I was seen on 18th May 2017 by the most marvellous Mr Khan and he wasn't phased at all by my 4 piece cheerleading entourage !
Home made, quilting 'Cheerleading' gift from Julia xx thank you
Danny, XDIL, XFIL and DangeRuss were eagerly by my side , however there was no surprising news from Mr Khan; he confirmed my CT scans showed no concerns and told me that I am to have a CT PET scan that aims to picks up more detail about what's going on in my body. So I'm awaiting an appointment for this.
Mr Khans honesty and turn of words was refreshing, he confirmed that because of the location of the infected lymphnode , that I have 'distant' metastasis and that the cancer is no longer curable but very assuringly treatable. Mr Khan was keen to explain that with new treatments coming though , that ladies can live for many years with advanced breast cancer , and this is of course my plan !
How I'm feeling about this? : Disoriented
Because of the location of the 'cancer party' in my lymphnode it would suggest that the cancer has spread elsewhere and it will be the CT PET scan that could trace where if any, 'micro met' cancer cells might be lurking . I'm told that they do not routinely do this as it is an expensive procedure , however it seems necessary in my case and I'm feeling thankful that the NHS is looking out for me!
The biopsy confirmed that there is breast cancer cells in the supracavicular lymphnode and that they are oestrogen receptor positive. The HER2 results from the biopsy are still outstanding, and this will influence the treatment regime that I will have. Mr Khan and I are hoping that I am positive for the HER2 protein, as there are some new and excellent 'targeted treatments' available to help blast the pesky cell into remission!
My treatment has also
included a change of hormone therapy ; from Tamoxifen to Letrozole. The Tamoxifen I have been taking since 2014 clearly hasn't worked and gave me some side effects that required treatment for polyps earlier this year . It seems Letrozole is more in keeping with ladies that are post menopausal in any event, and I have high hopes that this will help... I'm summoning the power of positive thinking, so let's have a high five for Letrozole!!
Systemic therapy' i.e. chemotherapy is also part of the plan as is radiotherapy. I am now waiting for an appointment with Dr Knighton in oncology to give me more details. Whilst I have completed this kind of treatment before, this is in a whole different league and the start of a life time of treatment for me!
I'm not saying that I'll be in chemo for life but my new reality is that my treatment will never be over, and that I will be relying on treatments to manage this very unsolicited cancer party in my body!
How I feel about this; it's been a bit of an emotional overload to be honest , but it is what it is and ' I got this'
Funnily enough, I have just received an invitation from Northampton General Hospital to the opening of their new chemo suite on 6th June 2017, because of the fundraising 'we' did for them through the 'hair dares' adventures of 2014. So, with some sweet irony, It seems I will get to directly experience the new and improved chemo suite !
Surgery to remove the lymphnode was put forward by locum consultant Mr Milanowski , however Mr Khan explained that the research available would suggest this would have no particular benefit and not at all in keeping with practice. To have 2 conflicting thoughts about this, has probably not been the most helpful to me, however I feel in safe hands with Mr Khan's assessment and some pre appointment googling has made me feel satisfied with surgery not being part of the plan.
A vital component of my 'treatment' plan is of course my support network. There's research that suggests that social isolation may lead to poor survival rates in breast cancer patients. I know I'm already blessed with an army of cheerleaders, and know I have to be open to the support that sometimes I struggle to accept .
So, Kath, the breast care nurse has been tasked to coordinate and chase appointments for me and it seems that I will be referred to the metastatic breast care nurse , a new service offered by NGH!
And now for the good news !!
I get to go to my friends wedding in Barbados next week !! Yay!
When I asked Mr Khan about this, he told me that the cancer in itself would not be an issue , but with a cancer diagnosis I am a high risk of blood clots during flight. It really did sound as if he was advising against it, though said there were steps I could take to reduce this. I finally got what I needed to make a decision about the holiday, when I acknowledged his duty to inform me of the risks, and asked what his advice would be if his wife was in the same situation . So it seems the benefits out weigh the risks and I'm off to Barbados . Happy days !
So, you now know what I know on a medical front. On an emotional level, I can't quite find the right words to translate what's going on in my head at the moment, but know this ; Every fibre in my body is braced to kick some cancer 'ass' .
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