Three weeks today

[Nuthatch]

Phew! That must be a huge relief. Sounds like you are being looked after very carefully. Glad it went well. x

[Crocrazy]

Hello,

Thank you for your good wishes and for thinking of me.  I went to see the consultant this morning.  I am pleased to say all is well.  I have been released until November when my first post cancer mammogram will be due, hurrah! He was pleased with my progress, and made me feel so much better when he said I was doing as well as he would expect.  He put my mind at rest about the fluidy swelling (leaving well alone and checking it next time I go) and about still having pain and an odd shape which I can't fit in bras.   I feel so much better this afternoon X

[Nuthatch]

Hi Crocrazy
Hope your follow up appointment goes well today. Let us know how you get on. Thinking of you. x

[Alibobs]

I had my surgery done privately last November as I did not want to wait via the NHS. I had my follow up with my surgeon this week.it was just a quick examination and chat. There was no mammo ultrasound or biopsy involved. He just said carry on doing what you are doing and we will follow you for 10 years!!!❤❤

[Border_Collies]

I too was under Bupa and on all my follow up appointments (I had WLE, 6 FEC and Rads Grade 1 Invasive Triple Negative) with my surgeon I had mammograms and ultrasound scans.  I had thought I was having the scans because my original tumor did not show up on a mammogram but perhaps when you go private a scan is the normal procedure.

I would think the BUPA authorisation is merely precautionary.  Good luck.

Border-Collies

[Nuthatch]

Yes, please let us know how you get on! And try not to worry in the meantime because they’re probably being thorough, which is a good thing! x

[Crocrazy]

Hi Ann and Nuthatch,

Thank you for your wise words.  I think I just went into a panic when they rang.  I am feeling calmer today and am thinking positive.  We did go through radiotherapy together Nuthatch - it seems like ages ago to me doing the daily trek there and back. 

Its funny how some things get to you - I had almost got used to taking my top off everywhere (well not literally but you know what I mean) and didn't take much notice towards the end.   I have had three months without having to and I am now I don't want to have to again.  I need to talk to myself - get a grip woman, they have seen it all before!

I will let you both know how it goes on 30th X

[Nuthatch]

Hi Crocrazy
I think we went through our radiotherapy together? And I’m sorry to hear about your anxiety. My follow-up was an nhs appointment, and it was a chat and a look at the scars and radiotherapy redness. I don’t have any experience of bupa treatment but I imagine they are able to do more tests to put your mind at rest. Like Ann-m says, it’s likely to be precautionary. And if they decide to do an ultrasound, it’ll mean you’ve been thoroughly checked out, which is a good thing. They can’t possibly have any suspicions before they’ve seen you. I think they’re trying to give you peace of mind, even though it’s making you anxious until after your meeting. It’s that horrible waiting time, again. But it sounds just routine planning on their part. Hope someone with bupa experience can reassure you. All the best. x

[ann-m]

Hi Crocrazy,
...it could well be that it will be a check, look at the scar & to do a breast examination, that’s what happened with my follow-up. Even if they do an ultrasound, at least they’re being thorough.
Try not to read anything into it, there’s no way they could know or suspect something is there before seeing you
it sounds purely precautionary as it’s with BUPA & any episode of care would need pre-authorisation for payment. It would be more stressful if you had to wait for a further appointment, but chances are, it’s not going to come to that.
Wishing you well with it all.
ann x

[Crocrazy]

Hello,

I haven't been posting for a little while.  I had a WLE in November and rads which finished at the end of January 18.   Since then I have tried to get on with my life. I had a major wobble in March and felt really low but I am picking myself up.  I still have pain my in breast and bras are a nightmare - nothing seems comfortable.

I am due to see the consultant again on 30th May for a follow up visit.  I was ok about this until yesterday.  Bupa rang to say they had been asked to authorise some treatment codes ahead of my appointment.  It turns out the hosptial have pre-authorised an ultrasound and ultrasound guided biopsy in case of need on 30th. 

For some reason I had convinced myself the appointment on 30th was only to have a chat and let him have a look at the scar and some swelling which I still have.  But it seems they are doing at least an ultrasound and, presumably if they find anything, a biopsy.  I know in my sensible head it is just being cautious to pre-authorise both, if they find something on the ultrasound then makes sense to biopsy it while I am there.  But this makes me feel they are half expecting to see something on the ultrasound result.  I thought everything I had had done had 'fixed me'. 

Does anyone know what happens at the follow up visit with the consultant and whether this sounds normal? I am trying very hard to sit on my panic.  I can't bring myself to ring his secretary and find out what is going on, I don't want to sound like a mad thing, bothering them.