Best Of
Re: Cancer Australia and Metastatic BC
We so need a 'shitbags/oh bugger/gargh response button @Patti J . Confidence is all, particularly if you think that your team is up on what is happening in your space.
I've worked for Cancer Oz as a grant reviewer for over a decade and to see them actively change focus from not just early detection and treatment of identified disease to dealing with what we currently see as incurable stages could inject millions of dollars a year into new research. Bring it on.
I've worked for Cancer Oz as a grant reviewer for over a decade and to see them actively change focus from not just early detection and treatment of identified disease to dealing with what we currently see as incurable stages could inject millions of dollars a year into new research. Bring it on.
Zoffiel
5
Re: What are your easiest, tastiest meals - quick to prepare when you can't think of anything!!
One of my family's fave dinners and easy as, is my super easy meatballs!
1kg mince (I use beef), add shredded zucchini if you have the energy (got to get hidden veges into them somehow), 2 eggs, about a cup of breadcrumbs (or almond meal if you're avoiding the carbs), half a cup of tomato paste, and squirt of Tabasco or Worcestershire or a bit of chili if you want to give it a kick - can adjust the dry/wet ingredients a bit....
Stick a pot on the stove and bring to the boil 2 x bottles of your favourite tomato passata or puree ( I use the 700g ones) + an equal amount of water. (ie empty the bottle of passata into the pot then fill the same bottle with water and add the water in).
When the passata is boiling, roll the mince mixture into small balls with wet hands, and throw them in.
Boil over medium heat until the sauce reduces and thickens - takes about 40 mins - leave the cover off and it will reduce quicker just make sure the mince is cooked through.
So yummy with pasta or mash or veges or cauliflower mash!
Make enough to freeze
1kg mince (I use beef), add shredded zucchini if you have the energy (got to get hidden veges into them somehow), 2 eggs, about a cup of breadcrumbs (or almond meal if you're avoiding the carbs), half a cup of tomato paste, and squirt of Tabasco or Worcestershire or a bit of chili if you want to give it a kick - can adjust the dry/wet ingredients a bit....
Stick a pot on the stove and bring to the boil 2 x bottles of your favourite tomato passata or puree ( I use the 700g ones) + an equal amount of water. (ie empty the bottle of passata into the pot then fill the same bottle with water and add the water in).
When the passata is boiling, roll the mince mixture into small balls with wet hands, and throw them in.
Boil over medium heat until the sauce reduces and thickens - takes about 40 mins - leave the cover off and it will reduce quicker just make sure the mince is cooked through.
So yummy with pasta or mash or veges or cauliflower mash!
Make enough to freeze
Eastmum
5
Re: Back off please
"I love you dearly and I truly appreciate your interest, but right now I really don't want to talk about it. I hope you don't mind."
or
"Do you mind if we don't talk about it anymore? I just want to focus on other things for a bit."
It's very challenging isn't it? I hope you can get your friend to back off. K xox
or
"Do you mind if we don't talk about it anymore? I just want to focus on other things for a bit."
It's very challenging isn't it? I hope you can get your friend to back off. K xox
kmakm
6
Re: I’m back
Great news from your scans @TripleTea
I too have had a localised recurrence of Triple Negative and know and feel exactly what you're going through.
I had to have another round (5 months) chemo, but a different regimen to the first time. I hated every bit off it, but knew if this was going to beat the retched thing, then I had to do it !! Then radiotherapy again as well.
I'm now nearly three year post the recurrence and heading down the path of reconstruction at the moment.
Sending you bunches of hugs and just know that you can do this.
I too have had a localised recurrence of Triple Negative and know and feel exactly what you're going through.
I had to have another round (5 months) chemo, but a different regimen to the first time. I hated every bit off it, but knew if this was going to beat the retched thing, then I had to do it !! Then radiotherapy again as well.
I'm now nearly three year post the recurrence and heading down the path of reconstruction at the moment.
Sending you bunches of hugs and just know that you can do this.
Re: I would like to connect with other carers....
