Staying Healthy

2456797

Comments

  • Good morning Cath,

    If you haven't gone yet, I just wanted to also wish you good luck for today.

    If you've already gone and get this later, I hope you got good news.

    All the best,

    RB
  • Cath, I've probably missed you, but the very best of luck anyway.

    I hope you got good news.

    Caroline
  • MinksMinks ✭✭✭
    Cath,

    I've only just found this thread but add mine to all the good wishes from other forumites. I occasionally get pain in one of my breasts (I think it's the way I lie when I sleep) but every time it happens I start anxiously feeling for lumps and looking for changes with my heart in my mouth, so I can't begin to imagine how you must be feeling.

    My thought are with you today: I really, really hope everything is OK for you.

    Keep us posted.

    Best wishes,
    Debbie
  • Hope the news is good, I shall be thinking of you

    Daisy
  • Am thinking of you, and as I said in the training thread, a ran the nide bit along the river for you. As it happened, at the beginning of that stretch I ran into an old friend who happens to be a breast cancer survivor herself. She's fine. May luck equally run with you.

    All the best, Marj
  • For nide read nice. Bring back the edit function!
  • NessieNessie ✭✭✭
    A belated good luck from me too - sorry it's so late.
  • Oh you Guys!!! Look at all those messages!! I nearly burst into tears when I saw them!

    Okay okay, sooo I went to the clinic and I'm afraid I'm no better off with knowing what the problem is although I do know what it isn't!! The surgeon (who was extremely sensitive and very nice) agreed with me and said it was not a cyst because it is too hard and regular shaped (I don't know how I knew - I just knew it wasn't that).

    Anyway, I had a mammogram and a fine needle biopsy - I have to return to the clinic on Wednesday lunchtime for the results. They couldn't give me them today because they are running two lots of tests and I know that one lot certainly takes a couple of days to do.

    The surgeon said it is an enlarged gland (although he didn't say whether he meant breast or lymph gland - I'm assuming breast because it isn't right in my armpit) but he doesn't know what has caused it to become enlarged.

    He explained that the biopsy may give some clues as to the cause - it may not and the gland may have to be removed.

    Obviously right now, I still don't know whether I should be worrying or not (I was a cardiac surgery nurse not a cancer nurse). By all accounts, it (hopefully) could just be a blocked gland in the breast, it could be an infection which has caused the gland to swell, but it could also be a form of cancer or a whole host of other reasons. I just don't know and so we play the waiting game again until Wednesday. However what I do know is this - if it IS nothing then obviously that's great!! If it IS something (ie cancer) then also that's not so bad because the treatments and cures available now for cancer are so advanced and this lump has only been there relatively recently so it will have been caught early!! I'm resting my money on a blocked gland though :)

    The Mr has gone back to work - I packed him off through the door because he was fussing. So he's worried also. So you guys - no worrying just yet!!! I'm giving myself a day off from training today though (I haven't trained since Monday actually) but I don't know - just can't think about it right now.

    V-rap -- I worked in a teriary Trust where they conducted regional surgery for cardiothoracic patients so I was about as far removed from the real world of the NHS as it gets :) Although having said that, I was extremely impressed with the service I received this morning. The consultant, nurse specialist, radiographers and receptionists were all really nice and nothing was too much trouble. Where I worked it was much the same so it's nice to see places where the horror stories of the NHS aren't actually true.
  • Don't suppose that's what you really wanted from today, having to wait till next week, but at least things are moving in the right direction.
  • WW - yep, you're right, not really what I'd hoped for but there again as long as the correct tests are carried out and we know where we're headed, I don't mind so much. I think in today's society and culture we tend to forget that not everything can be taken care of instantaneously ... as much as we'd like it to be. As you said, things are moving in the right direction and that's something.
  • It would have been good to have a definite answer today, Cath, but at least you'll know on Wednesday that everything that needs doing has been done, the problem has been taken seriously, and you shouldn't be left with any niggling doubts about whether something has been missed due to failure to do the correct tests.
  • V-rap -- I'm not at all worried anything has been missed. It's simply a case now of discovering what it is and then launching the appropriate course of action. I'm kind of in that "don't worry it's nothing" and that "what if" place -- same place I've been all week really. Still, as you say, soon enough we'll know what it is and what we can do about it. :o)
  • Coco-CatCoco-Cat ✭✭✭
    Hi Cath,

    Sorry you didn't find out today, but just try and stay positive. Take it easy, but treat yourself to gentle exercise which might make you feel better...or just go for facials, massages, jacuzzis etc. Anything that'll help (chocolate is included!).

    Best wishes for Weds.

    RR
  • RedheadRedhead ✭✭✭
    Ok, still not found the answer, but a few steps closer. Keep your chins up and eat lots of things that give you pleasure.
    Fingers crossed for next week.
    Susie
  • Hi Cath - I've just seen this thread, and am really sorry to hear that you are going through the mill at the moment. All the advice has been really sensible, and I just wanted to say - hang in there, stay positive, keep calm and keep talking to your friends - both real and virtual.

    Best wishes
    Amanda
  • OK, so we all keep our fingers crossed through next Wednesday. We can do that. We will do that. And you're right about thinking positive and keeping running.

