Miserable

Hi Dee,

Yes it is normal practice. I was the same, they found 1 node out of 3 positive and off I went for a CT scan and bone scan. I was passed myself but they were very cool about it and said it was routine and it was just in case. I got the results and all was fine. It is a horrible stressful time, you can’t help but fear the worst but they are being thorough which is good. Take care and let us know how you get on. X

I had to have a CT scan after initial diagnosis and then go and have a Pet scan when the results came back from that. I had the news yesterday that it was clear and no spread so can now start treatment. It was a very scary three weeks but it is just them being thorough so do hope you have similar outcome. Felt as if I had won the lottery but know I still have to have treatment. Thinking of youxx

Thank you so much for your response means a lot ️

Thank you so much means a lot, was your lymph nodes positive and how is the treatment now

Yes my lymph nodes were positive. Going to see the consultant tomorrow to be told about treatment. Will let you know when I have been.xx

Hi Sourdough,

No worries ... it's a long road and whilst I'm usually a positive person, I have bad days where I just want to curl up under the duvet too! I have the same cancer as you and I've had all the same treatments. Thankfully I wasn't on HRT when the process started so I don't know what I'm missing! My end-to-end active treatment plan took 11 long months and I started letrozole & abemaciclib in Oct-23 so I've also experienced the delights of diarrhoea and losing some of my precious eyebrow hairs & eyelashes (again!) after they'd grown back post-chemo. Now I'm back at work (desk job), I've started with lymphoedema in my left arm where my lymph nodes were removed so I'm wearing an ugly sleeve. Cancer truly is the gift which keep on giving (ha ha). What keeps me sane is being part of a running group of fellow cancer survivors. We started super slow (run for 30 secs, walk for 30 secs), essentially following the couch to 5K program but stretching it out to allow for our diminished physical fitness and fatigue! Over the course of a year, I have worked up to being able to run 5K twice a week, albeit slowly but that allows for conversation as we jog along. Being outside helps our mental health and knowing that each of us has down days means we can support each other. I also meet with friends (non cancer sufferers) for walks or cups of tea as keeping socially active helps me to feel better. Sometimes I also give myself a mental shake and think "it could have been worse" but I do recognise that it could have been better ("why didn't I find it sooner?", "why did it have to be Grade 3"?, "why me?"), however the busier I am or the more time I spend in the company of others, the less time I have to dwell on the negative thoughts. I see someone recommended a good book and I've also found escapism through reading to be helpful. Now that the days are getting longer, I find my mood is naturally a bit better and gardening (or rather the result of doing chores in the garden!) helps too. I hope some of these ideas are helpful as well as just knowing that you're not alone.

All the best! xx