Waiting results

[charboyles]

Hope so ! Well food shopping all done, so at least I won't starve in the next few weeks. Daughters have been amazing, wouldn't let me spend a penny, they have all said you can sort it out when you have finished treatment. Will let everyone know how I get on after the op, but it most probably won't be until next Sunday. I will be staying with eldest daughter from Wed night to Sunday afternoon. I keep making the jokes about I won't win any nude beauty contests with my bruised and battered boob. I suppose that is my way of dealing with it.

Love to everybody who has been supporting me in the last few weeks and good luck to everyone who are having their ops this week.

Peggyxxx

[Jobey68]

It's good to not have to travel too far and feel comfortable where you are receiving treatment, you will be out the other side in no time! Xx Jo 

[charboyles]

At the moment they are saying Stage 2, but that was at the hospital where I was first diagnosed, but I prefered to be transfer to a hospital which is alot nearer for me and my family, for when treatment finally does starts.

Peggy

[Jobey68]

The ultrasound Is about 75% accurate, even if there is anything found it's not a disaster as the nodes are just doing their job of mopping up any stray cells. Do you know what grade your BC is? 

Good that you have a length of time off now and won't have the worry of work, try and fill your days with fun things and don't let the cancer become all you think about , I'm 2 years on now and view it as just a blip I went through! Xx 

[charboyles]

Thanks for coming back to me so quick. I know they will be removing lymph node to see if it is present or spread, but on the ultrasound they looked normal, but I know that can be a false reading as well. Last day at work tomorrow until September (work in a school)

[Jobey68]

Hi Peggy, You should receive copies of all letters , it's quite normal, I could wallpaper the kitchen with the amount I have now!  

They score oestrogen and progesterone out of 8 so you are highly positive in both and negative in the HER2 protein, Its not a bad thing to be hormone positive , I was the same, it is one of the most common, you will be put on a hormone blocker like Tamoxifen after treatment to help prevent a reacurrance which is a bonus! Xx

[charboyles]

Not sure where to post this ! Well operation is planned for the 13th July, with injection the day before. But had a copy of the letter which has been sent to my GP, which I was quite surprise to receive. Can anybody tell me about the scoring, it seems mine reads ER8,PR8 & HER2 negative.

Peggy

[charboyles]

Thanks for that info Helena that's been brilliant help. I think its playing the waiting game and see what happens on that day.  The Macmillan book says one thing, but the leaflet from the hospital says slight different, so I think that is slightly confusing, but will check it out again with the bc nurse.There was no mention of a wire been inserted, only the blue dye injected. Waiting for telephone call and letters, regarding pre-operative tests, the day before injection and day surgery. admission. I am going to finish work on the 11th July and stay with my eldest daughter until the 16th, taking over my grandson's bedroom, but hoping then to come home, with youngest daughter been in charge for a few days.

Love Peggyxx

[ladybowler]

Peggy

Oh thats great, it will give you time to think of questions you will want to ask.

With regard to the blue dye injection.  What happened to me is that I went to the hospital the day before my op thinking I was having the blue dye injected then, but what the lady did was injected a clear substance in just above the nipple, you feel a slight sharp scratch thats all and it takes minutes for the whole thing from beginning to end.

On the day of my op, which was a wide local incision (WLE) and sentinal node biopsy (SNB), I attended the breast clinic where they inserted a wire into the tumour site, again no pain experienced, it helps with the location of the tumour.  The blue dye was only inserted when I was under anaesthetic as part of the op so I didnt feel anything, the only weird thing is that you pee blue for a few days after and have a blue area on the breast for several months but it does fade and mine is completely gone now.

Hope that helps

Helena xxx

[charboyles]

The bc nurse did go over things in general, but due to the hospital running quite late in appointments, she left me a book for me to read etc. This bc nurse will be doing my pre-operative tests at my local hospital about 5miles away from where I live and she is going to go over things in a lot more detail then, this is also where I will be having surgery as well, it seems the surgeon comes to that hospital every Thurs and carrys out any ops. Will save the 25 mile  journey each way to the cancer hospital, but radiotherapy will have to take place at that hospital.

Did you have to have the injection of the blue dye, before you had your op? If you did can you tell me what it was like Helena. Not something I will be looking forward to, but if needs must, so be it. Feel even more postive now, but still along way to go, but hope to carry on working as much as I can, but as you well know it depends on the side effects.

Peggyxx

[ladybowler]

Peggy

Yay, lovely to hear from you, I was thinking about you today xx

Well that sounds all very doable.  You can always make an appointment with your breast care nurse who will go through everything with you in laymans language.  I remember my consultant said she had to go through the medical speak first but then my bcn would go through it all again and answer my questions afterwards and we went into another little comfy area where she did just that, so worth doing so that you can get some more clarity.

