Hi all. This is going to be a long one.
wubbly - Glad you got to meet with the dr and get some more information. From what I understand a diagnosis of IDC is a much more encouraging prognosis than Inflammatory BC. Also, oddly enough the more aggressive ones found in younger women (grade 3, like mine too) can be more treatable too, so that's also positive. Lastly, to have one that is hormone receptive is great because that gives you added armoury of tamoxifen and, if you're HER2+ (are you?, maybe your onc can tell you that) then you would also get Herceptin which I'm lead to believe is a fantastic drug.
SR - Are you back to feeling normal after no.2? Hope so. Those bickies sound fab, and I'm so glad your DD's money problem looks like it's getting sorted.
MAS - bummer re. the CBT. I am finding it invaluable. but as I'm shelling out for it myself I'm also finding it £££. I need counselling just for the cost! Have you seen any books out and about that could teach you the techniques? Maybe someone in the Mental Health topic may be able to recommend something?
RWU - How are you doing. So glad that you're home.
KK - Hope you're feeling more stable on the old pins! Ow ow ow re. the useless nurse.
ebbie22 - Oh, I am so worried for you. I wish there was something I could do to help you more. Where do you live? I'm in Herts and from a medical family and worked in a medically related field so I've seen a lot of sets of notes in my time. If you're near me I'd happily try and help you go through them and we could work out a list of questions. I'm NOT a medic though but understand some of the lingo.
You are so very young to go through this and again, unless you'e posting from abroad, you're up so late at night again. Are you sleeping badly? When I was at your stage I used Nytol Herbal (got it from Boots) along with Rescue Remedy (night version) and I was also given some Diazepam from the GP for the really bad nights. The Nytol worked so well for me that I only had 3 Diazepam in the end and they're locked in the top of the medicine cupboard now.
Another option is for you to talk to your MacMillan Nurse, or, if you haven't got one, find out where your nearest Macmillan centre is and go there instead. Tell them your fears and everything.
OR go to your GP. Ring them and ask for an enlongated appointment (at least an hour). Before you go take your notes which you've been through already and your list of questions. Get him to give you answers in laymans terms. Steel yourself to ask for clarification on anything you don't fully understand. Take notes, take a friend if you can and maybe even ask if you can record your meeting if you have that facility on your phone or if you can access a dictaphone.
What support have you got from DP /DH, friends and family? Have you told them about the BC yet?
Lastly, DO NOT go on the internet looking for answers or for help with your notes. You will encounter some very scary stuff there and it will be nothing but counter-productive.
Had chemo no. 3 yesterday and the blood transfusion. Because it's Good Friday today they were in chaos because they were trying to chemo all the Friday patients as well. It was 4 hours after my arrival before they even started mine, so as the chemo took 2 hours, then an hour of faffing around whilst they arranged the blood, then it took another 4 hours to give me the blood you can imagine it was a long day. Their internet was down and I don't have a dongle so I couldn't even wind you lot up in incessant drivel. Yay for books! Annoyingly I also slept quite a bit and I had a rubbish night last night.
By the time I got home though I had managed to develop a sore throat and i think I've got a cold coming. I am so worried that this is going to land me back in hospital again. I'm hoping that the fact I've got 11 neutrophils, and the blood transfusion will help me too and that fact they're now giving me 7 post chemo GCS-F jabs that I may get away with it.
Lordy I've wibbled on haven't I. Making up for enforced silence yesterday.