Originally Posted by carolinephillips

Why, when you have a recall letter does it take you an hour to get through to confirm the appointment??

Still, the lady on the other end of the phone when it was eventually picked up was able to explain what they would be doing to me, or might be doing. It was, as I thought, my right breast, which has begun to ache since I opened the letter. Talk about psychosomatic symptoms!!

Originally Posted by fulwood

My heart goes out to anyone who has cancer or cares for someone with cancer.I can only advise that caring and watching someone you love - slowly battle and eventually die of cancer after 4 years takes its toll on you. My brother died of anal cancer of all things. He moved in with me in 2009 and died 1/3/2013. It's coming up on 2 year anniversary and seems like yesterday. i did not know how bad I was until he died age 49. he was my priority. I had PTSD and still have PTSD. When doctor told me I told him only soldiers who have been in battle get it. No he said it means you have taken on the 'burden' - term used lightly of the pain and suffering of someone you love. It made sense. Caroline (that's my name) I sincerely hope nothing is wrong and wish you well. Spouse of Scouse - you can only be there and listen. Me - I'm here, one day at a time. Every day I think of my brother. 2 kids raised in an orphanage and now only 1.. He was suffering so much though and couldn't go on..No sympathy for me - I'm doing better bit by bit..

Originally Posted by carolinephillips

Glad she is out of hospital.

I have just had the results of my breast scan. Got to go back on Tuesday for more assessment. I'm trying to console myself that there is still a very high chance I don't have anything sinister going on, but have a nasty cold feeling in the pit of my stomach now.

Bugger.

Originally Posted by carolinephillips

Thanks - sorry to make you uncomfortable.

I'll probably turn out to just have lumpy breasts!! My take on it is there are changes but they are due to all the weight I lost and have now managed to put half of it back on.

At least I don't have long to wait to have the assessment done. Might put the dampener on my weekend in Melbourne, though it might also take my mind off it.

Originally Posted by Molly Coddle

Good luck Caroline. X


When you in Melb? Have I missed something ( post )?

Hey if you need any company in Melb. You are more than welcome to come for a coffee or meet up if you like.
I promise I'm not a nutter or anything of the sort....Well, thats debatable I suppose.

Originally Posted by carolinephillips

I'm flying down tomorrow, so will be there and wandering around just after lunchtime (hopefully) and then have Saturday morning free. (5pm flight out, but OH hopes to finish work by 12 so he can actually spend time with me.) We'll be staying in a hotel in the CBD, so if you are around I'd love to actually put a face to the slightlyquirky poster on here!! I'll pm you my mobile number, but be warned, even when I actually turn it on, I tend not to hear it ring, and I am absolutely rubbish at texting, because it has vindictive text!!

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse

Thank you Caroline, Molly, Daisy and Sparkles

Yep, escape complete. Something really nice happened on the way out - Di and I popped into Solaris, a centre attached to the hospital that offers massage, reiki, yoga and similar services to people with cancer and their carers. We were just going to pick up some brochures but a reiki practitioner was there and had had a cancellation, so she offered the spot to Di. She looked a lot better after a bit of pampering. Great centre and entirely free.

Funny how things turn out, my sisters and I fundraised during Dry July and raised $3,500 which we chose to donate to the Solaris centre. That was before Di's diagnosis. Nice karma.

Di's staying with Mum for a few days before she goes home. We 'banned' Mum from seeing her while she was in hospital - Mum and my stepdad are in their 80s and my stepdad is receiving palliative care for lung cancer, so we didn't want them exposed to any bugs. Mum's thrilled to bits to have Di there to fuss over and cook for.

And hopefully, the rest of Di's chemo and radiotherapy will be uneventful (touching wood madly). Thanks again for the chance to have a yarn about all this - it really helped xx

Originally Posted by carolinephillips

Glad she is out of hospital.

I have just had the results of my breast scan. Got to go back on Tuesday for more assessment. I'm trying to console myself that there is still a very high chance I don't have anything sinister going on, but have a nasty cold feeling in the pit of my stomach now.

Bugger.

Originally Posted by fulwood

My heart goes out to anyone who has cancer or cares for someone with cancer.I can only advise that caring and watching someone you love - slowly battle and eventually die of cancer after 4 years takes its toll on you. My brother died of anal cancer of all things. He moved in with me in 2009 and died 1/3/2013. It's coming up on 2 year anniversary and seems like yesterday. i did not know how bad I was until he died age 49. he was my priority. I had PTSD and still have PTSD. When doctor told me I told him only soldiers who have been in battle get it. No he said it means you have taken on the 'burden' - term used lightly of the pain and suffering of someone you love. It made sense. Caroline (that's my name) I sincerely hope nothing is wrong and wish you well. Spouse of Scouse - you can only be there and listen. Me - I'm here, one day at a time. Every day I think of my brother. 2 kids raised in an orphanage and now only 1.. He was suffering so much though and couldn't go on..No sympathy for me - I'm doing better bit by bit..

Originally Posted by carolinephillips

Getting a bit nervous as tomorrow is the day I go for more testing. Didn't sleep much last night. Melbourne was great for taking my mind off things. I'm sure I'll be fine, as most people are, and feel silly for worrying. The rational part of me isn't worried, it is the irrational part.

Originally Posted by carolinephillips

Getting a bit nervous as tomorrow is the day I go for more testing. Didn't sleep much last night. Melbourne was great for taking my mind off things. I'm sure I'll be fine, as most people are, and feel silly for worrying. The rational part of me isn't worried, it is the irrational part.

Originally Posted by carolinephillips

WOOOHOOOOO!

The lump in my right breast is NOT cancer.

I'm having a coffee and croissant to celebrate. High cholesterol can go take a running jump for today.

Thanks everyone for keeping fingers crossed, as it obviously worked- even though the computer lost me and I didn't exist for 30 minutes at the assessment place. They had to reboot it to find me.

Originally Posted by carolinephillips

WOOOHOOOOO!

The lump in my right breast is NOT cancer.

I'm having a coffee and croissant to celebrate. High cholesterol can go take a running jump for today.

Thanks everyone for keeping fingers crossed, as it obviously worked- even though the computer lost me and I didn't exist for 30 minutes at the assessment place. They had to reboot it to find me.

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse

Oh what a relief, Caroline! Can't tell you how happy I am for you - phew!! Enjoy your celebration, you deserve it!!

Originally Posted by carolinephillips

Thank you. Phew indeed!

OH is treating me to a few days in the Hunter next month to celebrate.

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse

Oh, that's lovely!! Your OH sounds very understanding, the best type of partner to have. Now you have something nice to look forward to, as well as getting your good news. What a difference a day makes xx