deja vu

What s..t you have been dished up!  You go girl, you have no choice!  Good luck, love, strength.  Ann x

So sorry you are having to go through all this again. I'm nearly 7 and a half years since diagnosis and am thinking that all is well, but stories like yours show that we shouldn't be too complacent.

How I remember the 'stinging nettle' feeling. Aarrgghh how I hated that lol. Small price to pay though eh lol.

I wish you all the very best with the treatment and hope it all goes well.

Take care, Christine xx

Morning Shonologo, hope Sunday brings a little bit of a perspective for you today- the sun is trying to shine for us all.  You have stirred emotions in me and obviously Christine above re second diagnosis and when I read your comment about keeping a look out I wonder what you were talking about - listen to our bodies - in what way?  My diagnosis was in 2007 - mastectomy/axillary clearance grade 3 5out of 20 lympnodes grade 3 also.  I couldn't have chemo as caught infection after first dose of FEC and nearly died from infection.  By time I got well enough it was too late to have chemo.  Had radio and Herceptin though.  I'm not 100% and always mention this to my onco. and he says theres no evidence of anything at the moment?!  When I go for check ups I am just asked  how I'm feeling, given a little prod and told to come back in 6 mts?  Is that right?  Do all you ladies with breast cancer have the same experience or are you at least given a full blood test/xrays?.  Anyway, please keep us informed how you get on, even if its to rant and rave at us - that's what we're here for.  Thinking of you and wishing you all you wish for yourself and more.  God bless, good health and lots of strength.  Ann x

Thanks Christine and Ann, its good to speak to others who understand your situation.  Had  a lie in today breakfast in bed watching the an Andrew Marrs show - my best.  

Listen to your bodies - ???  I would say that I started getting a niggling feeling around August last year. I was suddenly feeling more tired. The fact that I was aware of it "niggled"me. However my dad was not too well and I was doing a lot of running to and from my folks house.  I also had an occasional very mild "tingle" in my breast. As soon as I concentrated on it it seemed to go. However this tingling had been something I remembered I had experienced the last time.  I also felt my nipple was taking longer to "centralize" (if that makes sense) after taking my bra off. I went for my annual check up. Every year I would go in Aug for my check up with the oncologist and Dec for my mammogram. I mentioned my concerns to the oncologist who did a "feel around" check and was happy that everything was ok. I was then distracted looking after my dad and pacified knowing the mammogram would happen in Dec.  

The mammogram came and went and results said all was clear. They did however request I have an ultra sound as there was an area they wanted to look at more closely.  By now I was convinced I could feel a small lump and the tingling was more pronounced. At the Ultra scan I explained this, even saying I knew the area where they wanted to look.

After a thorough check I was  told this was purely a mass of normal tissue. I was sent home. "I'm 100% sure everything is normal" I was told. Because I questioned the fact that I could feel a lump and was still concerned. I was told I would be brought back in 4 months for a repeat of the ultra scan. "purely because of my history and to put my mind at ease."  

However, after 2 weeks of this playing on my mind I decided, it was my life and no one else was gonna fight for it but me.  So I wrote a letter to my oncologist - delivered it by hand - explaining what had happened and how I felt. I also asked if it would be possible to have a needle biopsy on the "area" that I was feeling.  

I must say she was very quick to respond.  I had the biopsy within a few days, and the results within the hour - cancer.  

I think its important to know HOW YOU NORMALLY FEEL.  Be aware of subtle differences especially if you think there may be an underlying reason -

Think most check ups are similar to yours.  I would say if your concerned at all - ask for a blood test - if just to put your mind at ease.

Again thank you - hope thats of some help. Staying Positive Kate.

Thank you Kate and thank god you did listen to your inner self.  You are amazing and I wish you well for the journey ahead.  God bless, Ann x