I was told this morning that I have Grade III cancer in my left breast. The lump is approx 2.2cm in size. There was also a small amount of cancer in the nipple. I am booked in to have a mastectomy on 13 Feb. They will remove the lymph node at the same time (the biopsy I had on the lymph node last week was inconclusive). The consultant said that given I’m relatively young (50) and that the cancer is aggressive I will probably have chemo and radiotherapy after the op. I have a CT scan booked on 3 Feb. I asked the consultant if she thought that I could speed up any of the treatment (op and/or CT scan)by going private, she thought not. Does that sound reasonable? (I do realise that I am very fortunate to having the option to go private).
Of course I’m worried about everything - especially that the cancer has spread but strangely (at least for the moment anyway) not as shaken up as I was 10 days ago when I went for the initial tests and warned it was probably cancer.
Oh well, time to go shopping for respectable pyjamas (mine are threadbare!)
I am the same age as you and was diagnosed after my 1st mammogram in December.
Like you I felt strangely calm when I was given the actual results (possibly because they had prepared me for it before), and went into practical mode…buying decent nightwear and a dressing gown! I was more up & down after the op itself.
I was NHS and don’t think anything could have happened more quickly if it had been private, but I didn’t need CT scan. I think your consultant would probably know (I suspect both private and NHS use the same facilities).
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I was diagnosed with an aggressive Grade 3 lump 45mm in Nov 2010. It was also Her2+. It was right in the middle and initially I was told that I would need a mx but had chemo first, which shrunk it so that in the end I had a WLE followed by rads. Almost finished my 12 months of Herceptin now.
I was lucky enough to go private due to great health insurance and whilst I don’t think the actual treatment was much different, there seems to be a difference in things like MRI/CT scans.
From being diagnosed on the Friday I had a CT scan the following Monday and started chemo on the Wednesday and had it every 2 weeks for 16 weeks rather than every 3 weeks. I also had no problems with the Herceptin, whereas I would have had more of a flight to get it on the NHS where I live.
When I had my one year check up last October as well as a mammogram I also had an ultrasound and another full MRI scan, which I don’t think you get on the NHS. And it was all given to me on a CD in case I change hospitals/doctors before next year’s check-up.
Would it be possible for you to chat to your medical team about combining both NHS and private treatment so then you would get the best of both worlds.
What I would say is that in terms of showing miniscule changes and possible cancer cells you can’t get better a CT/MRI scan so I would definitely make sure you get those even if you need to have them private.
I did mention going private to my consultant and she felt (based on family experience she said) that there wasn’t a lot of difference in private/NHS timings. In fact I rang my local Nuffield a few moments ago and the first date that they can offer a CT scan is the same date as my NHS one. I realise that this all sounds terribly whingy - but honestly I am very much aware of how lucky I am to have the option. I’m seeing my GP this afternoon and will discuss things with her too and then do some mulling over the weekend.
I’m glad to hear that things have gone so well for you.
I was diagnosed with the same Grade 3 last July but the 2 tumours were much larger than yours. I asked the question at first if there was anything I would be able to get privately that I wouldn’t be offered under the NHS and the answer I got was an emphatic no. In fact the surgeon said that he does private work but didn’t get much because the department he worked in on the NHS was so good. I have to say that my treatment has lived up to this statement. I decided to have chemo first to shrink the lumps. I had a node sampling operation within a week of my diagnosis because they believed from the ultrasound that the nodes were clear but took the precaution prior to starting of chemo. 6 days after this operation, which went extremely well, I started chemo. I saw the oncologist every time I had chemo and have seen her many times before and after each stage of my treatment. Likewise with the surgeon who has phoned me at home after the two operations he peformed to see how I was. The tumours had shrunk dramatically by the end of the chemo - in fact they couldn’t find trace of one of them in the post mastectomy biopsy. I had a mastectomy just before Christmas and start radiotherapy on Monday next. I have been very impressed with the way my treatment was organised and delivered and the speed of events. Of course, this may differ from department to department across the country so your decision may be affected by where you are being treated.
I was diagnosed in November with a >2cm Grade stage 2 BC. I had a WLE and nodes followed by mastectomy as margins not clear initially. Now having chemo.
If you have private cover I think you would get it quicker. I have private cover too and definitely got quick treatment. WLE 9 days after diagnosis, MTX would have been 2 weeks after that but surgeon on holiday, so 18 days later,then chemo could have started 15 days later but my wound split slightly so they could not start. There are pros and cons either way.
Hi Historygirl, sorry to hear your news. I have also posted today but not as calmly as you lol.
I can’t comment on Private treatment as sadly not in a position to consider it now. I worked for a company for 16yrs and had private health, fab pension, great sick pay etc etc. Then in 2009 I was told on a Monday that I might be under threat of redundancy and on the Tuesday morning my dad died of cancer (prostate). Then few months later I was made redundant.
