I’m at the beginning

Hi Shambles123.  I think once you know for sure what you are dealing with and have a treatment plan in place, it does get easier.  Are you having a liver or bone biopsy?  I had a bone biopsy on my pelvic bone, it was CT guided and they went in through the bottom of my back.  Maybe it would be better if you did go back to work on Tuesday to keep your mind busy for a while if you can.  Good luck.

Lee x

Hi Lee, thanks for your message. It’s a bone biopsy. Not sure if they’ll biopsy the liver or not.

it’s a rough ride. I think I’ll go in, but I’m a teacher in quite a challenging environment, so I’ll just have to see how I get on.

Hello Shambles123,

A warm welcome to the online community, although I'm very sorry you have the need to join.

The stages of diagnosis after the initial scans are often the most difficult to get through until you have more certainty and a treatment plan to start fighting your disease. I hope the biopsy results are available soon so you can start treatment.

As far as work is concerned, I agree with Leelaloo  that it might be a useful distraction. I worked as much as I could throughout all of my cancer diagnoses, treatment and recovery and found it took my mind off things instead of sitting around worrying. Obviously we're all different but it might be worth a try for you if you feel up to it.

The Macmillan online community comprises cancer specific forums and once you have a firm diagnosis I suggest you join the relevant one for discussion, advice and support. If you have any problems finding the right one let me know and I'll send you a link.

With my best wishes,

Derek.

Thank you! 

Keep us updated. Let us know how the meeting is. Best wishes too. Doing puzzles in between chemo worked well for me. So did reading stories and talking. I tried to sleep. 

Hi Shambles123 let us know how you got on today.  When is your biopsy?  It really is a scary time.  I found writing things down on this forum really helped me.  It is a safe space to say exactly how you feel and we all understand.  

Lee x

Thanks Lee, bone biopsy done today. It was extremely painful. Doc hoped he got enough bone, but didn’t seem sure. Now begins the waiting… my head says i’m going to be fine, but my gut says it’s going to be cancer.

Hi Shambles123.  I didn't want to say before but I found the bone biopsy very very painful.  Hope I never have to have one again.  Why did you go to the doctor in the first place, did you have pain in your hip?  Like you say now the wait begins which is so hard.  Best not to google any symptoms etc, all information is normally out of date.  Did you go back to work on Tuesday?  I think you will need to rest after the bone biopsy, I had to lie still in bed on the ward for four hours afterwards.  Do you have to wait about two weeks for your results?  I am wishing you the best of luck.  Happy to chat anytime.

Lee xx

Hi Lee, apologies for not coming back. And thanks for being there to talk to.

Still waiting on biopsy results, and the pain in my hip has been excruciating, spreading down through my leg and just getting worse. I’m still off work, and feel like i’m in a painful limbo. The temptation is to just load up on painkillers, but they just turn me into a total zombie.

emotionally, i’m all over the shop. The waiting is worse than the pain.

Hi Shambles123 it seems like a long time to wait for the biopsy results, have you had a date for meeting with oncologist yet? Maybe you can phone and prompt it along.  I am in more pain this week and taking tramadol for it.  I really hope you hear soon because as you say, the waiting is the worst.

Lee x