Mum has breast cancer, and then some
Discussion
Two weeks ago my mother was diagnosed with a small lump on her breast. Today she was supposed to have an operation to remove said lump along with her lymph nodes.
Unfortunately, yesterday, they told her the X-Rays have discovered something on one of her lungs but they're not sure what yet. She's now booked in for a CT scan next week.
I'll be completely honest, I have zero faith in the NHS after my own recent experiences. To cut it short I had some issues with my bowels and they simply ruled out cancer on the basis of my age (27 at the time, apparently cancer discriminates against age?). It then took two f
king years start to finish from going to my GP about this to then getting an Ultrasound, a sigmoidoscopy and then being told they didn't know what was wrong with me before discharging me. I still have these issues and I'm none the wiser. Is it bowel cancer, is it Crohns? Who fking knows, right? Not me, nor them.
If she goes privately she can have the CT scan in the next day or two. Has anyone done this and was it worth it (ie, will an extra week really make a difference?) My issue is that come next week some other bks could arise with the NHS that delays things further, who knows what could happen with the NHS between now and then.
Unfortunately, yesterday, they told her the X-Rays have discovered something on one of her lungs but they're not sure what yet. She's now booked in for a CT scan next week.
I'll be completely honest, I have zero faith in the NHS after my own recent experiences. To cut it short I had some issues with my bowels and they simply ruled out cancer on the basis of my age (27 at the time, apparently cancer discriminates against age?). It then took two f
king years start to finish from going to my GP about this to then getting an Ultrasound, a sigmoidoscopy and then being told they didn't know what was wrong with me before discharging me. I still have these issues and I'm none the wiser. Is it bowel cancer, is it Crohns? Who fking knows, right? Not me, nor them. If she goes privately she can have the CT scan in the next day or two. Has anyone done this and was it worth it (ie, will an extra week really make a difference?) My issue is that come next week some other b
ks could arise with the NHS that delays things further, who knows what could happen with the NHS between now and then.Sorry to hear your news OP.
Firstly, re yourself. Keep badgering the GP to get something done.
As for your Mum, think about it this way, if they had not done the X-Ray, they may have gone ahead with the other procedure and missed something that may or may not be something to worry about. By doing what they are doing they are possibly saving your Mum a lot of pain etc. Hopefully the CT will show that it is nothing at all to worry about, and the delay will just have been a precaution. As a little reassurance, my old Gran had a breast removed and all the lymph nodes taken due to a small lump in the mid '70's (back then they didn't just take bits from what I have been told), she died nigh on 30 years later from a stroke.
If you can afford to go private, then it is of course an option, but I always take the view that if they are not rushing, then there surely can be no need to do so.
Hope all goes well in any event.
Firstly, re yourself. Keep badgering the GP to get something done.
As for your Mum, think about it this way, if they had not done the X-Ray, they may have gone ahead with the other procedure and missed something that may or may not be something to worry about. By doing what they are doing they are possibly saving your Mum a lot of pain etc. Hopefully the CT will show that it is nothing at all to worry about, and the delay will just have been a precaution. As a little reassurance, my old Gran had a breast removed and all the lymph nodes taken due to a small lump in the mid '70's (back then they didn't just take bits from what I have been told), she died nigh on 30 years later from a stroke.
If you can afford to go private, then it is of course an option, but I always take the view that if they are not rushing, then there surely can be no need to do so.
Hope all goes well in any event.
I can understand your frustration given your own experience (unfortunately the body is a complex beast and even these days there are plenty of things that are difficult to diagnose) but I doubt a week or two will make a significant difference.
In my experience with the NHS and cancer they have been fantastic. They certainly need to know the full picture before they can decide the best way forward for your Mum, whether that be immediate surgery or a course of chemo/radiotherapy first. Would that cancer were simple but there are a huge number of different types and methods of dealing with it so the doctors will want to be certain they are doing the best they can.
My best wishes to you and your Mum through what will doubtless be a worrying period.
Don't be too downbeat about it, people beat this thing all the time.
In my experience with the NHS and cancer they have been fantastic. They certainly need to know the full picture before they can decide the best way forward for your Mum, whether that be immediate surgery or a course of chemo/radiotherapy first. Would that cancer were simple but there are a huge number of different types and methods of dealing with it so the doctors will want to be certain they are doing the best they can.
My best wishes to you and your Mum through what will doubtless be a worrying period.
Don't be too downbeat about it, people beat this thing all the time.
Barring equipment failure or severe staff shortages I highly doubt they will cancel a CT scan for a cancer case. It's more likely that someone having a CT scan for a less serious condition than cancer would be bumped for your Mum.
If you feel you need more support then you should get in contact with someone like Macmillan. They are not just there for the cancer sufferers but also for the relatives.
If you feel you need more support then you should get in contact with someone like Macmillan. They are not just there for the cancer sufferers but also for the relatives.
Oakey said:
My only concern is that it gets to next week and some other hiccup occurs that delays the scan. It probably doesn't help that I'm aware of how many thousands die of cancer in this country from not being diagnosed in time.
