A year since diagnosis

[Kess]

so sorry to hear about your tough time doubletrouble. It sounds like you have really had problem after problem, I know it might not be what you want, but have you thought about delaying recon for another few months to give yourself a bit more time to heal. You may find that you become comfortable as you are and are happy not to put yourself through yet another op. hoping for good news from your latest scans.

[doubletrouble]

Hi ladies.  I had my 1 year follow up last Thursday with my Breast Consultant but unfortunately due to having had bilateral breast cancer and therefore bilateral mastectomy I no longer have any breasts and it was the fact that I wasn't going to be having any mammograms that I found distressing!  I guess you feel like something is being done to check all is still well when you have these following a bc diagnosis so I was very worried and anxious before my appointment.  As I have a strong family history: mum and sister both had bc and I had 2 primary tumours with associated high grade DCIS (one in each breast diagnosed 6 weeks apart), I am still deemed to be "high risk" but genetic tests confirms I do not have BRCA mutation).  Therefore my Consultant has suggested I have an MRI or CT scan but has also said that due to the amount of surgery I've had (6 ops so far so therefore lots of scar tissue) that my lymph nodes may be enlarged anyway so I'd probably end up having a biopsy on those.  Not sure how I feel as I want to know that I'm clear but does that open up a can of worms with all the extra testing and anxiety that goes with it?!!  To be honest, my whole bc 'journey' has been all over the place, my HER2 on 1st cancer was borderline so needed to be sent off to another hospital for further testing (waiting 3 weeks for results) I got a 2nd diagnosis in the other breast 6 weeks after the 1st, there was a problem with chemo and a clinical trial I was taking part in and then I ended up having my reconstruction removed due to infection, and admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics, etc and now on my 5th attempt at recon which has failed again so currently awaiting DIEP recon at another hospital.  My BC Consultant has said that if there's any cancer present then there's no point in putting myself through such a major recon op!  Really don't know what to think right now!!!

[Hollyberry]

Hi Mary,

Thank you for replying.

I can imagine how you felt having to have the extra tests, you must have been really nervous and worried.

I am really pleased for you that you were given the all clear.

Hollyberry

[mary32]

Hiya

I too had my first annual check up.

The lady doing the mammogram was very nice and said if I waited she would ask the doctor to take a look at the images before I left and give me the results there and then. But she then came back a little while later to say that the doctor wanted another mammogram and then she would do an ultrasound. 

Well, you can imagine how I felt! Fortunately, after having all that done she gave me the all clear, it was the scar tissue making it difficult to see.

So even if you get called back it doesn't  necessarily mean anything sinister.

Mary

[Hollyberry]

Hi Motherhubbard, thank you for asking. I haven't had my results yet and am starting to get pretty anxious. I hope no news is good news. I am going to phone and chase it up on Monday as they told me to do that if I hadn't heard within 2 weeks and it will be 2 weeks on Monday.
Hollyberry

[Motherhubbard]

Sorry not been posting. Hope everyone has got the results that we deserve.

[Hollyberry]

Hi Lu,

Thank you for replying. I know what you mean about getting worked up. I couldn't sleep last night for worrying about it. I think part of what makes it hard is having to go back to the hospital and remembering isn't it.

I am really glad it's over now for both of us and as you say it's 'just' a case of waiting for the results now.

Take care xx

[lucy12]

Hi Hollyberry

Somehow I missed your post, I hope it is all done now and not as bad as you feared.

I had my first annual mammogram today too and worked myself up into a complete tizzy - in fact, I so nearly didn't go.

The radiographer was lovely when I explained how nervous I was. Yes, it was more painful than last year but it was bearable and I was in and out of there very quickly and just managed to get back to the car before bursting into tears and crying all the way home.

Now just got to wait for results....

Lu xx

[Hollyberry]

Hi Melena, thank you for replying really glad to hear that your mammogram was clear. You are right we just have to keep our fingers crossed and keep going. I am feeling nervous tonight as I am going for the mammogram tomorrow. I will be glad when it is over. Take care.

[Melena]

Hiya Hollyberry, As the others have said we all feel like you when our mammagram is due. Ihad my first one in June and I was clear.

I hope yours goes well. We just have to keep going don't we.

[Hollyberry]

Really happy for you Bev. That's brilliant news.
Hollyberry

[Jenji]

So pleased to hear your news.!

Look after yourself

JenjiXX

[Motherhubbard]

Hi all. Got a phone call yesterday to say mammogram all clear not got to have another one for two years. I was at work when they phones I was jumping crying and whooping with delight all at the same time. Don't care what that all thought. Love to all. Bev

[Hollyberry]

Hello Bev, I will keep my fingers crossed for you too.
Take care.

[Motherhubbard]

I know how you are feeling I have just gad my marrogram this morning. Only good thing at least only had to have one boob squeezed. Nice got to wait a couple of weeks for results. Fingers crossed. Bev

[Hollyberry]

Hello Trisha and Jenji thank you so much for your kind replies. I really appreciate you both taking the time to 'talk' to me. It's so nice to feel like I am not alone with all these different emotions running through my head at the moment. Take care both of you
Hollyberry

[Jenji]

Hi Hollyberry

I went throught this in July - a year since I had all my trips to the hospital for diagnosis...it was really strange to be so anxious all the time even though the outcome of my mastectomy was good.  I went for my first mammogram two weeks ago and was very very anxious.

When I got the clear result I started to feel sad about it all again!

I had great support from the helpline and realised that all these strange mixed up feelings are normal for this anniversary time and the first mammogram.

I hope you can get to talk to someone for reassurance as that helped me enormously.

Be kind to yourself.

Jenji X

[Trisha_51]

Hello Hollyberry, I had my diagnosis, WLE and SNB in Jan 2013 and can assure you that how you are feeling at the moment is completely normal. A lot of people seem to feel that once we have 'completed' our treatment that we are 'back to normal' - whatever that is meant to be. It only takes something like an anniversary, or sometimes nothing at all to cause us to have a wobble - I've had several over the last 18 months. Feeling anxious about having your first mammogram is also a very common occurrence, I had a major wobble at this time and was very worried about how painful the mammogram might be as I was still very tender and slightly swollen. I took the advise of several ladies on here and took a couple of paracetamol about half an hour before my mammogram and found it was okay. Please be reassured that your feelings are perfectly normal, lots of us have been there, worn the T shirt etc. Best wishes and (((hugs))) Pat xx

[Hollyberry]

It will be a year tomorrow since I was diagnosed with grade 2 IDC and I find myself thinking about it all the time at the moment. I have my first mammogram on 15th September and I am feeling pretty anxious about that too. I just wanted to 'talk' to other people who know how I am feeling.