Hi. This is my first post. I have been reading the December Newbie's and this thread and I'd like to join your group, please.
My BC was not detectable manually (no lumps/discharge etc); I was 51 (have just turned 52) and had pressed my GP for a referral to a BC screening/team, on the advice of my physio , who was treating me for a perceived trapped nerve after I presented (again!) to my GP complaining (again) of muscle/joint aches and pains, which included neck/shoulder discomfort/limitation of movement (had difficulty getting some clothes on/off ; much to the amusement of a dressing room assistant when I got stuck with a dress half-on/half-off in a changing room & had to ask for help), and I also had bothersome and worrying (to me) aching in my left armpit/breast. GP did his own examination and found nothing, but reluctantly agreed to refer me to a BC Unit. I totally expected the BC checks to be negative and was then going to ask for further investigation on my neck/shoulder as I had suspicions of a rotor cuff tear. Questions to GP about the muscle/joint pain seemed to fall on deaf ears and I felt like I was seen as a neurotic middle aged woman.
However. mammo/ultrasound and biopsies were done 2/11/13 & results 12/11/13 indicated a 2cm invasive ductal cancer in my left breast. Lymph results were clear. I had a WLE/SNB 6/12/13 and was anticipating/preparing mentally for radiotherapy as follow up.
Doing the recommended exercises, I had managed to regain my pre-op mobility level in my left arm/shoulder - up until Xmas eve, since when I feel that I have a lump under my arm, it is sore/painful/stinging and more than uncomfortable to do the exercises and mobility has reduced 😞
A hospital visit Friday tells me there is a slight swelling in the armpit area but no fluid to drain and the wounds look to be healing well, albeit a little pink in the SNB area. BCN advice is to take pain-killers and continue with the exercises. GP has prescribed antibiotics as a precaution and has advised to rest...I am still trying to do exercises without overdoing it. Neck discomfort is getting worse. BCN says I will automatically get a physio letter at some stage.
When I left hospital after surgery. I was told that my follow up appointment would be 24/12, I phoned 16/12 as I hadn't had a letter to confirm and was apologetically informed on 19/12 that appointments for ladies who had surgery 6/12 had not been made; they had messed up. However, I was given some results info by phone (!!!) . Having anticipated surgery followed by radio, I was shellshocked, panic stricken and despondent to be told that the good news is " we won't need to recall you for any further surgery; lymph nodes/margins clear". (Yay!) "However, HER2 is positive ( I am triple positive)... So you will need herceptin & therefore chemo. As well as hormone treatment and radio."
A lot to take in by 'phone, and my voice deserted me to a squeak, but at least the wait was (sort of) over. Fortunately, two of my daughters ( 19 & 22) were at home when I took that call and were brilliant in consoling me, but I still feel awful guilt at having burdened them with my reaction to the news at the time. My 2 year old granddaughter reduced me to floods when she looked me in the eye and asked "OK Nanny?" that day.
Anyway, we have had a lovely family Xmas despite the "elephant in the corner".
My appointment to see the surgeon has now come through for 7/1/14, and my oncology appointment is the day before - 6/1/14 (!?}. BCN I saw Friday says Onc will discuss/explain my results and treatment plan; I have asked for a copy of the report to be sent to me before then. I am not confident this will happen, but we will see. Surgeon 7/1 will check wounds and go through results too.
I'm having many mini-wobbles, at the slightest thing (certain songs/TV ads etc) and so fed up with smiling and nodding when people tell me to keep positive grrr. I know it (chemo etc) needs to be done, but certainly don't feel happy about it.
I'm also told that the neck/shoulder,muscle/joint aches and pains are unrelated to the BC; I still have them.
Sorry to sound so down and for writing war & peace!
I do have better days and admire the strength, determination and positivity of all of you ladies.
Have been doing a few exercises, in between typing, to try and reduce the armpit/neck/shoulder discomfort which has caused to me to be up at this early hour in the first place and now also feeling better for having got all that off my chest.
Can you please also tell me how to pm you Joanne to join the fb group.
Thanks
