Update on axillary clearance

2009-12-18T10:09:29Z

Well haven't looked at the site much this week, have been "proper poorly", terrible cough, sound like I smoke 40 a day and very short of breath. Saw GP this morning and have chest infection, that's a first so on antibiotics, hopefully they will kick in soon. I was supposed to go out for the day yesterday with my friend, but not well enough, just going up the stairs is leaving me breathless, another friend rang and said I sounded like a 90 year old, well feeling like that at the moment LOL.

My specialist nurse rang yesterday, I was discussed at the MDT meeting and have dates to see the surgeon on 5th Jan and for surgery on 13th, at least its not Fri 13th !!!!!!!!!!!!

Well heres hoping the antibiotics kick in or everyone will have their Christmas pressies in plastic carriers and thats only if I have already got them something, might have to be make do and mend this year !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best wishes for the best Christmas ever and a healthy, happy year in 2010

Love, hugs and Christmas wishes to all Jan XX

2nd blog attempt!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-15T19:41:00Z

Well first attempt abject failure got that wrong and didnt actually write anything in the main body of the blog, oh well on a learning curve here hopefully will get it right next time.

Wanted first blog to be happy blog, but circumstances dictate this not to be. Have nodular melanoma diagnosed at end of Sept 09, rollercoaster of appointments, scans surgery etc since then, what happened to my life, where did that disappear too might I ask? Anyway told CT was clear, however on seeing the oncologist he mentioned that I had an enlarged node in my right axilla, original melanoma on right arm, whoops could be nothing, could be something. No one could actually feel this node so after a bit of encouragement from myself as to what exactly they planned to do and when, yesterday being a good time, they decided to do a fine needle biopsy under ultrasound guidance. Doc had a job to find the node, me thinking thats good its gone down, however when he checked on the CT scan he did find it and then stuck a needle in it, then on Monday the unwanted results, it is melanoma so that means axillary clearance, darn and blast (or whatever expletive is your favourite, dont want to offend anyone so feel free to fill in yourself). I now have to wait to be talked about at the Multi Disciplinary Team Meeting on Thursday next, will be referred to one of the breast surgeons and will no doubt have to wait weeks for an appointment to be seen before being given a date for the surgery.

I am really keen to be part of the Avastin trial for melanoma and that means I need to be healed by the end of January as you have to join the trial within 12 weeks of your wide excision, so have explained this to my specialist nurse and hopefully will get a date really quickly. Did say I didnt mind being done this side of Christmas LOL, like that is going to happen, however if they get their skates on perhaps could be done between Christmas and the New Year. Anyway fingers crossed everyone I get it done and will still be able to be part of the trial. I know I might not even get the drug, that I could be in the non drug group, but at least I feel I would be doing something and contributing to the better understanding of this disease.

Will update the blog when I hear, also any experiences of an axillary clearance gladly received.

Love, hugs, best wishes and as happy a christmas to everyone as can be, Jan XXX

1st Blog Attempt

Update on axillary clearance

2nd blog attempt!!!!!!!!!!