I had a biopsy on 11th August and was diagnosed with IDC on 26th August. On 1st September I was told my lymph nodes are also involved. I had bone and CT scans which were clear.
I was told I was going to start chemo and referred to a hospital nearer to me for treatment as it was considered safer should anything go wrong. Now they are revisiting the question of whether surgery would be a better first move.
This waiting has now become unbearable. Apart from the fact I must cry at least 3 times a day my cancer is in my nipple and I am in a lot of pain. I have asked and asked for a copy of my pathology report but despite being told they will send it in the post it has never arrived.
I read on here about the time people wait between diagnosis and something happening and it upsets me that I am still waiting. I am moving house next month and I am feeling very overwhelmed right now. The earliest they will operate is 23rd Oct but that hasn’t been confirmed yet. I don’t know how to get through this.
Stay strong and take all the comfort you are offered. A good sob can often work wonders. We are all with you on this horrid journey. Big hugs x
Emilysss
I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and that you’re feeling so overwhelmed with everything - I’m not surprised. I fully understand how, once you know you have cancer, you just want to either get on with the chemo or surgery straight away - particularly when you’re in pain. I know that pain creates a constant reminder and you just can’t escape the awful thought of it.
Even with your provisional date, it’s still a long way off. From my most recent experiences, I would say to keep chasing them up - after all, it’s your life, you’re not anxiously waiting to book a holiday and sometimes you can slip through the net. I’ve tried looking on the Web for guidelines - I’m sure I once saw a timeline for recommended timescales but I can’t find it. I’ve looked on the NICE guidance but it just mentions having chemo within 31 days of surgery, it doesn’t mention timing for neo-adjuvant systemic treatment.
How about asking your breast care nurse to get a copy of your pathology results for you - mine did for me. She wouldn’t post them but we arranged a date for me to go and collect them.
How about phoning them today?
Sending you a big hug ((()))
Flo
X
Thank you for the replies and the hugs. We spoke to the breast care nurse today and she says the surgery will go ahead on the 23rd. That’s a week before my provisional moving date. I am trying to shift that but the buyers are stubborn.
She says the report is on its way.
I know it sounds ridiculous but I never imagined (if I imagined it at all) that having breast cancer would be like this.
Emxx
Hello again Em - it’s not ridiculous, no-one knows the feelings until they’ve had the diagnosis. Once you get started with treatment it will be easier to cope because your focus will be on getting better.
Flo
X
Thank you for the replies.
I have felt better this afternoon now I have some definite idea of what is going to happen. I see what you mean about the pain - I will be so relieved when it is gone. I am worried about the lymph node clearance but I know it has to happen.
I am hoping my buyer is just being utterly unrealistic. I don’t want to make too much fuss and lose the sale. I will do as much as I can before the op and leave everything else to the (grown up) kids. It might even be a good thing and take my mind off stuff.
Thanks again.
xx