Hi All,
I had a Lumpectomy in November last year, and Axillary Node clearance in January this year (11 x nodes removed - all negative) and am in my last week of Radiotherapy. I was told if I had no follow up treatment then there was an 84% chance I would be alive in 10 years time. Chemo would only give me 4% which I didn’t feel was worth it given the hassle.
I met the Consultant yesterday for the first time. Not that impressed to be honest; he didn’t look at me when I walked in the room and didn’t respond to a handshake. I had to draw him out on as much information as possible. My key question was: ‘Is this particular cancer genetic?’ To which he responded ‘No’. The most I could get out of him was that it was a rare type of cancer he would only normally see in older people. I am 53 years old. He did say it was a cancer that could return and not just in the breast.
I work full time as a Civil Servant and have done since 1979. My questions now to the wider forum are: ‘What would you consider a ‘rare’ form of cancer at 53 if it was normally anticipated in people late 60/70s.’ This is the first major medical episode I’ve had in my life.
Much of this has got me thinking as being a Civil Servant (secretarial level - not management) if I am going to apply for early medical retirement I should do it now and not leave it many more years. I understand they won’t give early medical retirement if you are 58+. At that age you are told to resign and take your occupational pension even if you can’t get into your State Pension until you are 67 now. The Civil Service is very good at throwing people on the scrap heap these days.
I realise rules vary from company to company but would be interested to know as a second question, if anyone here is a Civil Servant (or has been) and is fully acquainted with the process. (I am trying to logically plan out whatever life I have left).
Thanks
Misa
This is a very hard question to answer but I didn’t want to leave your query without any replies because it is so depressing when no one responds. Not sure I can be much help but I guess the first thing to investigate is what the criteria are for retirment on medical grounds. I worked for many years in the public sector in the NHS and to get medical retirement then you had to have an ongoing condition that meant you would not be able to work again. I worked with a couple of people who got it following work place injuries and it was a long process.
Your prognosis is the same as mine percentage wise and I cling to the fact that 84% is quite a high percentage of people that are alive after ten years and hopefully you and I will be two of them. Living with the knowledge that it could come back is tough and takes some getting used to because like you I had never had any serious medical condition before BC but I feel less anxious a year down the line from treatment. As far as the cancer you had normally being seen in older people goes of course I don’t know what type of cancer you had but I had IDC grade 1 mixed grade 2 eventually downgraded to grade 1 and my surgeon commented to me that I had “little old lady cancer”, eg slow growing cancer that is more common in older patients (I was 60 at diagnosis and the oncologist described me as “young”!). You could contact your BCN to ask for a clearer explanation or call the help line here as they are very good at explaining pathology reports. Throwaway remarks by unhelpful doctors are horrible and I am sure they have no idea the confusion and anxiety they cause.
All the best
Jane
Hi Misa,
My clinic routinely sends out copies of clinic letters so that both myself and my GP have a record of the interactions.
You quite rightly need to know more so that you can make informed decisions. If you are within the NHS system there should have been a Multi-Disciplinery Team meeting held where by the experts in the fields of oncology, surgery and radiotherapy meet to review and plan the ideal treatment route for you given your specific details … ie age, grading and type of breast cancer disgnosis.
As you have found the oncology appt lacking, you could request another, or try your GP or the helplines at breast cancer care or Macmillan.
I too fell in the grey zonw re chemo, and my onc stated i could have it, but chemo drugs come with their own risks and side effects profile, i opted not to have chemo, but am now on an aromatase inhibitor (A.I. - Arimudex) to help improve my survival.
I found as active treatment, surgery and radiotherapy completed, i then was very fatigued and questioning. I am now back in the work place for around 25hours per week and still pace myself. Aged just 50 when diagnosed 2 years ago.
Use these specialists here, and make enquiries. If you have a Maggies centre near you they too are excellent for advice.
Keep in touch,
LL xx
Hi Misa,
Just another thought, Have you thought about discussing your concerns & plans with the likes of the Breast care Team here - or Macmillan that can provide good solid information - specifcally in relation to financial planning. They will have an awareness of the current laws, implications to pensions etc, or if they dont know, they will be able to sign post you on.
I know after treatment I was so fatigued - form filling / reading etc was all too overwhelming. You may find that they can gently guide you thru the processes to enable you to explore this most fully.
Good luck with it all - if you feel able pls do feedback.
LL xx
Hi Misa1963,
I am sorry you are going through this difficult time but it is great to see that you have received support from other users.
As our users have said, please do ring our helplineat 0808 800 6000 if you would like to have a chat. They will be able to help talk through any questions you may have and offer a friendly ear. The opening hours are below.
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Late opening Monday and Wednesday 5pm-7pm,
Saturday, 9am-1pm
Best wishes,
Lizzy