I have been told i do have breast cancer from the first 2 biopsy results and am due to go back for consultation this Thursday for the results and treatment plan. What should I expect on this visit. I wad not introduced to any form
of McMillan support on previous 2 visits and feel like I've been left in limbo .Thankyou
Dearest ,
I am sorry you find yourself here in this group, its a place none of us want to be - however, we are great bunch and the support we give each other is amazing. What the 'Fruit Loops' don't know probably isn't worth knowing.
I 'think' it will go something like this:-
They will now have results of 'what type of BC you have' - so they will tell you this.
They will give you an 'idea' of the grade of BC - this can't always be total precisely until after operation.
They will tell you what treatment plan they have for you.
Now this could be a number types of treatment depending on what is happening.
It could be a lumpectomy (taking BC out) and Lymph node biopsy at the same time (to see if there is any spread).
Followed by a 3 or 4 weeks (weekdays) course of Radiotherapy (here is where I start shouting out.... you can now have a 'combined operation' called TARGET IORT - this is lumpectomy and radiotherapy during the same operation, thus avoiding 3 to 4 weeks of daily radiotherapy (this treatment is kept hidden from most, yet there are hospitals that can give you this and if suitable 'you should be told and offered this treatment' - so if you can, keep this in mind if you are suitable candidate single lump and radiotherapy) (this would save you daily radiotherapy).
If its is a higher grade or there is spread to lymph nodes then I think you will need chemotherapy. Again, this depends on how they do this, sometimes I believe they offer the chemo first 'to shrink' the BC, then operation, then radiotherapy or it can be operation, then chemo and then radiotherapy.
If treatment is a mastectomy then I believe dependant on results, you may or may not require chemo. I think a lot of times with mastectomy you don't have the radiotherapy.
Depending on type of BC following treatment there is then 5 to 10 years of taking a daily tablets. (different types of treatment depending on age).
I've said all this and really perhaps I shouldn't, you need to be told your results and treatment plan. (However, I do think it is good to know the basics). Don't be shocked when they tell you your treatment plan and it all starts in a couple of weeks - this is normal, you have not got your ticket to the roller coaster ride. You will have many up's and downs along the way - just remember 'you will get though this!!'
This is the worst time, the waiting is the worst - try, far easier said than done, try to put this out of your mind until you get to your appointment, as worrying will only drain you, it won't change anything - it will just bring you down, its natural, its the un-known.
Believe me, life will seem very different now, but, once you start treatment you will get though this you.
If you have any questions or worries post away, we all know what this is like and I truly believe until it has happened to you, you never realise how a person feels - we do, we understand.
There is a thread called 'Awake' it's a place to go 'day and night' most at night as a place to go to if we can't sleep, you can post about anything and everything.
I hope this has helped - remember, you are a Fruit Loop now and we are here for you.
I am sure other Fruit Loops will be along to ease any concerns.
Thankyou so much for bothering to respond on my post. I feel more prepared and less anxious now having read what may come and options choices I could encounter. It is lovely to meet another fruit lo
. I have been telling my family for ages I'm losing my concentration now so I can make them smile telling them I am now in the fruit loop club. I hope your future plans go well. Thanks for your support once again.X