Hi @Bridget1
It's true that there is not a huge support network for partners.
I have found a number of people through work, but to be honest most of the meaningful support I have found on here. Some of the (mostly) women here have been incredibly supportive and patient.
Its a funny place to be, as a healthy partner of a Cancer patient. And when I say funny I mean shit. There are some dark places your mind goes and personally I found guilt to be a big one, but fear has been the worst.
Please don't let yourself be alone, though. There are some resources you should definitely use.
I'll PM you.
It's true that there is not a huge support network for partners.
I have found a number of people through work, but to be honest most of the meaningful support I have found on here. Some of the (mostly) women here have been incredibly supportive and patient.
Its a funny place to be, as a healthy partner of a Cancer patient. And when I say funny I mean shit. There are some dark places your mind goes and personally I found guilt to be a big one, but fear has been the worst.
Please don't let yourself be alone, though. There are some resources you should definitely use.
I'll PM you.
Re: Haiku challenge. Your day in three lines 7-5-7
Water still can't get it right
No soft welcome falls
Stinging stones and bitter sleet
No soft welcome falls
Stinging stones and bitter sleet
Zoffiel
6
Re: What a time to find out you're not covered by HBF! And can I save my nipple?
@KylieG
My treatment and followup care has been as a public patient. I do not have private health insurance.
May I suggest that you see your usual GP and ask for an urgent referral to the Breast Clinic at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
My diagnosis and treatment was complicated by the fact that I live remotely in the Kimberley, however the clinic staff at Fiona Stanley worked with me for the best possible outcome.
I wish you the very best of outcomes. Warm Kimberley wishes to you.
Annie
My treatment and followup care has been as a public patient. I do not have private health insurance.
May I suggest that you see your usual GP and ask for an urgent referral to the Breast Clinic at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
My diagnosis and treatment was complicated by the fact that I live remotely in the Kimberley, however the clinic staff at Fiona Stanley worked with me for the best possible outcome.
I wish you the very best of outcomes. Warm Kimberley wishes to you.
Annie
Annie C
5
Re: What a time to find out you're not covered by HBF! And can I save my nipple?
I am so sorry that you've had to join us here. However, welcome. I hope you find it as helpful and supportive as I have. We're good for a vent, a cry, a rant and surprisingly quite a few laughs.
I, almost inadvertently, went down the private health insurance route to treat my BC. With 20/20 hindsight I would not do this again. We are so significantly out of pocket that it's worrying. Almost everyone here has a very good, and in more than a few cases, better experience in the public health system. The biggest difference seems to be not seeing the same specialist at each appointment. So, being somewhat hard nosed, and acknowledging that I don't know you at all, I would let go of the HBF fight, put the money that you'd otherwise be paying into a special account, and use it to pay for your medication, supplies and complementary therapies that you will use along the way. You've got a long road ahead of you. You might want to conserve your energy for other battles.
Simply, there are two types of breast reconstruction. One uses implants and the other uses your own tissue (most commonly from your belly but also from your back, thighs or bum). Both can be done at the same time as your mastectomy, or later, by inserting expanders. It very much depends on whether you have radiation therapy or not, and from the description of your diagnosis I think you will. You need to talk in detail with your breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Your BS will refer you to a PS.
My understanding is that surgery to rebalance your boobs is not charged for in the public system but I'm not a hundred percent on that. Happy to be corrected. What will happen though is that if it's not done all at the same time you'll be on a waiting list.
You are in the best place in the world to have BC. WA has the best survival rates in Australia, and your support services are excellent.
Make sure you get access to a breastcare nurse that you like. They will be able to guide you through the minefield. Ask your BS.
Hang in there Kylie. This is the worst bit. I promise you it gets better once treatment gets under way. Big hug, K xox
@Hils
I, almost inadvertently, went down the private health insurance route to treat my BC. With 20/20 hindsight I would not do this again. We are so significantly out of pocket that it's worrying. Almost everyone here has a very good, and in more than a few cases, better experience in the public health system. The biggest difference seems to be not seeing the same specialist at each appointment. So, being somewhat hard nosed, and acknowledging that I don't know you at all, I would let go of the HBF fight, put the money that you'd otherwise be paying into a special account, and use it to pay for your medication, supplies and complementary therapies that you will use along the way. You've got a long road ahead of you. You might want to conserve your energy for other battles.
