubbering wreck and am managing to talk to freinds and family about it. I have an appointment again on Friday to discuss surgery etc.it feels like a lifetime away. I am now signed off from work - I work for NHS but not in nursing but am aware of what is going on. I have a great network of colleagues and friends who will support and I know I can lean on them if needed!.just want to get this over and done with and get my life back on track!
Hi blackie x echo keepsanemum xxx this is a great place for extra support - the bus anology is good as the waiting is a bit like waiting for a bus - you wait and wait tgen everything seems to come along at once. I was diagnosed start of dec but have had lot more tests but know waiting for double mx on 12 jan ( this time next week I’ve just realised) . I try not to think about surviving or dying - I try to concentrate on living in the present ( does that make sense?) xxxx lots of love to you x and very welcome - the people on here are inspirational x
Seems as if a few of us have difficult days planned today, but at least things are moving along at last which has got to be better than sitting at home imagining a million different scenarios, each one worse than the last. I’ve taken Sarah & Rose’s early advice to heart - don’t look on other bits of the forum until we really need to, it’s enough to cope with this stage never mind all the stuff that might or might not happen later! I’m inventing more pleasing fantasies to distract me now when the real stuff gets too difficult. Have managed to convince myself that George Clooney will be knocking on my door any day now to tell me he made a terrible mistake in marrying Amal and it was me he wanted all along. I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll forgive him instantly or whether to make him suffer for…ohhh…30 seconds or so before I invite him in :D
Hope everybody gets what they need today and for those who are still waiting for the next step, I hope you have a restful day (and feel free to borrow my George Clooney fantasy if it helps, so long as you give him back to me tonight of course!)
Hi Blakie, as Sarah says, horrible club to be in but the members are wonderfully wise and caring so good on you for joining us as we’ll all do our best to help you whenever we can.
These early days are just awful as you try to deal with the shock at the same time as having to think about who to tell and what to say, whilst learning as much as you can about what is happening to you. Just getting your head around all the acronyms is a bit of a challenge I found. But it does get easier as the days pass and I think most of us feel better and more in control the more we know so I think you’re right to go armed with lots of questions on Friday.
Hope you get all your answers this week but if I can help with anything in the meantime, don’t hesitate to ask
Sorry you’re having a low day and telling your children so close to Christmas must have been a strain on you and them, did they take the news OK?
Rose, a member on here, has some fab advice on SNB wounds, apparently breast pads are very helpful.
I wish you all the luck in the world for your results on Friday and am sending you a virtual (as in feels nice but doesn’t touch any of the sore bits) hug
Hi Everyone, I had my follow up appointment yesterday a week after being told the dreaded! They were running late so sat around for 2 hours before I was called in! Thank goodness for my amazing daughter who even managed to make me laugh at several stages. I was told I have invasive ductal carcinoma grade 3, this has now freaked me out because I was convinced it would be non invasive as it was small. Now I am worried sick it may have spread despite the surgeon telling me it was highly unlikely. Surgery planned originally for end of January but when I explained about my holiday end of April and cancellation fees etc he has managed to slot me in for next Wednesday so I receive my results sooner. Hopefully all will be clear in the lymph nodes and I will be able to have my holiday (a goal to look towards). I will be having larger surgery than initially thought but it will give a good clearance hopefully and i will have a smaller boob :smileylol:. I will be lopsided but he said I can have the other one done at a later date. As I am quite big busted it will be nice to be a size smaller although I would rather have won the lottery and paid for breast reduction rather than this awful disease forcing the issue. I had bloods taken, swabs and ECG and go back wednesday for pre-op (no idea what that involves). The surgeon was fantastic as was the health care assistant, even though they were running so late I never once felt rushed and they answered our book full of questions taken care of by my secretary (my daughter ). I was told that I will probably have to stay overnight due to the extent of the surgery and the distance I live from hospital, however if they get any cancellations and I have the op early in the morning then I may be able to go home later that day. They spoke to me about having a tight surgical bra and it seems the hospital can provide them at a cost of £20, very tight but aparently excellent with front fastenings. You take it in with you to surgery and they put it on you before you wake up. I definately this I will opt for this as I wont need to stress myself out looking for bras!
I popped into work on the way home and it made me realise that I have made the right decision to go off sick. As lovely as it was to see everyone it made me realise that I just couldnt cope with all the stress at work at this moment in time. One of my colleagues has given me a “worry doll” who aparently I tell her my worries and she takes them away for me! poor doll, she will certainly have her work cut out!!! but what a lovely thoughtful gift.
