My Update
So yesterday I had my 2nd colonoscopy in a week....and we know the prep for that is not delicious. First one the biopsies were not taken from tumour (insert head slap here!) Anyway - next week I get my chest port in for chemo.....which I can't start until the biopsy results back..see Oncologist Jan 5th oh plus an MRI next week too...... Until then I deal with the uncomfortable abdomen...no one has offered any comfort really - but hey it's xmas....I think they are all just in the merry mood....I'm not. I'm still so in the dark as to can this be controlled, is it too far spread. After colonoscopy I was mortified when the nurse came to bedside with my results and started reading it out loud for all to hear in recovery...mentioning cancer etc ....I kept saying I can read it myself .....OMG most my family don't know whats going on - until I have more to tell them and this witch was telling the world, very very very unprofessional!! This was in the public system as was urgent, my first was in private one - theatre was all good in both.......I'm not sure how I am remaining calm but my aim is to beat this -
While waiting
The Icon Cancer Centre published some tips from patients on dealing with the waiting for biopsy results, which seem practical and useful....... Here are some of their insights and tips for coping during these stressful few days: Try not to worry pre-emptively about a cancer diagnosis. As difficult as it may be, there’s no point stressing about something that hasn’t happened yet Stay away from Dr Google. Hypotheticals and misinformation can wreak havoc on your mindset. If you decide to do some research, make sure the information is from a reliable source Have a personal mantra. A recommendation from a past cancer patient is the phrase “I am strong and will deal with whatever happens” Spend time with family and people you love and seek help from others when you need to Keep your mind and body busy. Consider participating in some hobbies that you enjoy, such as picking up a good book that you are part way through and can’t put down. Activities like bike riding and bush walking not only occupy your time but make you tired at the end of the day when you’re going to bed Remember that it is better for the doctors to find something now than a year down the track. If they find nothing, it’s a win, and if they find something, this is a win too because your cancer can be treated as soon as possible Stress can be exhausting, so practicing self-care during this time is really important. We recommend light exercise like walking outdoors in your favourite places, eating healthily, resting and pampering yourself so you are the strongest, healthiest version of yourself to deal with your biopsy results What do you say to someone waiting on biopsy results? If you are a family member or carer, you may be wondering how you can support someone waiting for their biopsy results. Here are some tips on how you can help: Simply being there for a loved one waiting for biopsy results can help them remain calm. Sometimes an oversupply of advice can create more stress despite your good intentions Don’t try to solve your loved one’s problems or tell them a story about someone else you know who has cancer. Just let them know you care and are there to listen and offer a shoulder to cry on if they need it
Wasn't sure whether to laugh or run.
I'm afraid this will be a somewhat convoluted post, but here goes. I've been on Warfarin (blood thinner) for over twenty years now, which means either weekly or fortnightly blood tests. Needless to say, even before catching a ride on Stephen King's Cancer Bus, my veins are somewhat buggered. After having a bilateral mastectomy in 2017, with total node clearance on the left and sentinel node on the right, my left arm is now out of bounds for blood tests. I went in to my usual pathology rooms to get my bloods taken, to find both of the usual ladies absent...one lady day off and the other off sick. A casual Dracula's Bride took me through and I extended my right arm so she could take a look. She wasn't impressed by the shitty veins on offer and started sussing out my left arm. I told her that the left side was not to be used and pointed out the usually used, very scarred veins on the right side. She wasn't having a bar of it, and her eyes kept swiveling to the other one (much like my five year old grandson's eyes as they fix on Granny's bag just before I leave...he knows full well there be sweeties hiding there). I explained to her that I'd had a total axillary clearance on the left side and therefor that arm was off limits. She had no idea what I was referring to and asked me to explain what the significance of the axillary clearance was and indeed, where exactly the axilla is. I explained that these were a bunch of lymph nodes, much like a bunch of grapes, situated in the armpit. She then patted my hand and said...."Ooooh never mind dearie...I won't be poking the needle into your armpit....I'll do it here....on your wrist." Between the patronising patting...the "dearie" and the sheer ignorance, I think I should receive a gold star for not slapping her. I did leave and returned today for my regular lady to do the job. Sheeshh....
Suspicious Bone Lesions
After having diep flap reconstruction in Feb 2019 my plastic surgeon sent me for an abdominal CT scan to check a few things out. This appointment was in August 2020. Had the scan. The report also sent to my GP (who is wonderful). The last line on the report commented on suspicious areas on my spine. He then contacted the oncology department at Monash. No one could explain. Got sent for a Bone Scan which showed nothing. This was followed by a PET scan. End result is blood tests are all fine, no lymph nodes affected, other organs fine, no breast area concerns BUT have multiple tiny lesions scattered on my bones - shoulder, spine, pelvis. After the oncologist had consultations with other colleagues I have been given no answers. I am now waiting for an appointment for a bone biopsy by the lesions are so small it will be difficult. Waiting, waiting, waiting for that appointment. Cant say I am optimistic. By the way, still have not heard from the plastic surgeon.
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
HER 2 Borderline Equivocal
I had a HER 2 Breast Cancer and then a second Her 2 SISH test and luckily it was negative. However at the same time the Her 2 negative report states that is regarded as Group 4 Bordeline/Equivocal. Has any one had these results and/or had the test done again because it was borderline?Testing question
My 44 year old daughter has been treated at Wesley Brisbane for cysts in her breasts for years. Now they have found something suspicious in her breast and want to do MRI. She’s had them before but this one needs to be done at a particular time of the month, and she’s had her uterus removed so no periods. They said if it’s not the right time, they will repeat it. She can no longer afford all this. She rang breastscreen and they said all they can do is book a mammogram for October, which is twelve months since her last one ( when Wesley found this lump). Her GP said she needs the MRI but can’t order a bulk billed one. Does anyone know where she goes from here. Neither of us want her to wait till October. She will pay for one MRI if needed but can’t do much more than one.
Back for another scan. Is it or isn’t it
My 2nd round of blood test and a bone scan tomorrow the time has certainly dragged since the question first reared it’s ugly head mets or arthritis or both. Have to wait a full week for results. Going to be the longest week will post the results when I get them. In the meantime I’ll keep amusing myself with Friday funnies and night howls during the long night I’ve been experiencing wish I was clever with advise or uplifting comments
Recurrence Predictor Test
Hi all, This just came up in my Facebook feed and it sounds like an amazing development, that hopefully isn't too far away - scientists at Cambridge and Stanford Universities have developed a tool that can more accurately predict the return of breast cancer cancer within two decades of remission. The researchers explain that there are 11 types of breast cancer and all of them have a different risk of returning or relapsing. The test would soon determine who would need to worry the least about their cancer returning and who would have a high risk of getting a relapse of their cancers. The tool could help guide treatment options and hopefully reduce recurrence rates. The full article is here: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190318/Breast-cancer-relapse-predictor-may-soon-be-a-reality.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2_w0AzjcrVi53zcdkJBIX9AhSkPcU-eTByH9pqdjkNF40LtD07G0IwnMA
