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
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
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
Current Breast Cancer trials in Australia
This just popped up in my news feed this morning ...... you may like to follow it - or just be aware of what clinical trials are currently being 'done' https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/current-clinical-trials?fbclid=IwAR3g-ipBDFGcTtu1Ez5JM8FcNMw-cYrhBCN_IFJwcOSv_H8i9SzBTbscwA8
Trying to remember the whole one step at a time mantra
The last few weeks I have had to tell myself to take a breath and take one step at a time. My 50th birthday was a complete bust. Ended up in an ambulance with a trip to hospital and not from anything fun. Missed out on having any bubbly, due to severe stomach pain after a few weeks of having problems swallowing foods and liquids - something I had initially put down to reflux. But the pain was unbearable, worse than childbirth. So tests, tests, and more tests and lots of pain meds. Then biopsies of the duodenum (small intestine) after CT scan picked up significant thickening in sections 1, 3 and 4. Problems with the procedure meant the doctor could only get biopsy from section 1 of the duodenum. So now MRI, Barium swallow and other tests this Friday and next Monday. Gastro doc suggested that having HER2 positive breast cancer meant there was an increased risk of bowel cancer. Has anyone else heard this? Fingers crossed the thickening is something like inflammatory bowel disease instead of the big C. On the upside, I've lost 4.5 kgs in 2 weeks. Pathology from the first sample won't be ready until Friday, so now I'm playing the waiting game while enjoying a liquid only diet. Forgot how horrible the waiting game is. Hope everyone is doing ok. Nadine