    I have found running in difficult times the source of courage. May it be so too for you. Go for it. You will not be alone. Marj
  • Stay positive, chin up, we are all with you.
    Take care
    Daisy
  • Cath, Just found this thread, sorry you didn't get a definitive answer today. The waiting for news is probably the worst part.
    All the previous advice has been great and I think you should keep a positive frame of mind.
    Take care, will be thinking about you
    Anita
  • Marj -- I'm going to run tomorrow (it's too late now) because you showed me it's possible to do so with a purpose (other than getting through the schedule) to it. I loved your post in the training thread and I'm going to run "for me" to show "me" that "I'm healthy" :o)

    Thanks guys for helping me out with this -- you'll really never know how helpful it has been, especially today.
  • Cath, I'm so moved by this thread and sorry you've got to have the waiting prolonged. You sound so human - positive, non melodramatic but vulnerable. When times are hard some good things come out of them, like having people support each other.
    Best of luck for next week and fantastic you're still running; with your attitude I'm sure you're well equipped to deal with whatever's to come.

    Best wishes to you.
  • Cath
    This seems to be a predominantly female thread but having experienced a similar male problem I can understand your concerns.On behalf of the male population can I wish you good luck and hope all goes well.
  • I didn't run on Friday and I haven't run all weekend. I'm not sleeping well and I'm tired - resting heart rate is up to 80-85 in the mornings (my normal is around 48-55)so I've given running a miss I'm afraid. In fact I've only been able to go out with the Mr (shopping Saturday and Mini-Golf in the park today) as well as take the dog for just one walk. I haven't felt this tired before but I know it's because of all the stress I'm under. Hopefully it will right itself come Wednesday.

    Laura -- Thanks for your message. Sometimes I feel vulnerable and I feel like I can't cope and then other times I feel okay, if a little tired. The Mr and I had a good long talk on Saturday evening and we discussed bills, the house insurance (critical illness insurance) and what the possibilities are with what might happen if things are GOOD and if things are BAD so I feel so much better about things. I don't know sometimes I feel like am I blowing this out of all proportion..? Then other times I think, hang on a suspect lump, other non specific symptoms - I don't think so. Plus, I'm the type of person that I like to analyse all eventualities so that at least then, as I see it, I'm prepared for the worst!

    Head Gone -- Aaaw thanks! I really appreciate that. I think a couple of the forum guys were wishing me luck on Friday morning. It's nice that a guy can support a ldy in a similar situation. Thanks.
  • Cath

    Just found this thread and I'm really sorry you're going through the mill at the moment.
    Be nice to yourself. Chocolate and alcohol would be my prescription! Don't read anything sinister into not feeling well at the moment - I'm sure it's a reaction to the stress you're under as you said.

    I'll think of you on Wednesday and I'll get my Mum on the case, she has a hotline to God (Irish Catholic) and spookily it often does the trick.

    I enjoyed your inflatable head - it's nice to see your real face but I kind of miss the other one. I've really enjoyed your posts - good luck and I'll be thinking of you.
  • Keep your chin up Cath, it'll soon be the end of the week and a weight will be off your shoulders........! You'll feel like you can run a marathon... All the best
  • Just wanted to add my best wishes for Wednesday Cath! Had a similar experience myself, and I know how stressful it can be. Will be thinking of you.
  • Dear Cath,

    I am very sorry to read about what you are currently going through. The feelings and anxieties you describe are to be expected. I've had cancer for ten years, and I can honestly say that I find the most difficult times are associated with waiting for test results, because of the inability to act without complete information.

    It seems that you have a good network of supportive people - including on this forum. Use it, but also fell free to feel what you feel, whether 'positive' or 'negative' - relative terms, in any case.

    And best wishes for Wednesday. I fervently hope that it is something innocuous, and esay to treat. Until then, I wish you good strength, and good friends.

    Take care,

    DC
  • Daisy Dog -- I have to admit I hadn't realise dabout the inflatable head!! It really made me laugh too - BlueKnees sorted it out for me :) Oh and re: reading stuff into being not well - well, it's kind of difficult really. I tend to be the type who wants to think about all eventualities... just in case. Whereas the Mr, see he would avoid anything until the very last minute if he could!! I don't know, it's swings and roundabouts really, one minute you're fine and everything will be okay and the next minute it's the end of the world. It's very hard to stay on an even keel without any information to go on.

    Fire Putter Outer -- I wish!! I've only just started running about 4-5 weeks ago!! I was making really good progress too but have been a bit stressed and tired lately what with all the things going on at the moment!! Thanks for the sentiments anyway.

    Elizabeth T -- Thanks very much. It's sometimes encouraging when people say they have experience of this type of thing and then it makes me think just how many women are affected by this type of thing and even though I'm a nurse, I had no idea at all... really what all the stats translate to - I mean it's so many!

    Dalya -- Thanks very much. I'm in that "what is it" place and I'm thinking it could still be like that on Wednesday (they might need to remove the lump to do a proper tissue biopsy on it). I do feel useless though it's true - I've sat in the study most of the weekend with my anatomy books and medical text books out trying to work out the actual anatomy of the area - so that I'll know the righ questions to ask on Wednesday. I'm sure it'll turn out to be nothing and I'm worrying unnecessarily but you just don't know that until you're told *sigh*. Thanks again.

  • Wishing you the best of luck for tomorrow Cath!

    Hild
  • Cath,
    good luck tomorrow. I hope all goes well. Our thoughts are with you!

    Si and Ali
  • Good luck for tomorrow Cath. I'll be thinking of you.
Sign In or Register to comment.