Jolamine

Thankyou  so much for your reply and your kindness. I am using your example of living after cancer to calm myself down. I am also using this time at work to prepare my work to handover should I need to, which will greatly reduce my stress if it does turn out to be cancer. Keeping busy is certainly helping. The only problem is nights as that is when my brain runs away with itself.

can I just ask what I can expect at the results appointment. I am debating going on my own as I usually do better on my own, but my husband is keen to come with me. 

So sorry to hear you have found yourself in this limbo of waiting. I hope you can keep yourself busy, maybe even ask the doctor for something to help yourself sleep in the interim. My anxiety is still high but I'm managing better because I can get some sleep.

Best wishes xx

Thankyou Vegmum

I have spoken to my GP this morning and they are going to prescribe me something to help me sleep in the short term. I'm fine during the day, it's just at night.

take care
 

Glad they were sympathetic. Xx

Hi Meadow,

Nights are always difficult. Some people find that mindfullness helps. Steer clear of the computer and television for at least an hour before you go to bed. Try going through the alphabet with a different girls' name for each letter, if you are still awake at the end of the alphabet, try boys' names, then either repeat or try something else like animals, countries, etc. You can also count slowly backwards from 100-0 and repeat this until you fall asleep. Other people listen to gentle music or read a book before gong to bed. 

By the sounds of things you have plenty to keep you occupied throughout the day, but it doesn't all have to be work. Do you have any hobbies or pastimes,that you could get involved in?

It is always best to have someone with you at your results appointment. Even though you think you are prepared for a cancer diagnosis, this always comes as a shock. I always write down 2 lists of any questions I have for my consultant - I keep one myself and give the other to my hubby. He writes down all the answers to my questions. When you get the news, you will be in a dwam for a few days. You will find your emotions change from one minute to the next . You will be in denial one minutel, then questioning  'why me', then angry that it is you the next.

I usually do better on my own too, but found it very helpful to have my hubby with me. I also found it helpful to involve him in the questions for the consultant, as he brought up some that I never thought of. You will forget most of what is said before you leave the hospital grounds, which is why I now write things down. Even throughout this pandemic, most hospitals have allowed people to bring someone with them for their results appointment, so they obviously find this helpful too.

At the actual appointment you will be told whether or not your biopsy showed up any cancer, if so what type of breast cancer it is. Assuming that it is positive, you will then be told what type of treatment your care team has discussed as being the best one for you at their MDT meeting. Sometimes this is quite straightforward and at others you will be given choices eg. lumpectomy versus mastectomy, reconstruction or not, what type of reconstruction you might choose, post-surgery treatment, side-effects of treatment, etc.

All of this is a lot to take in when you're still reeling from shock.

Please remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thankyou for your kind reply Jolamine. I have been knitting a blanket for my dog and planning my veg garden for the year as a distraction so far. At night I have been listening to an audiobook which at least gives me something quiet to do in the wee hours plus I have listened to some fantastic books. 
time is already flying and I am sure my appointment will be here before I know it, I will feel better able to deal with it all when I know exactly what I sm dealing with, if anything. 
I will probably decide about my husband in the day, I can't bear to think about it just yet. 
 

again Thankyou for your kindness, what a lovely kind knowledgable forum this is. I will update as soon as I have any news

Hi Meadow,

It sounds as if you certainly won't be short of things to keep you busy. Talking books are a great idea. Regardless of the outcome, it does become much easier to deal with once you know the outcome. Don't shut your husband out. This is a journey that affects both of you. You will find it much easier if you travel the road together.

I look forward to your update and hope that it's good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Just as a update, I have been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Today they did bloods and X-rays, I will be called back in to have a marker put into place, a CT, then meeting with oncology to discuss chemo. Plan is for chemo to shrink then surgery. 
I am so relieved to finally know. Everyone at clinic was amazing. 
also want to say Thankyou for all those on here for all your positive thoughts and support. 

Hi Meadow,

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It takes some time to absorb this fully. No matter how good or bad a diagnosis is, it is aways a relief to know what you are dealing with and how you are going to fight it. Getting the marker in place is purely routine, as this will help your care team to locate the exact place to target.

Have you discussed what surgery you are going to have yet and, when are you likely to have this? The staff at the breast clinics are usually really helpful - I'm glad to hear that this was youe experience. Here's hoping that you don't have too long to wait for your CT.

Please let us know how you get on. Don't forget that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx