Hi All!

I hope everyone managed to get at least a little bit of respite from the fear and anxiety this weekend.

Vicki - how was the beach hut? Hope that fresh air did the trick for you.

Take care of yourselves xx

I took the kids to the cinema on Saturday, and then had my sons 4th birthday party on Sunday. So I've managed to keep quite well distracted!! 
 

The breast clinic just called, and they've moved my results appointment to 9:40 on Thursday, instead of 11:40. So at least I don't have to worry all morning. It will be school run, then appointment!! Praying for benign results!! Xxx

Positive T way to gooooo! SO HAPPY and relieved for you. What fantastic news. Hugs back at you!!

Bet you feel on top of the world :)

I'm looking forward to Sunday evening when I should be back to normal. Having a sickly day today. Ugh. I've got to go and have a picc line put in under local anaesthetic tomorrow. CBA with any of it, but it apparently will make life easier when it comes to having more bloods taken and chemo put in. 

My wig is way longer and thicker than my own hair has ever been but not full of volume on the top as that would look odd. I'm so looking forward to getting it glued to my balding head! Xxx

Hope everyone is doing well.  Popped on to read some updates.  Sounds as if all you ladies are doing so well.  It's wonderful to read all your good news and also wonderful positivity in challenging times, especially everyone having chemo.  You're all amazing.

I had my mastectomy today and so relieved to finally get it done after a few delays.  It went really well and I haven't got any pain (see what tomorrow is like!) and, surprisingly no drain either which was a big surprise.  I'm straight in with the granny bra and soft prosthesis and I'm channelling Nora Batty with the surgical stocking, but so far it's absolutely fine.  So, anyone waiting for surgery I hope my experience gives a bit of reassurance - it's not bad, honestly.

Results in 2 weeks, another worry, and one last hurdle but fingers crossed!

Hugs and best wishes to everyone x

Hi Mary, 

So pleased to hear your surgery went well and you are not in pain. And no drains! That's a bonus!!

Wishing you a smooth recovery and good news when you get your results.

Lots of love xx

Hi Vicki, 

Thank you! Yes, it's certainly a good feeling!!

Roll on Sunday for you to have some respite from the ugh! Sounds like you are facing it all head on and being such a brave lady!

Wig sounds fab!!!

Hope you are able to have a good weekend.

Lots of love xx

Hi Mary

Well done on getting through  it! You are a superstar. I hope you are feeling OK today also. 

I'm currently in a hospital bed awaiting insertion of a picc line. The doctor performing the procedure is so unbelievably wonderful I'm blown away. He came to see me earlier and what a beautiful and spiritual person he is. He told me an analogy of when you look at a crystal clear lake and you can see fish swimming, but then a naughty person throws a pebble and disrupts your view and the fish disappear. He said that even though it has happened, the fish are still there and your crystal clear view will return soon. Honestly I cried and then he had a tear also. His own sister is going through breast cancer as well so he is doubly understanding. What a guy! 

Anyway hope my procedure is quick and easy. Speak soon and rest up xxx 

Oh Vicki that's wonderful, it made me cry a bit as I feel a bit delicate today.  You were meant to have that lovely Dr, he sounds wonderful, so glad he was there for you. 
Sorry to hear you're in hospital this weekend, I hope you can see some sunshine from your window.  I've read you're going through it with this chemo, but a means to an end I suppose and you will get to the other side very soon.  Keep going, keep strong, I'm sending you a huge hug and best wishes.  
M x

Thank you xx

Aww Mary, you are bound to be feeling delicate. The highs of getting through yesterday followed by the gentle dip of today. Every day will feel different for all of us, no matter what the day has been like. If it all feels too much, we just need to breathe and remember how far we have come already and imagine how strong we will be in another few months time. Let's focus on a beautiful rest of our lives. 

Lots of love xxx

You're so right Vicki.  When I think of the journey everyone is on, and my own journey, I know I have learned a lot about myself these last 11 weeks.  When I think what a mess I was at the beginning blindsided by the fear and the waiting, and now, post surgery I feel a stronger person, and less afraid.  I wish I knew it was possible to feel this way at the beginning, and I hope anyone else starting their journey can take some comfort and positivity from our experiences.  
 

