morning everyone,
So I have been newly diagnosed, I have PAT scan tomorrow, its been mind blowing to say the least, as its all happening so quickly.
I had another biopsy taken on Monday this week under sedation, and was so relieved to wake up from that operation ,as iv not been able to tell my son yet as he's working away in Las Vegas
and really didn't want to worry him out there, he will be back next week, his estrange father died last year, and I am the only family my son has left, so im extremely worried about telling him. although he is a grown man, his still my boy. does anyone one have any advise about the best way to tell your loved ones?
many thanks
Jane x
Oh, I’ve been scared lots of times Jane, but always did my best to stay as positive as I could though everything. My very first instinct when I was diagnosed the first time was to run, so I completely get that feeling.
It’s natural to be scared, and perfectly normal when we’re facing big unknown things in life. The main thing for me is that I’m still here, despite everything (and I had my gallbladder out in September!) and happy to help to try and reassure others coming here who are facing their fears, maybe for the first time.
Thank you for your kind words-much appreciated.
Sarah xx
Hi Winner
I hope your pet scan went well, I have mine on Monday. I thought I'd say hello, I'm new here too!
I had an exploratory op last week as well. Mine is 4.4cm but I'm stage 1b3. So I agree I don't think size has much to do with staging so try to keep positive.
I have 3 children 14, 11 and 10, I told them early on when I found out in September they have been so brave and resliant but also scared and anxious. I think when you're son is home just have a sit down and explain to him, naturally he's going to worry but I've found even though mine are younger, just keeping them in the loop has helped so much. I agree having as much information as possible helps but also if like me, you get overwhelmed with it all too and information just doesn't stick and it's so much to get your head around.
Hopefully you'll have your staging soon and treatment plan. Mine was meant to be a radical hysterectomy but then they found it too large so chemoradiotherapy was the best way forwards, I'm still awa
ing a treatment plan of what will happen so I don't have much advice or experience really. I just thought I'd reach out as we may be going though this together one step at a time.
Tee xx
Hi Tee. thanks for reaching out and im really sorry to hear about your diagnosis too,
its just awful shock to the system.
kids are so brave and resilient, they do better then us adults sometimes.
my PAT scan went ok, was in a lorry, so was a bit cold in there. now just waiting for results and a plan.
think I will be going to mount Vernon hospital for five weeks.
Iv noticed im having more hair loss then normal and I haven't even started treatment yet, I guess the stress must be getting to me. yes it is information over load, I had a friend come in with me for my first biopsy, as I got a bad case of covid in August and have been left with muffled hearing, so with that and all the doctors have to tell you, its been annoying and frustrating. feel like im constantly under water. lol trying to hear what they say, so waiting on ear nose and throat people to contact me for appointment. if it aint one thing its another. lol so yeh one step at a time.
Did you have your scan or is it next Monday? hope it all goes well for you also. thanks again we can defo go through this together 
Jane xx
Hi Sarah, your are a braver woman then id ever be. an inspiration you must have been to many other woman on this site im sure.
Aww..thank you Jane-that’s very kind of you to say so. But I just had to get on with what I was faced with, and would like to give some hope to others if I can.
Sarah xx
Hiya Jane
It really is such a big shock and so much to take in. Yes my scan is this Monday so tomorrow lol. I've been finding myself comfort eating a lot and unable to sleep and just constantly thinking, it's become very consuming. The hair loss is more than likely stress and anxiety.
Do you know what treatments you will be having yet? I'm finding the wait to start and to know for sure is driving me nuts lol more nuts than I already was 
Thank you for the well wishes for tomorrow, I am hopeful this will be the last piece of the puzzle. Just been such a rollercoaster as I'm sure it has for you too!
Let's go kick its butt lol.
Xx
Hiya Tee
well all the best for this Monday then. you will be fine, its not as bad as the MRI, which takes ages, I was only in the machine for 20 mins. take a book or something to occupy yourself, as you have to wait an hour for the injection to travel around your body.
no I don't know what treatment im having yet, they will let me know after they have discussed my PAT scan. that test as I understand it it to see if its spread anywhere else, so im guessing my plan will be made up after that.
I totally get the comfort eating done it for most of my life. lol ,iv been doing some online therapy, listening to this woman called Marisa Peer. shes amazing its stopped me putting rubbish im my mouth and helps me sleep well, she tells you your body is a wellness making machine. its helped calm me down when im losing the plot. give her a try its free on youtube. I also tried some laughter yoga yesterday its mental, but i get that the good endorphins help our body alot. so even thou its a false laugh it all counts. some im hoping to relief the stress and get to keep my hair.
so constantly trying to kick its butt. 
Thanks for the re commendation Jane-I’ll watch anyone who might stop me putting rubbish in my mouth! (Licorice allsorts tonight as it happens!).
Sarah xx
Ooo thank you for the tip I shall definitely check that out, as Sarah says anything to curb the snack attacks lol.
I feel so much for you. Loosing your hair is such a major thing, if it's stress induced is there anything a gp could be able to help with? I'm sorry I have no real advice with this, a friend of mine went through horrendous things years ago and lost patches of her hair and she was so upset, she used to wear all kinds of funky cool hats and it did grow back, much thicker now she got better hair than she did before, just to try and give you some hope that it's not permanent it's such a stressful time for you and your body is stressing too. I'm not sleeping well at all. I wake up every hour worrying about the kids then I snack I must of gained about 2 stone since the diagnosis. Our bodies are just showing how unhappy our minds are right now.
I had my pet CT today, I wasn't allowed to read or even scroll on my phone whilst the tracer did it's thing, they said it effects the muscles or something so I sat in a room, alone, for an hour doing n
othing, that helped so much with the wandering mind but the scan was ok, I had a call from the oncologist booking me an appointment for Wednesday morning too on the way home. Today I've had to spend the day away from the kiddies as they said to for 8 hrs, I watched films and missed the kids loads I could hear them playing with nanny and the dog which was nice, to be honest it's the first time in a while I've managed to actaully relax, even watching horror films lol.
Hopefully youll hear too very soon! Xx
