As this site grows and grows we thought it would be helpful to have a fixed right margin link that will allow you to follow Marjory's story as we progress together towards beating breast cancer.
We're aware that Marjory's more personal posts will become lost amongst all the breaking news and treatment information.
This page will be updated as time goes by and will contain links to all the relevant personal posts.
The story so far:
April 2006 - Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Marjory found a lump in her right breast in early April 2006. We were referred to the Edinburgh Breast Unit and first attended on Easter Monday.
Core biopsy samples were taken on our first day after ultrasound scan was highly suspicious - showing three areas in the breast that looked like cancer.
We returned to get the breast biopsy results about four days later and this confirmed that all three areas were breast cancer.
We met with the surgeon and between us planned for mastectomy and right sided axillary lymph node clearance.
May 2006 - Mastectomy
The operation went well and Marjory was only in hospital for only two days - coming home (by choice) with two mastectomy drains in place.
Not surprisingly, mood swings after the mastectomy were prominent at first but things soon improved.
May 2006 - Pathology Results and Seroma Problems
Pathology results after the mastectomy showed that Marjory's breast had five discreet areas of tumour and that eight out of twenty six lymph nodes were involved.
Marjory had problems with a seroma for a number of weeks but this gradually settled with a few hospital visits to have it drained.
Life got back to normal amazingly quickly and within two weeks she was back into the old routine of mum's duties.
We met with our breast cancer oncologist in late May and plans were put in place for the start of chemotherapy.
We sorted out the choices for chemotherapy and the plan for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and ongoing herceptin thereafter was mapped out for us.
Seroma again reared it's head but we settled down thereafter to planning for the treatment program that lies ahead of us.
Choosing hats for chemotherapy was fun and we found some good websites - eventually ordering about six great items.
By the end of May we figured that we'd put the surgical treatment phase behind us and were starting to get our head around the next part of our epic adventure
June 2004 - Waiting for Chemo to start
Off to a good start in June by taking part in the Race For Life in Edinburgh. Upbeat and feelgood buzz. Raised a bit of money for cancer research and a bit of awareness that life can go on as normal even when you're busy beating breast cancer.
Seroma fluid filled up again - drained again for hopefully the last time - now three weeks and a bit after mastectomy.
Date set for start of chemotherapy - June 21st 2006. Midsummer madness then !!
High days and Low days - getting ready for chemotherapy - wig sorted out. Finding out about semi-permanent eyebrow tatoos - helps to keep busy and keep ahead of the game
Marjory found Lorien, aka Abigail, aka The Cancer Grrrl not long after starting this blog and their lives seem to have converged in some kind of bizarre but meaningful way. Read In a New York state of mind to find out more.
Check back to this page often as our story develops
Posts
6 comments:
I'm praying for you Marjory.I lost my best friend to Breast Cancer in Aug of 2001.I felt so helpless.Today My stepson and I are going to a seminar.We signed him up to do the Breast Cancer 3 Day.We are going to find a cure so no one has to go through what you are going through now.I want to add your name to his shirt that he will be wearing while walking.He is walking for you and all our friends and family .Here is Mike's website for the walk.You can check in and see how he is doing.Just copy and paste.
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=131556&lis=1&kntae131556=D84BAD027191448086CB39E421DAE24D&supId=127304795#
Again good luck,I will be checking back to see how you are doing.Keep the faith.
your new friend Kathy
Marjory,
You are blessed Lady, god is watching over you. I had 1 out of 3 nodes. My lump was found in
december 05, I had a lump removed
and then I had a mast., I have been
on chemo since 24 February.
My husband and girls have been wonderful. My mother died of breast cancer. So you are in my prayers. God bless you and your
family. Peggy Cooper at cooperpk@cox.net
Hi Kathy
Hi Peggy
Thank you both for your kind comments - your support means a lot to me
Marjory
Hello Marjory and thank you for putting your story out there. My sister age 50 had a bi-lateral mastectomy May 23, 2006. She had the expanders put in at the same time to eliminate 1 surgery or so we thought. She has had several complication the last of which was due to a build up of fluid I have somehow become the one mostly in charge of the dressing and have zero medical training and am way out of my comfort zone. Yesterday was her 3rd surgery since may 23rd they did remove the expanders so hopefully things will start to go better. It is nice to see you are getting along so well I am sure my sister will soon too. She will start chemo once the incision heals 10 days 2 weeks they are thinking from yesterdays surgery. Thank you again for your courage and your story it makes me feel not so alone.
Sandy.
Marjory,
I am on herceptin and zometa. My breast cancer was diagnosed Jan. 2003, then chemo, radiation--Cure? Nope, back again in 2005,spread to my beautiful bones. Fighting like hell. Still have children to raise, meals to cook, trips to take, love to make. I will add another one of my sisters to the prayer list (YOU). Time may be short--live love & laugh ...pray
Hi Marjory,
I just had a mastectomy about 15 days ago. I am dealing with issues with seroma build up at the moment. I was so happy to come across your blog. Somehow it makes me feel that there are other people out there who get what I am going through. Thanks.
Sakthi
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