Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

This time last week, everything was rosy. When my DW came home from work, we booked a last minute cruise and are due to sail to the Caribbean next Monday. Then on Tuesday, she had a mammogram, and that's where it went t*ts up! They found a lump.

So Thursday morning was spent at the doctor's office and then talking to a pre-op nurse at the hospital. Friday morning at 6:15am, we were at the hospital for her to have surgery to remove the lump, as it was more practical than just taking a piece for the lab and having to go in twice to remove it later.

Surgery went smoothly (her first ever!), but the doctor was concerned that from what he's seen in the past, he's pretty sure it's cancer. We'll know for sure late today or tomorrow, but it could mean a second surgery this week and potentially radiology and other treatment. We are obviously anxious to hear the news.

Many of you know I almost died earlier this year when I collapsed with sepsis and her father passed just a few weeks ago at the end of October.

The moral of the story is...Take life as it comes day by day. You never know what tomorrow will bring!

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

Sending every good wish to you and your DW-- and a big hug to her, too. Going by the third sentence of your first paragraph, your sense of humor is intact!

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

Sorry to read of your wife's health issue. Having just gone through this with my daughter, age 50, and having had a cancerous lump removed myself 27 years ago, I fully understand what both she and you are going through.

While removing the lump, did he take any lymph nodes for testing? Has she had a MRI yet? Any other testing? Radiation therapy is not usually done right off for breast cancer. Chemo is the way most oncologists will go and radiation is a last tried approach.

Hoping her news is better news than my daughter's was and that a mastecomy is not required or any additional surgery and that if it were cancer it is contained to the one lump.

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

Actually, I didn't realize what I said in that sentence - a Freudian slip! But you have to laugh or else you cry!!

Rete, I think it was chemo, but there has been so much discussed, I may have been confused. No other tests have been done so far, but there was a mention of underarm lymph nodes for the second surgery this week if it's needed, It's just a waiting game at the moment. We've been assured that whatever the result, it's not a death sentence, but that doesn't stop use both being scared as...!!!!!11!11!!

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

My daughter was stage 4 BC. It is definitely a potential life threat. They did 16 weeks of chemo, then a month off, then surgery to remove the breast, and 3 months later a body scan showed no signs of cancer.

Will not tell you not to be scared. That is normal and the right way to feel in my opinion. Be sure that she likes her oncologist and her surgeon. If not, CHANGE. Daughter had to change surgeon's because the initial one was uncaring, uninformative and uninvolved. She loves the one she did eventually find and recommends him to everyone who needs a referral.

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

My heart goes out to your wife and you. My prayers are also with you both. Stay strong!

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

Wishing you both all the best. Know what it is like to await a cancer biopsy result, a very worrying time.

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

Very true Guindalf and one I try to follow although that can be hard.

I am sorry to read all this from you. I shall hope for good news from you about your wife.

Rotten thing to have to go through and rotten timing too.

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

So sorry to hear this.

I wish you and your wife and you all the best.

I just wanted to let you know that I am a 2 time breast cancer survivor

The first was in 1995, and I think it was far more serious that I realised at the time, as at one point I was told that I had a 60% chance of survival after removal of the lump and chemotherapy. At that time, they didn't say Stage 1, etc. The only indication was how fast they got you into surgery. However, I opted to go straight to a mastectomy, with no chemo, radiation or other treatment ........... except that I was lop-sided whenever I didn't wear the prosthesis.

17 years later, in 2011, my annual mammogram showed "an anomaly", in trying to find what that was the radiologist found some cancer cells. The tumour was very tiny, about 2 mm but it had already become aggressive, releasing cells into the breast tissue.

I opted for another mastectomy ....... my surgeon said "ah, an elegant solution!"!!

No chemo, no radiation, a possibility to take tamoxifen, but then decided not to as it would only reduce my chance of further cancer from 5% to 2½% while increasing my chance of blood clots and uterine or ovarian cancer from around 2½% to 5%.

Read as much as you can. Ask as many questions as you can of the professionals, and go on thinking positive.

This is not a death sentence. Breast cancer can be cured, and survivors live long.

If there is any suggested delay before the next stage, ask if you could possibly go on your cruise, and then enjoy it! We went away before I got the definitive answer to the second one, and did manage to put it out of minds for periods of time.

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

Sending big hugs to you both. Hopefully when the treatment is finished you can enjoy a relaxing and well deserved cruise together. :fingerscrossed:for better news today.

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

All the best to both of you. Whatever happens you will deal however hard it appears and you will both come out the other side stronger. x

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

Thanks for all your kind thoughts and insights.

We're still waiting for 'the call'. She is at work and I am home, eating everything that isn't nailed down!

It's hard to relax not knowing what the next few days will bring.

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

I am rather new to the forum nad to you but I've had similar problems in my family and I want to express my best wishes to you and wife.
Stay strong.

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

Guindalf...sorry I missed this thread yesterday.

I am so very sorry to read this. Hopefully if it is the big “C” it has been detected early...but I am hoping it is not.

Stay strong and please remember we are always here should you need a shoulder...

Re: Life Knows How To Kick You In The Teeth!
 

Having trouble breathing now. It's almost 1:30 and we still haven't heard!

Jpk, doesn't matter who you are or how new, your thoughts are just as valid, thanks. As the Scots say 'A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet', but I think that's only because they like to borrow money from friends! ;)

JG, thanks.