Member: PatsyN | BCNA Online Network

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An Onerous Life
Once I was declared clear of cancer in April 2018, 1 year after diagnosis, I slowly dropped out of the BCNA forum. I found every new story to be more distressing than the last and I couldn't hold back the tears to read. I felt I had nothing further to offer other than negative things, my life was not getting any prettier. I took Arimidex for 8 months after treatment finished and ended up psychotic. I felt better the day after I stopped. That part of the treatment I'd say, was the worst. You get told you're clear of cancer but there's one final indignity - anastrozole - taking that was worse than chemo and radiation combined. So today I met with my oncologist for the last time. I will take nothing that he can prescribe, and he had a few on offer, including more scans. My current condition is not chemo related so I should continue to see my GP and psychiatrist, is what he said. I said that I thought my current condition was completely chemo related and we agreed to differ. We did agree that he had nothing further to offer me in view of my stance and then we said goodbye. My GP considers me as a palliative care patient, his prescriptions are much more user friendly! I still go to my horse every day, I can't settle until I get to him, my beautiful magic unicorn. Other than that I have no curiosity for the people in my surroundings and avoid personal contact except wherever necessary. But it's not chemo related so goodbye forum. I've got something else - the oncologist told me so.
6 years ago Place Living with breast cancer
arimidex
coping
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Re: Newly Diagnosed
@shann WOOLLIES!
8 years ago Place General
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Re: 2 years on
@primek It was May last year that I was diagnosed inoperable so straight to chemo which didn't finish till November. Mastectomy then node clearance, then 6 weeks of rads then declared clear. That was in April. It's July now and I feel just like I did in May or April or March or the rest of them, which I mostly can't even remember now. A new person is slowly emerging but I'm missing the old me so much. I'm glad I have more of a time frame on my life but this was not how I saw it just over a year ago - it's still sinking in that I now must live my life with limitations.
8 years ago Place General
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Re: Friday update 27 July 2018
Good on you @traveltext for embarking on what I'm sure will be a much needed resource once you are back home. I don't know how you do it. But I'm glad.
8 years ago Place News and events
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Re: Were your fingernails sore before they fell off?
@Flaneuse - mine went purple overnight with the first dose. Every time I cleaned them I saw a bit more white and less nail attached. I used a fine bristle bamboo toothbrush on my fingers and toes as they were too sore to clean with a nail file. Bit by bit more white would appear and less nail attached. I'd trim them so that they didn't get hooked on anything. I trimmed them down to almost nothing and then they just lifted off and there was another nail underneath starting to grow again. They all grew back better than their original condition. It wasn't the losing of the nails that was painful but the nailbeds which the nails could make move. My toenails were more painful than my fingernails, I think because I had more accidents with them, it was easier to guard my fingers. I go into a bit of detail because that is one of the things I was particularly curious about when I started my own dose dense AC then the Paclitaxel. The nail damage was done during AC.
8 years ago Place General
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Re: Night Howlers have their own space
The witching hours is what I call them @Marianne_BCNA (and they start at sundown.)
8 years ago Place Night howls
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Re: Roll Call
@Sister The biggest changes are in Mullumbimby where I spent 20 years. It's gone from Hippie Haven to young Start Up companies all operated via the internet. It has changed the nature of country towns where once upon a time young couples just wanted to get out. Now they all want to get in, lol. Byron Bay doesn't have an off season anymore and is always full of backpackers. Suffolk Park is full of tradie/surfies and millionaires. There's not much in between. Our biggest attraction these days would have to be Music Festivals. There's one on every month with people from all over the place converging in the one spot with all their different germs. The locals know to keep away from Woollies at such times, lol.
8 years ago Place General discussions
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Re: Roll Call
TabooGal said: @PatsyN I didn't know there was an Epping in Sydney until I put Epping in my GPS and it told me how far I had to go I'm pretty sure the NSW Epping is bigger than your Epping. It was an old suburb when my Granma lived there. I haven't been there in well over 50 years, so I can only guess what it's like these days.
8 years ago Place General discussions
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Re: Roll Call
@TabooGal Epping! My granma lived in Epping, Sydney - I never knew of the other one.
8 years ago Place General discussions
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Re: Roll Call
Kiwi Angel said: Sutherland Shire in Sydney for me (don’t hold it against me, my now hubby lived here when I moved over from NZ) :p Whenever I fly into Sydney from the south I find the coastline of Sutherland Shire to rival anything the rest of the world has to offer, just sayin.
8 years ago Place General discussions
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Let's talk: vaginas, menopause & me
PRIVATE GROUP. This group is a safe, supportive space to talk about sexual health and emotional wellbeing during and after breast cancer. We discuss topics like menopause, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, UTIs, and changes in libido, and share ideas and products that may help. Whether you're navigating intimacy with a partner or reconnecting with yourself, you're not alone here. This is a place for open, respectful conversations and shared understanding.
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PRIVATE GROUP. Choosing breast reconstruction after single or double mastectomy can feel overwhelming, and deeply personal. This group is here to connect you through others' stories and images. Please respect everyone’s privacy—do not copy or share content outside this space. Information is based on personal experience and is not medical advice; always consult your healthcare team for guidance. ⚠️CONTENT WARNING⚠️ Members may share photos of breast surgeries. These images or discussions may be distressing or triggering for some. If you need support, please contact the BCNA Helpline - we are here for you.

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