Mum just dropped a bombshell "found a lump"
#331
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Hi There,
been taking it for a year now, hopefully not for much longer, should be cardio-averted in 6-8 or so weeks. I take a big dose to get my INR with range (blood thinned to a certain level) and it has proved to ge harder to do over a period of time.
I am on a shed load of other meds as well, beta blockers, allsorts - hopefully this should all be done with once i get averted, or at least some of them as i hate taking tablets and what they do to me. This is all because my GP failed to spot (i went back to see her some 7 times in two weeks) that i had a real bad reaction to codeine which caused my lungs to fill with fluid and my heart could not extract the oxygen from my lungs and was beating at 180bpm just sitting still - peaked at 220bpm walking and i could not get more than 50 yds without a serious rest and had to sleep upright as i choked and could not breathe if i laid down.
Ended up in hospital in a really bad way with heart damage which is slowly getting better although the drugs have just about killed off my imune system. My heart on a failure scale of 1-0 10 being dead was an 8-9 when i was admitted for the first time, it is now a 2-3 so things are on the mend.
Anyway enough of me, me, me
Some people seem to be succeptable to the bleeding from what i gather chatting to my consultant and to the blood letting nurses and the INR clinic. I have blood drawn twice a week and it stops bleeding within a minute. Even so i would not blame the warfarin first off and get it looked at.
I lost my dad to Bowel cancer - primary cancer, saw him drop from 12 stone and an active chap to 8 stone and bed ridden in a matter of months which was heart breaking.
been taking it for a year now, hopefully not for much longer, should be cardio-averted in 6-8 or so weeks. I take a big dose to get my INR with range (blood thinned to a certain level) and it has proved to ge harder to do over a period of time.
I am on a shed load of other meds as well, beta blockers, allsorts - hopefully this should all be done with once i get averted, or at least some of them as i hate taking tablets and what they do to me. This is all because my GP failed to spot (i went back to see her some 7 times in two weeks) that i had a real bad reaction to codeine which caused my lungs to fill with fluid and my heart could not extract the oxygen from my lungs and was beating at 180bpm just sitting still - peaked at 220bpm walking and i could not get more than 50 yds without a serious rest and had to sleep upright as i choked and could not breathe if i laid down.
Ended up in hospital in a really bad way with heart damage which is slowly getting better although the drugs have just about killed off my imune system. My heart on a failure scale of 1-0 10 being dead was an 8-9 when i was admitted for the first time, it is now a 2-3 so things are on the mend.
Anyway enough of me, me, me
Some people seem to be succeptable to the bleeding from what i gather chatting to my consultant and to the blood letting nurses and the INR clinic. I have blood drawn twice a week and it stops bleeding within a minute. Even so i would not blame the warfarin first off and get it looked at.
I lost my dad to Bowel cancer - primary cancer, saw him drop from 12 stone and an active chap to 8 stone and bed ridden in a matter of months which was heart breaking.
I was taken aback when I read this, for Christ sake look after yourself
Best wished
Martin
#332
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I must say, and sorry Snazy as this topic is obviously not very nice, but this thread just shows how nice this place can be.
I would like to hope you have had some outlet through posting on here about this, and had some decent support, and it also shows throughout the thread amongst others... even Martin and Paul. It just goes to show despite all the differences and arguements on here about pretty much everything, that when it comes to the real stuff, people are here for each other, despite often not knowing one another. Sorry for being deep, I just think it is nice to see.
I will not go on about me (too much), but I have been having some issues lately, and my Mam, and some of the people from here past and present have been supportive, actually much more so than my supposed 'real life friends'.
I just think while some people get down on this place, it's threads like this that make a difference and put things in perspective.
Good luck again Snazy with everything and sorry for the hijack, and hope you get better Paul. You've had a tough time of it to say the least and I hope it all works out, as it seems to be. Take care too.
I would like to hope you have had some outlet through posting on here about this, and had some decent support, and it also shows throughout the thread amongst others... even Martin and Paul. It just goes to show despite all the differences and arguements on here about pretty much everything, that when it comes to the real stuff, people are here for each other, despite often not knowing one another. Sorry for being deep, I just think it is nice to see.
I will not go on about me (too much), but I have been having some issues lately, and my Mam, and some of the people from here past and present have been supportive, actually much more so than my supposed 'real life friends'.
I just think while some people get down on this place, it's threads like this that make a difference and put things in perspective.
Good luck again Snazy with everything and sorry for the hijack, and hope you get better Paul. You've had a tough time of it to say the least and I hope it all works out, as it seems to be. Take care too.