Don't worry. If there was anything to worry about they would have her in by now.My cousin also had a breast lump two years ago. She is 40 this year. From finding said lump to going in was about 16 weeks. Followed by weeks of chemo and radiotherapy.
You may hear about lots of people dieing from late diagnosis etc, but how many of those are a result of them having a problem and not doing something about it until it is too late? There are also lots of people who you will not hear about, that pester the doc and get something done, get over it and continue with life. Unfortunately newspapers and television seem to prefer reporting bad news rather than good.
If you continue to worry it will not do you or your Mum any good. Why not get her to make an appointment with her GP, and go with her and talk your concerns over. It may not speed things up, but should help set you more at ease.
I should point out my grandmother (her mother) had breast cancer and had it removed and didn't die for another 30 odd years (of pancreatic cancer).
Obviously this business with the lung steps things up a gear. I'm just worried they'll drag their feet after it took them two years to tell me they didn't know what was wrong with me although this may be down to a horrific story I read on these forums about a PH'er whose mother or father had such a terrible experience with the NHS he took them privately to get the CT scan only to discover it was cancer that was the cause of their troubles.
Obviously this business with the lung steps things up a gear. I'm just worried they'll drag their feet after it took them two years to tell me they didn't know what was wrong with me although this may be down to a horrific story I read on these forums about a PH'er whose mother or father had such a terrible experience with the NHS he took them privately to get the CT scan only to discover it was cancer that was the cause of their troubles.
Edited by Oakey on Thursday 12th July 12:53
quickie - on way out - I've got breast cancer - now secondary. It's been treated on NHS, reasonably OK with a few hiccups en route. Having said that, I have recently had my CT scans privately - I'm insured cos it ain't cheap - about 1K depending on how much they scan and if they use contrast. The only reason I go private is speed of results, not of having done - TBH, a week here or there is not of much consequence. Going private my breast care nurse gets and rings me with results same day - I have to wait a week on NHS and believe me, the waiting is the hardest bit.
Be aware tho, some medics don't like you doing this, and I always have to make sure the results get sent from private hopspital to NHS and get filed properly with my notes.
Nina
Be aware tho, some medics don't like you doing this, and I always have to make sure the results get sent from private hopspital to NHS and get filed properly with my notes.
Nina
My mother had breast cancer c. 2 years ago now.
From first GP appointment to full CT scan was 4 days (x-rays, MRI scans and consultant appointments etal. done bertween the two). She started Chemo the week after (8 sessions from memory followed by radio and a very major operation).
We couldn't fault the NHS, nice staff, quick waiting times and they really did push the boat out, however the after surgery physio wasn't up to much so this was done privatly.
Admitedly it was a very bad strain (tens of small lumps spreading rapidly through the lymph system) whilst the first x-ray picked one up starting between the heart and lungs.
Based on the pain of the surgey - in hospital for 2 weeks post op unable to move and the permanant problems following - frozen shoulder - from experience its best that they know exactly what they are dealing with to save any future complications as the operation is major and by all accounts very painful.
Lastly I'll say that thankfully the treatment and survuival rates are improving and my mum (55 y.o.) is still with us with the last 2 6 monthly checks showing nothing untoward, following treatment from a very vicious, quick growing, rapidly spreading strain. (Initially there was a low chance of survival compared with most strains)
From first GP appointment to full CT scan was 4 days (x-rays, MRI scans and consultant appointments etal. done bertween the two). She started Chemo the week after (8 sessions from memory followed by radio and a very major operation).
We couldn't fault the NHS, nice staff, quick waiting times and they really did push the boat out, however the after surgery physio wasn't up to much so this was done privatly.
Admitedly it was a very bad strain (tens of small lumps spreading rapidly through the lymph system) whilst the first x-ray picked one up starting between the heart and lungs.
Based on the pain of the surgey - in hospital for 2 weeks post op unable to move and the permanant problems following - frozen shoulder - from experience its best that they know exactly what they are dealing with to save any future complications as the operation is major and by all accounts very painful.
Lastly I'll say that thankfully the treatment and survuival rates are improving and my mum (55 y.o.) is still with us with the last 2 6 monthly checks showing nothing untoward, following treatment from a very vicious, quick growing, rapidly spreading strain. (Initially there was a low chance of survival compared with most strains)
Edited by kiethton on Thursday 12th July 13:52
Sorry to hear about this OP - however, when my mum was diagnosed as having a lump, which luckily was found from a yearly scan, the NHS proceeded to sort it out extremely quickly. It was an agressive tumor which was whipped out quickly, she had a course of radiotherapy and some other drugs for longer term - been right as rain since.
I think the NHS actually do a good job for the more serious stuff - it's the waiting for a non-life threatening stuff like a hip replacement where it can drag on for a long time.
Wish the best for your mum.
I think the NHS actually do a good job for the more serious stuff - it's the waiting for a non-life threatening stuff like a hip replacement where it can drag on for a long time.
Wish the best for your mum.
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