in Monday

Hi The date is looming and I am really scared. having WLE on Monday. Does anyone know why the results take so long. How do you get through waiting two weeks to see if the cancer has spread. The last four weeks have been bad enough. I’m in a moaning mood today, in case you hadn’t realised!!. Sorry

Actually its only 3 weeks but feels like forever. kaz

I only waited a week after WLE for results to be told that it had not spread and they got the lump and margins out. But yesterday I went for my oncology appointment to discuss the next phase and he said that they have not got results of HER2 test as it has to grow in laboratory. When they have results they will let me know. If it is positive I will have to have chemo and Herceptin. Anyway It seems that there are different waiting times for everyone around the country. I live in Shropshire. The WLE procedure was not bad for me. It was uncomfortable but every day I was able to do more with my arm and after 2 weeks I am practically back to normal. I can drive etc etc. The worry is the worst thing and hospitals arent that great to be honest but the care is and I am very pleased with the professionalism of my team. That is not to say I keep them on their toes because I go armed with information. I live on my own so i have to fight my corner.

As with yesterday, you learn a bit more as you go on. When I spoke to my GP about possible spread at the beginning he said well we will deal with that at the time and that does not mean all is lost. In fact many people on here have had spread and gone on to lead happy long fulfilled lives. So keep your chin up. I will be thinking of you on Monday.

Love
Madeline

thanks Madeline, you sound so strong and how hard must it be to be on your own, I am sending you a big hug. At least I have the kids to keep me somewhat distracted. Looks like I have to be in really early on Monday for the isotope injection, also have to be at Hosp Sunday for heparin injection. Going out Sat night, wearing low cut top ( cos I can!!) and having a good time…possibly and probably a few tears with my friends.
I hope that I get the same results as you, that is the bit that is scaring me so much!! so mcuh more to deal with as if this isn’t bad enough.
let me know how you get on, will be thinking about you too!!
Love
Kaz

Kaz

What are those injections you are having? I have not heard of that. My scar is at the side of my right breast so I could still wear low cut top if I wanted though I havent got much anyway. Enjoy your night out. Take care

love Madeline

Hi Madeline
The heparin is to stop blood clots, I haven’t had to have that today which is good. The isotopes is a radio active one that is injected and I think is quite new, makes the lymph nodes radio active and they give off soundwaves I guess it backs up the blue dye. Not sure of all the medical terms but i think that’s it. No doubt I’ll be an expert before long.
Anyway have to be at hosp at 7am…talk soon.
take care
love Kaz

Hi Kaz

Good luck for tomorrow, I am sure it wont be as bad as you think and you will be back home before you know it. I will be thinking of you.

Love

Madeline

Hi Kaz

Just found your thread, and yes I had the isotope injection, and and the blue dye, then you have a scan/x ray, which is quite interesting to watch, your pee and poo will also turn blue quite interesting!!! Also warn your family when they see you that you may be a funny colour, I had warned my 24 yr old son that I would be, but when he saw me he nearly fainted, as I was on the trolley just being pushed into the ward and he thought I was a corpse, I didn’t actually see myself that colour but everyone said it was scary. Good luck for today. I will be thinking of you

Love Heather

Hi Madeline and Heather
had the op last Monday and don’t really know where the time has gone…good thing as not as long to wait now. All has gone to plan but the pain killers completely floor me and I have been like a zombie. Only in a bit of pain now so reducing as much as I can. have my appt on Monday and am really scared of results. I don’t feel unwell and hope to have results like you Madeline. Have you had the rest of your reslults yet? I had lovely blue wee and poo, but it didn’t seem to reach my face, just went downwards I think…Hope you are both ok…
Big hugs and love to you
Kaz xxxx