#333
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Thanks for the concern, It could be a lot worse could be one of the kids that is ill. I have taken a good long look at me and my life which is no bad thing. I am annoyed, angry even that the problems where not picked up by my GP, Cardiologist was shocked i had got to this state without being diagnosed earlier. Now leading a healthier lifestyle and retraining in a less sedintary job as well, no bad thing.
Sorry to hijack your thread Snazy That 'll learn ya to ask!
#334
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Thanks everyone for their thoughts and well wishing, its much appreciated.
Lisa, it does indeed show how human everyone is at the bottom of all this forum stuff lol, restores my faith in the human race
Paul, Lisa, hijack away, its a discussion forum, diverse, divert, its all good, thats what discussion is about right The idea was never just to make this a monologue, thats what my blog is for. But yes it has indeed been great to vent and get things off your chest, as well as sharing other peoples stories, happy and sad. So thank you to everyone who has opened up and shared a part of their life with me and the rest of SN.
Just to clarify the state of play now, the suggested operation is to avoid infection and discomfort, rather than treat the tumours. Treatment has effectively ended now. The right side is beyond treatment or removal, and the best they can do is just make things as comfortable as possible. While there is no timeline to the prognosis, the outcome is very much known and accepted.
Nothing has been said of the biopsy on the polyps found on the colonoscopy yet, so I am assuming there is nothing back yet. However when the nurse calls back on Monday I will ask if there is any word on that yet. Mum is not really saying much about the op now, but I am going to leave it quiet for now til I hear back from the hospital with their plans. From that point I can make plans and then talk it through again.
On another note..... remember my sister, yeah thats the one..
Yesterday I text her asking to come and spend a couple of hours with mum, just so mum could bounce some thoughts off her, talk it through etc. She is not the best person to talk to to be honest, she is useless at that sort of thing, and more likely to cause MORE concern with her "well my mate" stories.
Anyway, she agreed to come around, but I specifically asked her to leave her lapdog boyfriend at home. He is off work sick at the moment, but refuses to leave her side. Problem is mum does not like talking in front of "strangers" about her personal things. So I asked her to leave him at home to allow mum freedom.
Spoke to mum this morning and................. yup she brought him with her.
Now well done for showing up thats a definate improvement, but for god sakes, you live in the next street!! Leave him at home for once! Its not like they drove here or anything. Just pathetic.
Right thats my steam blown off for the morning lol
Lisa, it does indeed show how human everyone is at the bottom of all this forum stuff lol, restores my faith in the human race
Paul, Lisa, hijack away, its a discussion forum, diverse, divert, its all good, thats what discussion is about right The idea was never just to make this a monologue, thats what my blog is for. But yes it has indeed been great to vent and get things off your chest, as well as sharing other peoples stories, happy and sad. So thank you to everyone who has opened up and shared a part of their life with me and the rest of SN.
Just to clarify the state of play now, the suggested operation is to avoid infection and discomfort, rather than treat the tumours. Treatment has effectively ended now. The right side is beyond treatment or removal, and the best they can do is just make things as comfortable as possible. While there is no timeline to the prognosis, the outcome is very much known and accepted.
Nothing has been said of the biopsy on the polyps found on the colonoscopy yet, so I am assuming there is nothing back yet. However when the nurse calls back on Monday I will ask if there is any word on that yet. Mum is not really saying much about the op now, but I am going to leave it quiet for now til I hear back from the hospital with their plans. From that point I can make plans and then talk it through again.
On another note..... remember my sister, yeah thats the one..
Yesterday I text her asking to come and spend a couple of hours with mum, just so mum could bounce some thoughts off her, talk it through etc. She is not the best person to talk to to be honest, she is useless at that sort of thing, and more likely to cause MORE concern with her "well my mate" stories.
Anyway, she agreed to come around, but I specifically asked her to leave her lapdog boyfriend at home. He is off work sick at the moment, but refuses to leave her side. Problem is mum does not like talking in front of "strangers" about her personal things. So I asked her to leave him at home to allow mum freedom.
Spoke to mum this morning and................. yup she brought him with her.
Now well done for showing up thats a definate improvement, but for god sakes, you live in the next street!! Leave him at home for once! Its not like they drove here or anything. Just pathetic.
Right thats my steam blown off for the morning lol
#335
Well I can understand all your worries at the moment Snazy. Its such a shame that your mum refused the initial treatment in the first place. I just hope all goes well for you and here anyway.
Sorry that your sister could not at least visit your mum without the hanger-on. As you say though, knowing her past performance, at least she turned up for once! I hope she has stopped asking your mum to look after her children anyway!
