Was diagnosed with BC in Aug 05. Had WLE, axilliary clearance, chemo and mastectomy with TRAM flap recon. At all stages, it has always seemed to be the worst possible news. First visit to Gp he says probably nothing to worry about but it was. Triple assessment? Bad news again. Biopsy? Positive. WLE? Its multifocal, you need a mastectomy. Axilliary clearance? One node positive, you need chemo. Now I am having a bone scan as a precaution due to some tender areas on my ribs. I am desperately trying not to worry but you can see the pattern here!!
There’s no way round this worry and wait maze is there? Never mind putting on a brave face, think positive, yes I know it helps but there’s that little pest on the shoulder. Well I can only wish you all the best for positive news, I had a bone scan, everything was fine, in fact the pain disappeared within a week of the scan!.
It’s not at all unusual to worry about results in your situation, as I’m sure you realise. As well as the support you are getting from the forums you might want to phone our helpline and talk in confidence about how you are feeling at the moment. The line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 2pm and the number is free phone 0808 800 6000. BCC is here to offer support so please call the helpline if you think it will help.
it’s a bummer, but, maybe the tide has changed and you’ll get nothing but good news and the tender areas are something quite minor that will heal quickly.
Hi Wendy
Know exactly what you mean - you just dont trust the odds anymore. Nobody can re-assure us. Its unlikely I`ll get bone mets, but then I shouldnt have got BC at 38 either. Had a bone scan on Tuesday for left rib tenderness, results Thursday. Whens your scan ?
Sorry to hear your crappy news - its a familar one to me!
I was 35 when I first had hormone positive BC in 2004. Had masectomy, node clearance, 6xFEC rads and tamoxifen. The following year I had reconstruction (TRAM) and prophylactic masectomy on the other side just to be sure. I thought this would be enough to guard against BC ever coming back - oops silly me!
January this year it came back: a reccurrence on the same side under the arm on the bra line. I had a bone scan and luckily it hadn’t spread but I still had 8xTaxotere and now Zolodex and Arimidex. I have requested ovary removal early next year as I can’t handle the possibilty of two menopauses.
Thank you so much for all your supportive comments. My scan is on Saturday (NHS on overtime ?? LOL) so I expect I will have the results before Christmas. Hope your results are clear on Thursday Jane.
Sorry you are going through a rough road at the moment.
I am just waiting for results of first mammogram after op chemo and rads last year its exactly twelve months to the day and its brought it all flooding back. Its a really scary process i can’t believe i have to wait 4wks its crazy.
I wish that they could speed the process up for you but we all know they can’t
Wishing you all the luck in the world for Sat and hope you get your results as quick as possible.
Thinking of you Wendy, my Dx was very much like yours GP said no cancer but i went back, 3 weeks later Dx, lumpectomy no clearance so mastectomy then from them sayin no chemo i had to have 7months of the stuff.
I have had a lot of pain and scans worry myself soft but up to now no spread of this disease thank God. How i hope its the same for you and bone scan will be clear.
Wow - is it normal to have to wait 4wks for the results of a mammogram? Why would this be the case, when the films are ready 4 minutes after being taken? Surely more efficient to examine them and tell you the story right away? All I can think of is that if they are happy to wait for 4 weeks to tell you, it must be good news … if it wasn’t, they’d want to start treatment within 28 days of dx, so I’d have thought they’d be telling you sooner …
Sorry, that’s not very helpful, is it? It just sounds a bit odd.
Scans of liver and luns OK, but in my spine and ribs. In a perverse way I am relieved, I can dose up with pain killers and get on with my life. Pick up the baby agin knowing I am not pulling muscles etc.
The treatment will be herceptin to reduce/contain it with Zometa to reduild bones and some hefty pain killers. Review in 3 months, if Herceptin not wotking then chemotherapy.
I am quite serene - daunted by telling folk again. Especially my mum. I lied on the phone last night and said all was OK. We were going there today anyway to drop kids off to be looked after so I can tell her in person. Will feel better then. This disease now even has my lying to my mum.
OH and I going for kid free weekend away as planned, really looking forward to it.
I am so sorry to hear your news but I am glad that you can be optomistic about getting on with your life. I lied too and I agree that telling rellies the news is one of the most difficult things to do, I have kept the news of my tests from everyone (except the ladies on here of course) and my partner because if it is nothing then they don’t need the worry. When I was first diagnosed acceptance of my illness was fairly easy compared to having to tell my parents. One of the hardest things I had ever had to do and I hope I don’t have to do it again.
Have a lovely kid free weekend!!!
Getting zapped tomorrow, will I glow in the dark LOL!!!
Hi Jane,
Just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear your news. You do sound incredibly positive, so i hope you’re able to really enjoy your weekend. Feel free to come back and rant if it gets to you next week!
No kids - brilliant! have a wonderful time
love jacquie
We had a great weekend - no buggies and time to try on clothes. Even chose some good books for presents. Few nice meals and a few bottles of wine !
Told my mum in person on Friday and it was OK. She had the baby for the weekend for us and then we saw her again on Sunbday. That we had a great weekend and that the painkillers are working was a huge relief for her. She also seemed to really take on board that there are good treatments since 1972 when her mum died of BC after it spread to bones. So there is real hope.
Hi Everyone. Just to let you know that my bone scan was clear so good news for once. I think its time to stop worrying myself silly over every little twinge, make a new start in the New Year and not let BC control my life like it has for the past 2 years.
First of all Jane wanted to say how sorry I am it is in your bones. You seem incredibly positive. I am sure a lot of the ladies who have bone mets will be a great help to you on this site.
Wendy you are very much like me. I am pleased the results were good news.
My Bc nurse said to me at ‘The breastcancer may not kill you, but it could take your life’ I have often repeated that to myself when it all overwhelms me.
Feeling quite good just now if not a little harrassed with chrismas.
Hi Wendy and Jane, Sorry that your news was not what you wanted to hear Jane, but I always find it easier when you know what ‘dragon’ you have to fight. Keep positive. You will deal with it I know.
Great news for Wendy. I am really pleased for you.
I have to go to hospital tomorrow for tests as I have been passing blood in my urine.(well actually after urinating) I keep telling myself it can’t be connected with bc, but we all worry don’t we?
Happy new year everyone. Let’s be determined not to let anything get us down.
Heidicat x