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Susan1101's avatar
Susan1101
Member
14 years ago

Still numb

Tuesday 27th ... long awaited second meeting with McYummy & it's not the news we were hoping for.
The MRI test results shows the tumor is as large (2.5cm) as he suspected & group meeting of related specialists all agree that chemo is the way to tackle this first.
Although the invader itself is that size, the area affected is 5cm x 5.5cm & is growing. He can also feel something in a lymph gland.
So more tests & an appointment with the Oncologist to arrange... and this could take another 2-3 weeks.
I SPAT IT!!!!
No way ... I can't wait another 2 weeks - I just can't! It's already been 5 weeks since I found this little lump & now a full quarter of my breast is affected.
It hurts, my head aches, I can't sleep & I don't feel like eating. Please don't tell me I have to wait .....
Nothing he can do .. out of his hands .. even if surgery had been recommended first his waiting list is 4 weeks.
THIS SUCKS EGGS!!
Fortunately, the wonderful team in the breast centre at Royal Perth were able to work miracles.
CT scan & bone scan were scheduled for the following day & Oncologist appointment is on Monday.
So CT & bone scan have been done.. another 5 hours gone.
Hopefully the receptor results will be back for the appointment on Monday.

From there we meet the Oncologist & hopefully work out a treatment plan.
It's still all surreal ... and I'm starting to feel unwell... not because I am unwell ... but because this stress is just getting beyond belief.
To top it all off ... my GP has gone on holidays so I can't even call him :'(

Now - I am going to work & I'll pretend I'm as brave as everyone keeps telling me I am.
I don't feel brave ... I feel like an actor in a soap opera......

 

3 Replies

  • Melg's avatar
    Melg
    Member
    14 years ago
    Just wanted to say good luck with your oncologist appointment tomorrow. Will be thinking of you Mel xxx
  • Joy_K's avatar
    Joy_K
    Member
    14 years ago

    I went to a research group lecture yesterday where they discussed neo-adjuvent chemotherapy (before operation). They are getting great results in shrinking tumour size so the surgeon can get clear margins when you finally have your operation, sounds as if this is the way to go for you.

    The results of your scans will determine the treatment best for you. Some women with estrogen positive breast cancer are started on either Tamoxifen or one of the AI's if past menopause, before chemo and before lumpectomy or mastectomy.

    There are different treatment protocols depending on the staging, size and type of your breast cancer, hopefully all results will be with your Oncologist (or is it still with your McYummy Surgeon?) on Monday so you can plan your treatment, once you've got your head around this and can start thinking about on-going treatment, things actually start to get better.

    With love

    Joy K

     

     

  • Melg's avatar
    Melg
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi So sorry that the news you got wasn't what you were hoping for. There always seems to be some little surprise lurking in the background ready to knock you down when you finally start to feel you're moving forward. Hopefully when you find out your treatment plan at your oncologist appointment you will feel a bit better in yourself. As for the feeling brave... It's easy for well meanIng friends to praise you for being brave or strong or positive but remember those of us walking the path know we often don't feel brave... We just keep trying to get through our day putting one foot in front of the other. Allow yourself to have poor me days, to cry and be scared. That is all so normal. When you have the results back you will know what you ate dealing with and can celebrate the clear scans etc. Just remember that there are positive good outcomes for women who have node involvement... It's not the worst scenario. I was devastated to learn after my node clearance that the cancer had spread from both breasts to both lots of nodes... I looked for the positives... My bone scans and ct were clear. Hope you feel better in yourself soon. Thinking of you Mel xxx