Oncology & Pathology Reports

Its funny how much difference a few weeks can make. Throughout the last 5 months time has done strange things. Some days and weeks have gone in a flash (like last week) and others whilst waiting for results have felt like years not months.

But this time last week I was back at the hospital having a reading of my pathology report with Dr G – an oncologyst. Such a lovely friendly lady. I was anxious knowing that much depended on my genomic testing results. Its been 3 weeks since I had my post surgery results.

If you were playing word association games and someone said “Cancer” I’m pretty sure the majority would reply “Chemotherapy”. The two words are synoymous and it was my first thought when I was original diagnosed. At that time my consultant explained the most likely course of action would be Radiotherapy and Hormone tablets. I dont think I heard the word, likely. During the frequent hospital visits, the liklihood of needing chemotherapy was played down and it only really came up a second time, on my last meeting with the consultant. It was unnerving over Christmas and whilst in Cornwall and I was naturally a little nervous about my results.

I even felt imaptience as Dr G repeated information I already knew about the lymph samples and margins and it seemed like an age when she told me my Genomic score was 19. My blood test had shown some Oestrogen in my blood, so they were unable to confirm that I was post menopausal, likely but also possibly still in a menopausal state. The score determines the liklihood of the cancer returning, the menopause, which set of Oestrogen suppresents – probably not the correct term however nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors isn’t very catchy and you’d probably have to google it – that I need to be on.

The good news is my low score means having chemo won’t significantly reduce the risk of cancer returning so its just Radiotherapy and tablets for now.

My wounds are healing nicely and apart from the odd twinge in my armpit I am pain free. I feel better than I have for months, probably since August. Radiotherapy is booked for early Feb and yesterday I had to go to the hospital for a CT scan and Tattoos, but I reckon thats a whole new blog post.

I know radiotherapy will have its own challenges and the Anstolzole may just store up problems for the future but that is just a “may” and for now I intend to make the most of the time I have – just to be normal for a while.

Carolyn Trafford is a Creative Life Coach, supporting others in reaching their own goals in a creative way sine 2010. Author of “Don’t Just Dream It – Achieve It!” (A great way to kickstart those goals). This interactive book is available from her online shop:  https://carolyntraffordart.ecwid.com/Dont-Just-Dream-It-Achieve-It-Book-p196854491) . She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on the 20th September 2021 following her first routine screening with the NHS at 51.