Forum Discussion
tabbycat
15 years agoMember
Starting the journey - Waiting
Hi all
My name is Louise and I have just started out on this very scary journey!
A few weeks ago I noticed my left nipple no longer protruded as normal even in the cold and umm when stimulated lol. My dear partner (typical male) suggested it was because I sleep on my left side most of the time!
Being due for my regular PapSmear I asked my GP if she could check it out for me as I couldn't feel a lump. Having examined both breasts thoroughly she quietly suggested I ought to have another Mammogram (the most recent being in Feb 2010) and sent me off to a Womens Breast Testing Clinic. I was starting to feel a tad concerned at this point because I know my Doctor and her demeanour had changed even though she assured me that it could be nothing!
A 7 day wait for my appointment and I managed to put any bad thoughts out of my mind concentrating on my Family, friends, work and my beloved cats.
At the Clinic I was told after the Mammogram that perhaps I should have an Ultrasound...uh oh, alarm bells start to softly chime.
After the Ultrasound, the soft chiming became a loud clanging as the nurse told me very gently that yes, there was "something" there and I must have a Core Biopsy. I was booked in for that in 2 days time. Waiting, waiting, thinking positive all the while.
I sure hope I don't have to have another Biopsy too soon. After two injections of local anaesthetic the doctor still managed to take a sample from a section of my breast which hadn't dozed off.......wow.....give me child birth any day!
3 days to wait now and I am becoming more vague and doing silly things like putting milk in the pantry and sugar in the fridge.!
Finally it's time to see my GP and I can tell straight away by her attitude that things aren't looking too good here. She tells me as gently as she can that I have an Invasive Lobular Carcinoma and that I should see a Surgeon as soon as possible. Being a virgo..lol...I had done some research and already decided on the Hospital I wanted and together my GP and I discovered who we felt would be the best Surgeon for me.
5 days to wait until I see the Surgeon...wow, if only I could sleep until then. Just knock me out and wake me up in time for my appointment!
This was 5 days of numbness, of putting cat biscuits in the washing machine insead of Laundry liquid (not recommended) and mixing coke with my cordial instead of water, not a great taste sensation I can tell you.
So now I know. I have met my Surgeon (lovely lady) and know that in another 7 days time I will be having a Mastectomy and removal of several Lymph nodes. Whew..Is it just me? I have gone into mental meltdown, my brain just refuses to focus...Believe me, I am still doing my "power of positive" thinking routine but I'm not sure its working!!
7 days of waiting. I've told my partner of 6 years, who is being an absolute rock and my closest family and friends, but how do I tell my other friends and work colleagues? How do I cope with my best friend who sobs inconsolably everytime she talks to me? My older sister who usually cries through every movie we ever see together is also being an amazing support. What's going to happen after the surgery, will I be clear, will I need further treatment...it's all a bit much to take in. I read someone, somewhere on this site said "take it one day at time" if only each day wasn't so long, but I'm trying really hard!
Thank god I still have my sense of humour but I would really love to hear from other ladies who are just starting out or have already travelled this journey.
Thanks for reading.
Louise
51 Replies
- tabbycatMember
Josie, if you ran naked down the street I would fall about in hysterics! and probably join you although at this stage I still have hair...boy I am so looking forward to that loss...NOT !!! but hey I always wanted to try scarves and wigs and stuff...maybe I could go blonde this time round.
As for the stupid comments people say, well, I just tend to bite my tongue and smile indulgently at them. I've only been on this roller coaster for a couple of weeks and I'm already over hearing about everybody else who knows someone who had breast cancer and they did this and they did that.....aaarrrrrrrhhhhh. I am truly only interested in you wonderful ladies here and now! Here we can laugh, cry, vent our frustrations and share each others feelings.
Keep the humour coming, I know, I for one am going to need it in the coming weeks.
Hugs and smiles
xLouisex
- tabbycatMember
Hi Emma
Glad you appreciate the humour, what would we do without it? I too am now relying on my closest family to tell other family members and my partner telling our friends.
I really do hope all is good new on Thursday, I will be thinking of you as I doze off for mine! I will certainly be reading your posts with all fingers crossed. At least I'm not losing them! lol....I am sitting in my study watching a white parrot through the window. I leave a hanging seed bowl in a tree outside and this parrot appears injured in some way as he/she can't seem to reach the bowl. It is slowly inching it's way closer (it cannot seem to fly but must of arrived somehow) My heart bleeds for it and I will not stop watching until it has reached the food. I somehow feel our illness makes us empathise more?
I know the waiting is agonising, but you WILL get through this week OK, stray strong girl.