I thought the financial struggles over past 2 years since redundancy were bad but since being diagnosed with BC the money worries don’t seem so important but I would of loved to still have the medical cover and sick pay.
I get the impression from other patients that the NHS treatment in my area for Breast Cancer is excellent and all my test dates have been very quick so I hope your area is the same for you.
I am 43 yrs old and have Grade 3 IDC (I am showing off now that I am learning the abbreviations) and lymph node biopsy showed metastatic carcinoma - in right breast and armpit.
They have taken further biopsy on nipple and areola as concerns that it’s Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
I’ve had my CT and Bone Scan already (on Mon 23rd) but don’t get results till next Weds 1st Feb. The scans were painless and I was very positive up until after I had scan as then my mind started playing tricks and now find I wake every hour at night.
Everyone says the waiting is the worst - so I am trusting them and if they are all clear then I will be on cloud 9 because it will feel like you’ve had a full MOT.
I have also been told that I have provisionally been booked for a mastectomy on Mon 6th Feb, so I will be a week ahead of you and can share experiences - although it’s subject to other results being negative. Then it will be Chemo approx 6 weeks later and then Rads.
I can’t believe how easily you find yourself saying “just cut it off” and “pump me with Chemo”. Suddenly the survival instinct takes over and the “packaging” (hair/boobs) doesn’t seem important.
I think I will follow your strategy and go Pyjama shopping tomorrow to distract myself and might even look at tops that have a higher neckline. Hope you enjoy your shopping and let us know how it all goes for you.
I went private cause was told would wait 4-6 weeks for initial mammogram and had in 2 - just wanted to mention that if private you can have chemo at home - you may or may not like this but i thoroughly enjoyed having an easy morning at home waiting for my chemo nurse to arrive and even though first was bit longer cause of paper work ahe was still gone in 2 hours and i could eat and go straight to bed for nap! I can have cold cap at home as well! Really for me the chemo at home has been the biggest perk - my onc said the other advantage is i get him personally monitoring me all the way - head of unit - rather than just whoever was assigned at each point - he persuaded me to stay with my private care.
As well as all the help I’ve had on this form yesterday I spoke to the consultant, BCN, GP, Breast Cancer Care Helpline and local Nuffield Hospital. The general view seems to be that in terms of effectiveness and speediness of treatment (the things I’m most concerned about at the moment) private medicine offers no more that the NHS in my area of the country. So it’s the NHS for me. I know that I am very lucky to be in a position to even consider the private –v- NHS question – apologies to those of you who have been grinding their teeth while reading my self-centered pondering on the subject.
All your responses have been kind, helpful and touching but just to respond to a couple in particular:
Blondebutbrainy: Thank you so much for telling me about your experiences. Hearing from someone with a similar diagnosis who is much further down the treatment treadmill and doing well is heartening to say the least.
Angelherts: Funnily enough I was about to post on the thread you started and then saw that you’d commented here. I am so sorry to hear that you are going through such a tough time. I totally agree with you about how the survival instinct kicks in and we’re able to cope fairly pragmatically (for the moment at least) with the idea of mastectomy and chemo. It’d be great to compare notes as we go through all this.
Finally (and I may well be teaching everyone to suck eggs here), on a previous thread I joked about the need for red wine. Can I just say it is NOT a good idea to try to drown yourself in a lake of it (which is what I did round a friend’s house last night). I’m now awake at 5am with a stinker of a headache and cringing in memory of the rubbish I was talking. Hey ho. As from today my body is a temple. Honest!
Morning Historygirl. Hope the head is feeling better!! I am sorry you have had to Post here because of your diagnosis but you will find it an invaluable form of support in the next six months.There are pros and cons for both NHS and Private treatment and if you don’t have insurance which totally covers the cost I would use my cash on a good holiday.
I had a Grade Three multi focal cancer my treatment was a CT followed by mastectomy, chemotherapy and I have just finished Radiotherapy eleven days ago. Like you I have been strangely calm with just a couple of blips. The worst thing is not knowing what you will feel like. The surgery ( bilateral mastectomy and lymph node clearance) was so much easier than I expected . I just needed panadol the day after for minor discomfort. Chemo was frightening for the first week because I expected to get every side effect. With the FEC it was minor nausea for two days and fatigue. The second drug was doxitaxol which again was frightening because it was the unknown. It was no picnic because of fatigue but everybody on the "starting chemo in August " " positive posts about Tax"and "in the Dark Dark Woods " threads helped each other get through it. My house no longer smells of bleach plus antibacterial gels and wipes! Even the side effects of Radiotherapy have been minimal so far.
I so hope all goes well for you. Use the Helpline Peer Support and Forums and your path will be so much smoother with virtual friends holding your hands at each step into the unknown.