We're not quite there yet, but the finishing line now in sight hopefully.

M xx

How are you feeling now it's close again to your surgery? I must admit the thought of being laid up again isn't a thrilling prospect after starting to feel a bit more normal! Let's hope they get it all this time for both of us.

I had a mini emotional meltdown last weekend but I think that's because I was getting back on my feet and starting to do more and got sideswiped by Covid!!!

How are you feeling now it's close again to your surgery? I must admit the thought of being laid up again isn't a thrilling prospect after starting to feel a bit more normal! Let's hope they get it all this time for both of us.

I had a mini emotional meltdown last weekend but I think that's because I was getting back on my feet and starting to do more and got sideswiped by Covid!!!

Hi GT63

Thanks for remembering. Yes, my SMX, implant surgery and node biopsy is on Wednesday. I am absolutely dreading it. You are so right - it's been so lovely being able to do things again; I feel I am going back to square one. Dreading the drain, dreading them finding cancerous cells in my nodes, dreading having some weird alien foob. I've been trying to keep busy by decorating my daughter's room but it's never far away. 

PCR tomorrow then weird dye injection on Tuesday. On the plus side I've lost 1/2 a stone as feel vaguely sick most of the time :laugh:

When is your surgery? Will it be affected by having Covid? Hope you are feeling ok?

x

Do let me know how you get on. Mine's on 4th April. I'll have PCR on Friday coming so hopefully will be clear - 

Good to keep busy where we can, I'm still not fully operational physically though after my last surgeries and the itching is driving me insane! Also get a sensation in my nipple like someone is trying to tweak it off every so often :cry xx

I've done so many lfts that my nose is really sore now! I will definitely let you know how I get on - I'm sure it won't be as bad as I think. The 4 week wait has felt like 4 years!

Sorry to hear you're not fully operational yet - hopefully you'll be better after the next one.

x

Really sorry to hear you had covid. Hope you are feeling better now 

Are you waiting for another surgery? And have they said that having had covid will delay this? My husband has tested positive today. He's now banished to the bedroom to try (probably in vain) to stop me from getting it. Am due surgery on 7th April which has already been delayed cos surgeon had covid!

It's tough enough isn't it without throwing covid into the mix!

Hope you have a good rest of the weekend! Sending best wishes xx

Just had a call from the hospital to cancel my surgery for tomorrow as surgeon has Covid. I am so upset and angry - have been waiting 3 months and put my life on hold for the past 2 weeks - missing out on so many things with my kids and farming them out to other people. Had a melt down yesterday as I'm on the edge and now feel like I'm not going to have the surgery at all. I just can't take any more of this stress.

Hi Bubblesmum. 

I am so sorry this has happened to you. The waiting and expectation then being let down so late in the day must be horrific.

We're they are to give you a new date?

Sending hugs and best wishes xx

Oh Bubblesmum I'm so sorry to read this.

I totally get how you are feeling, you must be devastated. I had my surgery last Friday and that was all I thought about - not getting Covid, or the surgeon.  I'm sure it was only by luck that I managed to get it done.  I'm just so sorry.

I know I'd be on that phone daily to the appointments clerk or secretary demanding to know when they can give you a date.  In my mind this shouldn't be happening - Covid happens but they should have a back up surely.

Try to stay calm in the knowledge that there will be no harm in another week or so and you can get this done.  Thinking of you.  M x

So sorry to hear this. As said, they should have some back up. I've got my PCR on Friday ready for Monday and waiting to hear something or not is so difficult. Then also the worry of the surgeon getting it :confused:

I do hope you get your date soon and you can start to move forward. Thinking of you x

Hi Bubblesmum,

I am just checking to see if you got your surgery and how you are!

I have read this whole thread form when Mary started it, for the last hour or so. I feel like i have got to the end of a good book.... only to realise that it's not actually the end! I want to know how everyone is doing!!