Kaz

I am glad all has gone well for you, have you had a f full mascetomy or WLE? I do hope the results are good for you. I went on my own for the results but I knew if they were not good for me, i was not sure how I would react, I sort of prepared myself, rather like, I had sort of prepared myself originally for the biopsy results. You hope it is good but you know it could be not so good. But as my GP said that if it is not so good it is not the end of the world, there are things that can keep this beast at bay and I really do think that a positive nature does help. I know that is very easy for me to say because my outlook at this time is very good, but I know that could change sometime in the future hopefully a long way off. Please keep in touch. I am waiting for radiotherapy dates having had the planning session. Might phone tomorrow as time is going on. I want to go to Australia in March but not sure at the moment if they have anything else planned for me. All very frustrating! My daughter goes to Iraq on December 1st, so we are having Chrishtmas 25/26 November. She is a nurse in the Navy and will be based at Basra. Just another worry, but she is coming home next week for a week to take me to radiotherapy and be supportive.
I just want the new year to come and make a fresh start. Look forward to hearing from you

Love
Madeline

Hi Madeline
had the WLE and have been a bit sore especially where they took the lymph nodes. have to go Monday for results and very scared. This whole thing is so sureal as I am not sick!1 I know that is the same for most of us, but how strange is it that we have to get sick to get better. i know what you mean about planning. I have always worked full time so plan everything, holidays and weekends way in advance and can’t do any of that and I agree so frustrating. Ihope you have a really lovely time with your daoughter and a great early Christmas. Poor you having the added worry of Basra, that’s scary too!!! wish her lots of luck and love. xx
i am kind of hanging around waiting for Monday and hoping for good results, i have been told to expect Chemo, but I suppose I have kind of got used to the idea (ish!!) as long as it hasn’t spread…biggest fear!!! My scars are ok and at the moment not too much difference in the size of each boob, may alter when the swelling goes down but no where near as bad as I had feared.
Keep in touch and let me know your dates and how your early Christmas goes.
lots of love
Kaz

Hi Kaz

I am glad you are making a good recovery, dont forget to do the exercises. I am completely back to normal with my arm which is great and as you say it is strange to think we are ill. I have written one or two thank you cards and find it quite difficult to thank people for their kindness during my recent ‘illness’. Anyway i had results of HER2 test yesterday and it is negative which means I will not be having chemo or Herceptin. I start my radiotherapy on Tuesday. I was so thrilled yesterday that I opened a bottle of champagne at 3.30pm. It happened that my neighbour called round and I am sure she thinks I must drink all day! Anyway I dont care. I am booking a holiday to Australia on Monday now I know I am nearly at the end.
There is not a lot I can say to stop you worrying. But Monday is nearly here. I do hope for you that it has not spread but as you said the operation has not been as bad as you had feared and I am sure this next stage will not be as bad as you fear. Put some champagne in the fridge ready for your return. Please keep in touch. I will be thinking of you.

Madeline x

Hi Madeline
Sorry for the delay in replying. I had my results on Monday, which gave good results. the margins and lymph nodes are clear, so no Chemo for me either!! I too am her negative and have started on the Tamoxifen and I start my rads after Christmas, so I now have time to get used to the idea and Christmas shop!!! The best bit about the results is seeing the relief on peoples faces. Especially my mum, Dad and partners. We are turning into Alcho’s too, went straight to the pub and got home at midnight from a 3pm appointment. You keep celebrating I am going to. Had pink champagne with a friend on Tuesday too. I hope that you have booked your holiday to Aus and I hope your early Christmas went well. How did your first radiotherapy go? Are you ok. let me know and I am delighted with both our news, the future is looking good again.
lots of love
Kaz x

Hi Kaz

I am so pleased for you that the results were good all round. The Tamoxifen for me has not been a problem so far and the rads are very straight forward. Just a pain going to the hospital every day. I have 10 more to go. Yes I have booked my holiday to Oz, I go on the 6th March. I did however have bit of difficulty getting insurance, as I wanted to be covered in case I cancel. I am just a bit nervous about spending all that money and I worry what else is round the corner. I suppose I have had my confidence in my good health knocked. I have a couple of marks on my skin which I think is ‘has this spread?’ I am probably just being stupid. Our early Christmas went very well and it really did seem like Christmas. I said goodbye to my daughter yesterday and she broke down which really upset me. I will next see her in Melbourne after she has come back from Iraq, she is going about same time as me. So today I am feeling a little sorry for myself. It will pas I know. I like your style of coming back at midnight after a 3pm appointment. You deserve to celebrate and enjoy yourself. Although this whole thing is just so awful, I am so aware of how much worse it could be.

Anyway keep in touch.

Lots of love

Madeline