After Mx in July I had my reuslts 2 weeks later (they
hurried it through so that I could go on holiday).
The only thing my doc said to me was ‘No surprises;
I expect you to be very well and I want you to have
hormone treatment for five years’.
She did ask if I had any questions, but, stupidly,
I said no - I just wanted to leave - edited, I did ask
for a copy of my pathology report, but never got it.
I thought I was okay with not knowing the details/stats
etc., but I have been driving myself mad trying to guess
what they are and what ‘very well’ means as I have been
thinking about declining having hormone treatement (zoladex + Arimidex even though pre-menopausal)if the benefit is small.
So, Is it too late to ask for the details? I feel very
stupid that I didn’t ask before.
Never too late to ask for details, as already suggested contact the BCN or you could phone the consultant’s secretary and ask for another appointment with them. Good luck from one just started three weeks ago on 5yrs of hormone therapy. Has problems but from my point of view better than the possible alternative.
Not at all. Phone your onc’s secretary and ask for an appointment to be made. You say you are pre-menopausal - if they want you to have Zoladex plus Arimidex rather than just Tamoxifen on its own then it suggests they are being quite aggressive with the hormone treatment.
Nag them for your path report. I think they should be ours as a matter of course - we should be able to decline them rather than have to chase them up.
It’s never too late to ask. I’ve only just asked for a copy of my path report and I was diagnosed in December last year. I didn’t feel ready to look at it until now. I also think it should be offered rather than being something you have to request.
Annabel you are entitled to copies of all your notes. I filled in a form in the PALS office and requesting everything going back to 1990!! If you want a lot you do get charged per sheet up to a max of around £50. I suspect if you just want the path the onc will run it off for you.
I asked for a copy of my pathology report and they photocopied it for me there and then. Later I checked the meaning of a few phrases with my bcn. For me, having the information made me feel more in control so I was very pleased I got it. I agree with Gennie that it should be offered.
Breast Cancer Care have a booklet about pathology reports and I found that very useful.
hello everyone
hard as it is, we have to remember that we are employing the people who care for us, and we have a right to get whatever info we want, about ourselves, easily. I know that that isn’t always easy, and sometimes you just feel so vulnerable, but its worth giving the bcn a ring when you’re in a strong frame of mind, and having the conversation. Having said that, I’m now going to do that myself!!
good luck
monica xxx
Not too late at all. I think lots of us are not ready to absorb the info straight after the surgery. If your BCN is not cooperative (but she jolly well shouldbe!) ring oncologist’s secretary.
Good Luck
Jojoxxx
I plucked up courage (not really needed as she was very nice)
and asked my BC nurse if she could get me a copy of my
pathology report and go through my notes with me to
explain everything including risks and benfits and she
said that would be fine so we are doing that on Wednesday.
I’m not sure why I need to know, but I feel calmer already.
Glad you got in touch with BCN and hope she can tell you everything you need to know. When you know I think it feels as though you are a little more in control of things.
Best wishes.
Irene