I was scared out of my mind when I found the lump, I immediately made an appointment to see my doctor although I was in two minds as I was terrified he's say it was suspicious and need to see a specialist, I was hoping it was nothing, but in my head I knew it wouldn't be. I am a strong person and decided I was going to just get on with it, didn't want to over think things as I would have crumbled. Just once I was tearful and that was when I told my children, but only after I'd been to see the Oncologist and had my biopsy results. I thought why worry them unnecessarily if it comes back benign?
I had several Mammograms, 3 biopsy's and 2 FNA's (fine needle aspirations done on that first visit, and then had to wait 2 weeks for the rsults which was stressful and I didn't sleep well at all. When it came to the results my son came with me as I needed some emotional support and was told the bad news that I had Inasive Lobular Cancer (stage 2), another lump was benign. There was some good news, my Lymph nodes looked clear and they found another anomoly 4mm which needed investigation. The main lump was approx 21mm across, but was told I needed an MRI to get the correct size, which was in 2 weeks. The MRI showed that the lump was in fact 17mm and not 21mm and the 4mm anomoly was in fact nothing to worry about. I had an outpatient surgery appointment made for the 1st of April ( I had pre-assessment appointment 2 days before). In the end I needed to stay in overnight as I didn't have an adult to stay with me for the first 24 hours. I'm glad really as the general anaesthetic made me very woozy. I went home at 7.00am the next morning ( i wanted to be home).
I am now awaiting my results which will be given to me next Monday 13th April, I'm just hoping the Lymph nodes are still shown to be clear and the margins taken out with the lump were cancer cell free. I wouldn't be happy if I needed more surgery.
I was told earlier that my ER and PR were positive 8:8 for both and they said that was the best it could be for hormone treatment, happy about that.
I was also told that I'd need Radiotherapy after my Wide Excision, and that I'd have to travel every day to Leeds (about 15miles away) for 3 weeks mon to fri.
Since I was first diagnosed I have read everything about my type of cancer, treatment and outlook. It has helped me a great deal in understanding whats happening to me and the cancer team at my hospital have been amazing.
Once the treatment is over, I know I'll have to take hormone therapy for at least 5 years, but I'm not thinking too much about that just yet, I want to concentrate on the here and now, deal with everything one at a time. I'm not thinking about the future, not until I have to.
But the main thing is I'm really positive and I tend on staying that way.
08/04/2015 Wednesday
It's now 7 days since my surgery, getting slightly anxious about the results which I should get on Monday 13th April. If they took enough margins I'd be happy and happier still if it was clear of any cancer cells. Also I should know if any of the cancer cells had travelled into my Lymph nodes. Fingers crossed that it's all clear and then it's only radiation therapy and hormone tablets.
I'm not going to pretend it's not been painful as it has been and still is, but it's getting a little better every day and that'll do for me.
I have joined We Are MacMillan Support Forums,http://community.macmillan.org.uk/home.aspx and met many people who have the same specific cancer as me and going through similar treatment and at similar times too, which is a great help as we can share experiences and buck each other up.
Friday 10/04/2015
A little sore under my "op" arm today. I think the more advanced exercises were started too early. It's been pulling and a little swollen.
Good news today, a friend who I've met on the MacMillan forum has been given the all clear with her margins after she had her Lumpectomy two weeks ago, brilliant news for her, just radiation therapy for her now.
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Saturday 11/04/2015
Two days ago I started my more advance exercises and I think it was too early, I was fine with the basic ones and I'm sticking to those for a few days for now. My under arm was a little swollen yesterday and I think it might have been because I was struggling with the harder exercises.
The worst part is when I'm comfortable and for a split second I forget and reach for something, then I feel the pull and my goodness it's sore, I had stopped taking paracetomol as much, mainly because it was hiding the pain too much but have started again.
Still positive :)
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Sunday 12/04/2015
Day 11 after surgery.
Sleeping much better now. Can even sleep on the affected side for a short while. Breast scar is hardly tender at all now, but the under arm is still sore. Still a lot of bruising. Just about to do my first of three daily exercises and still sticking to basic ones apart from the sliding arm up the door and holding for ten, I can manage that. Must remember to "warm down" after because I keep forgetting to.
Underarm quite painful today, so exercising is difficult. Will take it easy today, but back to exercising tomorrow.
Monday 13/04/2015
Underarm and upper arm feeling a bit better today, it must have been because of the exercises yesterday.
Tuesday 14/014/2015
Feeling rough this morning, not cancer related, more a virus. Hope I pick up later, hate feeling squidgy.
Have a doctors appointment at 10.30am to discuss my discharge letter, not sure why we have to discuss it.
Well it turned out to be a question about my Thyroid and not cancer (phew). So I'll need blood tests in a few weeks to determine whether I need to see a specialist. My late Mother took Thyroxin all her life and my younger sister does too, so it's probably likely that I'll do the same eventually.
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Thursday 16/04/2015
Feeling tired today, Doctor has put me on anti-depressants (Citalopram) I've just got over a virus and feeling a little weak still, and that with the AP's could be the cause of that.
Hope I get some energy back soon as my poor house is in need of some attention.
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Friday 17/04/2015
A bit more energy today, although the nerves near my op sites have been a bit painful, but that's to be expected as I learned that the nerves are healing themselves.
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Sunday 19/04/2015
Well one day to go before I receive my results from the operation. Nervous isn't the word.
I hope they got it all.
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20/04/2015
Went to the hospital to get my results. Good news and bad. Good news - clear margins and no cancer cells detected in sentinal nodes, bad news, lump was more aggressive than once thought, grade 3 instead of grade 2. Pleomorphic Lobular cancer which is rare and has a greater risk of recurrence. Will have an appointment on Thursday with the Oncologist to discuss whether I need Chemo. I will decide if I need it once I've got all the information I need.
Feeling a little deflated, but I'll bounce back.
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05/05/2015
Radiotherapy will have to wait, as I have an infected seroma under my arm. The blessed thing burst, which was yukky but at least the terrible pain had eased. Taking antibiotics.
Started taking Anastrozole tablets again.
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06/05/2015
Still no news on my Rad appointment.
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07/05/2015
Got a call from the hospital this morning. I have my first Rad consult next Tuesday 12th May at St. James's at 12.30pm.
Seroma still not fixed, antibiotics didn't work, but it's not as bad.
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10/05/2015
Because of my infected seroma under my arm, I've had to change the dressings at least twice daily. But yesterday I put on a fresh dressing and only changed it this morning, and nothing there at all...yeah! I will wait a day or two to see if it's finally given up the ghost. Hopefully it's gone for good.
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12/05/2015
Today I went for my CT scan and planning for my radiotherapy treatment. That will start on the 26th May.
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26/05/2015
First radiation therapy session today, a little daunting but, it was alot easier than I thought it would be, and the staff there are lovely and reassuring. The only downside was the waiting.
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27/05/2015
Second session done and dusted, all was okay, No waiting today, just sat down and they called me.
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28/05/2015
Third session, was a breeze. Had to wait a while today, but still home withing 3 hours.
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02/06/2015
Six down, nine to go. No problems today.
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04/06/2015
Eight sessions done, just seven left. On the home straight now.
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15/06/2015
Today has finally arrived, I've had my last dose of radiotherapy this morning. I couldn't be more pleased. No more trekking to and from St. James's hospital. The past 3 weeks have been so tiring. Time to look forward now and not back. Onwards and Upwards.
Shaz x
Life is precious, take it in both hands and run with it.
