Hi, My name is Carole and I am 68, was diagosed with breast cancer 16 Feb 2012, I have 2 invasive ductile carcinomas, 1 is a grade 2 and the other grade 3, a biopsy to the lymph node was also positive. I am going through the public system and have found all the heathcare workers to be wonderful. My surgeon strongly advised me to cancel an overseas trip as the surgery couldn't wait - needed to be done with 30 days. All such a shock as I know you can all understand, plus a huge disappointment at having to cancel my travel plans. One week before my surgery date I was informed that it had been postponed a futher three weeks - in fact on the day I should have been retuning home from the US. Was the 30day limit for definite health reasons or to ease some of the mental anguish attached to such radical surgery? Cancer is such a stressful situation, I keep wondering whether this delay is affecting my prognosis in the future, or will it not have any affect at all, maybe I could have enjoyed my trip with plenty to take my mind off what layes ahead, instead of the emotional wreck I have been just waiting and not knowing.

Hi Carole Welcome to the site. I'm sure you will find it extremely helpful as you work through this very difficult time. There are so many amazing women in this site at various stages of their journey reading to reach out, hold your hand and support you through this difficult, frustrating journey. I was diagnosed with multiple cancers of 3 types in both breasts in October last year. The surgeon I was advised to see was on leave and I had to wait 2 weeks to see her. She said I had up to 6 weeks to decide about my surgery without her worrying about my outcome. I had already discussed my pathology with the local breast care nurse and knew I would need a bilateral masectomy, chemo and radiation. My surgeon was happy to operate the next week as I was keen to remove the cancers as quickly as possible. The waiting is one of the difficult parts... Waiting for pathology from masectomy and sentinel nodes. I then had a bilateral axillary clearance and waited again for the results. Then waited for oncologist appt which with Xmas wasn't till early January. Waited for chemo to start etc etc. it's hard to not worry that all the delays won't affect your outcome. I think you need to put your life in the hands of your care team which is very difficult and trust them completely. Carole its a challenging time as you wait for your results and treatment plan. It seems impossible in those first few months that you will find the strength to get through but you will... Put yourself first, cry when you need to, jump on here and share your story and find comfort in talking to others who truly do understand. Take care Mel xxx

Hi Mel, Thanks for your reply and sound advise. I will be having my surgery tomorrow - also bilateral - plus all the lymph nodes and some muscle from my left arm. I am feeling better now than I have for the last month, knowing that the healing process is about to start, it might be a long road but that's OK I can handle that, I take the first step tomorrow, the waiting is over! I have a great Surgeon and fantastic breat cancer nurse, both radiate confidence. I'm sure that there will be more frustration ahead, the waiting will probably always get me that way, I can face anything but that. I know that I will have to have chemo but am not sure yet whether they will be able to give me radio therapy. I suppose the next herdle will be waiting to find out how many nodes are affected, about two weeks I believe and understand it may be a couple of months before chemo. You have certainly been part of the waiting game yourself. I'm note sure what "bilateral clearence" means...is it the removal of the nodes from both sides? I am guessing that are still undergoing treatment, chemo and/or radiation, so hope that it's not affecting you too severally and that you have plenty of practical support. It is a challenging time, we have to face each ones as it comes, have faith and trust in our medical team, as you say. Please let me kniow how you are progressing, you are my first contact - so thank you again. Carole xxx

Hi Bilateral clearance is both sides. I had 6/21 and 2/21 nodes involved... Not the greatest news but not the worst. I have had 4 cycles of AC chemo at 3 weekly intervals that started on Friday 13th January. I had my second of 12 weekly taxols today. I will then have radiation to my left chest wall the side that had 6 cancerous nodes and my left neck due to chance cancer had spread to nodes in my neck. I will be thinking of you tomorrow as you have your masectomy and node removal. I remember how scared I was but so relieved that it was over. I have no regrets knowing I've taken the best choice to give me a positive outcome. I had my surgeries separately and stayed in 3 nights with masectomy and 4 nights with node clearance. I had my surgeries in private hospital and chemo is through public and I have a great oncologist and nurses. I see my surgeon tomorrow for my 3 monthly check up then will go to 6 monthly visits. I am also getting a referral to have genetic testing done for the benefit of my 21 year old daughter. My thoughts will be with you and I look forward to hearing from you when you are up to it. Take care of yourself, listen to your body and rest when you need to. You will feel tired after a few days and may need a nanny nap or two. Tell your team if anything doesn't feel right to you.... Trust your body and your instincts. Trusting my gut feeling probably saved my life... I had a dream to have a mammogram... I listened, called and made the appointment and was diagnosed the same day. I was 42 and had no lumps or bumps. Wishing you all the best for tomorrow... Sending you lots of hugs. Mel xxx Feel free to add me as a contact. I'm here if and when you need me :)

Hi Carole, I just wanted to say 'welcome' and wish you all the best for your surgery. Will be thinking of you. Di xxx

Hi Mel, I was discharged monday afternoon, but this is the first time I have been at the computer. As always I had a bad reaction to the anesthetic so prefer not to remember the 4 days in hospital, I felt great for the first couple of days at home then seemed to hit the wall, I have had to have an afternoon rest the last couple of days, feels so strange but I have felt the benefit. I will see my Surgeon on Tuesday, get the pathology results and discuss whatever treatment they have planned for me - also get rid of these drains, I forget that I am attached and move off without them but don't get very far! You have had a far more traumatic time than me, to have to go back in for more surgery must have hit you very hard, however of course it was the only thing to do and now the long road to recovery BUT how lucky are we that so much time, effort and money has been spent to make such huge steps forward in the treatment of Breast (and all) cancer, no matter how unpleasent it is we know that it is our lifeline so have to hang on tight. I know that I have not experienced it yet and am sure that I may curse it at times but have faith in the outcome and I can tell you feel the same. keep listening to those deams!! love Carole xxx ps: being almost computer illiterate, I'm not sure how to add you as a contact - oh! the shame to have to admit my shortcomings!

The waiting game | BCNA Online Network

11 Replies

Melg
Member
14 years ago
Hi Carole Welcome to the site. I'm sure you will find it extremely helpful as you work through this very difficult time. There are so many amazing women in this site at various stages of their journey reading to reach out, hold your hand and support you through this difficult, frustrating journey. I was diagnosed with multiple cancers of 3 types in both breasts in October last year. The surgeon I was advised to see was on leave and I had to wait 2 weeks to see her. She said I had up to 6 weeks to decide about my surgery without her worrying about my outcome. I had already discussed my pathology with the local breast care nurse and knew I would need a bilateral masectomy, chemo and radiation. My surgeon was happy to operate the next week as I was keen to remove the cancers as quickly as possible. The waiting is one of the difficult parts... Waiting for pathology from masectomy and sentinel nodes. I then had a bilateral axillary clearance and waited again for the results. Then waited for oncologist appt which with Xmas wasn't till early January. Waited for chemo to start etc etc. it's hard to not worry that all the delays won't affect your outcome. I think you need to put your life in the hands of your care team which is very difficult and trust them completely. Carole its a challenging time as you wait for your results and treatment plan. It seems impossible in those first few months that you will find the strength to get through but you will... Put yourself first, cry when you need to, jump on here and share your story and find comfort in talking to others who truly do understand. Take care Mel xxx

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The waiting game

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