Looking for advice in UK

k1mm1

Hi, I am wondering if anyone in the uk knows if you are being treated on the national health if they will give you a copy of your Pathology report.

thank you

Janet456

Hi Kim

I'm in the UK but I never even thought to ask for mine.  I know we can easily get copies of letters sent to doctors etc, so if the hospital copies the path report to the doctor it should be easy enough to get hold of.

Where abouts are you?

Janet x

StellaG

Hi Kim.

I am in the UK too. Yes, you can get your pathology report, you have to ask for it. I did not request mine (personal choice) but my friend who was diagnosed a few months after me asked for and got hers. I felt that they told me all I wanted to know so I didn't bother getting the report.

I think if you tell the BCN on 2 Jan that you want copies of the report(s), she will arrange it for you.

Good luck,

Stella xx

k1mm1

Thank you for your answers, I will ask for a copy and let you know what they say.

I'm sure they will answer any questions I have Stella but I would still like a copy so I can learn as much as possible.

It seams to be the only thing i think about at the moment its like 24/7 so i'm hoping answers will help with that.

I'm live in Kent Janet, where abouts are you?

kim x

sam52

Hi Kim.....I can see you have already had your answer, but I just wanted to add that ALL your medical notes are your business and therefore you have every right to see reports, comments, test results etc.As has been said in one of the above posts - you have to ask for them; they are not always routinely offered.I was like you when diagnosed - I wanted to research as much as possible.

Whereabouts in Kent are you? I used to live in the Medway area and went to school in Rochester.

I wish you all the best.

Sam x

StellaG

Hi Kim

I was lucky that my surgeon was very talkative and freely answered my questions so I was OK with all he told me. My friend's surgeon was very reserved and did not give her nearly as much info. You may get one who is open about the pathology, like I did.

Yu will feel much better when you have your plan and can put it all in to perspective. I was like you at first but it does you no good to let it take over your life. Be kind to yourself and have complete faith in your team. The NHS do a cracking job for BC patients, we are so fortunate to have them to take care of us. Don't Google too much either. This board and the UK one (breastcancercare) are both excellent sources of information and support.

I am in Yorkshire. I holidayed in Kent this year and - apart from the awful weather - had a lovely time.

Stella xx

Janet456

I agree with Stella, when it comes to BC I found the NHS to be absolutely brilliant.

Kim - I am in Tunbridge Wells, Kent so was looked after by Maidstone for my op and the new hospital in Pembury for follow up care  - they have a fantastic team of people.

xx

k1mm1

Good morning and thank you all for answers, I do agree the NHS are very good and I do have faith in them but its for my own peace of mind I want to know as much as possible about what I have and what I have to do to beat this.

I am being treated by the William Harvey hospital and they have been very good and I have no complaints.

It has only been a week since I got my results so I suppose its still sinking in.

I have a lumpectomy booked in for the 17th Jan and removal of 2 lymph nodes followed by radiotherapy, I know nothing about either of these  and am reading about them on this site (I have not googled since I got results) and NCCN which voraciousreader advised me to do, I found that site very good as it explains things in a way I can understand and uses diagrams as well.

I'm off to work now as thats the place I seem to be able to forget about everything and enjoy my day.

So many kind, considerate and caring people on this site, I'm so glad I found you all x 

Alicethecat

Hi Kim

I'm being treated on the NHS in the UK and the docs gave me a copy of my pathology report when I asked for it!

Don't think they would have offered it to me without asking for it.

I've learned a lot from our American cousins re the pathology report, so thank you ladies!

Best wishes

Alice

LilacBlue

I'm here in the Ashford area and started at William Harvey then ending up at Maidstone when my husband's BUPA kicked in.  I have a file of my histology and pathology reports, MRI's, scans and Dr.'s correspondence. Most of it from NHS.

All my best to you Kim and dog walks in Derring Woods helped me to feel balanced on the front side before surgery.  

Janet456

Sending good wishes your way Kim - it's times like this that our NHS really comes in to it's own. xx

LilacBlue - we were probably looked after by the same people, and walking my dogs was a great stress reliever too. x

k1mm1

I have received a letter today from the hospital to go for a sentinel node scan, I have no idea what this is, any answers on this would be appreciated please

kim

LilacBlue

Kim, I had a ultra sound and lymph node micro bubble test:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201122346.htm

Afterwards, when my micro bubble test came back negative, I then a few weeks later had a day surgery to remove one lymph node and that too confirmed that my lymph nodes were clear.

YES Janet and perhaps you too are under the care of one of Jones's?

