Hi,
I live in Spain (lucky me!) and yesterday was told by the Consultant at the Hospital that I need a core biopsy, this followed a mammogram and ultrasound yesterday.
I have lived here 5 years but my Spanish is nowhere need good enough to talk at the level I want to talk about now! The hospital staff are really kind, but from visiting the doctors 4 weeks ago after finding a lump in my left breast the this is worrying me. I feel very isolated at the moment because there isnt an English support site or anything that I can find here.
I was only scheduled for the mammogram yesterday, so I was surprised when they kept me longer to do the ultrasound (I suppose I am also very grateful that they undertook another test so quickly) - but in some respects the speed of it just made me more worried. They are going to call me in the next day or so for a date for the biopsy. I dont know if this time scale is good, bad - because the process in Spain may be very different to the one in the UK.
Sorry, Im not really sure what I want to ask or say, I just feel on my own. My husband is brilliant, but obviously all he wants to reassure me of is that it will probably all be ok in the end - and tests are good as it will put my mind at rest. I know statistically it is likely to be benign, but I cant get that nagging feeling out of my head about the other statistics…
Thanks for listening.
Sue
Hi Sue
I’m envious - have a holiday place in Spain and looking forward to the time we are able to move there. Can totally understand you feeling isolated but from what I’ve seen of the Spanish healthcare you are in good hands and if you want to chat, ask questions, this site is brilliant.
Its good that you are getting all the tests so quickly, waiting is often the hardest part and keeping fingers,legs, etc etc crossed the outcome is a good one.
Cheers
Anne
Hi Sue,
I just wanted to tell you there’s another lady on this site from spain called magel maybe if you could send her a message she could tell you how it works over there. In the mean time try not to worry to much.
Take Care
Leslee x
Hello, many thanks for taking the time to write.
I got a telephone call from the hospital minutes after posting on here, so my biopsy is scheduled for next wednesday the 18th, with a follow up appointment the next day ? I think this is just to check the incision etc is all ok.
I´ll take a look for the lady you mentioned who is also in Spain, I think the biggest problem I have is trying to decide if procedures and care are similar between Spain and the UK - as the UK sites are the only ones I can fully understand and take part in.
I read a lot of your forum content last night and I have to say I think you all do a fantastic thing! the support that shows in the posts is huge, and Im sure of great benefit…if you dont mind I´ll may very well lean on a few people here for the next week - I hope thats not too selfish as I dont even know if there is any problem or cancer at the moment, but the whole situation seems to have taken me over …
Thanks again.
Sue x
Hi Sue
Good luck with your biopsy on the 18th. Shall be thinking of you. Lean on the forum site all you like because it feels like just one big family, who support each other, however small or huge the problem. You are definitely not being selfish as this disease is so frightening and the uncertainty and waiting for results is tormenting as the mind goes into overtime and canno be controlled.
Try not to worry about next week, easier said than done I know.
LOL Dee x
Hi Sue
I am also living in Spain and have been through treatment over the past 2 years, so anything you want to ask go ahead & I’ll try to answer for you. The lady on the forum called Magel is in hospital at the moment, I have met up with her as we live in the same area & are both being treated at the same hospital. Whereabouts do you live? I am getting to know more & more people down here affected by BC.
Sue
Hi Susana
I live on the Costa del Sol, in Estepona. It is the main Costa del Sol hostpital outside Marbella where I have been having my appointments. I suppose part of me doesnt want to make such a big thing about something that may not even be there (see Im even finding it difficult to use the word breast cancer at the moment). Part of me is thinking its still just a “test”, and another part of me is convinced it must be bad if they are moving ahead with more tests.
Whereabouts are you living ? I am sure there must be more ladies (English speaking) in Spain going through this, its just difficult I suppose to contact them.
Sue x
HI again
I live at the other end, east of Malaga & am treated at the University hospital Clinico in the city. I really do feel for you, I know the waiting & not knowing is horrible. All you can do is try to keep calm until next week, the outcome wont be any different whether you worry yourself sick or not, and as you say it may be benign. Easier said than done I know. There is help available it’s just different than in the UK. There are plusses & minuses in both.
Sue
x
Hi Sue
Thanks for that, Im trying to stay focused on my normal day to day stuff, and most of the time Im fine - Im going to try to stay focused and calm! like you say it wont change anything no matter how I behave! Just so you know Im a very cheerful, lively positive girl in real life !!! lol …
I work in Malaga City, so travel every day from Estepona which is a real pain most days!
Can I just ask Sue (and sorry if this is not appropriate to ask!) - would you consider it usual for me to be getting these tests and appointments so quickly ? and irrespective of the timing - after a biopsy do you think I will have to wait days or weeks for results ? I even wondered if they would tell me anything on the appointment they have alreday given me for the day after the biopsy…but I suppose thats just too quick ?
Sue x
In my experience things get done pretty quickly. I remember being sent for the biopsy soon after seeing the first doctor. It’s a consutant radiologist who carries out a punch biopsy and they can usually tell whether there is something going on there as they do the biopsy. I cant remember how long I waited for the pathology result but it was days not weeks. Just dont be afraid to ask questions! Question everyone & everything, if you cant then take someone with you. Good luck. Course you can ask me anything!!!
x
Many many thanks Sue for your help. There are translators based at the CDS Hospital so my husband has already said we will request one be present just in case we need help with the language! Plus my brain could be in a fuddle at the time so any help will no doubt be valuable!!
Im hoping the results will be pretty quick, because at the moment its the uncertainty thats the biggest problem for me.
I´ll let you know how it goes, thanks again and take care
Sue x
Me again! I promise to be much quietier after today!
