Best Of
Re: Waiting, waiting, waiting + frustration
@ruralmum2 take any help that is offered. Planning kids party, meals for the freezer. Great your hubby is supporting you.
Great you have your patient transport forms and receipts as things can get expensive.
I also had people tell me of other friends etc they knew had passed away from bc. I'm sure these people mean well but I would have liked to clock a few of them. I even had strangers in the supermarket ask me if I had cancer as it was obvious I had lost my hair at that time and was wearing a cap.
I would have a cry in the shower as I was also putting on a brave face for my family.
The fear in my mums eyes was the hardest so I would keep a lot of my feelings in. I did chat with a counsellor and let the feelings out a little.
Sensing you hugs. Xxx
Great you have your patient transport forms and receipts as things can get expensive.
I also had people tell me of other friends etc they knew had passed away from bc. I'm sure these people mean well but I would have liked to clock a few of them. I even had strangers in the supermarket ask me if I had cancer as it was obvious I had lost my hair at that time and was wearing a cap.
I would have a cry in the shower as I was also putting on a brave face for my family.
The fear in my mums eyes was the hardest so I would keep a lot of my feelings in. I did chat with a counsellor and let the feelings out a little.
Sensing you hugs. Xxx
Locksley
5
Re: Time to process
Started chemotherapy last friday, so one week later, after 2 days a little off but ok mostly functioning (on strong antinausea tablets), then 4 days nasty riding through dizziness my brain is a little back now, mainly tired/fatigue will be ongoing I can see.
For me, treatments infusions are fortnightly (dose dense ac) x4, then weekly a further x12. (Paclitaxel) . Followed by radiation therapy. Full cellular reboot! Nothing can quite prep for that first dose of fluid infusion. But 1 down, 15 to go. Big breath, I can do this!
Taking it slow and careful, one day at a time, relishing what may be my last few days washing my hair (cliche shampoo advert moments), and have a basket of headwear caps ready to go.
Thanks for reading.....
For me, treatments infusions are fortnightly (dose dense ac) x4, then weekly a further x12. (Paclitaxel) . Followed by radiation therapy. Full cellular reboot! Nothing can quite prep for that first dose of fluid infusion. But 1 down, 15 to go. Big breath, I can do this!
Taking it slow and careful, one day at a time, relishing what may be my last few days washing my hair (cliche shampoo advert moments), and have a basket of headwear caps ready to go.
Thanks for reading.....
JenD
5
Waiting, waiting, waiting + frustration
I’m sorry, I’m really making the most of the solidarity here. It’s been almost 3 weeks since my diagnosis (43yr old, Grade 2, ER+ PR+ HER- mixed lobular/ductal) & I’m usually a super patient person, but I’m feeling quite down.
I go for my PET scan & MRI tomorrow morning, early. I’m then seeing the surgeon again next week for hopefully a bit of a plan for treatment. I’m sick of not being able to plan or commit to anything. I’ve kept working as much as I can, but I’m getting sick of being told about friends of friends who have died of BC, or at the other end that ‘it’s so treatable & nothing much to worry about’.
This morning I had my first real big cry, which made my 10yo daughter cry too, which made me feel worse. I cried because she has a grotty cough & so we had to take her with us for the 4 hr trip to our nearest imaging place & not send her to school or expose our neighbours to her germs. I cried because my oldest daughter had to stay behind. I cried because my oldest daughter turns 13 very soon & wants to be excited & plan her birthday, then she flips & apologises & says ‘don’t worry about getting me anything Mum’.
I go for my PET scan & MRI tomorrow morning, early. I’m then seeing the surgeon again next week for hopefully a bit of a plan for treatment. I’m sick of not being able to plan or commit to anything. I’ve kept working as much as I can, but I’m getting sick of being told about friends of friends who have died of BC, or at the other end that ‘it’s so treatable & nothing much to worry about’.
This morning I had my first real big cry, which made my 10yo daughter cry too, which made me feel worse. I cried because she has a grotty cough & so we had to take her with us for the 4 hr trip to our nearest imaging place & not send her to school or expose our neighbours to her germs. I cried because my oldest daughter had to stay behind. I cried because my oldest daughter turns 13 very soon & wants to be excited & plan her birthday, then she flips & apologises & says ‘don’t worry about getting me anything Mum’.
I really know now how it feels to feel like a burden. I told my husband I should have just gone alone this trip, but he insisted on coming to keep me company, which I do appreciate.
I’m so lucky really to be surrounded by so much love & well-intentioned support, but I think reality is really starting to sink in. I’m already sick of doing the 8hr round trip for the nearest cancer care, yet this is only the start.