Janet456

Small world LilacBlue.  

Sue Jones carried out my op - I also saw Jenny Weeks and Mr Devalia.  I was very impressed with the whole team.  They do have a good reputation. x

LilacBlue

Sue is my Dr. too and yes small world.x

k1mm1

Happy New Year to everyone x

Janet456

Happy New Year to you Kim - wishing you well.  Let us know how you're getting on xx

LilacBlue

Kim, I too wish you, Janet, Alice, Sam and Stella a Happy New Year that is almost upon us.

LB, x

StellaG

..and a happy New Year to you all too!!

Kim, wishing you good luck tomorrow, please post how you get on.

Stella xx

StellaG

Bumping this up for Kim - please let us know how you got on yesterday with BCN appointment.

Stella x

sam52

Happy New Year to all of you!

k1mm1

Hi stella sorry not been back to let you know just had rought few days.

The nurse wasnt very helpful really, most of the questions I asked she didnt know the answers to and told me I need to ask my consultant!

I have appointment for 11th to see him so hopefully will know a bit more then.

I came out of there feeling as though it was a complete waste of time.

When I got home my husband sat me down and said he had some bad news for me, my cat had been runover  and someone had just left him on my garden didnt knock to let us know, we buried him and I may not be religious but I said a little prayer for him    now i'm just feeling totally heart broken, very lonely and missing him like crazy.

How much more can I take!!!

StellaG

Hi Kim -(((((HUGS)))))

What a terrible day for you. I am so sorry about your poor cat. It seems like one thing after another, doesn't it? It DOES get better, honestly it does, your surgeon should reassure you and let you know what your treatment plan is. Do you know any details of your diagnosis yet? Will you need chemo / rads / surgery / hormone treatment or a combination of these?

I have to admit that my BCN was fairly useless too which is why I asked the Surgeon a lot of questions and to my surprise he answered them all very graphically. It is frustrating at the time, especially whan a lot of people say their BCN is fab, etc - I thought "lucky you, how come I get stuck with a useless one?" I have met other BCNs since who have been very good but the one assigned to me at the outset was rubbish, IMO!!

My surgeon has a really good BC web site if you are interested, with lots of detail on the pages especially about BC, the different treatments, types of reconstruction etc and of course it is specific to us in the UK and the NHS. He is a bit of a character, which comes across in his web site, but he is a fantastic surgeon (they all are!). Let me know if you want a link to the web site and I will send it in a PM.

You WILL come through this, it is the hardest part right now with all the waiting and not knowing. It nearly sent me crazy - I was working full time in a very high profile and stressful job and trying to keep it all together. Looking back, I do not know how I did it. We have all been where you are now but please trust me that it does get better. Try and have a nice weekend (what is left of it) and make sure you get some rest.

Stella xxx

Janet456

Sorry to hear about your cat Kim

You could definately do with a break at the moment.  You should be fine with the consultant and hopefully get all your questions answered.  Let us know how you get on xxxx

k1mm1

Good morning ladies

Im feeling  much better this morning, I've had some good news for a change, my son lives 300 miles away and he is coming to stay when I have my op, so I have something to look forward to

Stella I am booked in for a lumpectomy and node removal x2 and radiotherapy. If you wouldnt mind sending web address I would like to have a read.

Thank you all for your kindness x

sam52

So sorry about your cat, Kim.....I understand how devastating it is.

I am glad you are feeling a bit more upbeat today - great news about your son coming to stay.

It is indeed the case that once you have a treatment plan you will feel better about the whole thing; it is the not knowing that often is the most difficult part.

Do you have a date for the surgery?

All the best,

Sam x

k1mm1

Hi sam, surgery is 17th January so not long to wait now x

LilacBlue

(((Kim))) I'm sorry you lost your cat and for all you are going through.  Good to year your son will be with you and yes, 17th will arrive soon enough.

Big hugs for all,

LB, x

k1mm1

Hi Jan, I hope your ok,

I had more good news today, my daughter is coming with my son as well so i will have all 3 of my children with me for a few days after my op.

I am gong back to work tomorrow as well so things are looking up

kim x

Lily55

So sorry about your cat Kim, we had to have our beloved dog put to sleep soon after I was diagnosed and somehow it felt worse cos of the timing.....good luck with everything.

Stella - I´d love details of the website please?

StellaG

Hi Kim



Sent that web page to you via PM.



Going to work will make the time pass swifter. It's a good idea.



Lily55- just seen your post. I will send it to you now.



Stella xx