When you said that the consultant radiologist carries out the biopsy, are they able to tell you anything ? or do you have to wait for the full pathology result before they even hint at whether or not it is cancer?
Thanks again, Sue
Hiya
Yes if they are doing an ultrasound guided biopsy they have a pretty good idea if it looks like cancer or not. They will do a report on what they can see as well as sending the specimin off to path lab. so they may be able to give you an indication there & then, they did with me.
De nada! Dont worry about asking questions.
Sue
x
Hi Sue
I am living in Spain as well and have been going and having tests for the past 2 months. Lucky enough I work in Gibraltar so my care is being covered by english speaking consultants. I had my mammo and then a couple of days later I had my ultrasound where they then stated they were going to do the biopsy. I got a phone call 4 days later informing me that I had to go for an emergency MRI scan in Benalmadena. The care I received at the Xanit hospital was exceptional and they sent my results back to Gibraltar within 3 days. I then got a phone call informing me that operation was booked for yesterday and I had a lumpectomy yesterday.
All I will say is that when I had my ultrasound and biopsy, the Radiologist did inform me of a few things, some of which I wished she hadn’t but I am presuming they are able to let you know roughly.
I currently have a work colleague whose wife is currently going through the same thing but in Spain and at Malaga and she is receiving exceptional care. In fact her care is being covered very quickly. As I stated mine has been going on for 3 months and I was classed as an urgent case at the beginning.
I have an appointment in 2 weeks when they should have details from the path lab.
I know its easier said than done but ask questions, unfortunately, a lot of time I went to the appointments on my own and so many things were going round in my head that I wished I had asked.
At the Xanit Hospital the team spoke very good English but I am aware that at both Costa Del Sol and Malaga they do employ interpreters to assist all English ex-pats.
Good Luck for next week and I hope all goes well.
Hi Andrea
I feel awful saying this - but how lovely it is to hear from you!! To “hear” someone who is so close geographically to me and English, and with experience of the Spanish care is so welcome. A lovely lady called Sue has already helped me a lot these past few days and she is further East of Malaga and I know she too has had good care here.
My husband keeps telling me not to think about getting any results next Thursday as they wont be able to tell me anything, but part of me hopes they do because waiting again will be such a nightmare. Do you live in Gibraltar too Andrea ?
I was referred by my local doctor after I went to see her having found the lump myself, my appointment for the mammogram was 12 days later and the ultrasoun on the same day, and now just 7 days from that to the biopsy, to me this feels like its pretty quick ? which I should then be grateful for. Can I ask Andrea what they have told you, are they still testing for something, or have you had any confirmation. Sorry Im just getting confused about all the different tests people seem to have! lol
Thanks again Andrea and I hope you have a good day today, at least the sun is shining!
Sue x
Hi Sue,
I don’t live in Spain, but we spend most of the summer there. Unfortunately due to more chemo will only be there a little while this year. We have a place in Riviera del Sol, dont know if you know it? I am really sorry for the stress you are going through a keeping fingers crossed that your results will be good, I am sure they will but if they are not I know Spain will be good to you with regards to treatment. One of my friends had breast cancer (she has gone back to England now - but not because of BC just because it was time for her to return) anyway she was treated well in the Costa del Sol hospital and at the clinic she went to (not sure what it was called) I also know the Costa del Sol hospital is great cos my hubby got knocked down a couple of years ago and ended up there and they were brilliant.
I think the weather is good there in Spain, enjoy it and try not to worry, when to you get your results?
Thinking of you.
DebsHx
Hi Andrea,
My name is Shirley, and im being treated for Breast cancer and I live in Spain in the East of Malaga like you. My nearest town is Velez Malaga and we are up in the hills. I just wanted to reassure you that you are in very good hands here. Spain particularly Malaga has a very good reputation for Cancer Care if you need it. My experience has been good, the doctors and nurses are very helpful and the hospitals are extremely clean!! They act very quickly here. I had a mammogram in November and I had my operation to remove lump within a week after being diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Im having Chemo for a precaution for the future but I only now have 2 left to go, and then rads and hormone therapy.
I too am in touch with Magel. There are many expats out here going through the same. So please dont feel alone and this website is great and really helpful and explains things if you dont quite get everything you are told by the Spanish doctors. Most hospitals have translators and many of them are voluntary.
I really hope all is well and your test come back good. but I am willing to keep in touch and offer any help and support I can if its needed. I am meeting up with Magel in Malaga when she is well enough too.
Let us know how things are best wishes Shirley XX
Sorry Sue,
I got confused when reading all the posts my message re Andrea, was also for you.
Hope to catch up again soon
best wishes Shirley XXX
hi again Sue
Hope you are managing to have a calm weekend, just wanted to wish you good luck.
Also to say hello to Shirley, I live very near to Velez too and am also in contact with Magel. I get tmt at the Clinico hospital at the University, where do you go?
Take care all
xxx
Hi Susana
I live near Alcaucin, in the campo and Velez is our nearest town. I had to go private as we havnt been here too long and typical, we hadnt sorted out our social security then. My husband was taking sometime off, but he is now working since January, and paying into the system. Thank god we came out prepared, and had some rainy day money saved as it took some presure off us. I was treated at Parque San Antonio Hospital, my doctor who sorted everything out for us was Dr Rik Heyman from Nerja. He is wonderful and very supportive. Im having chemo now, two more Fec to go and then Rads and Hormone Therapy. Im havin chemo at CROASA, Limonar, Nr Malaga and also my Rads I think.
Im so pleased to catch up with you guys. I have been looking for fellow expats in Spain since I was diagnosed in November, this website has been a god send for me.
Where do you live Susana I would love to catch up sometime and swap notes. Take care and I hope we can keep in touch love Shirley XXX