Well if there is a time to make the most of friends' talents this is it 🙂 especially where shortbread is concerned.

Helena xxxx

[charboyles]

Hi Helena

First chance I have had to come on, well hospital appointment went well today, the surgeon was lovely and really went into the depth of my options, so now have a surgery date of 13th July and if everything goes according to plan it will be 3-5 weeks of radiotherapy. Though my eldest daughter came and listened to everything that was said, even she didn't under stand a lot of the words he was using in medical terms. Had a few laughs and jokes during the long day, have now put my order in for shortbread & flapjacks from an old friend who I have known for thirty years. My mouth is watering already thinking of extra treats I might have.

Peggy xx

[ladybowler]

Peggy

I am hopinh to go out with her one of the evenings, she is staying with my brother, to be honest with Colin and the way he is that is the better alternative as I could not cope with her as well.

It does tend to be a bit of an expensive journey, but if you are having any hormone tablets they will be free as it is cancer treatment and you can get a medical exemption certificate from your GPs which covers you for everything for the length of time you are on them.

H xx

[charboyles]

Well it seems that my shopping list will be growing with care products for my boobs and nothing for the cupboards. It is surprising how much extra money you are going to need for this. Something I have been thinking about is a mastectomy, will have a chat with the doctor on Fri. Well the sun is shining and life feels good, back to work in the morning and hopefully the students will be in a kind mood, with the busy exam period nearly over.

Will let you know how I get on on Friday Helena, if they don't put me in the looney bin before hand.Have a great week! and make sure you spoil your Mum when she arrives.

[ladybowler]

Peggy

Yay thats great you now have something to aim for and it is not long now xxx

Am always happy to help whenever I can mate.

My surgery was a day case and I was home by 4.30pm.

I was advised by the radiographers to use E45 cream 2/3 times a day.  What I did was to take it with me and then apply after each session.  I think it was my particular hospital that the policy is 15 regular and 5 boosters to the tumour site, I dont really know why but and to be honest I didnt question it.

[charboyles]

Well hospital appointment waiting for me when I got home tonight, so feel a little bit more happier, next Friday at 1.30pm. Got to go to the doctors after work on Monday and get a list of any medication I'm taking, that's a laugh I never go near the place. Your advice is very welcoming Helena! When you went in for surgery was it for the day or an overnight stay, also what cream did you use to moisture your breast with ? I think you mention about five booster sessions with your other radiotherapy, is that done for a reason in one of your previous messages, though at the moment they have said 15 radiotherapy sessions for me.

[ladybowler]

Peggy

Helloooo 🙂 :).  No problems you dont ever need to apologise. It is amazing how normal life takes over even when we are going through all of this, which in a way is really good.

My mum lives in Nothern Ireland so I didnt get to see her until April this year following my treatment finishing but yes she was really supportive of me and especially so whilst I was on radiotherapy. 

Thank you for the hug for my mum, I am seeing her next week so I promise I will pass it on.  Things will be ok my dear, just take each day as it comes and you will get there, especially with us lot behind you.  We are all here for you xxxx

good that the headmaster is on board with you, remember you are covered by the Equalities Act 2010, I will allow you to google that one as it is informative for you 🙂 (being mumsie now).  It might be worth giving the hospital a call to see where they are up to with you, just in case they have overlooked you, which unfrotunately does happen.

I worked throughout my rads but I was on a very reduced work pattern,only doing 3 days a week and four hours a day, so what I did was to arrange my sessions on those days to be immediately after work, which meant I was then home for the rest of the afternoon/evening and able to rest.  I didnt suffer too bad to be honest, had and sometimes still get a bit of fatigue, which results in my having a "power nap" for about 10 minutes, the key is to moisturise your breast well 2/3 times a day, drink plenty of fluids which helps to combat the dehydration from the rads and be kind to yourself listening to your body and rest when you need it.

[charboyles]

I'm really sorry Helena that I haven't been back to you sooner, sometimes things do catch up with you and you need to keep away from the computer, visitors etc, seems a load of excuses. I hope you and your Mum had lots of cuddles, kisses & chats after you had to tell her your news about bc, but sometimes Mum's are so strong and perhaps mind readers that things are not right, within the family circle. A great big hug to your Mum from me. This is where I wish I could have a cuddle from my Mum and tell me things will be ok. Meeting with my headmaster this morning and he seemed quite supportive, even though I am still  in limbo whilst waiting for a new appointment at the hospital nearer to me.Thought I might have heard by now!

When you started radiotherapy, did you manage to work ?

Also what was your side effects from the radiotherapy treatment?

