Hi all,
I am recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I was called for an early mamogram on 1st March 2012, I felt that this would be a breeze as I check myself regularly and have found nothing to be concerned about, they told me I would have the results in 2 weeks. Just 7 days later a letter arrived asking me to return for further tests, in just 5 days time. I checked myself and found a lump, how could I have missed that? I always check. Anyway went to the appointment, had another mamogram and an ultrasound, the Doctor said she would like to do a biopsy there and then. I would have the results in 7 days, when I came back to see the consultant.
20th March, went along to see the consultant, not feeling ill at all, so not worried, I had rehearsed my reaction:
It's not cancer, ok, so what it is then?
It is cancer, ok, what grade, what stage, where do we go from here?
That was a waste of time, when the consultant said, we have found a lump and it is cancerous, my whole world stopped, then someone was crying, who's crying? can't be me I've rehearsed this. But yes, it's me a complete and utter wreck. Finally managed to control myself, stared intensly at the consultant (couldn't remember his name, but could pick him out in a line of a 1000 people) knew I had to keep listening, this was important, you need surgery, we've scheduled you for 11th April, because the cancer is small (8mm) we can remove it and do a sentinel node biopsy and then give you radiotherapy and Tamoxifen. Your BCN will now take you to another room and go through this with you. We went into a small room, (hated this room) had to listen to it all again, just wanted to get out of the small room. Just wanted to go home to let all this sink in.
11th April, surgery went ok, went home same day, able to move my arm easily, feel pretty good, got another appointment with consultant to get results on 19th April.
19th April, consultant happy with how well I'm healing, told him my arm felt sore inside, he said that's normal and will ease, feeling good again. Consultant then tells me, they've got all of the cancer out and some cells around which were begining to be infected, but the cancer is a grade 3 aggresive cancer, so they want me to have chemotherapy, radiotherapy and Herceptin, apparently the Tamoxifen won't touch my type of cancer, I am ER Negative and HER2 Positive which is why they want to give me Herceptin. Have another appointment with Oncologist to discuss my treatment on 24th April.
24th April, went to see Onocologist, he has explained that I will need AC Chemotherapy, 4 sessions, but I will lose my hair, have nausea and diarrhoea, and my immune system will be affected, so if I feel like I'm starting with a cold or flu symptoms I must call them immediately.
How on earth did I get here? less than 2 months ago, I was just getting on with my life, no major worries, a loving family, great relationship, good job, looking forward to celebrating my 50th birthday, now I'm looking at wigs, scarfs, buckets, days at home that I don't want, what the hell happened?