Gill all the very best for your results tomorrow, I hope its the best news for you. Anyone else who is waiting for results, again I will you the best news.
Today is going to be spent with my amazing daughter and georgous grandson wedding dress shopping (for her, not me) something nice to focus on. Hope you all have a good day with positive thoughts xxx
Hi Gazzlyn, sounds like yesterday was a tough day but I’m so pleased you’ve managed to get a date for your surgery at last and things are moving quickly for you.
Will be wishing you every possible good wish for your results tomorrow and hope it is nothing more than a build up of tissue around the ‘foreign object’ they found.
I think I want to move to hull !!! This lovely lady surgeon and hotel beds …also Neil diamond … Searching for tickets now …
Didnt keep to my hours - way over … But actually was alright being at work. Just lots off with man flu and don’t want to catch anything before next week now …will see how I sleep and boss has sorted handover meeting for tomorrow as I don’t think they believe I’ll make the week x s
Hi Sarah, I’m with you, I want to move to Hull too as Rose’s experience so far sounds good other than the long wait for results (really wish they’d speed up the pathology results for her, seems to be taking them ages)!
I think I remember you saying you were trying to work for as long as possible so that you can save your sick leave/annual leave for after surgery? I understand why you want to do that but the run up to surgery is stressful so take good care of yourself and if you need some time off now I’d take it and worry about post-surgery leave later (perhaps you could ‘borrow’ some annual leave from next year to avoid unpaid leave if necessary?)
…and Tracey Thorn & Ben Watt met at Hull University and started their band Everything But The Girl who are the best band ever so Hull is a magic place as far as I’m concerned :D.
Pretty amazing grace on my most played at the moment rose x now I have family in Manchester - so this is feeling like a date x but seriously if u need lodgings just let me know - mum and dad have rooms to spare! Lunch break at work - but not coping today - have an important phone call to take at 1 pm / meeting manager at 2 then home at wont b back tomorrow - work ok but people being “too” kind - do u know what I mean ? Making me upset xx rose I feel terrible for complaining about three months pay when you’ve had none xxx sorry - very self centred of me xx love to all sarah
I guess you could ask them to email a copy of the pathology report to you now? The problem with that is that they are quite scary to read unless you’ve got a medical bod around to explain what the terms/language mean, so that might actually be worse than just waiting for a fortnight
I think Sarah is right and it is just luck of the draw as to how quickly these things get done but at least it sounds as if you’ve had really good care from your clinical team so far so perhaps that’s some consolation. And I’d agree with your interpretation - they seem to move pretty quickly when there is a need to so hopefully that means all is well
Hi all
A good news afternoon - glad so many have good news x rose not long to 20th and I think its a date with a good ring ! - they would b whisking u in if they were worried so you are definitely on home straight now - will meet u at one of ur gigs I’m sure x. Told manager that wouldn’t be back and feeling very relieved - cried on way home as never been ‘sick’ and fed up this has consumed me so much but I know it’s the right decision - there was just so much to do at work and rose has described people perfectly girls excited as I have told them I can take them to school tomorrow and Friday - simple pleasures x now just going to try to sort out my head , tidy house. pack my bag etc ready for the op many little hugs for all s
Ear plugs beryl !!! Enjoyed your post ? must wash my dressing gown too don’t forget slippers ! Snacks good idea think I might try tub blueberries x
I vote Rose for GBBO !!! They are taking entries now x - I however am a hopeless baker but make good tea xxx
Sarah
Right, so we’re all off to Rose’s for afternoon tea and cake are we? We all promise to take our glasses off when we get there Rose so no need to do any housework, just feed us cake and we’ll love you for ever and ever. Do you have a recipe for that other old school favourite Toffee Cream tart with dessicated coconut on top (although I’m told posher schools than mine had grated chocolate on top)?
Hi Beryl, don’t forget the lipbalm! Someone suggested some squash to make the hospital water taste OK but others have said sherbert lemons to take the taste away.
). I was told that I will probably have to stay overnight due to the extent of the surgery and the distance I live from hospital, however if they get any cancellations and I have the op early in the morning then I may be able to go home later that day. They spoke to me about having a tight surgical bra and it seems the hospital can provide them at a cost of £20, very tight but aparently excellent with front fastenings. You take it in with you to surgery and they put it on you before you wake up. I definately this I will opt for this as I wont need to stress myself out looking for bras! 