Scan day freaking sucks......yet again. Probable curse words included.
With only minor trepidation and my shit mostly together I went to clinic today to get my results. I stopped to give a co worker that had just been diagnosed (MOFO BC) a hug and a shoulder to cry on for a bit while we were waiting. I heard my name called and promised her she would get through and I would be happy to help if I could in any way. She thanked me with that smile you put on when you are trying so hard not to burst into tears and your heart is aching as I waltzed on in to the doctors office. Well the whole thing went sideways and turned into me leaving work in a shaky, teary eyed mess. My goodness this thing still rocks you when least expect it. Here we go again with another fucking ambiguous result about the mystical eliptical thingamajjigy that has taken up residence in the rogue boob. Said thingy has decided to grow 2mm in 6 months. BIRAIDS score now moved up from a 3 to a 4 and hey lets poke a needle in it this time. This presents a problem. Considering the MRI is still the only machine that can see thingy (again it can't be felt by anyone either) and it's positioning, it is probable that a biopsy can't be done in the MRI machine. Still waiting on an answer for that one. So do we just poke around in there and try to hit it?? Cut it out or off just for the heck of it? No body is prepared to say it is anything sinister nor are they prepared to say it's not. Seriously, can someone please tell me how, for the love of god, you can have 4 MRI's, 4 mammograms and 6 u/sounds in a period of 12 months and still not know what this is or isn't. So as it sits, back to headlining the MDT on Thursday to get input from group of guru's as quote "my breast don't scan normally". Another targetted u/s on Friday. And wait for an answer on whether the biopsy can be done by MRI. Waiting waiting waiting yet again. Fuckity fuck fuck. I am sick of this roller coaster. I want to get off and my money back. Mental status right now = somewhere between zoned out numbness and seriously pissed off. Strongly considering ostrich tactics at the moment. Thanks for listening. :/
What do bone Mets feel like?
Hi Gals I was diagnosed almost a year ago with stage 3C DCIS - (Beryl for those in the know!) Beryl was pretty busy and managed to have 13 not so darling babies (lymph nodes). So a mastectomy was on the table and as I was awaiting test results for BRAC gene I decided to go for gold and do two for the price of one - I do love a bargain! Results of the test came through the day after my surgery and I was indeed positive for BRAC2 gene. So Beryl and her kids had been rendered homeless and I had the usual chemo, rads and AI’s to ensure they did not come back. All was good until about 3 weeks ago when I started to feel persistent pain in my rib (same side that Beryl and the kids popped up on). I have a CT scan on Friday but just wondered if anyone could describe the pain. I have pain that comes and goes (mostly there) and goes from a sharp pain to a dull ache. I am hoping the Beryl has not decided to return! Any advice?
Scanxiety - does it ever REALLY go away?
Does Scanxiety ever really disappear? I think not. It is 4 years in Nov since my ILC tumours were found, by accident, by my GP - as the rural BreastScreen Bus screens totally missed it ..... TWICE. Rural breastscreen buses do not have 3D mammograms - only 2D ones - and they are unlikely to pick up Invasive Lobular Cancer (that does not present as a 'lump' ....) and any cancer is almost impossible to 'see' in those with Dense Breast Tissue. If you don't know what breast tissue type you have, get your Surgeon/Oncologist to tell you - as Breast Screen NSW refuses to do so. If you are able to pull up a pic of your Mammograms .... you'll actually SEE if you have dense breast tissue, as much of the breast will showing as 'white' (rather than fairly clear) and as cancer also shows up as 'white' ..... the dense breast tissue hides the cancer. What followed was 2 years of anxiety as I had a recall on my first anniversary scans, which luckily, were benign .... but being rural, things all take longer to happen. Altho I had my surgery within days of seeing the surgeon (10 days after my diagnosis on Jan 5th was confirmed) it had taken 2 months to get to the diagnosis, with my biopsy being done between Xmas & New Year. The following year, the biopsy was on Xmas Eve .... so 2 x Christmases/New Years - totally stuffed!! For this reason, I brought my scan dates a month early to October - so that if anything needed doing (ie biopsy) I wouldn't be in the Xmas Rush! SO .... I head north today for my annual Mammogram and Ultrasound (luckily, having the resident specialist breast Cancer Radiographer doing both!) I'll take hubby with me & will probably even take him into the clinic room with me (if allowed) to keep an eye on him as he has mod-severe dementia. Otherwise, I'd need to arrange someone to sit with him, if I left him at home. Up til this morning, I hadn't really 'thought' of the scanxiety .... but then it raised it's ugly head again! grrrr. I am not expecting any adverse results - but with this beast, you just never know! I see my Rad Onc next week, also up north - my 2nd last visit to her - next year being Year 5 since detection. Wish me luck!!
