Skin checks
This is just a reminder to get skin checks along with every other checks ✔️ we all do. In some cases breast cancer has links to melanoma. Chemo too can bring out skin issues. I had 3 melanoma before my skin cancer diagnosis in 2020. I have had a history too of abnormal cells in many of my moles. Post breast cancer and chemo I have had 2 more malignant melanoma ( one recently diagnosed) and a SCC. I am ok as these are detected early. I am waiting for surgical removal in July. The message is to get your skin checked so if any issues arise they can be found early and treatment is available.
Good and bad news
It has been 3 years since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, this week I had my annual check up my mammogram, ultra sound and a bone scan are normal I have been on Tamoxifen as well minimal side effects Bad news 3 surgeons have advised me to I need a major spinal and knee operations with in 3 months, I am of the opinion the cure is worse then the problem maybe non surgical treatments are the way to go time will tell Regards Stork
Oncologist number 3. A winner finally.
So after sacking oncologist one and two for having the people skills of a cranky nesting magpie, number three looks like a winner. This is the first time I have left an oncologists office without being upset, frustrated or just seriously pissed off. Finally, someone who was willing to listen, was empathetic, yet straight down the line. I now have an all girl team. Which would be awesome if they would all stop having babies along the way:) She actually congratulated me on making it this far on HT. The drop out rate is pretty high within the first year or so apparently. Best of all, she is cool for me to continue the regular breaks on it. Yay for onco number 3 and a big tick for my 2 yr post chemo check up. Hugs to everybody xoxoxoxo
Anxious weekend ahead
Well ladies I haven't posted on here for a while but do check in and see how everyone is travelling fairly regularly. I had my yearly check up today after having last years go smoothly, feeling great (other than the usual back pain and occasional nerve twinges from Rad damage etc), seeing my Oncologist or Breast Surgeon every 3 months expected all to be ok. I am now sitting here after having a biopsy under my Aux arm, they found a couple of anomalies in my scans and given my history Grade 3 Stage 3 triple positive BC , decided a Biopsy was the best option. The radiologist believes it may be just scar tissue but he and my surgeon want to make certain. To say that my anxiety levels have now gone up a few notches is a bit of an understatement, won't have the results til Monday. I have had a pretty anxious week as a friend has gone into palliative care after her BC metasised after 4 years clear. I visited her last week and that shook my reality up a bit, then I started getting sharp pain across my chest area where I had Rads so yesterday had a chest X-ray ( my friends came back in her sternum) thankfully my lungs, ribs etc were all clear. I am now shitting myself at the thought of having to maybe go through this again but know that at the end of the day if I have to, I have to. I know that there are many of you who have faced the dread of yet another Biopsy coming back with bad news and there are many that have had the all clear from it just wish we didn't have to wait. Patience is definitely a virtue I don't have a lot of , trying not to stress is something I also don't do well at, glass of wine will be definitely had tonight hell maybe even 2!
ANXIETY LEADING UP TO CHECK UPS
I tell myself to use mind calming techniques and strategies as well as physical exercise but I still get anxious when it comes up to my repeat ultrasound/mammogram and the anniversary of my original surgery even though it is not until 1st December ............... this year will be three years post early diagnosis, lumpectomy and only three weeks of radiotherapy. It just seems that every time I have tests done, I end up needing biopsies again and so far anything found has been benign but, every six or twelve months it seems to happen over and over. It is a bit like Russian roulette it seems and I can't help wondering when the results could turn out different. My situation is so easy compared to the journeys others have had but that still does not stop the anxiety each time. If there are any other ways of coping I would like to hear them.