Simply, there are two types of breast reconstruction. One uses implants and the other uses your own tissue (most commonly from your belly but also from your back, thighs or bum). Both can be done at the same time as your mastectomy, or later, by inserting expanders. It very much depends on whether you have radiation therapy or not, and from the description of your diagnosis I think you will. You need to talk in detail with your breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Your BS will refer you to a PS.
My understanding is that surgery to rebalance your boobs is not charged for in the public system but I'm not a hundred percent on that. Happy to be corrected. What will happen though is that if it's not done all at the same time you'll be on a waiting list.
You are in the best place in the world to have BC. WA has the best survival rates in Australia, and your support services are excellent.
Make sure you get access to a breastcare nurse that you like. They will be able to guide you through the minefield. Ask your BS.
Hang in there Kylie. This is the worst bit. I promise you it gets better once treatment gets under way. Big hug, K xox
@Hils
kmakm
5
Re: What a time to find out you're not covered by HBF! And can I save my nipple?
That’s all very unsettling but two things - public can be every bit as good and if you have the energy (cancer can use up quite a lot), fight! After nine years, commonsense says HBF might have sent a reminder, overdue notice, anything! Best wishes.
Afraser
5
Re: Newly diagnosed .. Glad I've found a safe place
Hi Arpie,
Thanks for your interesting informative reply.
I'm from WA and no one advised me to have an ultrasound although I have heard that it is a better way to detect anything. But hay... it only happens to other women! Silly me , I should have listened. I tell everyone now to go have an ultrasound even if it costs you. (Young ones too). No one should have to go through this knowing it could have been found earlier.
We should all lobby for earlier screening and ultrasounds, theres too many slipping through their system as it is now.
I've been told that my cancer is lobular, so I will need hormone treatment, not sure what that is going to do to me.
Sorry to hear your husband is so sick. I had to laugh about the lemon tree, hopefully it is tough and will survive, and that your husband didn't hurt himself and had a good workout!🍋🏋️♂️
I'm worried how we will cope if Jim gets a kidney transplant as I wont be well enough to look after him. It will be his second one so I know what to exspect.😐
I havent been to my craft group since I found out and so decided to go today. It was the best thing I could have done. I'm fairly new to the group but they are all so freindly. I couldnt believe it when we got talking.....there were about 6 out of aprox 20 women that had had breast cancer in various forms! So now my craft group is like a support group!
Fingers and toes crossed for my scans on Friday. Thanks for your good wishes. ☺ xx
Thanks for your interesting informative reply.
I'm from WA and no one advised me to have an ultrasound although I have heard that it is a better way to detect anything. But hay... it only happens to other women! Silly me , I should have listened. I tell everyone now to go have an ultrasound even if it costs you. (Young ones too). No one should have to go through this knowing it could have been found earlier.
We should all lobby for earlier screening and ultrasounds, theres too many slipping through their system as it is now.
I've been told that my cancer is lobular, so I will need hormone treatment, not sure what that is going to do to me.
Sorry to hear your husband is so sick. I had to laugh about the lemon tree, hopefully it is tough and will survive, and that your husband didn't hurt himself and had a good workout!🍋🏋️♂️
I'm worried how we will cope if Jim gets a kidney transplant as I wont be well enough to look after him. It will be his second one so I know what to exspect.😐
I havent been to my craft group since I found out and so decided to go today. It was the best thing I could have done. I'm fairly new to the group but they are all so freindly. I couldnt believe it when we got talking.....there were about 6 out of aprox 20 women that had had breast cancer in various forms! So now my craft group is like a support group!
Fingers and toes crossed for my scans on Friday. Thanks for your good wishes. ☺ xx
Hils
6