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Tuesday 19 May 2015

The Results

Every three years in England, the health service asks ladies of a certain age to submit to a mammogram experience.. This is usually quite an invasive and not a very nice experience as they have to squeeze your breasts to be able to xray them between pieces of glass. It means awkward angles and can be quite pinching and painful. So, when I got this invitation at the beginning of May, despite being in a close area where it was easy to park and be done, I was very very loath to go and attend, remembering all the other painful visits. However, I did go, and a week later a letter asking me for further tests arrived. I was quite surprised as I had never been asked back before, but the letter also said it was only one in ten people that there was cause for anxiety. Having been reassured by that fact, I was due to be seen the following week. However I then contracted Shingles and the thought of my breasts being manhandled and squeezed was not appealing, so I made the arrangement to go again last week when the shingles had almost gone. I was in some trepidation, but found the clinic and car parks easily and went to my meeting. I was ushered into a darkened room with a screen showing a cluster of white spots on my left breast, just under the nipple area. The took many xrays, scans and photos and then several pieces of my breast were taken for biopsy, and I left with an arrangement to return to discuss the biopsy this morning. We were together in the office with the surgeon specialist who told me that I now showed that I had pre cancerous cells, but the cluster were not at this moment active.. However there would be a time when they would break through and then invade the rest of my body and would become proper breast cancer. The option I had, was a full Mastectomy, or a cut and dive in to extract the bad cells and hopefully manage to clean up the area and prevent any spreading. I chose the cutting, which will only take about half an hour to do.. then afterwards I have to have radiotherapy for every day for three weeks to make absolutely sure that all is clear and safe. My husband is in a state of shock, because he really believed that we would be back home quickly with no worries.. Now, I have had an operation date set,.it will be after my trip to Canada, because I would not be good to fly after an operation.. and so on July 7th I will face the knife. Its a funny thing really, because I knew that something was up, despite the fact that there was no lump or discolouration, or dimpling, or anything to show that cancer was trying to rear its horrible head.. This is obviously why these Mammo tests are so important, so if any of you reading this, are in two minds about going and getting it done, please do not wait and hesitate, the main thing in my brain is that, if I had not gone, I would not be in a good position to deal with it, and it might be a completely different outcome I would be facing... So PLEASE do attend all these appointments, they may very well save your life!!!

16 comments:

  1. oh I am so sorry to hear this but you have taken immediate action and sound very brave,, cancer is such an ugly beast ,, it seems no family is spared these days. I will keep you in my thoughts,, here in Canada its every two years we have to have mammograms, I don't like it either but my dear Mum battled breast cancer, it was found too late and it was a struggle,, with early detection full recovery is the norm now isn't it! Best Wishes from Canada!

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    1. Thank you 'Laurie, just like many I thought that mammo tests were a waste of time as I had no symptoms, but this has proved me wrong and I wanted anyone else with my previous views to see how really important it is to get tested..

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  2. So glad they have caught the problem early when it is easier to resolve! And I'm glad it won't interfere with your trip to Canada.

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    1. I am hoping that it will be a clean blast and nothing more to worry about, so thank you for your thoughts.x

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  3. So sorry to read about your upcoming surgery, it's always a worrying time when facing the "C" word, but detecting it earlier rather than later is always the best approach.
    I go for my annual mammogram next week.
    Best wishes to you, and hopefully a quick recovery !
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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    1. Thank you for leaving me a comment. It is preferable to leaving it for life to take charge. I was offered the option, but the advice said do it now.. so I am thank you for posting all the best J

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  4. I'm sorry to hear this but so glad that they caught it very early! Best wishes to you!

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    1. Thank you for your kind thoughts, I so really did not go to the appointment as I had no symptoms..

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  5. If it's going to happen, Janzi, this is the best way. Catch it early, cut and zap! That's what I had done and I've now been Cancer free for 24 years ! You did just the right thing and are a good example to others who may find themselves in the same position someday.

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  6. I'm sorry to read that you have to face 'the knife' but it's good that through going for your mammogram it's been caught early and can be treated BEFORE it gets a hold and can be sorted out. (Hasn't be a good few weeks for you has it?) So pleased you will be able to go to Canada first.
    Bless you for this post Janzi, if you only give one woman the encouragement to go for the test it's worthwhile.
    {Hugs}
    Rose H
    xx

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  8. I will keep good thoughts for your boobs Janzi. Xo

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  9. A good reminder for those who like to postpone the unpleasant.

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  10. Dear Janzi, if all bad things come in three you must be DONE with these unpleasantnesses by now! Many warm thoughts go to you upon your upcoming procedure. May you heal well and fast.

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  11. Wow talk about a great timing for a test! My wife had a mastectomy done 18 months ago. In Quebec, Canada, it's done every 2 years for women above fifty, but it was found from her annual doctor visit (he felt a lump). From the time she got a mammogram to the time of her operation (6 weeks), the tumor had triple in size... But that was invasive full cancer cells. I am surprise you don't seems to need chemo. Radio was easy peasy, just time consuming to get that done every days, there is a lot of scaring story about that, but from the people that were going at the same time, there was no problems. Now she will be getting mammogram every year, are you going to be watch too on a yearly schedule?

    Let me just assure you of one thing, the unknown is a lot scarier than the treatments.

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    1. Richard and all of you, thank you so much for your encouraging posts.. I am going to deal with it on my return from holiday in Canada, and although not looking forward to it, realise that it is better out than in** Bit scared how it will look and feel afterwards, but it has to be done.. Glad Richard that your wife is getting better after her scare, but shes on the way to full health now I am sure.. Liv thank you for saying it happened 24 years ago and you are still here... that was very encouraging indeed.. All the best to all of you..xxxx

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