Les
Sorry that your sister could not at least visit your mum without the hanger-on. As you say though, knowing her past performance, at least she turned up for once! I hope she has stopped asking your mum to look after her children anyway!
Les
#336
Hi There,
been taking it for a year now, hopefully not for much longer, should be cardio-averted in 6-8 or so weeks. I take a big dose to get my INR with range (blood thinned to a certain level) and it has proved to ge harder to do over a period of time.
I am on a shed load of other meds as well, beta blockers, allsorts - hopefully this should all be done with once i get averted, or at least some of them as i hate taking tablets and what they do to me. This is all because my GP failed to spot (i went back to see her some 7 times in two weeks) that i had a real bad reaction to codeine which caused my lungs to fill with fluid and my heart could not extract the oxygen from my lungs and was beating at 180bpm just sitting still - peaked at 220bpm walking and i could not get more than 50 yds without a serious rest and had to sleep upright as i choked and could not breathe if i laid down.
Ended up in hospital in a really bad way with heart damage which is slowly getting better although the drugs have just about killed off my imune system. My heart on a failure scale of 1-0 10 being dead was an 8-9 when i was admitted for the first time, it is now a 2-3 so things are on the mend.
Anyway enough of me, me, me
Some people seem to be succeptable to the bleeding from what i gather chatting to my consultant and to the blood letting nurses and the INR clinic. I have blood drawn twice a week and it stops bleeding within a minute. Even so i would not blame the warfarin first off and get it looked at.
I lost my dad to Bowel cancer - primary cancer, saw him drop from 12 stone and an active chap to 8 stone and bed ridden in a matter of months which was heart breaking.
been taking it for a year now, hopefully not for much longer, should be cardio-averted in 6-8 or so weeks. I take a big dose to get my INR with range (blood thinned to a certain level) and it has proved to ge harder to do over a period of time.
I am on a shed load of other meds as well, beta blockers, allsorts - hopefully this should all be done with once i get averted, or at least some of them as i hate taking tablets and what they do to me. This is all because my GP failed to spot (i went back to see her some 7 times in two weeks) that i had a real bad reaction to codeine which caused my lungs to fill with fluid and my heart could not extract the oxygen from my lungs and was beating at 180bpm just sitting still - peaked at 220bpm walking and i could not get more than 50 yds without a serious rest and had to sleep upright as i choked and could not breathe if i laid down.
Ended up in hospital in a really bad way with heart damage which is slowly getting better although the drugs have just about killed off my imune system. My heart on a failure scale of 1-0 10 being dead was an 8-9 when i was admitted for the first time, it is now a 2-3 so things are on the mend.
Anyway enough of me, me, me
Some people seem to be succeptable to the bleeding from what i gather chatting to my consultant and to the blood letting nurses and the INR clinic. I have blood drawn twice a week and it stops bleeding within a minute. Even so i would not blame the warfarin first off and get it looked at.
I lost my dad to Bowel cancer - primary cancer, saw him drop from 12 stone and an active chap to 8 stone and bed ridden in a matter of months which was heart breaking.
My best wishes for your full recovery soon.
Also had the same problem as your father, the diagnosis was delayed because of the GP's assumptions but it was eventually discovered and I had an operation for it. I lost the same amount of weight too and looked like I would not make it through the night. I keep my fingers crossed these days!
Les
#337
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Well I can understand all your worries at the moment Snazy. Its such a shame that your mum refused the initial treatment in the first place. I just hope all goes well for you and here anyway.
Sorry that your sister could not at least visit your mum without the hanger-on. As you say though, knowing her past performance, at least she turned up for once! I hope she has stopped asking your mum to look after her children anyway!
Les
Sorry that your sister could not at least visit your mum without the hanger-on. As you say though, knowing her past performance, at least she turned up for once! I hope she has stopped asking your mum to look after her children anyway!
Les
But like you say her being there was a vast improvement.
Tis indeed a shame that finally 2 years later she has decided to have an operation when she could have had a far more effective one a couple of years ago, and probably a far smaller operation too. But hey, its her decision and I still respect it.
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Just waiting on the phone call now. Not sure exactly what the call is for tbh, but waiting on it anyway.
I think its to tell me what the surgeons think, and what the plan of action would be, along with any potential dates for appointments.
I think its to tell me what the surgeons think, and what the plan of action would be, along with any potential dates for appointments.
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Les
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Right, just got the call.
After the meeting they have decided that she needs to continue to see the radiotherapy dept at Guys (as planned for Wednesday) and to discuss the results from the recent colononscopy. The nurse has asked that I be present for the consult, and play an active part in the discussions to ensure a full picture is being given.
