More waiting...

Hi Jen.. Thanks for your support... I actually missed your comment I went offline for a while realing from everything that was going on.. Yes it is hard travelling to Perth for every appointment.. and it doesn't help when they get it wrong... I have had my surgery and thought I was OK... Had a MX on the left breast with TE and told Sentinal node was clear but with my last appointment they said "Sorry" but path has come back with a small amount of cancer so you have to go back to surgery... Couldn't believe it... So off I go back to Perth on the 20th May for node clearance and not looking forward to it... I know I'm not alone and so glad for these forums.. even if no one listens.. its just nice to vent a few things that are on your mind... oh by the way I'm North of you... Geraldton Born and Bred.. :)

Hi Karen

I can sympathise with you on the waiting part, but luckily I only live 15 minutes from the hospital.  I'm not sure about your experience, but when I had my lumpectomy in January this year it was only 1 1/2 weeks from my diagnosis. It all happened so fast and like you the surgeon couldn't tell me anything really about the extent of the cancer until after it was out and they'd performed the tests on the surrounding tissue and the lymph nodes.

 I ended up being in the gray area for chemo (the tumour was 15mm, clear margins, with clear lymph nodes, grade 2), so they left the decision up to me as to whether I wanted to have chemo, mastectomy or radiation.     I of course had no idea what was best for me, however I saw my mother go through chemo for breast cancer only 2 years previously and I really didn't want to have it unless there was a clear benefit for me.  I ended up getting the Oncotype DX test and the BRCA test done to help me with my decision.  I waited 6 weeks to get these test results back.  The waiting is very very hard, you have to put your life on hold and it's very difficult to not get on the internet and read every possible horror story.  

Once my results came back I burst into tears because I finally had my treatment answers and it all became so real.  I didn't have to have chemo nor did I have the faulty BRCA gene so I have commenced tamoxifen and am starting 6 weeks of radiotherapy in April.

I know it's hard, but I try and look at the waiting as a chance to draw breath and regroup between treatments and appointments.  

Myra

Hi Karen

Sorry you are on this rollercoaster none of us really wants a ride on!

I know how you feel....as I have been through all the tests, waiting, treatments etc & like you, live nearly 4 hours away from Perth too! Being so far away really adds to the stress & trying to juggle kids & work by attending all the appointments etc is exhausting! Plus the added pressure of not knowing what's going on or what to expect.

I jumped on this ride in July last year.....had a month overseas then final diagnosis in Sept. (Check out my blogs if you like) but just wanted to let you know you are not alone & others on this fabulous site understand your frustrations & are here to support you. Btw....where do you live? 

Take care .... Jen x