Well my story so far.
Found a lump in my breast. Saw GP 2 weeks later. She thought it was a blocked duct but got me a fast track referral to the breast clining.
So on October 20th 2008 I had a mammogram which showed calcification in the breast and the armpit.
One ultrasound scan later, then a needle biopsy under arm and a biopsy of the lump (which was agony as the anaesthetic didn't take) and go home (in great pain, two bus journey on the rattliest possible double deckers over every speed bump in Western Southampton). The area still hurts some.
So 9:10am on Thursday the 23rd I saw my consultant and am told it's breast cancer. The nurse makes me an appointment with an oncologist for 3pm same day.
Now the oncologist went through the planned treatment but I didn't think to write anything down. Wish I has as I really need more info.
As far as I can remember it's 5 months of chemo. I'll be starting on (can't remember name :( ) every two weeks. It will be through injection into vein and take half an hour.
Talk of MRI scan, bone scan, ECG etc and then had blood tests taken.
Well it's Tuesday now. I was told chemo would start Thursday but haven't had the appointment through. So I phoned them and got told the time but am otherwise in the dark about what's happening.
Have a bone scan appointment for November 5th.
I'm feeling quite irritated about not having the information I want and that's making me a little nervous.
FormerMember
oh this is how all of my problems began just the same only i went for screening thinking it was a blocked duct. You feel, when first diagnosed like the end of the world has come - i felt shivery, desperate i couldnt believe it, but once you are in the system and it feels like months before things really get going - all the scans etc first i know how you feel and sending a big hug to you. My oncologist recommended this site and am so glad as you get so much support and help and a much needed laugh from the wonderful people on here.
Ring your breast care nurse if you need something clarified thats what they are there for and they are so helpful. I had chemo first for 6 months just finished the last one and waiting for surgery date. Sorry the anaesthetic didnt work on your biopsy that must have been so painful, mine was swollen for weeks afterwards even with the numbness of injection so that must have been awful for you.
Take heart love, we are all in the same boat here and its a great place to rant and rave if you need to we all do it, if there was a gold medal for moaning i would win it lol.
Keep in touch on here and let us know what happens next we are all behind you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It can be so frustrating to be in the dark. Reception should have given you a card with your appointments on it. Chemo reception might be different. They should have given you some paperwork telling you what chemo you will be on, then you could look it up on Cancer Backup and print it out. They gave me printouts, and I could read them at leisure.
I hope it goes well and you should have been told more. There may be a local cancer group that can support you.
Good luck Gerbs, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. You've hardly had time for anything to sink in, so the questions you need answers to probably haven't even had a chance to form as yet. I'm glad to hear you are planning to get as much information as possible, it should be recognised that you've landed in very strange and scary territory without time to take a deep breath!
Keep in touch here Gerbs- I don't think you could find a better place to find information, support and/or somewhere to let off steam. It was good to meet you in chat last night.
Hey Gill, good luck for tomorrow sweetie. I think you will be having AC (Doxyrubicin and Chlorophosphomide) or similar, as you said it is being given by syringe.
Hope you don't suffer too much, and feel free to bother me for info whenever you fancy!!