Big HUG
Cackles
Morning Historygirl
If you look on page 177 of “Starting Chemotherapy in August” thread there are lists we made of things to take in with you for surgery. I hope it helps. I would add an electric toothbrush and mouthwash.
Yuckie day here on the Bucks Oxon border!!!
Hope you can put it to the back of your mind today.
Take Care
Cackles
Glad I could be of help. Re the red wine - I totally agree. I went off alcohol to a large extent while on chemo as you really don’t want to add a hangover to any side effects you may have! I have been having a ‘miracle’ drink twice every day though. It’s the ABC drink. The juice of an apple, a beetroot and a carrot twice a day. It doesn’t conflict with any orthodox treatment you may have and it may do some good. Lots of people suffered with constipation during chemo but I didn’t and I put this down to the drink. Whatever works is my motto.
Oh dear, I’ve gone wobbly again. I suppose this up and down frame of mind is only to be expected but I do wish I could be excused the ‘down’ bits!
I have a CT scan this Friday to see if the cancer has spread. I’m terrified that it has indeed spread and have a catalogue of old and new symptoms that I’m attributing to cancer of just-about-everywhere. Of course, I’m highly qualified to make a self-diagnosis in this way as I got an O level in biology in 1977 :o)
I’ve sent an email to my BCN nurse which I hope she’ll pick up this morning with various queries including when and how I get the CT scan results. I did ask this at my appt on Friday (when they gave me the diagnosis) but they were a bit vague.
On reflection I don’t think I asked enough questions at my appt (although I did take a list). The doctor and nurse have also been extremely serious during my appointments and haven’t ever said anything even slightly reassuring (as far as I remember). I know that they can hardly sit there cracking jokes and being jolly but I can’t help but read terrifying things into their seriousness. (I realise that had they been more upbeat I’d probably be whinging away on here about how heartless they were).
I’ve had so much support on here already and I do feel a bit guilty about my continual bleating but being able to vent here is such a relief. I may well also inflict myself on the helpline when it opens in an hour or so.
Historygirl.
Wobbly is allowed. So is imagining the tickle at the end of your nose as being suspicious…it certainly is a pest when you are having Radiotherapy!!!
Do ring the Helpline, they are superb and will calm that jelly feeling. You might find the BCN will see you again and go over everything with you. It is horrible waiting for scans but until you have it there are no real answers to give you, other than what you know so far. I am having a bone scan on Thursday so I appreciate how you feel. I want it today and the results straight away…not possible but I can but wish .
Make that call
Big Hug
Cackles
I called the helpline and they did, of course, help with the jitters. I’m not exactly skipping around the room with a song in my heart but am no longer hiding under the bed shaking, so that’s a big plus.
All the very best for the bone scan on Thursday.
I hope, obviously further down the line, to stop being so needy and actually be able to offer helpful responses to people who post on this forum. I’m extremely grateful for all the support I’ve had so far.
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I thought you may like to hear some good news. I was diagnosed nearly five years ago (Feb 2007) when I was 44. I had a grade three lump, 2.7cm, 3 lymph nodes affected, hormone positive and herceptin positive. I was treated throughout on the NHS and my only complaint about that was the length of time hanging around on chemo days - this wouldn’t have been the case going private, however there was a lot of camaraderie on the chemo suite that would have been missing going private. I had a mastectomy, chemo, rads, herceptin and I’m still taking the tamoxifen. In 2010 I had a recon. Today I am fit and well, as are most of the people I know who have had breast cancer.
You will have a tough year getting through all the treatment (expect to put your life mostly on hold for a year if you are having chemo)and accept any help you are offered. However, it is not as bad as your imagination thinks it is, the worst part is the waiting, and once you get into treatment you will learn for yourself how to cope with it.
Best wishes for everything to come, you will get through it and come out the other side.
I had a CT scan last Friday (to check for spread having been diagnosed with grade 3 BC on 27 Jan). I had been told by my BCN that I could expect to wait two to three wks after surgery (MX scheduled for 13 Feb) before getting CT results. This seemed like ages so I chased the BCN doggedly (another interpretation might be that I hassled the poor woman).
So the BCN arranged for me to have an appt on Friday 10 Feb with the consultant to discuss the results. I was pleased to have it moved forward like this but, of course, very worried about what the results would be. However today I received a message from my BCN to say that they’ve brought the appt for CT results forward even further - it’s now tomorrow afternoon. She did say that this was because a) the results would be ready then and that b) the consultant knew how anxious I was, but I am of course reading all sorts of negatives into this escalation of results. As a result I am having a very healthy dinner of sherry and crisps.
So not only am I terrified, I’m drinking sherry. SHERRY? - when did I get so middle-aged?!
and if they are all clear then I will be on cloud 9 because it will feel like you’ve had a full MOT.