Forum Discussion

cher54's avatar
cher54
Member
15 years ago

12 month mammogram

Well blog, I just have to tell you my thoughts & feelings - they say getting it all out on paper helps, so here goes. On Monday this week I went for my 12 month mammogram. So far so good. On Tuesday was my specialist/surgeon checkup appt (why they can't schedule appts for the same day for convenience sake I don't know).

I went into my appt fully expecting to hear that the mammogram was clear, have my physical check up & leave with an appt for 3-6mths down the track - but instead of getting the expected "everything is fine" speech, it was more like "we'll need to schedule an ultrasound & biopsy, as a small lump has been found that needs investigating further - BUT I don't think it is anything more than a lymph node" speech.........

I felt numb - not quite believing what I was hearing... what the???? I'm still feeling "numb" but slowly the reality of what I heard is rearing it's ugly head.....and I'm feeling sick to my stomach - I have to admit I'm getting really scared!!!! and the questions keep churning round and round in my head......How common is it for lymph nodes to be detected in mammograms unless that node is swollen for some reason? What if the extra tests DO find the cancer is back? How will I tell my family? What does this mean as in "life expectancy"? Will I see my grandchildren grow up? What treatment options will I face? So many thoughts swirling round in my head, all screaming out for answers. I've tried to push it all out of my mind till the ultrasound & biopsy which is scheduled for 8th Sept (OH GOD, I've just realised while typing this that that is the date I had my mastectomy last year - is it an omen?)

Anyways, that's how I'm feeling "blog" - sure don't feel any better for writing it down though, oh I sure wish that time would go by so I can know for sure I am "safe".....why DO they make you wait for further testing, it's just not fair......

 

8 Replies

  • Deeay's avatar
    Deeay
    Member
    14 years ago
    So pleased for you Cheryl! Relax and enjoy the weekend. Good luck with the house. Diane. X
  • cher54's avatar
    cher54
    Member
    14 years ago

    Yes, that's right - the ultrasound was clear - the shadow they believe is a lymph node so didn't even need to have a biopsy, yippee!!!.......See my specialist next Tuesday for the official results but I'm only expecting to hear that I will need another mammogram in 6 months to be sure that all is still good & the "lymph node" hasn't changed. Of course I already know that but just getting it confirmed - LOL.  I am so relieved. Thanks everyone for your wonderful words & wishes, I really appreciated them in my hours of doubt & fear...

     

    Cheryl xxx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    So sorry to hear that you have to play the waiting game again- you've been through enough.Gosh,you'd think that chemo would have killed off strays.It nearly kills everything else! I've just done the same as you -culled the junk, sold the big house and now waiting to get the keys to our smaller,single level house next Wed.We are presently on a blow up mattress at our daughter's townhouse with all our furniture in storage.I even quit my job of 16yrs! Nothing like a second dose of b cancer to get the ball rolling.I don't miss my job or my house of 22yrs -very liberating(moving is abit stressful though)It feels good to take control and make changes happen.I hope your results are clear so you can get on with selling up with bc behind you.

                                            Tonya xx

  • Deeay's avatar
    Deeay
    Member
    14 years ago
    And good luck with house an results Cheryl. Thinking of you...... Diane
  • Deeay's avatar
    Deeay
    Member
    14 years ago
    And good luck with house an results Cheryl. Thinking of you...... Diane
  • cher54's avatar
    cher54
    Member
    15 years ago

    Well, only a few more days now till the deciding ultrasound & biopsy (Thurs) & a few more after that to see the specialist for the results. Trying hard to push it all to the back of my mind but failing dismally at the moment (it's late but I just can't sleep). Still haven't told any of the family except my stepmother - why worry everyone (I'm doing enough of that myself). Please pray that all will be good and it's just a hiccup in life. Have my house on the market now, the sign went up today - so I'm trying to keep focused to get the inside tidy for photos on Wednesday & still clearing out tons of stuff - where did it all come from......LOL

    Cheryl

     

     

  • cher54's avatar
    cher54
    Member
    15 years ago

    My cancer was hormonal - ER/PR+. Had a lumpectomy first as I had 2.5cm and 1.4cm  tumours. One sentinal node always proved positive so further surgery for mastectomy of the left plus full axillary clearance. Further pathology on that tissue found yet another tumour that was less than 1cm and not picked up previously. Surgeon said I made the right call to have the mastectomy. What worries me is that this "spot on the mammogram" on the right breast could well be a tumour that was too minute to be detected before now. What baffles me is that the chemo I had should have killed all instances of cancer but we know that this is not always the case. 

    Yes, I know it is futile to worry but we just can't help it sometimes, especially when we are feeling down anyway. I do manage not to think too much about it most of the time - I try keeping busy so I don't have time to think....LOL

    Currently trying to clear out many years of "hoarding" & tidy up in readiness of selling my house which is way too big for me now kids all left home, and I'm not able to do what I used to, to keep up with the general housework let alone the yard. Looking to downsize to a smaller, less demanding home and enjoy the rest of my life as uncomplicating as possible. I'm currently living in the Barossa Valley in South Australia.

    Cheryl  xxx

  • Deeay's avatar
    Deeay
    Member
    15 years ago

    The worst thing ever isn't it. I was lucky (if you can call it that) and had the mammogram and then biopsy in the same week. I then waited a week for the Surgeon's appointment. (got result from GP). Then it was another 3 weeks until surgery. They say its normal and will make no difference to your prognosis to wait a few weeks, but meanwhile you have to try and live a normal life when you are feeling anything but normal!! The waiting was the same 2 years ago when I was first diagnosed. 

    Where do you live Cheryl? What type of BC did you have the first time? Maybe it would pay to line up an appointment with a specialist just in case. You can always cancel if the biopsy turns out to be nothing.

    Lymph nodes swell up for lots of reasons. My daughter gets lumps in them from blocked sweat glands. I know this is hard to do, but try not to worry about things until you have to. Wasted energy! It just might be nothing ok?

    GOOD LUCK!! Thinking of you.

    Diane