Metastatic Breast Cancer found just by accident

Enaid
Enaid Member Posts: 6
edited December 2020 in Newly diagnosed
Hi,
I’m 58 years old & was in pretty good health when I sustained a massive bruise after just a small amount of pressure in my pelvic area.  I showed a friend (nurse) who told me to go to the doctor sooner rather than later.  From there my journey began.  After ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI’s & about 25 vials of blood it was found I had cancer in my lever. It was only after a biopsy on my liver & mammogram that my breast cancer was diagnosed.  It’s been 8 weeks since that bruise & here I am now trying to come to terms with the diagnosis. I’m off this morning for a biopsy on my breast where a large tumor as become obvious over the past 3 weeks, an Echo after that then a PET scan on Wednesday.   My chemo & cocktail will start in a week or so. My family & friends a very, very supportive but everyone has a story to tell & not all of them positive.  I hope & pray I can keep up the strength I know I’m going to need to continue on the emotional rollercoaster I’ve found myself on.  
«13

Comments

  • Dory65
    Dory65 Member Posts: 323
    Dear @Enaid,
    I am sorry you have found yourself here too. Wishing you all the best.  <3
  • Enaid
    Enaid Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2020
    Thanks for the advice ladies,  I live on my own so have to screen my own calls.  I guess I just need to speak up when someone’s telling me something I don’t need to hear.  I’ve always found that difficult, I hate to hurt peoples feelings but I’m finding myself getting really angry when people tell me about others cancers and experiences.
  • jennyss
    jennyss Member Posts: 1,951
    Dear @Enaid

    from jennyss in Western NSW
  • Sister
    Sister Member Posts: 4,960
    @enaid If you have a close friend or two you can rely on who know a fair range of your other friends, or a relative, you could try asking them to be the gatekeeper - anyone wanting to find out how you are going would then speak to them instead of you.  I found that most people were very understanding particularly when it was put to them that going through everything each time someone called was overwhelming for me.  Another option, which I utilised a couple of weeks later, was to start a blog (lots of free sites for this) and kept people updated this way.  It has also been a great diary to look back on.
  • arpie
    arpie Member Posts: 7,521
    So sorry to see you here @Enaid ... all the best for your biopsy and other scan results ... 

    I was ‘the gate keeper’ for my husband’s cancer 10 years ago, and when diagnosed myself 3 years ago, I just kept everyone informed with a weekly then monthly email. I didn’t tell some family and friends for well over 12 months .... only tell those who will be supportive of you xxx

    As @FLClover says ... try and find some good in every day as it will help keep your mind buoyant ... even if it is just eating a mango or some other ‘treat’ .... The waiting between appointments really sucks, so keep as busy and active as you can, doing things you love.  I went fishing every day between all my appts ... it kept body and mind ‘busy’!

    Stay away from Dr Google, as everyone’s case is unique and a lot of stuff there s old and obsolete and may scare you!

    Take someone with you to appts, both for moral and physical support .... and record your meetings on your phone for future reference (if you need to go over it again later.) It is easy to ‘miss bits’ in the stress of the moment.  

    Vent away here .... we’ve all had idiots giving useless advice .... I was told to drink iodine!  AS IF!

    All the best, take care xxx
  • FLClover
    FLClover Member Posts: 1,513
    edited December 2020
    That’s a great idea @Sister! 👌🏻. If you don’t mind, would I be able to have the link to your blog so I can have a read? Only if you don’t mind. You can PM the link if you want.

    And I think we should restart that thread, about the great pearls people say to us, just for laughs 😜
  • FLClover
    FLClover Member Posts: 1,513
    Dear @Enaid, you sound like me, and I’m guessing the majority of ladies on this forum. Listening to useless advice and bad stories just to not hurt people’s feeling. But something I’ve been working on with my psychologist is to go back to standing up for myself, self care/love/respect etc and that includes not listening to BS. Theres no need to be rude about it of course, but when they start just say, ‘Hey I’m on top of it, and my situation is very different. Thanks anyway!’ OR you could interrupt at the beginning with your own story, start spilling stuff out that’s been bothering you, and chances are they won’t do it again in case they have to be the ‘listener’ and not ‘speaker’ again. People are funny like that. They love speaking, but not listening. Anyway, whatever works, just remember that right now your feelings are more important. Good luck darl 😗
  • FLClover
    FLClover Member Posts: 1,513
    Thanks @Sister! 👌🏻 Good read 🙂