I feel so fortunate that my cancer was caught early, that I thought I might share my cancer journey which although it has been hard and stressful at times , has been an example of exactly why we have breast screening and how amazing our NHS can be, and hopefully give some people starting out on their own similar journey some hope and positivity .
I attended my first screening mammogram in February this year , never of course imagining I would be recalled . Two weeks later the recall letter dropped on the mat - " your mammogram was unclear , we need to do some further tests " appointment was not for 12 days , and so my googling commenced !! I couldn't feel any lumps , had no changes to the skin or nipple , I went from it's nothing to this is cancer and it's spread already , aches and pains appeared , and seemed sinister , I could hardly eat or sleep. I was an anxious wreck .
Breast clinic appointment followed - i was on my own due to Covid - it was very obvious right from the word go that they strongly suspected cancer - the staff were lovely but gently firm that I was to expect a cancer diagnosis- I was examined , mammogrammed and ultrasound biopsies were taken of an area 14mm in diameter . I left there numb and in shock - I drove myself home but I don't know how .
I returned one week later for results , this time my partner could attend . I was told I had Stage 1(19mm) Grade 2 Lobular breast cancer , Er+ , her -ve . Treatment would be a lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy , then radiotherapy and tamoxifen . Chemo was also a possibility depending on sentinel node biopsy . The diagnosis was delivered so sensitively by the consultant and nurse and strangely I came out feeling relieved as I felt it could have been so much worse - bizarre feeling to be relieved when you've been told you have cancer .
4 weeks later in for day surgery , had a magseed placed a few days prior to surgery , so no need for a guide wire , and the radioactive trace was administered once I was under the anaesthetic, so no extra stress . The scar is about 1.5 inches long on a natural crease . They managed to remove lump and nodes through the same scar . Got home that night , I needed painkillers for a couple of days and wore a bra day and night for a couple of weeks but felt fine .
Results were scheduled for 2weeks later , but I needed to clarify an appointment with my breast care nurse after about 8 days , and she told me my results were already in and were really positive . Tumour was only 14mm , clear margins and no spread to nodes - I felt and feel so unbelievably fortunate .
I saw the oncologists and commenced on Tamoxifen- horrible night sweats but otherwise no side effects , and have recently completed 5 days of Rafiotherapy - ( deep inspiratory breath hold technique - I was nervous but it was not too bad as the radiologists coached my through it )
I am tired , a bit red and swollen , a little sore , emotionally a bit battered and bruised but I really do feel so fortunate. My timeline from diagnosis to finishing radiotherapy was 13 weeks and 2 days - which during COVID is really amazing .
The instinct when you are in this situation is to google everything but it only stresses you out , Talking to others going through similar on forums is so helpful . Believe in your team - - - they are doing the absolute best for you .
Apologies for the length of this post - I hope it is even a tiny bit helpful to someone .
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