Is there anyone else out there being treated at the Royal Marsden in Sutton? I was diagnosed in Sept (grade 3, stage 2). Have had WLE and lymph node dissection. Haven’t yet seen anyone on the site who is being treated at same place as me and would love to hear from you!
(Love the ‘name’!) I am being treated at the Sutton branch of The Royal Marsden. I had a WLE in Jan 08 followed by a second operation in Feb 08 because the margins were not clear. I also had a full axillary clearance followed by 25 rads. I’m now on Tamoxifen. My oncologist is Dr. Johnston. My surgeon was Mr. Querci who has since died (ironically) from cancer. He was an absolute sweetie with a lovely bedside manner.
I’ve heard of that surgeon and his unfortunate death (prosate wasn’t it?)I’m under Mr Ebbs and not sure who onc is yet, though I think its a woman. I’m now stressing about secondaries. Got scans next week which they have said is routine. I know that it being in only one lymph node makes it less likely, but I want to beat this, not live with it!
I’m at the Sutton branch too. I deduced that Mr Querci had died of cancer as I had a letter saying that he had died but not what from. My onc is Dr Johnston but I have only seen him once, met lots of others in his team who are all very nice. Scans are routine. I had one node affected too like you. Good luck!
I had a terrible time the night after my stitches were removed. Woke in a pool of blood so hot footed it to st heliers. Big mistake as they left me for 3 hrs on a plastic chair, behind a curtain and no-one checked on me. Didn’t even take my blood pressure. They weren’t busy either. Ended up it was a haematoma and better out than in. What they failed to recognise is that I’m a senior nurse in the community (i Know what poor care is!)and that I’m running for local Council! I have strong connections with MP’s and they are not happy!
Hi Julia,I had all my treatment at the Marsden in sutton,the staff are wonderful and caring.I also had Mr Ebbs for diagnosis and operation, and my oncologist at Sutton is Prof Yarnold,lovely man.
I would not go to St. Helier as an emergency for a million pounds. Both my in-laws (now deceased) were treated there several times over the years and I now call it “St. Hell-Hole”. If you can do anything to change that hospital I applaud you. The Marsden, on the other hand, is brilliant: clean, efficient, and the staff are amazing - even the food is good. I opted for ‘small’ portions but they were enormous.
Hi Julia, I too am un der the Marsden in Sutton, had Mr Ebbs for my initial surgery and Professor Yarnold is my oncologist. I am back there for further treatment and although we do not want this disease I have total confidence with the Marsden, all the staff are brilliant,I have always received excellent treatment. Take care and good luck, Marina
Good to hear from fellow Marsdenites. I think there will be problems in store for St Hell-hole. I’m sad to admit that I trained there, but it was in the 80’s and much better then!
I must say, Mr Ebbs has done some fine surgery on my boob. Very little taken away, tho I know its early days.
Wow - I’m a Marsdenite… haven’t belonged to such a groovy club before! What other treatment do they have lined up for you? The Chief Cheese for radiotherapy is a woman - very thorough, explains everything really well whilst being a bit “Jolly Hockey Sticks” (if you know what I mean!). I escaped chemo (so far). With this bl**dy disease you never know when (or if) it will come back for another bite.
I’m another Marsdenite (Sutton). I joined them in 1990!!! back in the days when the Powell twins were part of the set up and Trevor was my consultant. When he retired I was put on Steve Johnston’s list. The lovely MrQ did all three of my surgeries and I really miss not seeing him around the place.
What days do most of you attend. My main day for drugs on the Medical Day Unit is Tuesdays every 3 weeks plus various other pain clinic appointments. Wouldn’t it be funny if we found several of us were sitting there ‘not knowing’ each other.
(Sorry Julia… these threads sometimes get side-tracked!) I attended a clinic for a check-up three days after MrQ died. I knew MrQ had been ill and asked Dr. Johnston how he was only to be told MrQ had died. I kept it together whilst I was there but cried my eyes out in the car-park. The only thing that spooked me out about MrQ was when he held my hand and patted it… it generally meant bad news!
My treatment not yet decided. Scarey scans next wk and Onc team on Friday. Sooo scared got secondaries, but have said that on many posts mow! I think I’m getting FEC and something else, tho Lisa said not to quote her on that! I imagine they’ll start chemo soon, as now 3 wks post op. On a lemon sized seroma in my armpit which they are letting absorb naturally, just wish it would hurry up as its annoying. Got early cording but working on that. Would be great if I knew some people when I have chemo. Iwill let you know my dates and times, if you are having any.
i too am being treated at the marsden in Sutton, have nothing but praise for all the staff and the care they give.
My onc is mr johnston, only saw him once but they are all great on his team.
Didnt know about Dr Q how did I miss that??
I had WLE in March and 2nd op for clear magins May, finished chemo 4 weeks ago 3 fec and 3 tax and am now having rads!
Julia i found i soon made friends in the chemo room as you tend to see the same people ecah time we even had a laugh in there!!
You mentioned having a seroma? I had one too and was initially told that it would absorb in time but it became so painful I begged them to drain it. My husband thought I was making a bit of a fuss about nothing until he saw the quantity of fluid that was drawn - first time - three-quarters of a pint, second time - half a pint, third time - a quarter of a pint… amazing! I thought the blessed thing would never settle down… but it did. So, don’t put up with your seroma if it is causing pain.
The seroma is not painful, just uncomfortable. Still oozing from breast wound tho, after explosive haematoma. Will show them this next week. Have found out my onc is Dr O’Brien.
Its amazing how my depression has dissipated! My scans were clear so no secondaries (so far). I start FEC next week (x3) followed by 3x Taxotere. So pleased to be getting on with it. Feel like a pin cushion at the moment tho, but better get used to it!