Re the surgery, the consulting doctor has informed the nurse that he wishes to go with reverse abdominalplasty in order to replace the tissue and skin removed from the breast in the procedure, which is far more major than she was initially expecting, so could cause some problems when presented to mum as the plan. I get the pleasure of having that conversation with her.
So it would mean she would be in a certain amount of discomfort afterwards, and I assume in hospital for a period of time.
IF,.... IF she agrees to the surgery, the time scale is something in the region of 3 weeks time. So as selfish as it sounds I really hope everything goes ahead smoothly and as planned. Im not against cancelling the holiday, this is mum after all. But would much prefer it not to be super short notice, and losing everything and not being able to change it for something else.
So, off to the hospital on Wednesday to see Dr Brazil from radiotherapy, then her regular consultant Dr Hamed at Guys too. Should know more after that, and will update
After the meeting they have decided that she needs to continue to see the radiotherapy dept at Guys (as planned for Wednesday) and to discuss the results from the recent colononscopy. The nurse has asked that I be present for the consult, and play an active part in the discussions to ensure a full picture is being given.
Re the surgery, the consulting doctor has informed the nurse that he wishes to go with reverse abdominalplasty in order to replace the tissue and skin removed from the breast in the procedure, which is far more major than she was initially expecting, so could cause some problems when presented to mum as the plan. I get the pleasure of having that conversation with her.
So it would mean she would be in a certain amount of discomfort afterwards, and I assume in hospital for a period of time.
IF,.... IF she agrees to the surgery, the time scale is something in the region of 3 weeks time. So as selfish as it sounds I really hope everything goes ahead smoothly and as planned. Im not against cancelling the holiday, this is mum after all. But would much prefer it not to be super short notice, and losing everything and not being able to change it for something else.
So, off to the hospital on Wednesday to see Dr Brazil from radiotherapy, then her regular consultant Dr Hamed at Guys too. Should know more after that, and will update
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Cheers.
Just had a bit of a shock. I was explaining to mum how they would do the procedure, and she seemed suprisingly open to it all. Even asking when they wanted her in.
Now its not a dead cert, as she is prone to mood swings and mind changes in the blink of an eye, but she didnt just say no. Which is a good thing.
Fingers crossed they are able to say something solid in Wednesday, and we can get her into hospital asap.
Her main concern is how long she will have to stay in hospital for. Which is kinda understandable.
Just had a bit of a shock. I was explaining to mum how they would do the procedure, and she seemed suprisingly open to it all. Even asking when they wanted her in.
Now its not a dead cert, as she is prone to mood swings and mind changes in the blink of an eye, but she didnt just say no. Which is a good thing.
Fingers crossed they are able to say something solid in Wednesday, and we can get her into hospital asap.
Her main concern is how long she will have to stay in hospital for. Which is kinda understandable.
#348
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Cheers.
Just had a bit of a shock. I was explaining to mum how they would do the procedure, and she seemed suprisingly open to it all. Even asking when they wanted her in.
Now its not a dead cert, as she is prone to mood swings and mind changes in the blink of an eye, but she didnt just say no. Which is a good thing.
Fingers crossed they are able to say something solid in Wednesday, and we can get her into hospital asap.
Her main concern is how long she will have to stay in hospital for. Which is kinda understandable.
Just had a bit of a shock. I was explaining to mum how they would do the procedure, and she seemed suprisingly open to it all. Even asking when they wanted her in.
Now its not a dead cert, as she is prone to mood swings and mind changes in the blink of an eye, but she didnt just say no. Which is a good thing.
Fingers crossed they are able to say something solid in Wednesday, and we can get her into hospital asap.
Her main concern is how long she will have to stay in hospital for. Which is kinda understandable.
It's promising she hasn't just dismissed the idea, and hopefully if she is aware this will make her more comfortable in the long run, she will go for it. Nobody likes having sugery and the pain/discomfort afterwards, but it is sometimes the better evil, she could be in far more if she doesn't get it done, that will not go away with time.
Good luck with it all, and fingers crossed for the appointment on Wednesday.
Take care.
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Yeah she hates being in hospital, but when you look at the balance of health or pain its worth putting up with it. She loses track of how long she has been in there within a day or two anyway lol.
Ran through it all with her again last night, and other than thinking she was going into hospital for treatment on Wednesday, not just an appointment, she seems ok about it.
The big problem is, as she is hard of hearing and refuses to use a hearing aid, you can never be 100% sure she has heard/understood everything you have said.
A number of times now I have had a long conversation with her, only for her to deny I had said this and that before.
