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Memories
Yesterday I had major abdominal surgery in the same operating theatre where I had my lumpectomy on 12 November 2015. The experience brought back all sorts of memories of that time. I still find it strange I am tackling a whole new disease now just 3 years later. Breast cancer has been overtaken by Achalasia. Surprisingly,…
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Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy (Seeking breast cancer survivor feedback)
Hello BCNA Members My name is Kym and I’m a breast cancer survivor and a BCNA Consumer Representative volunteer. I have been invited to be a panelist for a psycho-oncology seminar, for medical professionals and medical students, to be held at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The topic for the seminar is Sexual Wellbeing…
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Breast Density
Hi all Am confirmed for the workshop on Breast Density here in Adelaide next Thursday 23 August. I am prepared to put any questions the blog has on this issue and report back on the responses. In addition I hope to upload a summary of what I learn on the day - just may need to be the week after as my twins are turning 18…
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Jigsaw puzzles
I don't know why my physio didn't suggest it to me earlier but I have stumbled upon jigsaw puzzles for therapy. The repetitive movements of sorting pieces has done my lymphedema arm the world of good. Sitting around with not a lot of energy is boring and I put on movies to watch but I still like to be doing something to…
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Apparently ok to tell someone incorrectly they have stage IV cancer
Got the decision back from my complaint regarding my previous surgeon. For those of you that don’t know my previous surgeon told me the day after my mastectomy, and before receiving pathology results that I had stage IV cancer and was in the fight of my life (his exact words). I was sent away as a blubbering mess with a…
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Prevention in Survivorship - "What can I do to prevent a cancer recurrence?"
The Cancer Council is hosting a webinar tonight on this topic. Apologies for the late notice but if you are not available this evening, you can still register and then receive an emailed link to the recorded webinar. (Details below) 28th February 2019 7:00pm - 8:00pm (AEDT)Whilst more research is needed, current research…
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2 year all-clear, 2 year all-fear.
I've just had my second year check-up scans. It's always going to be so stressful. I've had a range of worrying new symptoms pop up over the last couple of months while on my Tamoxifen break, so I'm worried something was there and has now domino down my left arm lymph nodes. Taking a look at my scans, my layman eyes don't…
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Mental Health Plan
I am officially certified. They were more than happy to put me on the mental health plan. My new cheeky ‘fifteen year old’ doctor acted surprised that I wasn’t on one already!
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Adelaide Fringe performance about metastatic breast cancer
I was recently given a heads up about a Fringe performance about metastatic breast cancer. https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-archive-of-educated-hearts-af2019?venue=166%3A319 Thee is a special session of it this Thursday evening (21st Feb) at 7:15pm where there will be a Q&A after the show about the personal…
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Lazer
I had my first lazer treatment on Monday, they checked my breasts with a fluid metre and I did have some show up in my right breast. Had two different things on my breast just felt like pins & needles was very tired later and had very loud tummy gurgles which was the lymphatic working. I have booked two more sessions and…
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Brisbane/Gold Coast Support Group
hi, is there a brisbane/gold coast support group?
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Feeling Down
I have been feeling quite sad the last couple of days. I don’t know if it is cause the whole BC experience this year has hit me or it’s this time last week we were supposed to go on our holiday and we got delayed a day and had to cut it short - silly I know but I had been so looking forward to it and I don’t seem to take…
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Desperate measures
My Osteopath left the clinic and of course no-one will tell me where he went. There are only two osteo’s that my body likes. My first one lives on the other side of Melbourne. She trained someone who moved to Geelong and their treatment is identical! So she transferred me over to him. Then he left! I have been wondering…
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Thankyou
I would like to acknowledge and thank all that have made the time to guide and support others on the blog over the Christmas period when professional help becomes more difficult as we spend time celebrating the festive season with our family and friends. It has been especially important for those newly diagnosed in the run…
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Finished rads today, bittersweet
Hi Ladies, I had my last radiotherapy treatment today, 30 in total. I'm sure somewhere in my brain/body I am celebrating this milestone but to be honest I am a weepy mess! My original plan on finishing active treatment was to visit my parents who live(d) interstate. My mum is in residential care after her own cancer battle…