Best Of
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
5
Newly diagnosed and has spread to bones and liver
I literally found out 2 weeks ago that I have breast cancer. I just got back from an appointment today after all my scans to be told that it’s spread to my liver and bones. I’m absolutely shocked and terrified. I’m HER positive. I’m having a PET scan done to confirm about bones and liver and told surgery is not an option for me. Anyone else in the Sam boat as me? Any storie of hope out there? I’m only 45 and have 3 young kids. I don’t want to die!
Jano
9
Re: Newly diagnosed - tough day
@ruralmum2
A pathologist once referred to ‘my adventure’ - at the time I could have cheerfully throttled him, but I soon realised he was right. Adventures can be scary, you go places you haven’t been before (or even wanted to go!), do unfamiliar things, have to learn new languages. But after your adventure, you are still you. A more experienced you, a more knowledgeable you, maybe even wiser.
Human beings can only go forward, which is sometimes the hardest realisation, particularly if your ‘before’ life was a really good one. But that applies in any circumstances.
Recording your experience is a great idea - I wrote, and still do, it’s an important means of shifting and sorting ideas and feelings. That in itself is something I never did before cancer.
Eleven (extremely good) years on, I can’t say I’m glad I had cancer (who would?) but it’s shaped some good results in how I live, work and view life. Onwards and upwards!
A pathologist once referred to ‘my adventure’ - at the time I could have cheerfully throttled him, but I soon realised he was right. Adventures can be scary, you go places you haven’t been before (or even wanted to go!), do unfamiliar things, have to learn new languages. But after your adventure, you are still you. A more experienced you, a more knowledgeable you, maybe even wiser.
Human beings can only go forward, which is sometimes the hardest realisation, particularly if your ‘before’ life was a really good one. But that applies in any circumstances.
Recording your experience is a great idea - I wrote, and still do, it’s an important means of shifting and sorting ideas and feelings. That in itself is something I never did before cancer.
Eleven (extremely good) years on, I can’t say I’m glad I had cancer (who would?) but it’s shaped some good results in how I live, work and view life. Onwards and upwards!
Afraser
5
Re: Information Overload!
Hi @lorns , new here too! Diagnosed end of March with Invasive Lobular cancer in left breast. Came out of the blue, as I just went in for (will admit overdue) annual mammogram.
I completely get what you are saying - GP delivered bad news, straight to breast surgeon the next day and the past week has been more biopsies (double checking a couple of other suspicious areas)and scans. Last scan due this coming Monday, so hopefully by mid week I will know exactly what I’m dealing with. 100% agree there is so much information, and my mind is spinning! But I am so grateful that there is. I’ve started using the journal app and have a notebook as well. There is so much to consider (both medically and financially) and going by how quickly the ball has started rolling for me, I am gathering that quick decisions will be required.
Wishing you the best possible journey,over what I am calling my “bump in the road”. We’ve got this 😘
I completely get what you are saying - GP delivered bad news, straight to breast surgeon the next day and the past week has been more biopsies (double checking a couple of other suspicious areas)and scans. Last scan due this coming Monday, so hopefully by mid week I will know exactly what I’m dealing with. 100% agree there is so much information, and my mind is spinning! But I am so grateful that there is. I’ve started using the journal app and have a notebook as well. There is so much to consider (both medically and financially) and going by how quickly the ball has started rolling for me, I am gathering that quick decisions will be required.
Wishing you the best possible journey,over what I am calling my “bump in the road”. We’ve got this 😘
Nickii2
6