Hi Bunty

sorry you’re going through this, it’s such a difficult time, I just wanted to say I understand and you’re welcome to scream away. 

I was diagnosed with stomach cancer last week. I’m getting CT results this morning, hopefully they’ll give me more information on what I’m dealing with. I’ve been having treatment for a stomach ulcer since May, biopsies were clear until last one a few weeks ago, you wouldn’t know I was ill I’m fitter than I’ve ever been at the moment,  we can be forgiven for not noticing these things.

i hope you get some words of comfort in here from others who have been in your shoes and I hope you get answers to what is going on very soon xx

Hi Bunty,

Sorry you've had to find our 'club'.  Don't apologise for anything, It's no surprise you need a rant, it's a lot to take in especially in such a short space of time.  Now that you're here I hope you find this place as invaluable as I have since I joined in a few months ago.

I was in the same boat as you.  My lump was only found because after years of pushing my GP finally referred me for early screening.  I had gone to see her with a tiny (maybe 1mm) lump in my left breast, but she couldn't feel that lump and it actually disappeared within a week, however I wasn't leaving without finally getting that referral (my mum first had breast cancer at my age).  The breast clinic appointment came through for two weeks later, they did an ultrasound, sent an emergency referral for a mammogram and biopsy and lo and behold there was a lump around 3.5cm.  This was then rediagnosed to 6cm upon having a contrast-enhanced mammogram and CT scan.

At 6cm the radiologist could just tell that there was something there, but the GP couldn't feel it, the breast clinic couldn't feel it and I certainly couldn't feel it.

I think we tend to think of tumours as well-defined hard blobs that are quite easy to distinguish from the surrounding tissue, and that is generally the case.  However, some (like mine and possibly yours) have very poorly defined edges which means in terms of the feel they 'blend in' more easily with the surrounding tissue.  Sorry, it's a very crude explanation but I hope it makes some sense.

I can actually feel my lump now but only after 3 rounds of chemotherapy.  My take on it is that the chemotherapy has now eaten away at enough of the peripheral bits to expose the main bulk of the lump.

You must be feeling terrified at the moment, but I think a lof of us would say the early stages are the hardest, all the waits and consideration of treatment options.  Things do get a bit easier once it's all underway.  At least things are moving for you now and hopefully treatment can start soon.  While the waits are frustrating and worrying it's helpful to remember that it all feeds in to finding you the most effective treatment plan.

Mine had also already spread to the lymph nodes hence they couldn't put chemotherapy off so my surgery is after chemo instead of before, I imagine your situation will likely be the same.  I've just had round 4 of 6 chemo cycles and am doing really well.  Sadly mine was already stage 3 when found but so far so good and I'm hopeful.  I'm not HER2+ (my mum's second breast cancer was though so I know someone who has been through that treatment too) but I'm ER+ and PR+.

Need to head off just now but just wanted to say "hi" and hopefully help put your mind at rest a little.  I'm on here quite a bit so feel free to ask any questions or vent away.

Take care

LJx

Thank you so much for replying Mikeswife - I’m like you in that I never felt fitter than before the cancer was discovered so it was like a bolt from the blue. I hope you had good news today. I get my results tomorrow and my emotions are all over the place - yesterday was anger, today has been a crying day! Ultimately I know there’s nothing I can change, we just have to soldier on through the treatment and hope for the best but it’s hard isn’t it? 

Best of luck x

Thank you TwinTwo - it’s actually a comfort to know somebody else has had a similar experience to mine. I’ve been told that I will have chemo then op then radiology but that may change depending on the CT results which I get tomorrow.  Glad to hear you are coping well with the chemo

best wishes

Bunty

Good luck for tomorrow.

Sounds like your plan is the same as mine so far.  I will have radiotherapy after the op too, and possibly more chemotherapy.  It took a little getting used to because knowing the lump was there I really wanted it cut out asap, but now being able to feel it finally shrinking a bit is quite comforting.