I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last Wednesday and although it was a huge shock three days later I find that I have come to terms with it and that I just want to get it dealt with. So, here I writing to help me vent my frustrations, I feel like a grumpy old woman! The mammogram and scan showed that not only was there a lump that is cancerous but there is a shadow which needs to be investigated. This calls for a ‘core biopsy’ which at the initial consultation it was suggested that this could take place Mon/Tues this week and the follow up consultation on Wed – fine not too bad. The reality is that the ‘core biopsy’ is Friday and the follow is likely to be next Wednesday but this is not confirmed, resulting in surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy, depending on results) w/c 15th again not confirmed. My real frustration is that when we saw the consultant we specifically asked about going private so that this was dealt with quickly, it’s nearly Christmas after all (see I still have my sense of humour!), only to be told that this would not speed things up because I would need to be referred to another consultant. Once in the system it appears that you cannot easily change, it is like turning a massive tanker.
I know that I will probably be laid up over Christmas and that I should take the opportunity to get organised now, I have two weeks and this is generally enough. But and this is a big but I cannot get motivated I find myself with a sense of inertia wanting to know what is going to happen before I plan anything. Am I alone in this?
FormerMember
Dear Tigger, It's a normal reaction, once you know it's there you just want the ba----rd thing out of your body. This need overwhelms every other aspect of your life. Good luck lindaj
Sorry to hear about your news. I too am waiting so I can understand what it is like. I went for a scan last week and was told they thought it was thyroid cancer. I am having biopsys tomorrow and the results next week. They have said that I may be in for Christmas for my operation.
I think that the hospital has reacted very promptly, only it took seven weeks for me to been seen by my doctor, after they referred me.
I have been up and down too. I have found that keeping busy by working and seeing family has taken my mind of things. I have also been busy Christmas shopping as I had planned to get all my Christmas shopping done early this year... but never did I think it would be for this reason!!!!
Thank you so much for all your replies and support, I knew there were loads of people out there in a similar situation. The knowledge that you do come out the other side and that there is hope is invaluable to me at this time. I have also discovered through some of the other blogs that you do not lose your sense of humour and life carries on!
I had my mastectomy 3 . years ago today and to be quite honest I didnt really feel ill after the op at all, I quite enjoyed my 5 days in hospital, the staff were great and the rest was lovely.I came home and enjoyed Christmas as usual, had Christmas dinner at mums but had everyone back to ours a few days later and enjoyed it. Its when the chemo starts that you feel it.
All the best, its hard but believe me its not the end of the world!
I am sorry to hear of your news although I notice that you posted some time ago. I have only just logged on again after a post-surgery infection has put me out of action for the last two weeks.
The waiting is a real pain. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in early September, had a mastectomy on the 9th October, an auxillary clearance (lymph glands removed) on the 20th November and will not even see the oncologist until the 6th January. This potentially means that my time out of work will be nearer 9 months (should I not be able to return to work between chemo treatments) and not the 6 that I had originally anticipated. This is also a long time to be without a second income and we will struggle financially. It is also very hard when one has a young family and as you say, difficult to plan things such as husbands work and school runs etc.
I read in one of the Sunday papers about Trisha Goddard who has had breast cancer who went for a general check up where they found a lump in her breast on one day and she was in surgery for a lumpectomy the following day. That is the difference in going private but I suppose that you need to be in that system from the beginning. The sugeons are of course usually the same as on the NHS - provided that you don't mind waiting for them.
I hope that now some time has passed and that you are progressing (hopefully with minimum treatment) that you are finding things speeding up a bit.
In the meantime, I really hope that you are able to enjoy Christmas, one thing about my hold ups is that at least I will be at home and as well as can be for the next two weeks.
