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995 replies

MaryAnnSingleton · 02/12/2011 12:28

blimey- we're almost up to our limit...so brand new shiny,sparkling thread.

OP posts:
topsytinselturner · 29/12/2011 07:24

stars , you poor thing . Must be such an horrendous time for you right now . Is there anything we can do to help ? Much love and positive thoughts winging their way across to you .

amberlight · 29/12/2011 08:29

Stars...hugs for you too

jchocchip · 29/12/2011 08:49

Morning all. Writing messages in the sand was a lovely thing to do ilgc.

I hope you build up your strength and health stars and are well enough to go home sooner rather than later.

Topsy, hope the machines are kind today.

Waves to everyone. I am going to be busy today. My rest and recouperation holiday with my cousin starts tomorrow and I need to pack for an early start...

Time for a Brew first though! :)

MaryAnnSingleton · 29/12/2011 09:12

have a lovely time jane !

OP posts:
ElusiveCamel · 29/12/2011 09:58

Hello. I posted a question and topsytinselturner suggested I ask her. Just going to copy and paste:

I have a large (visible) lump in my right breast. GP did not think it was sinister because it's mobile, but was referred to the breast clinic.

I saw the registrar who sent me for a mammogram and then an ultrasound. She also commented that it was mobile, although I was slightly worried that she noted it was irregular as I was expecting her to tell me it was a fibroadenoma and they're smooth, right?

The radiologist doing the ultrasound said he had looked at my mammogram results and was not concerned by the lump. He then scanned my lymph nodes and the hilum is completely absent from one of them so they did a FNA. Went back to the registrar who told me the same, that radiologist had said he did not think the lump was worrying but that he'd also said they may want to do a FNA. It was pretty late by then and she wanted to discuss with the consultant who had just left so the plan is for them to review and decide whether to do a FNA next week when I go back for the results of the lymph node FNA.

I haven't been unwell or anything recently who could explain the way the lymph node is and am pretty stressed about it! Has anyone had the same finding? Any advice/words of wisdom?

amberlight · 29/12/2011 10:50

Hi ElusiveCamel, I'm right out of useful words of advice and wisdom for that particular scenario, but can offer a Brew. If it helps at all, 9 out of 10 lumps are benign, and even if it's one of the 1 in 10 that aren't, 9 out of 10 of those are quite politely behaved and can be made to s*d off. So the odds of it being anything really orrible in the long term are 100-1. Might help a bit. Might not. The waiting is the worst bit, most of us find.

Me, I was diagnosed with bc almost a year ago and just finished a yearsworth of chemo, surgery and radiotherapy and herceptin, (well, the latter still continuing) and it's been doable and it's worked (they tell me). Even with a lively and largeish and ill mannered lump.

ElusiveCamel · 29/12/2011 11:17

Thanks Amberlight :-)

Am aware most lumps are benign. That isn't what's worrying me - it's the missing hilum from the lymph node that I was asking about. The chances of that being nothing aren't as good.

amberlight · 29/12/2011 13:12

One of mine had the same thing but was absolutely fine, so shall keep everything crossed that you have the same result

KurriKurri · 29/12/2011 14:04

Hi all - just dashing in quickly, - its DD's birthday today (she's 22 Shock) so I'm making cake and generally flapping about.

ILGC - Writing messages in the sand was a beautiful tribute to your DH at Christmas. Its such a hard time of year, and it is all so recent and raw for you. So many bittersweet moments in this grief process. From the way you write about them, it is obvious you and your DC are a strong family unit and have been supporting each other through all the hard times you've had this year. I wish you all a wonderful 2012.

Hello ElusiveCamel, - sorry you find yourself in this situation, it is worrying and difficult when you are waiting for tests. It sounds as if they think the lump itself is benign. I have very little knowledge of the absent lymph node hilum, but from the little I do know, I think it is not necessarily an indication of anything sinister, although I'm not sure what causes it.

They will always err on the side of caution, - and check everything out, and that of course is a good thing, but unfortunately means more waiting and anxiety for you. The fact that they are checking thoroughly doesn't in itself mean that they think there is anything sinister there, but that they are eliminating that possibility.

Hang on in there, we''ll all keep fingers crossed for you

Love to everyone xx

ElusiveCamel · 29/12/2011 15:47

Thanks KurriKurri. I am not too worried. Absent hilum is not a great sign from what I can tell, but it's possible it could be caused by inflammation somewhere - it's just I haven't been sick or anything. I had a lump checked out at a clinic several years ago and they were really reassuring and saying "It's nothing, don't worry" several times, but no-one said that once yesterday so it just felt like a very different type of visit. I was expecting it to be the same thing as the first time I went so it was a little unnerving.

MaryAnnSingleton · 29/12/2011 17:32

hi ElusiveCamel - I can't shed any further light on the lymph node thing I'm afraid, but commiserate about the waiting and worrying- it's possible to read all kinds of reasons into what has been said or not said - and very tempting to google like mad to find explanations. So sorry you are having a worrying time. Stick around,am sure we can help you through this.

OP posts:
silver73 · 29/12/2011 18:23

Apologies but just wanted to ask if this is the thread that you can ask about breast cancer treatments etc?

