Hello from a new member of the family

Today I joined the army of people sitting around different waiting areas, carrying my belongings and my "gown" as we went through the various tests to find out if we had breast cancer. Some were, like me, totally new to the routine, others were at various stages in the journey and one lady was given the great news that she was still clear of her cancer five years since her treatment ended. 

I already suspected that my symptoms of strange lump, pain and puckering were caused by the big C, so I wasn't surprised when the lovely consultant showed me the first ultra sound scan with its big black area where there should have been breast tissue, saying it was pretty definitely cancer, and proceeded to tell me what would happen next. 

What did happen over the next two hours was quite unpleasant and painful and I now have a 12 day wait to find out exactly what we are looking at regarding type of cancer and treatment. Strangely enough I have no feelings of fear for the future, although twenty years ago I had a scare that saw me fearful and tearful, now I'm an old dear I'm just cheesed off that I will have quite a lot more unpleasantness to face. I'm one of those boring people who don't often get ill, so when I do I'm the patient from hell, or so my daughter tells me. I admit to being grumpy if I'm ill for more than two days. 

I have read a lot of the posts, here, during my wait to go for the tests, feeling like an outsider looking in, but now I'm in, too!   I suspect future posts from me will be less upbeat, but I would like to record my experiences here, and to share others' experiences, too.

  • Hi Vee,

    Just wishing you all the best for today. Please let us know how you get on.

    Christine xxx

  • Happy Friday, Caroline!

    Sam, apologies! I should have realised that with all your cycling and exercising, that you would already have the body of a supermodel.

    xxx

  • Hi Christine, Caroline & Sam,

    Hope you are all ok and behaving yourselves? Thank you for remembering today x

    The result of the 2nd biopsy didn't reveal anything sinister. Just breast tissue, all is 'normal' I hear. Huh! I think I can safely say I'm anything but normal :laugh:

    So 25th Jan, I see Oncology to sign chemo consent form, have picc line put in, and have a chat about possible hair loss, nausea, etc...

    BCN said chemo usually starts 2 wks after 25th Jan. It's all of a sudden becoming very real and I must say a little scary. 

    Take care ladies

    Much love

    Vee xxx

     

  • Hi Vee,

    that is great news. Sam is your lady to give you the low down on chemo. But we are here to support! 
    Well done on today xx

  • Morning ladies,

    I hope all is well with you. 

    I forgot to mention that an MRI was booked on the 14th Jan, which I didn't expect to hear from them for at least 1-2 weeks away. However, on 17th Jan, I got a short notice cancellation, who asked me to attend the same day. After the MRI, I asked the radiographer how long the results will be. He told me it wouldn't be long. 

    I missed 2 calls from the hospital yesterday, as I was shattered through not sleeping properly the night  before. I did call the hospital back on the number they called me on, but it comes back as invalid. I'm worried and anxious as to why the hospital would call me 4 days after a scan if it wasn't urgent. On the other hand, the hospital didn't leave a message for me to contact them! As its the weekend, I doubt I'll hear anything until Monday. Maybe it was something to do with my Oncology app on 25th Jan. Who knows?

    Take care ladies 

    Much love

    Vee xx

  • Hi Vee, 

    I work in a hospital and know that the number that they call out on isn't one you can redial. Maybe give a call to your bcn and ask if they know anything about the missed call. And like you said, if it was urgent they would have maybe left a message with a number you could call back. 
    Caroline xx

  • Hi Vee,

    Hoping all goes well today,

    Christine xxx

  • Hi Christine x

    Hope all is well with you 

    Thank you

    Vee xx

  • Hi Vee

    Long time no hear!  How are you and what is happening?

    This isn't a demand for info if you don't want to discuss it, I'm just a bit worried about our new friend.

    love

    Christine xxx

  • Hi All, 

    I'm sorry to gatecrash your post but I've been up since 4.30am panicking and doom scrolling! 
    I'm booked in for surgery on 24th Feb, mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction and removal sentinol nodes (not sure if that is right term or something I picked up from the matrix ) But I m worried about everything, what to pack for hospital, my bmi was over but consultant said it was fine, but will it really!? When I'm home how will I sleep with drain etc? I live with fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and chronic pain so I'm obsessed with sleep or lack of it what happens to the drain when you're at home? If anyone can spare a minute for any advice I will be extremely grateful  

    Many thanks

    sam