Cancer Research UK Forum: Message List

Re: hi i too would like to talk about breast cancer.

Caroline — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:57:38 GMT

I have made the decision to have the double mastectomy.

It was a very hard decision to make.... but

Self presavation kicked in,,,,,, and to be honest, look at the choices!

Mastectomy and quadrantectomy including nipple removal........ 2 horrendous scars and a mis shapen deformed lump on my chest... with constant worry of grade 3 lobular cancer re occurring in the future

Or double mastectomy..... 2 even matching scars....... and peace of mind

Not much of a choice when I finally got my head straight

But I think the hardest thing is trying to take it all in and make sence of it all

Thank you all for your support and words of encouragement

Love Caz xxx

Re: malignant melanoma

Brown — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:57:22 GMT

which one have you been diagnosed with? have you go the skin one? I have been diagnosed back in March this year and have soem inside in my body and n some on the outside behind my ear. they sent me to the marsden for chemo but am now at the southampton general having a new treatment which helps the boost the immune system to fight the cancers.

it is all very confusing but its good to talk to others.

jenny

Re: Breast Cancer, just diagnosed

Caroline — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:43:19 GMT

And I will be thinking of you honey

It is a very scarey time and a big decision to make.... Speak to your family and come and speak to us often, we can all help each other.

My advice is have a good cry and a good nights sleep (even if you have to get something from the doctor) it helps.

I think self presavation kicked in for me and I will do everything I can to stay alive.

Once you know the road you are taking, it makes it a bit easier to start moving forward.

I found writing a blog really helped me.... kind of getting it out of my system and down on paper (so to speak)

Good luck with it honey.. we are here if you need to talk, rant scream and cry

Love Caz xxx

Re: GASTROENTEROLOGIST

sandy40 — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:18:37 GMT

When i read all the stories when cancer is confirmed is seems weeks until treatment starts,this worries me as wont the cancer be spreading in that time? my pains are daily and my scopes not until 23rd..it worries me...time is being wasted waiting..sandra

Re: Breast Cancer, just diagnosed

emilyjane — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:24:48 GMT

I'm so sorry to hear that, but by the sounds of the comments I have read you seem very positive and determined to beat it. I have just had results back from surgery that I had a fortnight ago, and it shows they haven't removed the full tumour and are not sure how much of the breast it covers. So waiting for more results next week, but now will possibly mean I need a mastectomy of the right breast. It's very scary and hard to take in as I am only 19, but at the end of the day whatever it takes to make me safe is what has to be. Good luck, will be thinking of you xxx

Re: Bogus diet posts

shirley77 — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:31:48 GMT

I have found keeping a sense of humour definately makes things easier. We laugh a lot these days, mostly about small chinamen with miners lamps and BBC camera crews getting lost up your bum!! .......boyfriends surgery tomorrow xx

Re: Endometrial Cancer

TonySong — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:56:06 GMT

Hello FM,

Welcome to cancer chat.

Firstly do not feel bad for bringing your problems here. We all started in exactly the same way i.e. bringing our problems to others in the hope of support and guidance.

I have been on here for a few months since last Christmas and have made many friends along the way...If we are lucky you will start to see others in need and make comments too although that is absolutely not obligatory. So no more apologies, you have come to exactly the right place.

As far as should they do a scan...sometimes I am sure they do not need one and only do one to determine the size etc and as they can actuall see/feel the lump it may not be necessary. I must stress that I am making assumptions here as I am not a trained medical person so probably best to direct your questions at the consultant or nursing team. It may be good to get the contact details from your mum if you don't already have them. I am sure with your mum's phobia she will not want any more trouble or worry. If you explain this and your concerns someone may be able to assist.

There may also be someone on here that may advise and know a bit more specifically about what you are asking however better to check in with the professionals too.

Please make sure you stay in contact and we will offer support through the journey you are embarking on.