MaryAnnSingleton · 29/12/2011 18:38

yes silver it is- do ask away Smile

OP posts:
silver73 · 29/12/2011 18:57

Hi thanks very much for your reply. I was wondering if there is any information about chemotherapy and if you can continue to work....

topsytinselturner · 29/12/2011 19:02

Hi silver . Have you been told what kind of chemo and how many sessions you will be having ?
It is different for everyone . And the general concensous is to have a session and see how you react . Some of our ladies have worked through their entire treatment , and others have not been able to .
It also depends on what kind of job you have too .

Welcome elusive , glad you found us .

KurriKurri · 29/12/2011 19:12

Hello silver, the best person to consult about chemo. would be your oncologist (I am assuming you are asking for yourself - apologies if your question is on behalf of someone else Smile). Various factors will come into play - what type of chemo you are having, how many cycles, what your general health is like, and how you react.

I know people who have worked while on chemo, - sometimes at a reduced level (fewer days etc.), sometimes they have had part time jobs anyway. I didn't work while on chemo - because I was quite ill while on it, - but I was on fairly intense chemo - with close together cycles.

There is a reasonable chance you will be able to work going on the experience of people I know. But you should be aware that you can't really plan for this to be the case. The effect of chemo tends to be cumulative, so you may find as you go through the course, it becomes more difficult.

The other major factor to consider is the risk of infection, at a certain period during your chemo cycle (approx. 7-10 days IIRC) you are very vulnerable to infection, and an infection would put you in hospital. So you need to bear that in mind, depending on what your work is, - whether you come into contact with lots of other people or children for example. If say you are self employed and can regulate what you do according to when you feel well, - I would think working would be very doable.

I hope that's helped a little bit. Everyone has different experiences, - there is a lot of individual variation in how people cope with chemo, so it's hard to give any kind of definitive yes or no regarding work.

Good luck with your treatment, - and do ask about anything you think we might be able to help with Smile

KurriKurri · 29/12/2011 19:12

hello topsy Smile

sandripples · 29/12/2011 19:29

Hi all and an especial hello to the new joiners on here. (I had my treatment during most of 2010 and didn't work but have been back full time for over a year now, and am well - in fact haven't had a single day off sick since I returned to work - proud emoticon)

Anyway just wanted to thank you again, whoever nominated me for an Christmas pressie on here - I have had a nice time in Ma dn S todaday spending it. Also (shhhh) bought a variety of clothes for DH inspired by Sarah Lund for those of you who might have watched those Danish series - sorry - they're bit too grim while having treatment but I've got back into murders now!

Did anyone see Ab Fab on 25th - I loved it!

I will try to answer any questions new people might want to ask - I'll be on here again during thse holidays. Meanwhile, the best advice I was given was to try not to panic and deal with what you really know at each stage otherwise you can drive yourself mad with dreadful scenarios and they can't all happen. In fact most of them won't happen - so try to take one step at a time on this strange journey - you'll manage better than you think. And we'll support when we can from here.

silver73 · 29/12/2011 19:32

Hi thanks for your replies apologies but have not even got to the clinic yet. I have lots of lumps that I had checked out years ago but I am now getting very bad pains in that breast and tenderness under the arm and have not been able to check for changes due to all these old lumps....

The question about chemo is because I am worrying ahead as I have a complicated life situation which is making the fear of not being able to work even more than that of breast cancer...hope that makes sense...

KurriKurri · 29/12/2011 19:37

silver if you are not able to work due to cancer treatment, you may very well be entitled to benefits, and I believe work places have to be very accomodating to people undergoing cancer treatment. Certainly worth asking any cancer support agency helpline for advice (MacMillan, Breast Cancer Care both help in this area I believe, as do Citizens Advice) if you have local cancer support centre, they will often tell you what you are entitled to and go through the paperwork with you.

I hope it doesn't come to that for you though Smile

topsytinselturner · 29/12/2011 19:55

Waves madly back at kk Grin

Would definitely reccomend speaking to Macmillan silver if you get a diagnosis . They will do a complete benefits check for you and tell you what you are entitled to , even fill the forms in if you want . There is also a Macmillan grant you would be entitled to if your income is below a certain level .
There are ways round everything silver , try not to worry too much .

topsytinselturner · 29/12/2011 19:57

Hi sand , I saw Ab Fab and loved it . Waiting for the next episode now , is it New Years Day ?
The new series of Sherlock with the delicius Benedict Cumberbatch is back this weekend too

KurriKurri · 29/12/2011 20:08

Hello SR - sorry I x-posted, and didn't see you Smile

I'm looking forward to Sherlock too topsy, I love Benedict C.

Anyone else been watching Great Expectations?

MaryAnnSingleton · 29/12/2011 20:21

oh yes,Sherlock is fab,as is Benedict C...
silver there are ways around everything if the worse comes to the worst- try not to fret too much ahead, we'll be thinking of you and are always here for hand holds.
Waves to SR and kk and topsy

OP posts:
Ilovegeorgeclooney · 29/12/2011 20:22

I am really enjoying Great Expectations although no version could ever be as good as the David Lean film.
Silver there is a lot of help about and your local area also will probably have a fundraising charity that can help with things but Macmillan will sort all that for you. Work wise I was signed off because of the risk of infection ( I work in a school) but my friend was able to work from home throughout her chemo, got paid full-time for working 60%. I think most employers are sympathetic.