Love Peggy

[ladybowler]

Peggy

Oh they will settle down, I know when I first told a few people it was strange and then before I went off I told my boss if anyone asks where I was, you know what its like in an office, that she told them what was happening but that I was absolutely fine and would be back in 6 weeks.

The strange thing for me has been being the daughter and telling my mum who doesnt live local and is in her 80's so I didnt want to worry her until I knew what was exactly happening. She wasnt happy but eventually understood.

Oh that will be lovely going out with your daughter to see your granddaughter.  My mum is coming over in a couple of weeks because my niece is in a big gymnastics display or something in Stoke and she is going with my brother and her.

Helena xxx

[charboyles]

I think they most probably was feeling sheepish Helena, but then I feel they were going a bit OTT, keep checking up on me, making sure I was still there in a certain area. But hopefully it will now calm down and normal work life can continue. I promise you I won't be too stubborn etc, but I will make sure the children know when I do need support. I t will most probably be hard for them also, not to see Mum, looking after the grandchildren, doing there ironing during the school holidays, just to name a few jobs that Mum's do in their busy daily routines. My eldest daug is taking me out on Sunday for a couple of hours to see my grandaughter dancing with her dance group in the local town show.

Peggy

[ladybowler]

Peggy

IThats great of your boss, t is actually easier if you have someone who can let people know, as it means you dont have to keep repeating the same thing, and I bet they are feeling, and I really hope they are, rather sheepish now.

Word to the wise, dont be too stubborn and independent, let them help and others who want to help, it actually helps them feel as if they are doing something.  I was Miss Independent, and it was my best friend who said "ok so do you really want to recover quickly or just knacker yourself trying to get there!!" Wise words from a very wise lady.  However, I still drove myself to all my rads apts.

Helena xxx

[charboyles]

Brilliant wise words Helena and I will take them on board. Few issues at work today which I had to ask my line manager to sort out for me, (work in a school) Because I now have to be safeguard whilst working with children, two team members have been puffing & panting and making snided remarks about me not pulling my weight, not that it upset me too much, but I didn't want to lose my rag with them. The line manager had a word with the team as a whole and now hoping it has now been nipped in the bud, before it gets out of hand. I think they were just been nosey, because I won't give them information they want to hear.  It also seems that my daugs are going to share the burden of all the hospital appointments, but they know me too well 'Stubborn' and 'Did it my way' I suppose a few cross words will change between us over the hurdles and seeing who can get there first, I'm sure it will be Mum, hoping the daugs will be tagging behind.

Peggy

[ladybowler]

Peggy

You will have plenty of time to take it all in, and at your own speed, a good thing to do would be to write down things that you want clarifying, no matter how trivial you might think it is, its a question you need answering.  It is possible that your children will have questions as well so it would be good to note them as well as it will help you all moving forward.

The feeling of calm and relaxing I think is because you now know and I think that helps us tremendously when embarking on our journey with bc.  There is a huge element of doubt been taken away which helps to lower the anxiety levels.

When I had my treatment plan it set out my diagnosis and proposed treatment which was that I was to go for lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, radiotherapy and hormone blocking tablets.  There was a "possible other treatment" section which mentioned that I might have to have chemo, however my consultant told me that they needed to make that known to me as it depended on the results of the op, but that they were not expecting my diagnosis to change, and it didnt.

Sending you a hug

Helena xxx

[charboyles]

Thank you for your words of encouragement Helena! I can't remember them mention 'estrogen postive', trying to take in everything they were saying. I know they did mention chemo, but that won't be decided until after the op. I feel very calm & relaxed, I don't whether that is a good or bad, but I know that I don't like to be made a fussy of, also quite a private person. I mention this to the surgeon & the nurse that I want to do things my way and they were quite supportive, alright I might change my mind later on, but I will know it is there if I require the support.

[ladybowler]

Peggy

Well ok it is bc, but as you say it is early stage found as a result of a routine mammo, thank god, and you have great faith in your bc team. 

Do you know if you are estrogen positive?

When you are ready if you go on to Going Through Treatment Section you will find loads of support on there, and I do pop up there from time to time!!!! 🙂

I have always been so grateful that I went for my routine mammo as I had been intending to cancel and rebook at a later date, gosh it could have been so different.

Sending you a hug and always here for you.

Helena xxx

[charboyles]

Results in this afternoon ! Well have been diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer, so it seems surgery with radiotherapy about 15 sessions. Now been transferred to a hospital near me  which will be a lot better for myself and family. The surgeon & breast care nurse were brilliant couldn't fault them, also I know I will get excellent support from my daugs in the next few months a head. Thank god it was my time to have my mannagram this year and not next.