Hopefully, seeing as she repeated most of it back to me, she has heard all this ok, so there will be no shouting at the meetings tomorrow, and there will be some agreement on whats happening. We might even get a date, or at least a better guide.
I want it to be tomorrow now!
Ran through it all with her again last night, and other than thinking she was going into hospital for treatment on Wednesday, not just an appointment, she seems ok about it.
The big problem is, as she is hard of hearing and refuses to use a hearing aid, you can never be 100% sure she has heard/understood everything you have said.
A number of times now I have had a long conversation with her, only for her to deny I had said this and that before.
Hopefully, seeing as she repeated most of it back to me, she has heard all this ok, so there will be no shouting at the meetings tomorrow, and there will be some agreement on whats happening. We might even get a date, or at least a better guide.
I want it to be tomorrow now!
#350
Yeah she hates being in hospital, but when you look at the balance of health or pain its worth putting up with it. She loses track of how long she has been in there within a day or two anyway lol.
Ran through it all with her again last night, and other than thinking she was going into hospital for treatment on Wednesday, not just an appointment, she seems ok about it.
The big problem is, as she is hard of hearing and refuses to use a hearing aid, you can never be 100% sure she has heard/understood everything you have said.
A number of times now I have had a long conversation with her, only for her to deny I had said this and that before.
Hopefully, seeing as she repeated most of it back to me, she has heard all this ok, so there will be no shouting at the meetings tomorrow, and there will be some agreement on whats happening. We might even get a date, or at least a better guide.
I want it to be tomorrow now!
Ran through it all with her again last night, and other than thinking she was going into hospital for treatment on Wednesday, not just an appointment, she seems ok about it.
The big problem is, as she is hard of hearing and refuses to use a hearing aid, you can never be 100% sure she has heard/understood everything you have said.
A number of times now I have had a long conversation with her, only for her to deny I had said this and that before.
Hopefully, seeing as she repeated most of it back to me, she has heard all this ok, so there will be no shouting at the meetings tomorrow, and there will be some agreement on whats happening. We might even get a date, or at least a better guide.
I want it to be tomorrow now!
As ever, best wishes to you both, hopes it all turns out best for you as well.
Les
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Okie dokie, here goes the next update.
Following a meeting with 2 doctors in Oncology and the breast cancer doctor and nurse the outcome is as follows.
The doctor has explained how he wishes to carryout the operation, and there will be no need for the plastic surgeon to rebuild anything, as there is sufficient skin and tissue to patch up. Skin being taken from the chest stomach and side to make the patch.
The lump and the infected tissue will be getting removed, and 2-3 days in hospital is what is expected if all goes well.
We need to see the anaethatist some time soon to decide how they wish to go about knocking her out. Then its all go.
The date on discussion with the doctor is provisionally set for the 12th July, so I will safely be back in the country by that time, and able to give her full care for as long as she needs it.
So thats a relief. She has agreed fully to the procedure now, no last minute questions unanswered, or anything putting her off. Quite the turn around I must say. But one I am very happy with.
Cheers again for all the kind comments and support.
Following a meeting with 2 doctors in Oncology and the breast cancer doctor and nurse the outcome is as follows.
The doctor has explained how he wishes to carryout the operation, and there will be no need for the plastic surgeon to rebuild anything, as there is sufficient skin and tissue to patch up. Skin being taken from the chest stomach and side to make the patch.
The lump and the infected tissue will be getting removed, and 2-3 days in hospital is what is expected if all goes well.
We need to see the anaethatist some time soon to decide how they wish to go about knocking her out. Then its all go.
The date on discussion with the doctor is provisionally set for the 12th July, so I will safely be back in the country by that time, and able to give her full care for as long as she needs it.
So thats a relief. She has agreed fully to the procedure now, no last minute questions unanswered, or anything putting her off. Quite the turn around I must say. But one I am very happy with.
Cheers again for all the kind comments and support.
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Similar situation here; wife was diagnosed last week- operation (hopefully lumpectomy rather than mastectomy) tomorrow... fingers crossed
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All the best to you both dealing with it, and hope the operation is as painless as possible and solves it all.
Mum is up for hers when I get back from the USA, but sadly its just for comfort not cure.
Let us know how it all goes, thoughts are with you.
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OH **** !!
Just got a text from my sister to say the surgery has been brought forwards to the day before I fly home, grrr!
Not much I can do now, so have to ensure everything is in place to make sure she is looked after on the day, and that my sister does her bit.
Just got a text from my sister to say the surgery has been brought forwards to the day before I fly home, grrr!
Not much I can do now, so have to ensure everything is in place to make sure she is looked after on the day, and that my sister does her bit.
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