Looks like I have breast cancer - would appreciate advice and support.

[anorak]

Well guess what, they day I arrived to live in Bermuda found a lump in my breast. Went to the doctor, got rushed to hospital for mammograms and ultrasound. Been told they suspect "extensive DCIS". Went back in for a core biopsy the day before yesterday and have to go for MRI scan this afternoon, should get the results of these next week sometime.

The hospital is lovely, the staff are lovely, DH's job pays private medical insurance so I am very lucky that I will have good treatment. I've been here two weeks and two days, they have certainly been quick and efficient so far and I'm very pleased to have been offered the MRI.

And for anyone who doesn't know what DCIS is (I didn't), it's a non-invasive form of cancer that tends to confine itself to the area of origin.

I've only just seen this post. Just to let you know my Grandma had several bouts of breast cancer and lived till age 90. My Mum has had it twice and recovered well both times. I guess I'm in a high risk group cos of family history but I don't feel stressed about it as treatment is quite advanced for it. Anoher thing I was thinking is I used to go out to West Indies every year to work for 6 months (winter obviously!) and every time I landed (Antigua) within a week I had some bloody mystery illness. So typical-land in paradise and then get something to lie around worrying about and messing up the whole paradise experience. Had to come back to UK a few times- one time for a brain scan!! Always turned out alright in the end but how annoying when you are miles from home with no real friends yet and supposed to be having an adventure. Glad medical faclities sound good there; Antigua was pretty basic. Very good recovery rates for breast cancer so don't feel too worried. As for 15 year olds daughters-they are not fully developed in the empathy department yet- she'll be a lovely comfort to you when she's older and she's learnt a few things. Get going on your writing.

Anorak, you are in my thoughts and I am sending you waves of positive vibes here from SE London.

Oh bugger for there being more than just DCIS. Still keeping my fingers crossed for some good news when the MRI results are in. Much love xx.

What lovely messages, jetson I chuckled out loud reading your post.

The hospital here is very good, I believe it has won awards, and I am really pleased with the care I've received so far. If you need some kind of treatment they can't provide in Bermuda they send you to America.

My DH lost it a bit last night, after a few drinks when we were out on the town, but I just can't feel like that. I walked him across the road to the water's edge and as we gazed out over Hamilton harbour said, you know it's not so bad, I can't bring myself to feel worried about it really. I'm not afraid of surgery and I'm not afraid of death, so what is there to worry about?

Mind you I was a bit pissed at the time

It makes sense not to hang around feeling worried and stressing about it- after all it could be completely fine then you have wasted loads of days by worrying and feeling stressed (easier said than done I know). Any of us could get hit by a bus tomorrow and at least we're enjoying today and not worrying about it. Anyway, as i said, breast cancer is one of the best cancers to get treatment for-they've really done their homework on it. Enjoy those views and that turquoise sea- I envy you- I keep a picture of the turquoise sea in Antigua on my phone so I can peek at it now and then when I'm back here.

It makes sense not to hang around feeling worried and stressing about it- after all it could be completely fine then you have wasted loads of days by worrying and feeling stressed (easier said than done I know). Any of us could get hit by a bus tomorrow and at least we're enjoying today and not worrying about it. Anyway, as i said, breast cancer is one of the best cancers to get treatment for-they've really done their homework on it. Enjoy those views and that turquoise sea- I envy you- I keep a picture of the turquoise sea in Antigua on my phone so I can peek at it now and then when I'm back here.

All my best wishes too Anorak. Sorry this has happened with such spectacularily bad timing but so glad you have got access to great care. Lots of ++++positive vibes++++* to you.

Yes jetson I said that too - about being hit by a bus. Dances, I don't know about it being bad timing, is there ever a good time for this sort of thing? At least it has happened just at the point where I am entitled to private medical care for the first time in my life, and in a place where there is a good hospital, and when I have absolutely no other stresses and strains on me, for the first time in years, so perhaps the timing is fortunate in many ways

My thoughts and best wishes are being sent over to you.
OJ

I hope the treatment goes well anorak. I am hoping to join a group or 2 when I am a bit better from the colitis. The steroids for that are pretty bloody awful and the other pills are forever.

I still don't know if I'm going to need hormone treatment. Whatever...

