Rantings

Just a quick post to let you all know the results of my biopsy.

It's benign ... so far ... but some lumps can turn into something more sinister so ...

I have a couple of options: I can leave it be and go back in May to have another scan to see if it's changed, or I can have it removed and that will be it done with.

No doubt this will be surprising to some, but this hasn't been an easy decision. I don't like the thought of surgery even though I'm no stranger to it, and I'm all for taking the most non-invasive route where possible. However ...

... me, being the natural worrier that I am, will more than likely whittle away over the next few months wondering if everything is OK, and even if it does turn out to have not changed in the slightest, I'll probably still wonder if it could turn in the future.


For this reason I have decided to have it removed and be done with it. So what if I have a scar - I'll add it to my ever growing collection of scars. I will telephone the consultant's receptionist on Monday and let her know my decision.

Well, it's over. I had a mammogram, an ultrasound scan and a biopsy. I now have a swollen and bruised boob with a dressing on it, but I'll live! I get the result of the biopsy on Friday when I go back to see the consultant.

Right now I'm too tired to go into detail, suffice it to say it's been a long day and I'm glad it's over.

Nite, folks.

The appointments bureau phoned me yesterday afternoon. They said they had had a cancellation and asked if I wanted to bring my appointment forward to 21st, so I said yes. That means it's now next Wednesday. I'm pleased it's getting sorted so quickly. And I received my letter this morning with all the blurb about what to expect re: mammogram, fine needle aspirate, core biopsy, etc.

I feel remarkably calm about it all now.

Well, I have my appointment at the hospital. I had to ring up this morning to make the appointment, my GP having faxed a referral letter across to them yesterday.

It's for 28th February at 10:20 am. Now I have to wait 2 weeks in mental agony. LOL Why do we worry so much about stuff?

Well, I've been trying since 8am but I finally got through to the doctor's surgery only to be told that there are no appointments left today and did I want to see a nurse practitioner? No thanks, I'd like to see a doctor. I know nurse practitioners are great but they're there for all the routine stuff like stomach upsets and sore throats, to take the pressure of the doctors so they can deal with the more serious stuff. Well, I consider this more serious stuff, so the duty doctor is going to ring me back and hopefully he'll ask me to go down today.

UPDATE: Just got back. Doctor says it feels like a harmless lump and that it may be related to my cold, but because we don't know how long it has been there he can't be sure, so I'm being referred to a specialist at the hospital in Durham.

I can't sleep. It's just gone midnight and I'm worried.

I went to bed an hour ago and was lying there doing my usual health checks (as you all should do, men and women) and found a lump in my left breast. Now, I know I mentioned in my last post that I've been feeling a bit grotty, and have a sore throat and swollen glands, so it may be related, but I'm still worried.

Needless to say, I'm off to the doc's tomorrow morning to get it checked out. Worried? Not half! I'll keep you posted.

I cannot stress enough how important it is that you all check yourselves for lumps and bumps on a regular basis, and that goes for you fellas as well. From what I hear testicular cancer is one of those usually diagnosed at a late stage because blokes either don't check themselves often enough (if at all) or are too embarrassed to see anyone about it. If you find any lump or bump that wasn't there before, don't waste time and get it seen to, pronto!

I didn't go to Washington Theatre Group on Thursday as I wasn't well. I started feeling unwell last Friday with an aching neck and headache, but the aches and pains have migrated all over my body over the past week, and Thursday I had really sore ankles and hips. Weird, but I'm guessing it's some kind of 'flu.

Anyway, my Dad went along and met the people and it's a really small place with a tiny stage and auditorium, and a very small membership (around 15 whereas the People's Theatre had around 200!) He did say they were very friendly, though, and welcomed him with open arms. I'm thinking I may go along to that one to start with, till I get a feel for performing before I go along to the bigger more professional setup. It's all about self-confidence with me.

So, I'll be going to that one next Thursday. I'll let you know how I get on.

The Dalek Song

Mr Lisa surprised me on Sunday by telling me he had arranged for me to have piano lessons! Yay! I was always quite good at music at school, but I was given very little choice as to which instruments I learned to play, so I was given cornet and clarinet and told I was to be in the school brass band. All I really wanted to play was piano, but I was told no, so in my spare time at home I taught myself guitar from books and by ear, because we didn't have a piano, but we did have a guitar! I'm sure there's some logic in there somewhere!

Anyway, on Tuesday I had my first lesson. It was great, not only because I get to do what I've wanted to do for about twenty five years but also because I know my teacher which makes it easier. He kept asking "Are you sure you've never played piano before?" because I basically skipped the first 10 pages of the book and went straight into the more complicated stuff. LOL

Well, that's that bit of news. The other is that, through a long period of personal change and revelation, the reasons for which I shall not go into here, I have decided to embark on a completely new path for me, and join an amateur dramatics group. Last night my Dad and I went up to the People's Theatre in Heaton for the new members night (which is held once a month) and got a tour of the theatre including backstage, lights, dressing rooms, wardrobe, etc, got to sit in on a couple of rehearsals for a while and were given an introduction to the many aspects of putting on a production. They also hold ACTS workshops every Tuesday, and have general auditions every week. I came away trembling with excitement! I wanted to join there and then, but my Dad is more level headed and suggested we check out the Washington Theatre Group as well. We're going there tonight. It's smaller though, and doesn't have the history that the People's Theatre has, or the same sized stage!

Anyway, I'll let you know what happens, and in the future if I'm in any productions and you're in the area, come and see!! LOL But be easy on me because this acting lark is new to me!

... Michelle Collins, aka Cindy Beale from Eastenders, is making an appearance! Could be a good choice, I reckon!