Worst news today

[Julie2]

What a week! Went to GP on Monday last week with breast pain and a large swelling appearing. I have had lumps in my breast since breastfeeding so breast lumps are not new. GP ordered an urgent mammogram and ultrasound on left breast which was done on Thursday just before Easter weekend.

Both specialists looked very worried and extensively did both breasts then told me they would give results urgently and to make an urgent GP appointment before the doctors surgery closed. Sat in the car looking at mammogram pictures before ringing and jaw dropped. It did not look good so spent Easter comparing how bad and was aware I was in serious trouble. Accepted what I thought would be the worst case scenario of losing both breasts and my hair.

Today I get the report from my GP: "Bilateral breast carcinomas... 8 cm in length with satellite lesions... neoplastic masses... multiple spiculations...neoplastic lymphadenopathy... pathologically involved lymph nodes..." etc etc. 

We talked about the urgent need for a biopsy to establish what type of cancer and what treatment. More questions regarding cancer types and treatment and prognosis for each. My lovely GP actually teared up when I asked about prognosis if it is an aggressive cancer and replied it may be palliative. Giving how quick this came on, it must be aggressive which I guess means I will not make 64 yrs old.

I am in shock, life has only just got great and the biggest bonus is being a grandmother.

[LindaG]

Hello Julie, so sorry about your cancer diagnosis. It’s so heart stopping when you first get the news. I hope you have family and friends to stand with you. Your specialist will be able to give you a treatment plan once you have the biopsy. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. 💕🙏 Linda G

[Julie2]

Thank you. Does anyone know procedure?

it appears my doctor is going on holiday for 3 months. 
I have my biopsy tomorrow and likely to result in the need for urgent start to chemo.

my doctor has been ordering everything very urgent but is about to go on 3 month holiday.

Who authorises chemo?

Does it mean I need to try to make an appointment with a different doctor and go through the long wait for appointments?

Can the biopsy surgeon arrange chemo?

[LindaG]

Hi Julie, I know when I had my biopsy the results went to the specialist and he organised the treatment plan. I had a different cancer to you but I expect it will all be up to the specialist. It’s good to speak to the cancer council if you have questions. They are really kind and helpful. Love and prayers to you for your biopsy tomorrow.  🙏💕 Linda G

[mornistar]

Today I get the report from my GP: "Bilateral breast carcinomas... 8 cm in length with satellite lesions... neoplastic masses... 

[Julie2]

An update: good news as cancer was not the inflammatory super aggressive type but her -ve. 

Not sleeping well but eager to get rid of this enemy. Only hours to go  for a  double mastectomy and axillary lymph nodes removed. This will be followed by radiotherapy, hormone suppressants and then chemo. 

[LindaG]

Hi Julie, I am praying for you today for your operation. You are amazing! Just get through this year of treatment 🙏🙏💕 Linda G

[Julie2]

Thank you for your support. Am now in day 3 of having a double mastectomy and lymph dissection.

pain- immediately post op in recovery was bad but meds were upped to cover it. 

movement - can move more than expected and trying to use stomach muscles rather than chest muscles and regret not doing sit-ups before my op. 
image- love it 😀 have no problem without them except I can see how big my stomach is. It was hiding behind big boobs. Health kick to be next move.

Support- lots of it. My lovely sister is my only relative living close as all my family and friends are in WA and I am in Victoria. Getting messages from so many it is very supportive. Best news is my daughter is coming over Friday to spend a couple of weeks with me at home. I have arranged a FaceTime with my dog today 🐾🥰 all good. 

[LindaG]

Hi Julie, yay that your op was successful. It will be wonderful to go home and have your daughter caring for you. It’s such a blessing to have a supportive family. All the texts and phone calls definitely help get you through this tough journey. 🙏💕 Linda 

[Skiddles]

Sorry to hear that news, but the last thing you want to be worrying about right now is 'how long will I live'. Why? Plenty of people out there were told they had 6 months ... 6 years ago!

If you are told you have two weeks, two months, two years, whatever, that's what you think you have so you will start to convince yourself it's a fact. It's not. No-one, including the medicos, actually knows for certain. On the other hand, guess you can talk yourself into it.

Try to stay positive. Use your energy on that and wait for the results of the biopsy. Once you have all the information you will have a much better idea of where you're going with it all. I'd be putting questions of life expectancy on the back-burner for now, as hard as that might be.

Wishing you all the best.