All the very best

Tony x

Re: Once in the cancer community your in it for life...how do members feel about this statement................

carolyn — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:50:00 GMT

Hi There Rose...Nice to hear from you, Hope you are felling well today, I am doing grand...was good to get out of the Hospital with out tests or blood being taken, very refreshing change, I rang the person in charge of Vols this morning, im yet to get a call back, got a feeling maybe a pie in the sky, but will chase it up if i dont get a response...you just have to keep hounding....Talking of hounding our pup amber has got a new lease of life...she is back to her old self, and wee jamie has just joined a junior football team...so its all go, all i need now is to get back to some daily routine for myself....so watch this space..dont think i havent been tempted to Vol for the Vets...it did cross my mind that dogs and cats my be easier to deal with than Humans...lol...

Hope your being good to yourself....Chat again to you soon... Carolyn xx

Endometrial Cancer

FM — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:39:02 GMT

Hi,

I have read some of your threads today and knowing you all have so much going on in your lives, I feel bad for bringing my problems to you, but I didnt know where else to go.

My mum had not seen a doctor for over 25 years due to a phobia she has had all her life. I had
the same fear of doctors myself, but about a year ago decided to do something about it and had CBT to help me to
overcome it.

About 6 weeks ago mum mentioned she was worried
as she had been having some bleeding (as far as I know she had her menopause 2
years ago). I immediately used my therapy to try and reassure her and get her
to the GP, I honestly thought it would be ok. The GP did an internal examination
and said she had found a lump and said she would get her an urgent referral.
Within a few days we were at the hospital having an internal scan, blood tests
and meeting with a Gynaecologist. He explained that due to the size of the lump (2.5cm)
he was unsure where it was attached and that she would have to have an operation
to have it removed. Before we knew it the appointment came through and she had
a Polypectomy (I think that’s what they called it) and a D&C.

Last week she was called to visit the
Consultant for her results. We met with her on Thursday and was told that the
polyp removed from her Cervix was benign but unfortunately the sample taken
from her uterus wall was malignant. She has been diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer,
probably Grade 2. On the following day we met with the Oncology Gynaecology Specialist to discuss the treatment. He advised that she would need a CT
Scan (she is too claustrophobic to have the MRI) and that the operation would
probably be at the beginning of October. He told us that his plan would be to perform
a Hysterectomy where he would remove the Ovaries and Tubes but if the scan
showed up abnormalities in the Lymph Nodes he would remove those too.

On Tuesday (this week) mum received a
call asking her to attend a Pre Assessment, which we went to today and her
operation is now going to be next Tuesday. There is no time for a CT scan now
and they have said they are happy to progress without one.

I did ask them today has something changed
since we saw the Consultant but they said it hadn't. I am so grateful that things are
moving so quickly, but can’t help being worried that they are rushing this through and that there is something that
they haven’t told us? Is it really ok for them to do the operation without the
scan?

Mum is so frightened, I am doing everything I can to reassure her and get her through this, but its so hard. If there is something awful waiting around the corner I feel I need to know now so I can make sure I am strong enough to get her through.

Any advice would be so gratefully received.

Thanks

Re: Waiting on further results now

TonySong — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:28:09 GMT

Yo Diz!

Absolutely love that song and the chorus is soooooo you:

Just keep trying and trying
It's just a matter of timing
Though the grinding is tiring
Don't let 'em stop you from smiling
Just keep trying and trying
Sooner or later you'll find it
It's surprising how inspiring
It is to see you shining
Cause in the dark of the night you're all i can see
and you sure look like a star to me

Charlotte visited me when I was in the HDU (High Dependency Unit) the day after surgery...It is a very calming and quiet place although you are right about the tubes and drains as there are 1 or 2 :-)

I just did not want visitors apart from Fran and Charlotte and then even once I was in the general ward I only let my mum and dad in...it wasn't something I had even planned I just did not feel well. My mum and dad chatting about what to have for tea when I was feeling sick made me wave my hand a bit as couldn't talk....I only had a naso-gastric tube after a few days when I wasn't feeling good!

One tip is that make sure you tell 'everyone' that if they have even the sniff of a cold or sore throat they are not to come in, Charlotte had a cold and stayed away for a week, but you would be amazed at how many people visited others in the ward with bad colds and coughs....GGGrrrrrr!

He is such a bright kid and probably right about us adults some times :-)

T x