Hi Steph

Good to hear your news - worrying time for you with second mammogram but so glad you've got good news.  

I'm doing ok - family being very supportive but I think I will feel better after Monday when I have more definite plans put in place.

New phone very nice - bright red so I shouldn't loose it or drop it down loo hopefully!

Take care

Mary x

Hi Mary,

you ok? Did u find out what the plan is going to be for treatment? X

Steph x 

Hi Steph

Not so ok to be honest!  Was told today the biopsy shows Grade 3 cancer which apparently is an invasive aggressive type so instead of the treatment I thought I'd be having I will need to start chemotherapy within the next two weeks - I go to see the Oncologist on Thursday afternoon to find out more.  I will have six rounds of chemo over four and half months then have op to remove lump.

I'm trying to get my head round it all but will just need to get on with it and at least things are moving fairly quickly.

I don't really know much about cancer so I have put a post on here to see if anyone knows what the letters and numbers mean - I had the sense to take a photo of the sheets the Doctor was reading from and looking at them tonight but need to suss out the medical words and meanings!

Thanks for thinking about me

Mary x

Hi Steph

Just a wee update after Oncologist visit last Thursday.  I'll be starting chemotheraphy Thursday (4pm on 6 August) - eight sessions in total with one each fortnight.  Op to follow but not sure yet how long between chemo finishing and then having op.  Decided to book hairedresser to get my hair cut short on Wednesday so when it starts falling out wont seem so drastic - if that makes sense!

Grateful that Hospital is only twenty minute walk from home - it is reported to be the best cancer specialist Hospital in Scotland and they do seem to be moving at a pace (even if at times seems forever when you are the one waiting to hear results!).

Hope all ok with you.

Mary x

Hi, I too live in Scotland but a bit further south than you so I thought I would say Hi. I was diagnosed at the beginning of May, initially with a small tumour so initially had a lumpectomy however it went a bit downhill from there! I had a re excision and finally a mastectomy, so I've had an operation a month. I have lobular grade 2 which seems to be a sneaky one, so it turns our the tumour they saw was bigger than they thought and I also had two more. However my lymph nodes were clear and the margins were well clear after mastectomy. I see the Oncologist to discuss further treatments next week.

it has been difficult going through this with Covid, all the isolating etc but I think it possibly helped me too as I never seemed to have to wait long for surgery as they had cancelled a lot of other surgeries. My first one was done in a private hospital which was nice but maybe spoiled me for the rest, being made to sit in a waiting room in DPU for hours was not much fun!

I do have to say that my husband has be able to come with me to all my appointments except the very initial exam, he was waiting for me and allowed to come when I went back in after the mammogram, ultrasound,  biopsy etc obviously once they knew it was cancer. It would have been so much easier if he had been able to wait with me on the surgery days too but that second pair of ears at the appointments is so important, sometimes I went off into a daze trying to take stuff in so maybe ask again if you would like someone there to support you. 
 

I hope that everything goes well for you, I have heard very good things about your local hospital, I think I will be heading there for radiotherapy shortly.  I think that you are in the very best of hands for your journey through your breast cancer treatment and although your journey may be a longer one just keep sight of the end result when you are free of cancer, there are so many encouraging stories fro those who have completed their treatment x

Hi Morley 

thanks for getting in touch.  You've been through such a lot and I do hope things are improving for you.   Did you have chemo as well?  
 

Nobody was allowed to come with me for first appointment but I thought it would be ok as I hadn't expected to hear the result that day but I did.  They said husband could come to second appointment which I thought was only going to be to discuss the treatment plan they had said I was likely to have - lump removed and radiotherapy.  But of course not how it worked out once the biopsy results were known.  So it was good he was there as i hasn't really been expecting to hear what I heard. I did see the Docs file and saw Grade 3 written before he said anything but still I thought they'll take lump out and radiotherapy!  I'm allowed to take someone to the first chemo appointment but not for the rest.  
 

I have a notebook which I keep writing questions in as I think of them and write notes when Docs saying stuff -like you I go off into a daze at times so it keeps me focussed to be writing. I also write name of Doc I'm talking too otherwise I wouldn't retain that either!

please let me know how you're getting on and many thanks for sharing your story.  
 

Mary x

Hi Mary, 

I'm not sure about chemo yet, apparently I'm 4.2% on NHS Predict which is in the grey area but I pretty sure I will decided not to have it, will have to see what the Oncologist says. 

Hopefully chemo isn't too traumatic for you, at least hubby can hold you hand the first day and Im sure everyone you meet there will be very supportive too.

Morley x 

Hi Mary,

Thank you for taking the time during this crazy time to update me . Aw that’s brilliant that treatment begins so soon. It’s so encouraging to hear you have a solid plan and things are moving at a good pace. How are you feeling about the chemotherapy now you’ve had a little time to process it? I think you made the right choice cutting your hair. It’s doesnt seem to drastic that way and helps you appreciate it’s just hair!! I would have done the exact same thing . 

Thats very convenient you live so close to the hospital as well. Having to travel far would have added such stress to an already stressful situation. I have also heard that hospital has a fantastic reputation for their treatment so this is all very positive to hear. 

Good luck on Thursday I’m so glad your husband can be there with you for that initial treatment. I will be thinking of you. Sending a huge hug to you Mary x

take care 

Steph xx

Hi Mary,

i just wanted to check in, see how you have been after your first chemotherapy session. My thoughts have been with you. 

Hope your ok

Steph xx