Hello,
I am Kathy and I’m not sure if this is the right place for me or not.
I was diagnosed with bc in march of '03 (pancake day - not really liked them since that day!) - I had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy and then Tamoxifen. In july '05 I had a total hysterectomy (mainly because I wanted it done) and thus went into a surgically induced menopause. HRT was tried to deal with the menopausal symptoms (under oncologists guidance) but that didn’t make much difference so I stopped those and I am now on Arimidex.
I find myself on this site today because I have started to have some breast symptoms that are bothering me.
I have a feeling of ‘fullness’ ‘bruising’ - difficult to describe really - very much like breast tenderness of pregnancy or periods (which it obviously can’t be!)- only moreso - and only on one side - the side of my bc.
I have tried to ignore it but it has not gone away! I have an appointment with the breast care centre - who have since my diagnosis been brilliant - and I’m not worried that I am wasting their time - this is my time and I have to look after it!
As I said I’m not sure if this is the right place for me?.
The other bit that is worrying me is that at the time of diagnosis I had areas of high grade DCIS that didn’t show up on mammogram. They offered me a mastectomy at the time but I chose not to go that route.
Hoping that writing down my worries will dispel them?! -its got to be worth a try.
I’m sorry to read that you’re having a pretty worrying time at the moment. If you want to talk to someone in confidence the team on the helpline will be only too happy to talk to or just be a listening ear. I am sure the feelings you are having are only natural but it can sometimes help just to talk about things. The helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 2pm. The number is free phone 0808 800 6000.
Dear all,
I have had my appointment at the breast care clinic and am delighted to say that I do not have a recurrence. doc thinks symptoms are down to my radiotherapy 4 years ago! Thorough ultrasound so am convinced that he is right.
This is the third time since diagnosis that I have returned to the clinic concerned that it has come back - every time I am treated with respect and professionalism and thus I can come away reassured. (I think I have to come to terms with these worries being part of my norm?!)
My message to everyone on this site (simply browsing or posting) is to get your concerns checked out by those who know - GP in the first instance (but remember that their very job title says it all, they are General practitioners not specific and essentially they are paid to reassure us as patients) and then push for a referral to a breast clinic if that doesn’t reassure fully.
Best wishes to all who find themselves on this site - I wish I had been involved with something like this back when I was diagnosed - it is very supportive.
Kathy x
Dear Kathy
After having ductal removal in feb for leakage i was found to have lcis. I was told i could have mastectomy but chose not to. Like you said if something is bothering you get it checked. I recently felt tiny pea and thickening went to the doctor who said nothing to worry about, but i was still concerned so made appointment at breast clinic. Had a scan and nothing showed up but my consultant decided she wanted to do a core biopsy so as not to miss anything. Thank goodness she did as i have been diagnosed with lobular breast cancer. Things moving a bit quick now. I dont know what stage or grade as i only went for breast MRI yesterday and dont get my results till tomorrow hopng and praying it hasnt spread and been caught early. My emotions are all over the place right now and this is only the second time on this site but it sure does help. I am booked in for a double mastectomy for weds next week and i am really scared till i find outcome of results.
you are going through a tough time at the mo, sorry to hear about your diagnosis,
i hope has been caught early and good look with results and operation for next
weds, you are an inspiration to us all. will think of you in my prayers and everyone
else on here.
you are in the right place.you can off load here and will get lots of advise,
im waitning to see the breast clinic so cant give you any advice, but you are
welcome to message anytime and i and everyone else can help
you as much as possible.
(my son just told me he is going to buy me a stairlift, im only 30! cheeky
monkey, he is 4.)