Health Forums

Posted: 03 June 2007 at 8:18pm | IP Logged

Hi all i haven't been on for a few days due to still decorating and also we have had some bad news. My Auntie who is married into my family through my uncle (obviously) her sister just found out she has breast cancer. Thing is my aunts family is like my family eben though we are not directly related. She found a lump a few weeks back and went to the doctors. She saw the consultant on tuesday and was told not to worry it wasn't cancer. They just did routine checks as she is now 40. Another thing that got her though was they told her if she was in her 20's they wouldn't check it as they said it was nothing. They only checked because of her age. What if she was in her 20's and and didn't check they would have left her with breast cancer it just really makes you wonder what is happening to the nhs. Its just wrong how they handle things today. Thing is she had worried herself sick over this and then was told it was nothing untill friday. She then was told it was breast cancer. She is in bits. They have told her they can remove the lump and its not an aggresive cancer. Well not that they know of yet. She has to wait 2 weeks to have the lump removed and then 5 weeks to have radiothearopy. Anyway sorry to go on. She is a lovely woman and she is finding it really hard to deal with at the mo. xxx

Posted: 03 June 2007 at 8:23pm | IP Logged

Awww hunni. There's nothing I can say to make it any easier for you at this time. Stay strong babe. We are all here for you through this.

x

Posted: 03 June 2007 at 9:23pm | IP Logged

Hey chica.

Its hard, and believe me, i think you know that i know this more than anyone.  They will have done the biopsies if she had them at the screening..which will have told them what type she has.  It sounds like she has stage 1..which is a nice one, if there is such a thing to have.  Which means NO lymph nodes, NO hormones, NO spread. Which is why shes having the radiotherapy, and not all the rest of the stuff that im having. She will have a lumpectomy (my first op), which is a breeze, in hozzie in the morning, out in the afternoon.  They remove the lump as well as healthy tissue around the lump to make sure they have whats known as a 'clear' margin.  This will then get sent off to the pathology lab, for the white coat geeks to do whatever they do with them.  She will see the doc within 7 days post op, to have her dressing removed (dont get it wet) and for them to do another screening test, which is where they just have a good old feel round.  The doc will have the path results from the lumpectomy so he/she can tell her what was what etc, and then she will see the oncologist for rads planning.  Rads is a breeze from what ive heard.  They wont do it until at least 6 weeks post op.  They will mark her either with a pen or with a tattoo, as the rads have to be in the same place every time. 

As for the scar that the lumpectomy will leave, its tiny, only a few cms long, hardly noticeable at all, and nothing to worry about.  It will be very small, and thin, and fades within months.

If there is ANYTHING, and i mean ANYTHING you or her wish to talk about, you know where I am..its no problems at all, and I might be able to set her mind at ease.  There are a few websites she can go on that ive used as a lifeline..as well as you guys.  Everything she will need down this long road is on www.breastcancercare.co.uk Its not easy chick, but its not as scary once you get your head round it babes. 

I know this is going to sound terrible, but shes lucky its only grade 1, i know breast cancer is a horrible sounding phrase, and automatically peeps think the worst, but the different grades..give different odds.  And grade 1..gives you the BEST odds there is chick.  Make sure you tell her that!!  You are right about the screening though, its disgusting, you really do have to fight your corner if you are under 50 believe it or not.  If I hadnt thrown a paddy and argued to get my lumps removed...I wouldnt be here now put it that way, thats how fast and nasty mine is chica.  But im winning and its not!

Tell her to keep her chin up, and the same goes for all the rest of your family.  You will feel like a chocolate fireguard and completely useless but that is completely normal.  Carry on the same as you always have done, as normality for her now is a foreign concept, and youd be surprised how nice it is when peeps not ignore the fact you have it, but treat you like the person you always have been.

Posted: 04 June 2007 at 9:43am | IP Logged

Aww honey I'm thinking of you and your family. Its really tough, I know from when my Aunt had it. All you can do is be there for her.

So sorry I cant do or say more. I'm here if you want a natter though.

Posted: 04 June 2007 at 2:26pm | IP Logged

ahhh a lumpectomy as well as a sentinal node clearance..which is the first ones, closest to the lump.  IF it has got to the nodes, they will then do a full lymph node removal (like being hit by a bus)..and then chemo etc.

Thinking the worst is an automatic reaction whenever anyone says the word cancer.  Thing is though..if you ask the question am i going to die..the answer will always be yes you will...as we will all die sooner or later.  The radiotherapy is very very effective now, a heck of a lot more than what it was when it was first used 30 plus years ago.  Its in the same place, everyday for the five weeks and zaps absolutely everything in its path.  I think because shes not having the chemo etc, which everyone expects to have with cancer treatment..makes you sort of wonder..well will the rads clear everything up...what if etc.  Like you said they didnt get it all with your grandma..but surgery and tests etc have changed so much since then that its unbelievable.  They will get it all as they remove healthy tissue surrounding it.  If they dont get a clear enough margin, they go back in and remove more tissue.

Your aunt will be thinking the worst, which wont help her, but it is normal and a natural reaction.  Telling someone with cancer its not that bad, when you dont have cancer can be hard to take, as they will automatically either think or say..well you dont have it so how do you know...i know that sounds harsh but it is true.  A few peeps around here have said it to me, and ive had to try hard to bite my tongue a few times.  She will get upset, she will get angry its all part and parcel of it.  Its a toughie to deal with chica.  Im around anytime you need to know anything.