I was diagnosed with bowel cancer early in 2022 and had radiotherapy and surgery. I handled that well mentally but badly physically as I had a stoma which did not agree with me and because I was so ill chemo was not an option. I was in hospital for over 2 months in various admissions but after 3 months I had the stoma reversed and began to get on with life again. Then towards the end of last year I was diagnosed with two secondary metastases in my lungs and was initially told palliative chemo was the only option. Subsequently the lung team at the regional centre decided that they were operable and earlier this year I had an operation to remove one and an ablation to remove the other and was recently given the all clear and put on 6 monthly scans.
Skip forward to this month and I had a routine mammogram and was called back for further tests. A 3D mammogram, sonar and biopsy has discovered a 10mm suspect area which shows all characteristics of breast cancer. Now waiting for the biopsy results and treatment plan and have my appointment in just over a week. My feelings are mixed to put it mildly. I think the strongest one is absolute fury and indignation that I should have ended up with a second primary cancer. I was just looking forward to going on holiday and ticking off some of my bucket list and now I feel I am back at square one.
I am the sort of person who likes to plan ahead and look forward to things and get things sorted and now I feel I am just treading water.
Barbara
