Forum Discussion
The Journey Begins
Last Monday 30th May, 2016, I attended my first Mammogram after picking up a brochure at the Dr's surgery whilst I was waiting to get my results for blood tests, just doing a checkup to see where my hormone levels were at as I have started Meno. I booked it in after I got home and went along to the bus in Camden. The Radiologist was so nice and she did a few extra scans as Im a bigger girl and she thought it was a good idea... (Im so pleased she did).
On Monday 6th June, I got a call from the Liverpool Breast Screen Clinic to come back in for a follow up. The Breast Screen Nurse was amazing (Sam). She said that something had shown up and they wanted to do a followup Mammogram and ultrasound. Of course this then put the stress levels up.
On Tuesday I went into the Clinic and was pretty much seen straight away... they made me feel less stressed. I first met the other Breast Screen Nurse (Debbie). She explained what was going to happen. Mammogram, Ultrasound and then a Biopsy if needed. I had it done and there "IT" was, 2 spots side by side in my Left breast, I then had the Ultrasound. The Radiologist was also excellent, she made me feel comfortable however nothing was about to stop the tears from flowing as she explained what she was seeing. She explained the size, shape and asked if I had seen dimpling .. (nothing). I check my breast regularly but found nothing.
I then saw the Dr and he was just amazing... I said give it to me straight.. he did... He examined my breasts and then the question ... did you feel anything.. his reply.. NO.. so the Mammogram was it.
I then went for a break for an hour and came back to have the Biopsy... the Dr was great as well as Sam. They warned me that I could end up with a Haematoma and I did.. the 3rd sample hurt but now my poor boob is bruised and red and blue... but it is nothing compared to what it could of been.
I am now waiting for the results to hopefully come back on Tuesday and then the decisions will happen.
Watch this space!
Latest News from 14/6/2016
Today I had my follow up appointment at Liverpool.. what an awesome bunch of girls and Dr's.
Well, It is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Stage 2A... no lymph node involvement. 3cm (not as big as they thought) Stellate carcinoma's x 2. Very prominent on the scans... So tomorrow I need to see my GP for a referral to a surgeon and see where I go from here. I have decided tho to have the breast removed and if I can find a surgeon to remove the Right one I am going to do the whole thing with a reconstruction. There is no stuffing around.. i do not want to be going through this again in 5 yrs and wondering if and when it is going to come back... and it is no good saying .. oh it might not. well it will and it does. Im being realistic and with the way my life is (which I enjoy) I dont want to be having these feelings again, ever. My decision, My body.
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question.????..
Chemo and Radiotherapy... when does this normally start post OT... 2 weeks, 4 weeks etc...
My Surgeon said I could end up doing 3-4 weeks 5 days a week of Radiotherapy but wasnt sure about Chemo..
thanks so much Kath for your advice.. i am starting to realise that i might need a plan B and C... I will be looking at my super as well cos i guess at this stage I dont know what is going to happen after the mastectomy and if I need chemo or radiotherapy and getting there and home and doing everyday things.. My job is not hard but I do have to travel with it.. Im a Clinical Facilitator and the Uni's have so far been awesome and even said they will send Students to the Aged care Homes around where I live just to get me back to work if I need too.. Im hoping Sept will be right to go back ..
This is so bloody hard...
ah geez... that is a worry cos they are saying no node involvement at this stage... so fingers crossed when she does the sentinal node removal there is nothing.
Hi Kester,,
Again the waiting .. the last 2 weeks waiting is the hardest part.. Waiting for the results,... waiting to see the Surgeon .. then the waiting to get it all done.. ahhhh
I see the Surgeon on Tuesday and then my Breast Care Nurse said she might want to do it in around 2 weeks... so quick .. so soon... so much to organise ..work and life...
I wish you all the best and will be thinking of you
Single ;)
Kathy ...just letting you know that I took about 6 weeks recovery time with bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. I really found it very painful and being a bilateral. I had no wound complications either but had nerve pain from the sentinal biopsy and required lyrica to settle that down. I was shocked out how exhausted I was (but I also had a flare up of my Graves disease and hurt my back in hospital due to movement restrictions). Then if course in week 6 I started the AC part of chemo...and I really couldn't work during this treatment. I too am a Nurse....I currently work in mental health...and knew I was not in the head space to do it. I have been able to claim trauma cover from my life insurance which meant we could pay off the mortgage and I didn't have to work if I wished. My employee has been wonderful and happy for me to work for an hour if that's all I could do. But presently I don't want to. The mental recovery is probably just as hard as the physical one. We are all different...I am just saying you might need to have other options in mind. Your superannuation might have options also. I took some LSL also. My major treating hospital in Adelaide was my training hospital and I found that comforting (its where my nurse husband and I met) my current treatment is at the hospital I work at now in Broken Hill...some days this is hard but mostly it has advantages. It's just hard to have an anonymous day there. Have plan b and c ready. We nurses always like plans in place. Kath x
I was diagnosed the same and opted for single mastectomy. I was assured by my surgeon from scans there was no node involvement. The doctor who did the breast biopsy before surgery also said the nodes were small and there was no need to do any lymph node biopsy.
The surgeon did the mastectomy and conservatively only took the dye highlighted sentinel node and no others. BIG mistake as on biopsy the node did have cancer with no clear margins so it was back into surgery and they took all of my nodes some 18 to 19 worth. No other cancer was detected in them. I can't help thinking if the surgeon had taken say 5 or 6 at the initial surgery I might not have required a second op.
I know... very vloody inconvenient this BC. No manners or timing ??
Do not worry much about Uni... it will be there still when this is done.
Right now concentrate on the surgery, healing and whatever therapy is aftwrwards. Do not take me wrong - worth still making plans and going ahead just do not forget to give yourself a bit of breathing time and slot in some rest and relaxation pauses in there.
That July getaway sounds lovely and providing it works arround surgery and post op appointments I would not be cancelling it... I only wish I took a week to get away between surgery and chemo to recharge batteries instead of trying to cram to much work in there...
Hugs
Jel.
sorry Nikki..
did you have a double or single mastectomy??
thanks for the words.. and this is how I feel now...it was like a weight off my shoulders to make the decision on Tuesday night ..I then shared it with my family last night over a family dinner and it is good for everyone...
I love what I do for my career and what I do out side of that and this will not change that.. just put me behind the 8 ball for a bit..
