So…after going back and forward to my breast care team and my GP since August 2015, complaining of pain and pressure in my mastectomy site, I finally got diagnosed on the 8th March. (age55) I had a total hip replacement on 17th February 2016, and the evening after my op, I was flat on my back in bed, and I was very sick, and one of the nurses thought I aspirated. The next day I was due to have an xray of the hip to make sure everything was still where it should be, my consultant recommended I had a chest xray also incase I had aspirated. This was when I was diagnosed with a plural effusion.
Further tests were carried out and I was told I had secondary cancer in both lungs, and plural efusion, and a large tumour on my heart 
I KNEW something wasnt right since August, and wish I had been more forceful for tests. But hey ho, there’s no going back now. I had 2.5 litres of fluid removed from my chest, which was a huge relief of pressure from my chest.
I have accepted my diagnosis, and am having palliative chemotherapy (Carboplatin), in an effort to try and slow things down a little. But with successful chemo, I still only have months left.
I think because I knew all along that there was definately something wrong, I have been more accepting of my diagnosis. My partner is struggling to come to terms with my diagnosis, and I am doing all I can to shelter him.
My son is in Texas with his wife and my 2 grandchildren, and they are coming over here in 2 months to renew their wedding vows, and want to do it in a local Scottish Castle, so that has given me the boost and kick in the bum to keep my chin up an get on with it until they get here.,
I am staying as positive as I can, trying to keep things ‘normal’ as possible for as long as possible. I am still at work, and my employers have been fantastic and very understanding.
I have had my first visit from my Macmilan Nurse who is lovely, and I felt at ease with her straight away. So…my journey continues, we shall see what transpires…but I aint going without a fight!