10. My Second Home

11th January was my first visit to the hospital (of many) after my results.

As part of the trial and for further tests bloods are taken. The check the protein and hormonal markers which give an idea of what type of cancer it is.

I also need a marker/tracker put in the lump itself. They do this so it is easily traceable during ultrasounds and mammograms, and if it shrinks to nothing during chemo the surgeons can tell what tissue needs removing where the lump would have been during surgery.

The marker is put in similar to the biopsy, local anesthetic, small incision and a needle. So back in the small room where my biopsy was done, strip off and the marker put in. I then had to go for another quick mammogram to make sure it’s visible.

I walked in the room with that had the mammogram machine in and started stripping off before the lady actually asked me to! Well, I knew what was coming!

The scan was done and she showed me the result, you could see a tiny little white coil glow up on the screen. It was kinda cute!

Once that was done, off to another room for bloods. “Sharp Scratch”, as usual I didn’t notice anything, no sense no feeling!! As the trial wanted bloods as well 9 vials were taken.

I then went and met the Trials Nurse to run through all the information and fill out some questionnaires. The breast care nurse also popped in to explain the next steps. I would get some appointments through the post for a call with the Macmillan Nurses and Oncologist.

I would also need an electrocardiogram (this is only done as I’m on the trial) and PICC line fitting. (Peripherally inserted central catheter). A PICC line stays in for the whole treatment, it saves having a cannula in the hand each time.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/echocardiogram/