Follow-up appointments

Follow-up appointments

Follow-up appointments Hi there, I was diagnosed with BC in October 05 after my first routine mamogram in the September - I had been 50 the previous December. A small lump was found, I had no knowledge of the lump . Everything really came as a bit of a shock as I thought I was well. I was immediately started on Tamoxifen (I was premenopausal) and had the lump removed in November 05.

I had lymph glands taken and tested, which were clear and started radiotherapy in February 06 and had 20 sessions. All during this time I had regular contact with the Breast Care Team, and of course I was seeing the radiologists every day, so input and support was great.

I had a oncololgy appointment in April, where they “signed me back” to the surgical team and have seen no-one or spoken to no-one since. I have just received a follow-up appointment with the surgical team for November 06!

Is this normal, I can’t help but feel a bit abandoned. I know my BC was insignificant in relation to other more serious cases but to me its been and is terrifying. I have all these questions running around in my head but now feel so insignifcant that I don’t know what to do. I’ve been recently feeling really unwell, not sure if its the cancer or menopause starting or my imagination and have recently been to GP for some blood tests, and I’m feeling very overwhelmed with it all and find myself crying at the least little thing.

JenJen

PS I too have just had a frozen shoulder diagnosed in the opposite shoulder to my operation.

hello jen
i wa dxed end of oct after routine mamm had mastectomy & aux node clearance , followed by 15 sessions rads , i have just seen my consultant again for the first time ,and i am having a mamm next week , but like you i saw no one until then ,although i was told i could still ring my bc nurse at any time if i was worried about anything , hope this helps .

Dawn x

Sounds usual There’s often an awful feeling of anticlimax after treatment, while aftercare is not well arranged, and advice is often poorly presented. However, I would agree that you ought to be able to call the bc nurse for advice, particularly if you have questions relating to the treatment and its effects.

You may well find that it is the worry that is making you feel awful, and that the blood tests come up clear. Both my GP and my onc recognize when my mind is introducing new symptoms and are good about showing me how there is nothing there. But unfortunately it’s part and parcel of the disease to worry about possible developments. It’s very easy to say don’t worry; of course we all do.

Is there a local support group that you might be able to turn to?

Dawn
Do you think you’re having your mamogram next week due to you having a mastectomy, not a lumpectomy or is your Breast Care Team more on the boil so to speak than mine, as I have said my next op appointment isn’t til Nov and I assume (again I don’t know for sure as nonone has told me) that I will have a mamogram then!

Jennyx

Phoebe

As you correctly suspected I’ve had the results from my bloods this morning which have all come back normal - so I spose I’ll have to go back to GP as I’m still finding everything too much effort. I just wish I had such a good relationship with my GP and as I don’t even know who my consutant is I feel that I don’t have anyone to speak to. I feel that that to phone the Breast Care Nurses saying “Oh Hello I don’t feel well, I need some reassurance” when they have hundreds of patients much poorlier and in need than me is something I can’t do. I’ve thought about a Support Group and in actual fact found this website whilst I was looking for support group locally.

I do think that a lot of my energy problems stem from knowing I have put on about 7lbs in the last 2 months, which on top of already being overweight doesn’t help. Its all a vicious circle, you feel too tired and lethargic to exercise which in turn makes you put on weight. After reading many of the points in these forums I see that I am not alone with that. Being on Tamoxifen isn’t helpful with this and I did in fact consider back along not taking it but I was bullied into retaking it by my husband.

Help, my life is falling apart!!

Hi Jen
when i went to see my consultant he said he wanted me to have a mamm done yearly now for 5 years , and as its a year since my last one i assume thats why i am having it done i thought this was normal practice but i dont know for sure when i go next week i will ask then i can let you know .

Dawn x

No - you’re just being normal Jenjen - When I was taken into hospital with a neutropenic infection, I said to one of the staff that I felt I was taking up a bed that someone else needed more urgently. The answer was “You are the one who needs it right now.”

Don’t let yourself feel you are less important because your case was to a degree simpler than other people’s – you need reassurance and the breast cancer team that dealt with you are the ones to start with. Phone and ask if you can come in and talk to them. I am sure that they will find time. Also, ask your GP who the consultant was that was in charge of your case.

It is worth remembering that it takes up to six months to overcome the effects of operations and subsequent treatments. Somehow this fact tends not to be emphasized enough. Your immune system has had a hard knock, so it is important to take things easy if you are feeling tired, and to ensure that your diet is very well balanced. Do look into supplementation for cancer - there tend to be specific deficiencies; there’s lots of information here and on the website for breastcancer.org.

The weight problem is a bore. I’ve just seen my onc. and told her that I seemed to have put on a bit of extra flesh. The comment was that unfortunately Tamoxifen can do this. The first thing to do is to control the amount eaten and make sure that sugars and bad fats are either cut out or kept to a minimum. Take exercise as and when you feel able.

On the other hand, TAm is controlling things, so I am not proposing to stop it.

I promise you it will get better but just not immediately. Keep us informed and try not to worry too much.