hate the waiting game
Hi, I too have now joined this journey that life has given me at age 42. On 4th june I found a lump on my right breast during my daily shower, I saw my local GP the next day, and so all tests orginised 12th june was for mammogram (uncomfortable but did not hurt like everyone said i could) and ultrasound.
After an ultra sound i had the head radologist come in 5 mins after ultrasound to tell me that he didn't like the look of results and wanted to do urgent biopsy start away and rang my GP to tell him. so next day back for biopsy. Then had to wait 4 days for results. Keeped myself busy during the day but when you go to bed the brain takes over about what results could be. 17th june back to doctors for results and Yes it is cancer. And so the journey starts.
24th june was my first appointment with surgeon at the PA in brisbane. He explained everything that was going to happen in surgery with removing the lump and a bit of extra tissue around it and between 1 -4 nodes removed for biopsy and would have 2 scars from surgery which on booked for the 11th july
1st july appointment for pre admission clinic was told to allow 5 hrs for appointment. yes 4.5 hrs it told for appointment from seeing anaesthetist, pharacist, nurse, medical officer, physiotherapist asked the same questions every time i saw each person, name and date of birth (it is on the paper work infront of them but they ask everytime) then off to get xrays and blood taken.
10th july back to hospital for 4 radiation injections (not fun with no local) then they take pictures for 15 mins then wait 2 hrs and back again for more pictures. then doctor ordered a 3d scan. Then marked for surgery. (never had so many pictures takes.)
11th july surgery day. so to be at hospital at 6am and the questions of name and date of birth start all over again every medical person I saw that morning asked the same questions, (surely couldn't just look at my chart it was on there.) into surgery at 8am and woke up at 11am feeling like I had been hit by truck and ran over and mass hangover. (if only i could remember drinking). And to find that I will have 3 scars because they took a node from middle of chest as well as under arm but they had to cut muscle in chest to get it. (not so fun when you cough or sneeze or get the hiccups). And that they had to take more of my tissue because the lump had branches coming off of it. So now I look like a size smaller on one side.
So it has been just over a week still recoverying from surgery still sore mainly by the end of the day, just have to remember that I can't even do simple things like put elect cord into frying pan because it uses the muscle in chest.
So tomorrow the 22nd I go back for results and treatment plan, I just hope they got it all. I have decided to cut my hair short if they said it will be chemo first but time will tell.
I was wondering if any one has been able to work while having there chemo?
As I work in a department store I only do 5 hours a day but I am on my feet for those 5hrs none stop.
I have taken time off to recovery from surgery but I am due to go back to work on the 30th july depending on results and when treatment starts.