[charboyles]

The anxiety and the uncertain is perhaps the worst, because once you know the results, everything should slot into place. I know there are many breast conditions, but they don't seem to say a lot. Though I have got to say the staff were lovely & friendly and tried to put you at your ease, it has come on along way since 2000. In 2000 when I was called back for more mamagrams, they put my breast under the plate, then put the x-ray photo up show me my lump in my left beast, I can tell you it was quite a shock. But now before they do  anything in this era, they show you the films which is very good to see, but still worrying as we are no experts or have been trained in this field. 

[Eian01]

Its normal to feel the anxiety but its not necessiarily cancer there are many other breast conditions. Hoping things will change positively for you. 

[charboyles]

Back to work tomorrow, work in a school,as support staff, so hopefully work related items will take over for a few days, instead of the results. I have been on my own this week, usual look after the grandchildren, but there are away on holiday. Not sure what a Pappiloma is, all these new words can be confusing, but will check it out. Let us know how you get on. When I had surgery in 2000, I had no computer, but these forums are a good for moral.

[Juleshazel]

Waiting is the hardest bit ..9 days ago I had a Pappiloma removed with suspected DCIS still waiting for appointment for results.

[charboyles]

That's brilliant news Helena! 

Peggy

[ladybowler]

Peggy

I finished active treatment in January of this year.  I was diagnosed in Sept 2016, lumpectomy and SNB on 13 October and then had 20 sessions of radiotherapy over xmas and the new year which finished on 19 Jan.  I am on tamoxifen for 5 years but it is a small price to pay.

I am doing very well and back to my normal life, bowling, gardening, working, something which last September did not seem possible even though they told me my bc was treatable and the outlook was very good.

Helena xx

[charboyles]

She was! I can remember asking her as a child what was that huge scar on her left breast and she always replied nothing and shy away, but as I got older she told me the story regarding her op at Barts. It seems that she was one of the first of three women to have the new procedure done in just having the lump removed and not the whole breast. The doctor who carried out the new techique, did not have a ward named after him at Bart's hospital, he should have been given a medal in my eyes he opened up a new avenue for othe breast cancer sufferers. Also what happened to the other two women, one lived with a full breast removed but unfortunately the other one died.

If you don't me asking are you under going treatment ?

Peggy

[charboyles]

Hi Ann

Sorry I am not looking it at it as a death sentance, but I am a person who has been on my own for far too long and also like to do things my way, try not to involve my children too much, but I know that I will need they support, in the next few weeks a head.

Peggy

[ann-m]

Hi Charboyles,

Well, there are loads of us here who got an early bc diagnosis thanks to screening, with most of us making a full recovery & back to life as normal, so even if it is bc, please don't think is a death sentence, it most certainly is not!

Thankfully, the mammogram has done its job in picking up something that needed a closer look & IF it is bc, then you will get the treatment to get it dealt with.

take care

ann x

[ladybowler]

charboyles

Wow that is amazing, what a lady she must have been xxx

[charboyles]

Thank you for coming back to me Helena with your reply, I much appreciated. I understand that the treatment is far more advance than when it was in my late mother's days. In 1933/34 she had breast cancer at the age of 27 and she travelled from where she lived to Bart's hosp for her operation and only radiotherapy was avaiable, which I must add it cost her £50, and she lived to the ripe old age of 86. Will let you know how I get on Thurs.

[ladybowler]

charboyles

Well keep in that the screening has done its job, even then it does not have to be cancer, there are lots of other breast conditions it could be.

We all know that feeling of aches and pains that you get whilst waiting for the results and thinking that it is cancer, it is the old anxiety monster playing tricks on our minds.

IF it turns out to be bc the treatment and outlook these days is very good.

Let us know how you get on and remember we are all here when you need us.

Helena xx

[charboyles]

Though I am waiting results, my motions are all over the place, thinking every ache or pain is connected. Not really sleeping, or eating,trying to think postive, but at the back of my mind, I am pretty sure it won't turn out the way I would like it to. Have now inform work of my situation, but asked for privacy (on school hols), I think they will be quite surprised as I am not a person who takes days off, for every cough & cold, ache or pain. Have even spoken to the vicar, from the village of where I was born and bred and he has agreed to have my ashes buried in my late mothers grave, trying to get things done how I would like them done (getting my house in order) Children have told me not to be stupid. I hope you all don't think I been OTT. giving up before I started.

[charboyles]

Fourteen years ago I had a lump removed from from left breast, it was benign, which was a huge relief. Three years ago I  was recalled, due to scar tissue not quite right, just been recalled again after my last mannagram, Had a ultrasound and biopsy done today, so waiting results now and see surgeon next week. If I have surgery it seems it will be only be day job. Has anyone had the same experience.