I am so glad that we managed to get away from the miserable life we led in London, and although we are not able to plan any future for now it feels good to eat good food and breathe fresh air and enjoy each other and the children and the dogs and look out of the window and see trees.

I am learning fast that although bc is very common, a mastectomy is an extraordinary operation, and it's really odd that I look exactly the same as before except that I have a brand new boob!

hb can you tell me a little about the operation please? I am wondering how long you had to stay in hospital and how long after that you had to rest at home?

My DH and I are trying to prepare ourselves for him to be ready to do the school run etc and I realised I have absolutely no idea how long I'm likely to be out of action.

We don't yet drive here as you have to have a Bermudian licence and we haven't done our tests yet, so I have to do an hour and a half walking to and from school every day.

Oh darling, oh sweetheart, oh bollox !!!

Ok have just skimmed the thread, but all of your posts. 'Twill be fine, and you will have us as well.

Would some poncey octopus help ??

((((((Anorak)))))))) Thinking of you "hun" You can do this and you can bear this and we're all here for you.

Hello Bree, hello sally!

poncey octopus?

Message withdrawn

Yes I do like Kylie. She knows how to behave herself.

I refer my learned friend to a MN meetup at CSWS where I was castigated for producing Octopus ....................

Ah yes, I was wondering if that was what you meant

You'd love the supermarkets here, you can buy big lumps of octopus, looks like a non-slip mat for the shower.

You can also buy pigs' snouts, pigs' tails, pigs' feet, sticklebacks, all kinds of weird things it's ponceland for sure.

I remember cooking octopus once.... I probably would have done more justice to a bathmat. Poor octopus!

Have you been told what operation they want to do,anorak? In the first place I had a core biopsy, which I expect you've had too. I then went in for a day for a lumpectomy - the lump was quite big so they chopped out a much bigger bit of my boob than I realised. The bruising and swelling were quite unpleasant, and you don't really want children or animals crashing around on you, but otherwise it was fine.

I think it was because of the results from the lumpectomy that they decided that a masectomy was the next stage.

I had a reconstruction at the same time. The operation itself lasts for from about 5 hours. I was in theatre for 7 hours. If you have a breast care nurse, they should go through all this with you and give you lots of information about the operation, what the options are etc. The treatment programme for everyone is slightly different I think a masectomy is only neccessary in 50% of cases. Apparently lots of women become really proud of their new boobs! I am beginning to understand why!

I was in hospital for 10 days until they took the drains out. I would have come home sooner had we been living locally. There is lots of pain relief available. I had masses of morphine and coedine. I thought that childbirth = pain. I think what they mean by post-operative pain is discomfort. If you have any discomfort, take something for it till you feel better!

I spoke to a volunteer at Breast Cancer Care just before going into hospital, which was a great help. It felt very important not to be alone.

Please keep us all posted about how you are getting on. I was diagnosed in August, and things move pretty quickly.

I am not feeling too good on the steroids. Oh to be recovering from one thing at a time!

My Mum had a mascectomy and went under and in the same op they "rebuilt" her so she came round and was more than a little surprised to find she actually didn't look really any different than when she went in!
Also the doctors also said her positive outlook went a long way towards her making a quick recovery.
I haven't had octopus but we cooked a conch we found in the sea- it looked like a cross between an alien and a muppet- I was too freaked out to eat it but hubby said it tasted good.

Oh yes I saw a conch in the touch pool at the zoo last week, very freaky looking things, aren't they?

Thanks for the info and positive stories. I don't yet know what they are planning to do but I've just received a call from the doctor telling me that they have made an appointment for me with the surgeon for next Tues (4th). She also told me that the findings of the MRI scan had been very helpful, but she didn't tell me what the findings were! And I didn't bother to ask since I think they are going to make we wait till next week when they can explain it properly and answer my questions.

I suppose how I arrange my family will depend on whether they decide to to a lumpectomy or if they deem a mastectomy necessary in the fist instance.

A new boob would be in interesting addition to my bionic collection (along with the metal plates in my ankle) but I love my boobs anyway, they're one of my best bits. However I'm going off the left one a bit, the bastard's trying to kill me, after all I've done for it

Amazed and impressed by how positive you are feeling, Anorak: long may it last and sustain you through whatever you might have to face.

Lots of love xxx