Sharing your breast cancer experience with the media

Would like to share my experience of my breast cancer journey - Hasn't all be good, but one good thing that came out of my complaining to Breastscreen Qld on the Gold Coast that I felt I was pushed to use the Doctor who did my diagnosis at Breastscreen and pushed to use private health system, costing around $6000 our of pocket up to day after surgery, and Breastscreen have now introduced a sheet for people diagnosed at Breastscreen that lists ALL the breast surgeons on the Gold Coast , with their contact details and most importantly IF they operate in PUBLIC and/or PRIVATE system or both.  The patient is also told not to panic and to discuss with their GP for a suitable surgeon, to Google or ask people, go on the bcna online forum before rushing into a decision.  That was one problem I had encountered so I took steps to right it for the next patients coming through.  I am hoping to do that along my way with this journey.  The next big step is getting the costs of the out of pockets down to a manageable amount for EACH patient.  My radiation quote was initially $15000+ but I stood firm and said in that case I would use the same company but go through the public system - I was then offered to pay $140+ per week for the 6 weeks of treatment.  But I sat beside a lady at OUR measure up sessions for the radiation who had told me she had o sell her car to afford the radiation.  THAT IS NOT OK!!!!!!!!  The private system need to talk to their patients and realise that just because we have private health insurance it doesn't mean we have cash at bank - it just means we cut other expenses to ensure we have that private health insurance - BUT NO we do not month laying around - we are pensioners and should be treated well but charged what we can afford.   Whoops got carried away there - But that's a part of my MEDIA IDEAS.   Also the slackness I experienced through the private system with NO Breastcare NURSE, no follow up regarding lymphodema etc etc etc. Many complaints about the private lack of support vs seemingly support in most public system.