Sorry for hijacking your post but I see you are having the oncotype test too. I am waiting for results. Like you I was told rads then tamoxifen until after surgery and this changed as there was met cells in my lymph node. Praying for a low score!!
Hi Livvy - I am on roller coaster with you but a Few carriages back! I am also in North East England. I got diagnosed yesterday - in both breasts and also lymph nodes - I need one more biopsy on crystallisation to determine if I have another form of cancer too - if I do it will be mastectomy! I am hoping test is negative as then the cancer can be treat with lumpectomy instead (this is so much to deal with). I get my final treatment plan after results of next biopsy but radiotherapy and chemo have also been mentioned to me. Although this is better than the period between biopsy and result, it is still very hard - how are we meant to feel? I have not cried much but feel like it is always there, surreal like it is happening to someone else - I think it may feel more real once I get dates for next procedure at which stage I will probably panic! I hope that you have your next steps planned x
to be honest at the minute it's all going over my head. I'm waiting results of onco test. I was it would take 3 weeks and it was 3 weeks yesterday. Like you say Its like it's happening to someone else. I'm just hoping that I don't have to have chemo. I live in the North East as well. South Shields. I've had a couple of melt downs. One at my first app although I knew it was BC. And another when chemo was mentioned. Then I tend to shelve it. Proper roller coaster this. Waiting for the next dip.
Hi Livvy - it really is awful isn’t it! I am not far from you - Houghton-le-Spring, and often on South Shields beach with my dogs - I have been finding lots of comfort in walking them along beaches lol. Hope you get everything planned soon - but consultant told me appointments pretty much booked due to xmas hols so prob looking at Jan now x. I have lots of meltdowns too - but we are dealing with a lot!!!!! Xx
How are you doing since the diagnosis? I was diagnosed end of November and surgery is booked for 7th January. Just wondered if you have your treatment plan yet x
i don't have dogs but like you I get a lot from walking along the beach. Normally head for seaburn. I chose to work after I retired and enjoyed a busy life. Soon as I was diagnosed I stopped working although I still keep up my interests. At the minute I feel that everything is on hold. My surgeon and Cancer Nurse are lovely and really helpful. If I haven't an appointment by Monday I will ring Sharon my Cancer Nurse. She rang me last week and seemed surprised that I had not had an appointment. I'm writing this at 4.30am. Woke up and can't get back to sleep. Part of me is not stressing about the app as I don't really want to know. Lol
keep in touch with me. We can maybe meet for a walk or a coffee sometime.
Hi Livvy - I am at same hospital! And seaburn is my normal beach of choice - easier sand to walk on compared to Shields lol. Have you had surgery and just waiting for results to see your next course of treatment? I am still working (I am 48 so not yet at retirement age lol) - although I have not done much of that for last 3 weeks lol - aiming to go back to work next week as I suspect I will be taking lots of time off next year as I have the surgery still to look forward to :( . A walk/cuppa would be lovely at some point - hopefully when we both know our full treatment plans. Yes - lets stay in touch and let me know how you get on with the team - I think you def need to give them a call xx
i was diagnosed on 4th Oct. I had lumpectomy on 13th Nov. My plan was lumpectomy and radiotherapy. There was no lymph spread and I had 4 nodes removed which confirmed this. So all good so I thought. However my cancer was 5cms. Anything over 4 cms they send a sample off to America for an onco test. BC has a strong tendency to reoccur. This test gives a score of likelihood of reoccurance between 0-100. Anything over 25 means chemo as well as radiotherapy. That is the result I've been waiting for. I have a horror of chemo having sat through most of the 37 rounds my friend went through with ovarian Cancer. And the thought of losing my hair is just horrific. I'm older than you but a very young 60's. I had no intension of
retiring as I worked as an independent Social Worker. A job I loved. I had to stop taking HRT and I'm crucified during the night with hot flashes. I never get a full nights sleep now which wears me out.
if your having lumpectomy it's a pretty straight forward procedure. I had op at 4.45 and was back home by 9pm. I had minimum pain and discomfort but was not allowed to drive for 2 weeks. It's all go with appointments up to the op. Then back within 2 weeks for results. I more or less feel back to normal now. A bit swollen in L breast and a bit numb under my arm but that's wearing off. The cancer is all gone but it's the thought of the next horrors to come. I try not to think about it. I know one thing if it's chemo I will need an ultra glam wig and false lashes
