Onwards and upwards - the treatment begins!

So yesterday was D day, diagnosis. I've started this new thread to cover my treatment, though it's more of a random brain dump today.

Yesterday was a whirl. I guess people deal with it in different ways and for me that meant going into auto-pilot - asking lots of questions, getting all my contact details together and booking my next appointments. I also began the daunting task of reading the inch thick of literature that the lovely breast care nurse provided - and making all those dreaded calls to family and friends.

As I'd already prepared for the worst, I was pretty calm, but it was obvious that those who've been trying to reassure me over the past few weeks ("it'll be OK, it's nothing") were now being hit by the train. My parents cried. My husband cried. I didn't cry. At least not until late that night when I realised I was shaking as I lay in bed trying in vain to get some sleep. I must have been running on adrenaline, but I can feel myself rapidly coming down the other side now.

Doubts have started to creep in. Why wasn't there much info on the pathology report? Why nothing about grade? I've had lots of reassurances that this is a relatively good type of BC to have, if there is such a thing. But what if mine turns out to be different? It's already in at least one lymph node, so that's unusual for a start. I've made a list of questions which runs to 4 pages so far.

I'm meeting the surgeon on Monday and while this feels like a positive step forward I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the sheer amount of information I have to process in such a short time. Take reconstruction options for example.  That leaflet about reconstruction where the options are layed out in a diagram format, like those pictures of cows you see on the wall at the butchers showing all the different cuts of meat. So basically they can whip a bit off various areas of your body such as your back, tummy, bum etc. and make a boob out of it. I can't quite get my head around it yet. I never thought I'd see the day where I was thinking about having some fake boobs fitted. Pfft!

We still haven't told the kids. One of them had a massive meltdown which went on for 2 hours this morning, so it wasn't good timing. Maybe tomorrow.

Brain feels fried. I tried to make coffee and forgot to put the cup under the machine. For some reason I still didn't put the cup under the machine even as I was watching the coffee fill up the drip tray.

My phone keeps pinging and dinging with messages and calls. Some people remain silent though. I get it. Nobody wants to talk about this *** stuff.

Random brain dump over, thanks for listening.

 

 

  • Hi

    i know exactly how you feeling, it’s so surreal and to try focus and get sensible about anything is just so difficult.  My cancer was different, 3 yrs ago I had bowel cancer. Had surgery first as that was how it was found, original surgery was for a cyst on my ovary.  Yes woke up to about 6 people around my hospital bed muttering the C word and soon realised my abdomen had been cut from the very top to the very bottom.  Strangely enough I kind of coped ok.  However 6 months ago from a regular CT scan they found a spot on my liver.  This now threw me into the mode you currently in, so guess what I’m trying to say is it’s normal to feel or be like this when you just waiting, so many questions, so many answers that aren’t even answers they just mixed up emotions and confusement.. embroiled with worry for family/loved ones.  I’m now 5 weeks post liver resection, another 11 inch scar to fall in love with lol but fortunately this time round it was benign, in fact they couldn’t even find the spot that was on the scan/mri but they calculated the area, as it was isolated, and removed that part of my liver anyway.  For a while I could not stop thinking I hope they’ve not missed it, but realised if I keep thinking like that I’ll never move forward!

    I noticed people struggling to talk to me or even visit me, but I do have a small handful of amazing friends family and work colleagues that have been increadible.  Guess it’s true what they say... quality over quantity.  I wish you well and happy to chat anytime.  You got this, we stronger than we think.

    have a lovely Sunday x 

  • I know exactly how you're feeling Mrsfingers. My diagnosis was last November. Op in January and radiotherapy February/March. Thankfully I didn't need mastectomy but my wonderful family and friends helped me so much. I was always positive and totally trusted my medical team. I could not have had better treatment.

    I was totally open about my cancer. People don't know how to react but I spoke about it openly before they could feel awkward and it put them at ease. Once that's out of the way you can talk about normal things.

    I kept a diary. Just wrote in it when I felt like it. Only today I came across it and I'm so glad I did that. Most of my feelings and emotions are already a distant memory so it shows just how far I've come in only a few months.

    I had my follow up a couple of weeks ago and am now officially cured.

    You will get a lot of support on this forum and I wish you luck with your treatment xx

  • Thank you both for your helpful words. A diary sounds like a great way to vent!

    We told the kids today. Went better than expected. One asked if I was going to have a plastic booby. The other asked if it would be metal. Then they asked for their hair to be sprayed pink and blue and to go to the toy shop. :D

  • kids you got to love them.  So glad it went well and hopefully you feel at least a little relaxed now.  Haha best have one plastic and one metal booby then lol

  • Hi MrsFinger,

    I'm so sorry to read this (I'm fairly new to these forums, I guess many of us are, so finding my way round). However I've found it so helpful to read your experience, with my results meeting scheduled for 4:15 today. Thank you so much for taking the time to record them here. 

    Irene70's suggestion of a diary chimed with me. My mother died of BC in 2000 and I re-discovered her diaries in a box a few months back. I managed to read through a bit before I had to put them down. They were two 5-year diaries that spanned her initial diagnosis and remission, and then the recurrence and secondaries 5 years later - there was a bit of a gap before the day she died. I had to put them away. I will probably dig them out again if today's news is bad. I've been keeping a 'dark' blog diary, i.e. one that is only visible to me since 2007, so as of last week I have added a new tag "cancer". Never thought I'd be putting that one in. 

    Good luck with your ongoing treatment and options. I'll post back to these forums after today's results, one way or another. 

  • Hi MrsFingers,

    I bet you felt a bit of relief getting all that off your chest.  Good brain dump :)

    They really do give you all the information right at the start but it doesn't necessarily mean you have to make the decisions now so read it for info but don't be overwhelmed by it, it will all be broken down into more manageable chunks as time goes on.  My surgeon has discussed my options with me since before I even started chemo and at each appointment since yet I don't actually have to decide on the surgical options until October.  It is helpful to know up front what your options are though as it stays at the back of your head and at any time thoughts and questions will pop into your head that all add towards the decision making process.

    I wasn't told my grade initially.  Not for any reason I don't think, just wasn't.

    I see you've now told your kids, I love that they want to dye their hair :D  I was slightly older when my mum first had breast cancer and while I remember having some worry, the lack of knowledge and understanding at that age is a blessing I guess.

    Now that your brain is well and truly fried give yourself a rest, don't ask too much of yourself, everything will settle down and become quite procedural as treatment gets underway, the 'worst' bit (the wait) is over.  I'm a few months on from you in this journey so will be on here following how you're getting on.

    Take care,

    LJx

  • So, mastectomy soon. Went for the pre admission checks today. I’ve spent the whole time keeping busy, organising, sorting and generally denying. But there’s no denying it any more. Gulp!

  • Good luck for Monday, I hope it all goes smoothly. 

    I start treatment for stomach cancer on Tuesday, 4 rounds of chemo then an op to remove my stomach then another 4 rounds. This feels like a bit of a no mans lans of waiting at the moment but I’m going to enjoy the next few days with my kids and husband before the hits the fan. 

    Will  be thinking of you xxx

  • Oh gosh, I can imagine you must be really worried. I completely relate to the no mans land feeling. It’s just bizarre. I don’t look ill. I don’t feel ill. Yet here I am. Waiting in between each appointment for results. Like an endless set of school exams, only I haven’t had any revision or preparation time.

    Thanks for the well wishes and I hope the chemo goes smoothly for you. Will be thinking of you next week.

  • Glad to hear the waiting is over and treatment is underway.

    Good luck for Monday.

    LJx