How do I decide what surgery is best? I don’t care much about my appearance, & I think a mastectomy & going flat makes the most sense, causes the least disruption to my family, but I feel quite sad still about losing my breast.
Ugh. Anyway, no need to reply, just needed to get this off my chest.
Surgery
Has surgery last week for DCIS mastectomy and implant and other side made to match my new boob.
Found out yesterday that there was a 1 cm cancerous growth that hadn’t shown up on any of the scans,feeling so lucky that I had routine mammograms and that DCIS was found so early
so grateful to Austin Health for their care they gave me and will continue to do,all I need now is to see the oncologist to commence a very low dose of hormone therapy and have regular mamograms for the next five years as well as normal post op checks.
so grateful to Austin Health for their care they gave me and will continue to do,all I need now is to see the oncologist to commence a very low dose of hormone therapy and have regular mamograms for the next five years as well as normal post op checks.
Diagnosed December 17 2023 operation April 10.
Our public hospitals get so much criticism but in my case I cannot but sing praise to all I came in contact with. 🩷🩷
Thankyou Austin Health and The Olivia Newton John Wellness Centre.🩷🩷🩷🩷
Thinking of all here that don’t get the outcome that I have been lucky to have.🩷🩷
Our public hospitals get so much criticism but in my case I cannot but sing praise to all I came in contact with. 🩷🩷
Thankyou Austin Health and The Olivia Newton John Wellness Centre.🩷🩷🩷🩷
Thinking of all here that don’t get the outcome that I have been lucky to have.🩷🩷
adelaide
5
Re: Boob farewell?
Thanks everyone. I managed to take some pictures that I could tolerate (and even one I kind of liked). And had a moment to say goodbye.
I'm now sitting in my gown and paper knickers waiting for it all to kick off. Thanks again for the ideas!
I'm now sitting in my gown and paper knickers waiting for it all to kick off. Thanks again for the ideas!
lorns
5
Re: Newly diagnosed and has spread to bones and liver
@Jano, what a shock. It's just horrible and unfortunately it does take alot to manage all of this particular these first few weeks and months.
Do you have an oncologist yet? Also hopefully you will get a breast care nurse or be able to contact a McGarth nurse. It depends if you are public or private.
Your oncologist will know how to treat your type of cancer. They will come up with a plan.
I take my husband to all my appointments along with a list of questions and a notebook. I have bones and liver too and currently one and a half yrs from finding it in the bone. While I have a different type there are many treatments and many people manage well from these.
There is a great podcast by Dr Charlotte Tottenham and sessions there for metastatic cancer. You can search for them in this forum.
You might consider counselling at some stage too. It can all be so overwhelming to begin with and it is normal to be terrified especially when there is no plan yet.
Try to keep busy. It's good you found your way here as everyone is very supportive. Join the private metastatic group too.
Stay away from Google. Lots of what is there is out of date and stats are old and don't really cater for all the new treatments.
You will have to consider whether you tell people. That's really up to you, but give yourself time to process it yourself first. There is information on the bcna website about telling family and friends.
It's one day at a time, get a little exercise if you can, eat fresh fruit and vegetables and do lots of deep breathing. It's going to be ok and you can do this.
I hope your next appointment goes well and you get a treatment plan soon. Please update us and ask any questions as nothing is tabu here. Best wishes ❤️
Do you have an oncologist yet? Also hopefully you will get a breast care nurse or be able to contact a McGarth nurse. It depends if you are public or private.
Your oncologist will know how to treat your type of cancer. They will come up with a plan.
I take my husband to all my appointments along with a list of questions and a notebook. I have bones and liver too and currently one and a half yrs from finding it in the bone. While I have a different type there are many treatments and many people manage well from these.
There is a great podcast by Dr Charlotte Tottenham and sessions there for metastatic cancer. You can search for them in this forum.
You might consider counselling at some stage too. It can all be so overwhelming to begin with and it is normal to be terrified especially when there is no plan yet.
Try to keep busy. It's good you found your way here as everyone is very supportive. Join the private metastatic group too.
Stay away from Google. Lots of what is there is out of date and stats are old and don't really cater for all the new treatments.
You will have to consider whether you tell people. That's really up to you, but give yourself time to process it yourself first. There is information on the bcna website about telling family and friends.
It's one day at a time, get a little exercise if you can, eat fresh fruit and vegetables and do lots of deep breathing. It's going to be ok and you can do this.
I hope your next appointment goes well and you get a treatment plan soon. Please update us and ask any questions as nothing is tabu here. Best wishes ❤️
Cath62
6