Hi Jolamine,

That's reassuring. I assumed that once it had spread it couldn't be trerated but just managed in some way.

Debs x

Hi everyone,

A quick update. I had a call from the hospital yesterday with an appointment for my body scan this morning (they had a cancellation). You were all absolutely right - it was so quick I didn't have time to worry about anything!

I also have an appointment for a bone scan on Monday, which is a bit of a surprise although my husband said the consultant did mention it. I was probably too busy panicking about the body scan. It does look a lot scarier than the CT scan I've just had but I'm sure I'll manage it. Will let you know how it goes.

Debs x

Hi Debs,

That was probably the best way to get your scan - no time to think about it! I'm glad to hear that you didn't have any problem with the scan itself. If you managed that, you'll have no trouble with a bone scan. 

It depends upon how far a cancer has spread, as to how treatable it is. Most can be treated. It is only the very advanced and widespread ones that pose a problem. Even when these are deemed to be incurable, they can still be maintained for several years and controlled as chronic conditions, thanks to the ongoing development of  sophisticated new treatments.

I shall be thinking of you on Monday and hope that all goes well.

Keep in touch.

Jolamine xx

Hi all,

Well, I went for my bone scan on Monday and had a major panic attack and practically ran out of the hospital! I just couldn't face it. My consultant originally said that if I was struggling with the thought of the body and bone scans that we could go straight to the operation so I called his secretary on Tuesday to ask if I absolutely had to have it. She said that there was a Multidisciplinary Team meeting today and she would let me know after that. I had a missed call/voicemail from her this afternoon to say that they they've discussed my case and I have an appointment with my consultant on Monday afternoon 'to go through the results and discuss onward management'. I'm now really concerned because they're talking about 'management' rather than 'treatment' which suggests that my body scan has shown that it's spread. My lumpectomy has been provisionally booked for 15 October.

Hopefully, I'm reading too much into this and it will all be fine but I have a horrible feeling that things aren't quite as straightforward as originally thought.

Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes on Monday.

Deb x

Good morning Deb,  was it a nuclear body/bone scan booked that you couldn't do?  I really do find these one claustrophobic.  I make them put like a wedge pillow thing on my chest so I know the machine won't touch me.  Hopefully they can see everything they need to see on the CT scan.  I am really hoping and praying that all goes well for your appointment with the oncologist on Monday.  You need to get through this weekend.  I know it is easier said than done but try and keep busy and keep your mind off it.  Is your husband going with you on Monday?  I definitely would take someone with you because like you said your husband heard and remembered things you could not.  My husband always comes with me to oncology appointments and remembers to ask things that I don't.   So I will be thinking of you.  Let us know how you get on on Monday.  Big hugs.

Lee x

Hi Lee,

Yes, it was the nuclear bone scan - I didn’t even get as far as the injection and feel quite embarrassed about the whole thing now. If he insists on me having one then I’ll speak to my GP to see if they can give me something to calm me down. I know I can be sedated but would really rather not be. 

My husband is coming with me on Monday so I’ll have support. I’ll let you know how it goes. 

Have a lovely weekend

Deb x

Hi Debs,

I am so sorry to hear that you didn't even get as far as the injection, as this should have been the last piece of the jigsaw to give your care team a complete picture, giving them the best chance to plan the optimum treatment for you. If this is going to affect your treatment in any way, you could certainly have a word with your GP about sedation - a number of people do this before tests. It would be a good idea for you and your hubby to draw up a list of questions before Monday, as it's all too easy to forget something important in the heat of the moment.

Try not to dwell on the nuance of treatment versus management until you speak to the consultant on Monday - this could be just a slip of the tongue. I always took my hubby with me and we went armed with 2 copies of questions. As I asked the questions, he wrote down the answers, as most of us forget about 80% of what is said during a consultation, before we leave the hospital.

Thinking of you and wishing you well. Please keep us in the loop.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Good luck today Deb.

Lee x

Thanks, Lee. It’s not until later this afternoon but I’ll let you know how it went. 
Deb x