Big hugs
xLouisex
- JJoyMember
I like making people smile (and laugh) if I stripped naked and ran down the street we could all have a giggle - but that wont happen mother's would grab their children and run for cover - men would cringe, but we'd think it was funny! (lol!) x x x
- pinkpeonieMember
Hi josie
I just read your reply - you do make me smile - what a breath of fresh air you are. xxxx
Hope you having a good weekend x
- JJoyMember
Hi Girls - what more can I say except I had a thought this morning - quite peculiar, I wondered 'How did I tell my friends?' - what did I say to them?, and you know what I can't bloody remember! It was (and still is to some extent) a blur, but remember one important thing - 'baby steps' - the best way to get through the day is one step at a time. I get frustrated because I don't hear from my kids for awhile (I get so sensitive) and then I get frustrated because everyone wants to know "how are you, whats happening now?" and that seems contrite I know, but really - some days I just want to talk about anything BUT cancer......Someone suggested I join a cancer support group - well, I don't know about you - but I would rather join an art group or anything, so as we get to talk about 'other' stuff - I do all my venting and cancer chat on here - so I have the best of both worlds really, so when someone pats me on the heat (metaphorically) and says ".........and how are you REALLY dear" I want to jump up and yell "I'm OK! I am OK!" I usually smile and respond with "Good" and hopefully they will change the subject - after months of surgeries, medical appointments and treatment - one does 'kinda gets over it!' - However, one day a friend rang me and I had to control myself from going into hysterical stitches as she said to me "Now dear, don't let this take over your life!....." Yeh! that was funny - even hubby turned around and said "Yeh, I wish - all those bloody appointments etc, as if!" Bless him, I totally agreed but people say the darndest things don't they - and I still sit here with a grin on my face, nodding at the laptop and thinking - "Now dear, don't let this take over your life".........amazing. I have a sister (who I think has a mental issue - but that's another story) and she has been banging on at me for a few WEEKS saying she 'thinks' she has cancer and they have been 'putting off' the test because of this and that - Well, ladies, we all know they don't 'put off' anything when it comes to cancer...........anyway this sister said "Oh, now we have a competition!" and laughed - (yeh, right, really funny!) I told her to stick her 'competition' where the sun doesn't shine! You don't blame me do you? - but yes, it's frustrating the things people say - the sad part is, they will keep saying them, they will keep saying stuff that more than raises the (in my case 'hairless') eyebrows. They know not what they do - just expect it, and my opinion is thus: If you don't like what they say - darn well say so, what can they do to you? You are going through this, and it is much bigger than their stupid flippant silly coments, well meaning or not. What do you reckon - this site is the only site where I get 'TRUE SUPPORT' x x x Josie
- Emma_TMember
Hi Louise,
I love your sense of humour ;) It put a nice big smile on my face! I was also recently diagnosed with BC (you may wish to see my post also) and am feeling exactly as you are feeling - the biggest emotional rollercoaster ever!
I am trying to remain ever positive although can't hide that at times I become an emotional wreck. I find the nights the hardest when my young girls are in bed and I have lots of time to think (and research). I am trying to take each day as it comes and not think too far into the future. I am seeing my Surgeon this coming Thursday who will be able to give me the pathology results from my surgery. The appt couldn't come quick enough..... the wait is agonising!!
In relation to telling people - I too had lots of questions. I was able to tell my immediate family and a couple of close friends, however had my amazing husband tell some other friends and my work and we also asked that these people tell others. I have found it extremely hard to tell people my news without becoming extremely emotional and I didn't really want the stress.
We have been overwhelmed with the amount of love, support, gifts, meals, babysitting offers, etc we have received in the past 9 days - it truly is unbelievable!!
Louise, I know we will both get through this.... I will definitely be keeping up with your progress. We are at very similar stages and although it is awful we are having to deal with this at least we know we are not alone :)
Keep smiling,
Em
x
- tabbycatMember
Hi Josie
Thanks for the support - it seems to me you have a great sense of humour also!!
I did have a quick poke around the internet right after my diagnosis but apart from learning exactly what "Lobular" meant the rest was a blur and I decided to wait and ask my doctor. So that is great advise for everyone.
What is surprising me, is how long it all takes, it seems like months and months, even years of treatment. I am amazed how all you ladies still have your SOH and compassion for others. I sincerely hope that now your chemo is finished you wil be clear.
Thanks for your thoughts and hugs, very much appreciated. xLouisex
- JJoyMember
Hi Louise - All the ladies on this website have either 1/ been through, 2/ going through, or like yourself 3/ just starting out.... You will get unconditional support from all of us, its a big rocky road ahead but you sound like you have a fantastic sense of humour (draw on it!) but you will have days when you just want to crumble - that's ok, because we all get those, and just ride it out. I was diagnosed last December and wow, I had to get a diary and keep everything in triplicate because of all the appointments etc - I have just finished my chemo, so I have a very bald head and no eyebrows (or other body hair - like you need to know that!) but down the track you will be asking a LOT of questions, and just heed one little thing - DONT go berserk on the internet, you can end up scaring your own pants off! Some of the info on the internet is fine, but a lot of it will just leave you cowering in the corner and dribbling a lot! So if you want to know something, ask your doctor and don't be afraid to get on here and vent if you want to (we all do!). You will experience a miriad of emotions (that is to be expected) we are all here for you with lots and lots of support and love - keep your chin up! Hugs x x x Josie
- tabbycatMember
Hi Viv
You sound like one very sensible lady! Everything I read hear makes me feel less alone and not quite so much like I've got this huge C stamped on my forehead..lol..
I will certainly report back as things progress.
cheers
Louise x
- tabbycatMember
Hi Debs
So nice to meet you (so to speak) - I am already feeling a little better about all this by having such lovely ladies like yourself reply so quickly to my posting.
Hope we talk more soon.
cheers
Louisex