Need some positive stories!!
Hi Ladies, I need some advice and reassurance!! This is a LONG story so grab a cuppa! So was home in Ireland over Christmas and was having pain in my chest. (I had just completed a 10 week metafit bootcamp before I left) had put it down to getting back into exercise properly and probably muscle pain etc... Went to see my fabulous oncologist and he said that I should do MRI and CT scan just to rule anything out! Scans came back all clear except for an enlarged thymus gland (which was also enlarged in 2017 before I started treatment so probably just my genetic make up) So he took it to a team meeting and 7 other said it was insignificant change and no need for further investigation. BUT my onc is very thorough and sent me for PET scan yesterday. He rang me this evening to say the thymus gland is all good but there was a slight yellow colour under my left arm (cancer was that side also axillary clearance on that side) He is now bringing it back to the team on Thursday to see if we need to do an ultrasound or biopsy!!!! So finally my questions....... sorry if they seem like stupid ones but I’m shitting myself! if the other scans were all clear is there still a chance this is cancer??? What else may it be? I have cording in the armpit and down my arm would that light up with the tracer? Is it always cancer if it shows colour?? Does scar tissues light up?? I’m a mess because 4 weeks ago we were celebrating 2 years clear and now this!!
Best Christmas Present.
Today I saw my oncologist after having CT scans of organs and a bone scan. I had changed chemo to Caelyx last October and this was the first scan on this treatment. For the first time in over a year my tumour markers are coming down. A couple of bone mets in my skull bones have disappeared and others have got smaller. The latest was mets in 2 of my lymph glands which are now also shrinking in size. What more could you ask for! The side effects are not that pleasant but it's worthwhile putting up with them. I think the Christmas Spirit is starting to kick in. Wishing everyone a happy Christmas.
Triple negative and liver lesions !
Hi all, I have not been on here for sometime. Quick refresher I was diagnosed with TNBC in jan 2018 had lumpectomy no cancer in lymph nodes went on to have chemo then radiation and regular check ups. My check up 2wks ago I had tenderness in my abdomen (liver) so was sent for ultrasound which they have found lesions on my liver and are now sending me for a CT scan for a better look . Has anyone else had this issue I am so stressed as I usually am (scanxiety)I am to scared to look anything up on Dr Google As that makes me worry more. I am hoping that it is nothing .
Scans
Hello all, Im just wondering if any one can share their stories as far as follow up scans. i was diagnosed with breast cancer in feb. Had right mastectomy with expander, have just completed chemo, will be commencing rads in 2 weeks then will organize a date to have reconstruction.... question is... when will they re scan to make sure all is clear?? I’m not getting any solid answers from anyone I am really wanting to get a scan at the end so I can get some closure. Thank you xxxxx
Bone Scan along with 3yr mammogram and ultrasound
By way of a little background I have been getting pain in my ribs off and on for a couple weeks so I was sent for an xray which didn't reveal much. The pain started on the right side in a rib bone directly under my right breast which had the cancer. The last couple of days the left ribs and muscles are sore. I really felt it yesterday picking up my grandson and my night time i had pandadol and a glass of wine. So today my Doctor requested i get a bone scan. I have arranged this for next Wednesday and I have my annual mammogram and ultrasound on Friday so get all the results together next Saturday 4th February. I am in my third year after diagnosis. Today as well my hubby got home from hospital after cancer was successfully removed from one of his kidneys and he is recovering well and resting. I guess I am unloading here as my husband has his own recovery battle ahead. I am a bit upset and anxious but I am ok. I know all the things to do, keeping busy doing things I like , walking, meditation etc. I know not to jump the gun and this could just be nothing at all. Just need a little support and encouraging words please.Season Finale to "Scan day Freaking sux"
A lot of you will know my ongoing soap opera with the elusive eliptical thingy appearing on my MRI's. So after what seemed like an eternal three months after the excisional biopsy I went for the follow up scan. Another two weeks of waiting between scan and results due to limited clinic times....thank you COVID! Interestingly enough I had no jitters. I had pretty much made up my mind that if that thing was still there and did not look like swiss cheese at least, that it really wanted to be there and I was not going to worry about it unless I got a definite yes it's nasty. Anyhooooo.....IT'S GONE and pathology benign! I would have hugged madame BS if I had been allowed to. She's a very good shot considering she was pretty much flying blind. Who woulda thought something as disgustingly named as fat necrosis would be so welcome! Ya bloody hoo. End of chapter. Lotsa luv to all xoxoxoxo
