I wanted, no, needed to be prepared for the news, and ‘in control’ . My educated guesses were preparing me for an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis, however because I am not a medical professional I was more than happy not to be right….just this once!
I went to NGH ‘armed’ with Danny and Steve. Thankfully Steve recovered quickly from a car park melt down and from general clinic tardiness, so we all sat eagerly whilst Mr Dawson gave us the news.
Firstly the good news; ,Mr Dawson explained that the cancer was widespread in my breast with several focal points, however it had been removed with clear margins and I was told that my CT scan was clear.
It was through further questioning and Mr Dawson’s patience that I gained more information. This is the first time that I have felt that this ‘was about me’ and not that I was just another patient in a system/procedure. Mr Dawson gave me the time I needed to understand what was a head of me. As agreed , Mr Dawson also sent me all ofthe written information so far.
So….. my official diagnosis is: T3 N2 Grade III micro-papillary carcinoma. In other words ‘a large high grade cancer with substantial axillary spread’.
12 of the 14 lymph nodes that were removed were affected. My results also identified that my cancer is ER , PR and Her2 positive.
With this information, the multi disciplinary team came up with a treatment plan involving;
a bone scan
an echocardiogram
6 cycles of Chemo
5 Weeks of Radio therapy
1 year of Herceptin
5 years of hormone therapy
And a partridge in a pear tree!
Unfortunately my educated guess is now a reality. Mr Dawson seems to understand my need to have as much information as possible. He gave me a copy of the histology report during the consultation.
I asked about my prognosis. My cancer has been removed and the Chemo will terminate the cancer cells that are currently cruising around my body seeking to survive. However, I’m realistic that there are several risk factors at play here , that make the chance of reoccurrence high. So my prognosis…
Mr Dawson explained that the oncologist would go through this with me, as there is diagnostic tool used to calculate prognosis based on statistics called the Nottingham prognostic index … satisfied with this, I left the appointment, but having read the histology report when I got home, I noted that the index score of 6.7 is listed on there.
Google has helped me interpreted this to be a 50% chance of survival at 5 years. I will of course need the oncologist to talk this through with me, however in the meantime I have placed my self firmly in that 50% that will survive over and beyond….after all there is the hope that there will be grandchildren to spoil in my future!! (I will of course get told off for that comment!)
Like me, Danny is keen to know as much information; however Steve is not so sure. Even though the cancer is out and chemo will destroy all the current cancer cells, I'm not sure Steve fully understood that there could be long term implications.
Whilst at the appointment, my breast was examined. My wounds are healing very well, however I’d been experiencing tightness an uncomfortable swelling for a number of days. My poorly breast is noticeably swollen, and it seems that if the lymph fluid does not absorb into my body naturally, I will have to have it syringed out, so here’s hoping nature kicks in and sorts that out!
Since receiving the results, I remain steadfast in my determination, although I have felt somewhat ‘flat’, forgetful and distracted. My family and friends have been fab!
So many people have reached out to me. A ‘friend of friend’ Kathy, from Boston, USA, gifted me a ‘pink’ prayer book and a ‘fight like a girl’ T-Shirt!.. I never met this lady, but I can’t believe how much strength I have drawn from such a kind act… it’s as if she knew what I needed….. as if she just knows?!! A great role model!
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