In March 2011 I went to my GP with an irritating itch on my right breast that was all an itch!!! I knew something was wrong when I looked at the horrified panic stricken face of my GP whilst examining my breast she could feel a lump but it was moving and so she suspected it was a cyst but to be on the safe side she referred me to the breast care clinic at my local hospital, in the meantime I was to take a course of anti-biotics, I waited 2 weeks for the appointment during which time I had been going out of my mind with worry and upset. March the 10th was the appointment at the hospital the Dr (breast surgeon) examined me and told me that I had been referred to him as my GP had found a large lump in my breast and he confirmed this there was indeed a large lump in my breast, then followed a ultrasound and mamogram due to my age (youngish woman with dense breast tissue) the mamogram was inconclusive but the ultrasound showed a mass measuring about 6cm in my right breast, I remember saying to the Dr performing the ultrasound/biopsy "that does not look like a cyst" she agreed with me and showed me that I did indeed have a cyst but it had been masking the real trouble which was the lump underneath it. So really from that point on I knew I had breast cancer even tho it took the Drs another fortnight to tell me and diagnose me properly. I was dx with IDC (invasive ductual carcinoma) stage 3 and was to start chemo immediately as my cancer was deemed very aggressive. Another 2 weeks go by and I am told to have a series of scans just to make sure that the cancer had not spread, so CT scan, MRI, bone scan, then another 2 weeks and finally the result (the waiting was just terrible) even tho the result was not good in that they had found that my breast cancer had spread via my lymph nodes to both lungs, at least I had all results no more waiting, shocks or horrors that was it. Thankfully the bone scan came back clear. So this now changed my dx to stage IV terminal cancer and I fell apart. Crying all the time, planning my funeral, telling my partner that he should move on as I was not going to be around for much longer, all the usual stuff people think when faced with such a daunting dx.
The worst part was telling everyone my family and friends everyone reacts differently to this type of news but most cry which just made me more and more upset and stressed out. It had to be done tho and telling them was the worst part for me. I absolutely hated upsetting people all my life I have been a 'people pleaser' but this was just horrific. My parents were utterly distraught my mother told me with tears running down her face "you cant die it would break our hearts" that line still gets to me. Although I did'nt cry at the time cause I was trying to be strong for them and not show how much I was really feeling.
So to sum up I have stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer with mets to my lungs I am ER+ PR- HER2+.
So on the 8th of June 2012 I received the results of the latest CT scan and this is the post from that triumphant day.
WOW WOW WOW wanted to share my fantastic news with you all (I find it really uplifting to read of others good outcomes and hope this gives someone inspiration) The results of my latest ct scan were great! They actually told me that the nodules on my lungs are still unchanged (stable since last June) and tiny and the doc said "we don't actually know if it is cancer it could be scar tissue on your lungs!!!! but because the nodules are so tiny we cant biopsy them", she personally didn't think I had any cancer left on the lungs and the rest of the scan was clear, how amazing is that!!!!!, I'll be honest I was full of the fear and dread before I went into the cubicle thinking OMG feeling all tense and fragile, came out feeling elated and on top of the world so went and had a massive crab sandwich and bought some new 'Bare Minerals' makeup from House of Fraiser (good ole bit of retail therapy to celebrate), its the first bit of good news since all of this breast cancer shit started, it makes all the treatments, surgery and changes I've made feel worth while like cutting out caffeine and sugar, drinking a pint of green organic fresh juice daily, taking supplements and generally looking after myself, life is finally good again miracles CAN and DO happen something I am ever so ever so grateful for. I am presently whooping cancers ass and WINNING! cancer = 0 points Sarah = 100 points
Anyone reading this who has cancer repeat after me "we can beat this, treatments are doable, we are triumphant, we will survive"
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