I googled about wait times for biopsies of microcalcifications and this was the first thing I clicked on. I'm fed up of playing the waiting game now  

I went to see my GP on 7th Nov 2021 as I was concerned about my right boob - it was achy, tender and had changed shape a little - my nipple had changed direction, He said he would refer me for a mammogram. I had the Mammogram on 14th November 2021  The radiologist sowed me the image of the right breast and pounded out an area which looked pretty much like a pea, she explained it was a cluster of microcalcifications deep into my breast. As I'm 53 she asked when and if I'd had a routine screening mammo, which I had  She told me they would request the image from the Breast Screening service and if it was a new thing I would be having a biopsy but if it was present on my last one then I wouldn't require a biopsy, I saw the consultant who echoed her explanation. I left the hospital somewhat bemused but at the same time relieved that the hospital was being thorough. 
With Xmas looming, I tried as best I could to push it to the back of my mind and on the whole managed to achieve just that as I was busy with the fledgling business my middle Daughter and I started in October. Xmas came and went..... then New Year  I'll admit that when my Daughters were all asking if I'd heard anything from the hospital every day, I was saying 'No news is good news, if it was anything of concern they would have contacted me by now'. That said, by mid January I was starting to think I should have heard something either way. I found the number for the breast screening service for my area and called them  I asked how long it would take if a hospital requested a copy of a mammogram I'd had with them - the answer - Immediately! The lady I spoke to explained that if it was requested via email it would be sent straight over in a couple of clicks, it it was via a phone call, they'd receive it within a minute of the call ending! She gave me the the information i needed to check with the hospital if they had requested the mammo in the correct way - email, telephone number & extension, she was so lovely bless her. Next call was the Consultants Secretary, she took the information and said she would call me back - she didn't  Anyway, this frustrating game of tennis with my right boob lasted 3 weeks. I eventually received a letter from another hospital with a biopsy appointment for 7th March! Long story short (kind of as it is already a long post!) it is now the 3rd of April and despite being told the results could take 2-3 weeks as the lab is backed up - I'm still waiting!

Reading through this inspirational thread, everyone has said the waiting is the worst part, in my case it most certainly is. On the 7th April, it will be exactly 5 months since my GP made the referral and I am still non the wiser. Im glad I found this thread containing the intricacies, twists and turns, ups and downs of each individual journey.

I so hope you and the other ladies on this thread are doing well

Hugd

Dee

Hi Dee,

Welcome to this thread.  I'm so sorry to read that your journey has been such a long one, and that you are still non the wiser.  It just doesn't seem fair that you have been kept in limbo like this.  It must have been very difficult and you sound as if you have been very strong.  That's a big achievement in itself.  You're right, it's the waiting that's the worst.

I had my biopsy done a week after they found the calcifications.  That was because mine were graded as indeterminate which is mid way between being ok and being dodgy!  It all depends on how the calcifications look on the mammogram, shape, clustered etc.  Apparently once they are spotted the radiographer can grade how risky they are, or not, and many calcifications can be benign.  They are very common I've learned.  Anything that is indeterminate or above is always biopsied.  I wonder whether the delay with you is because your calcifications were deemed to look very low risk?  You can phone the clinic and ask how they were originally graded.   If they weren't on your last mammogram (mine weren't) then they will biopsy as they won't have an image of the calcifications to compare. 

Covid has hit waiting times but I now think that's a very weak excuse.  My clinic seems to be catching up, and whilst busy, I've never had more than 3 weeks to wait for biopsy results.  I think you deserved more prompt answers than you have had.   I had delays as I got a second opinion on my pics as they found another area of calcifications and I had to have another biopsy and surgery was cancelled.  Half term hit and before you know 3 weeks can pass!  Despite those delays my consultant told me we were still within the guidelines of 12 weeks which is the acceptable timescale at our trust to diagnose and treat breast cancer.  It seems to me that your wait of 5 months is a stretch too far. 

I wish you well and hope you get some good news when you finally get your results.  There is every chance you will.

Take care.  Mary