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Newly Diagnosed WA
Hi, I have just been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. I have decided to have a double mastectomy. I live in a regional town in WA so I will be flying to Perth for the surgery. Any advice for preparation for surgery. Will I need propping pillows to sleep post surgery. I am staying in Perth post op for 14 days to allow for the nurse care of drains. Has anyone else done this in Perth?
Newly diagnosed and waiting for appt. breast becoming more tender as I wait :-(
Hi there, I feel I’m in the difficult position of waiting four weeks between diagnosis and first surgeon appointment. Invasive lobular ER+ PR + HER2 - lump that I noticed in right breast a month ago. I’ve had the MRI done privately this week so the information is ready at that appointment. Trouble is the breast and armpit just feels increasingly niggly and slightly tender while I wait. I’m worried that it’s just growing/spreading as I wait. I don’t have private insurance, do have savings. but wanted to hold out for public and it being a more multi-disciplinary team. I’m really struggling wondering if I should have gone private and quick :-( Thank you xNew diagnosis metastatic breast cancer
Hi, I'm all very new to this being diagnosed only 7 wks ago with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (triple positive) which has spread to my bones. I am 51 with 2 children. I had only had my first mammogram 18 mths previous which was clear. I felt unwell at work & went to hospital and they found it looking for something else. It has been such an overwhelming process. My family & friends have been amazing but am feeling so very alone.
Triple positive HER + grade 2A
Hi to everyone! I'm newly diagnosed with a grade 2A triple positive breast cancer, at age 40. So, from what I can understand (and I’m an experienced registered nurse… but not in the area of cancer) I have a 2.5-3cm tumor in the right breast. PET scans/u/s/ ct with contrast and biopsy show an invasive carcinoma insitu. no nodal involvement or metastasis seen on any scans, hence the 2A. I am having 12 weeks of paclitaxel chemo weekly, plus herceptin and perjeta added in every three weeks. The herceptin will continue for the year, every 3 weeks. i have opted for a mastectomy (single) and immediate reconstruction using implants after the chemo has finished in 12 weeks. so no radiation after surgery. i will then be put on the oral meds for 5 years. I was just wondering if anyone had a similar diagnosis, and how their treatment went. I am up to number 2 of the chemo this week (10 to go) I opted to pay the $6000 for the perjeta, on top of the herceptin and paclitaxel. i just want to get through the chemo part, as it really scares me!!! Xx
HER2 positive diagnosed Dec 24 -
49 fit and healthy and then what the! Noticed a dimple in left breast, straight to Dr, all the tests and within 18 days was having my first round of chemo 2 days after Christmas. 2 cm lump left breast, HER2 3+ positive, they don’t believe it is in my lymph nodes just one enlarged from the biopsy. Just finished 2nd of 6 rounds of chemo. Then plan is a lumpectomy, radio and then endocrine therapy. Reading all the threads of HER2 positive it seems like a long road ahead. Did anyone choose a double mastectomy to avoid issues in the future? Would love any suggestions, advice, feedback for anyone going through a similar journey.Stage 4 breast cancer
I have been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer recently, lungs and bone involvement. Hormone receptive high. After reading up about it I was feeling very upbeat. Then I met my oncologist, she was very positive and I was feeling at peace and ready for anything. But after a lot of thought, and knowing I am on borrowed time, knowing all the blood tests, scans, and injections for my bone cancer (and lung) for the rest of my life, meetings with oncologists, GP and allied health workers and with only a 50% chance of living for up to 5 years I'm seriously wondering if it's all worth it for me. When will I get the chance to live my life fully when I will constantly be reminded that my time is limited? Knowing the side affects and how the doctors change the meds to try and find the right ones when I feel I don't have time or the energy to put my heart and soul into something that will kill me anyway. I don't feel depressed, over whelmed definitely, sad for sure but I can feel the real me leaving already and becoming just another statistic. My breast care nurse is wonderful, the oncologists have been lovely and supportive and everyone involved has been amazing. But, the thought of going through all the treatments I have to go through and the end result will not be a cure and no certainty that I will be one of people who die within the first year is too much. I'm not afraid of dying but I am afraid of becoming a struggling cancer patient who will die. That's how I see my reality. I am 65 and have had a wonderful life. I have no regrets, just a simple and happy life. I have no grandchildren but I live an active busy life in retirement and I know with all the treatments, appointments, the ups and downs I don't think I will have the time or will or energy to be the person I am now. I sincerely hope someone out there can understand and perhaps give me some hope that after awhile my new "norm" will be ok and that I don't forget who I am. Gerry xx
Newly Diagnosed
Hi In January a had my regular breast screen, and later received a call back saying that there was a change in my left breast since my last screening 2 yrs ago, and was required to go back for a 2nd screening, ultra sound and possible biopsy. To say I was slightly scared is an understatement... So I had the 2nd screening and biopsy and the results came back with an Invasive Ductual Carcinoma HER2 Low Grade 1, and I'm scared. I'm booked to see the surgeon next week and resolved to be positive until then. So far, so good. Would love to hear from anyone in a similar situation.
Newly diagnosed and Menopause
Hello everyone, My name is Kate, and I recently turned 48. Just a few weeks ago, my world shifted dramatically when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After discussing options with my doctor, I've decided to start chemotherapy soon. It’s all still a bit surreal, and I’m doing my best to stay positive and prepare for what’s ahead. One thing I wasn’t expecting, though, is how menopause has shown up almost overnight. Hot flushes at night are waking me up, making it tough to get any solid sleep, and of course, that affects how I feel during the day, too. The timing couldn’t be more challenging! I’m trying to manage these menopause symptoms as naturally as possible since I’m not sure what my body will tolerate during chemo. I started searching online for natural remedies, and there’s a lot of information out there – from herbs and supplements to lifestyle tips. But I’m nervous about adding anything new to my routine while preparing for chemo. Has anyone here faced a similar situation? Do you know if certain natural supplements for menopause might contradict chemotherapy? Any advice, experiences, or insights would be really appreciated. I’m looking for safe ways to manage these symptoms, so any guidance on this journey would mean a lot.
Quietly Freaking Out - Lumpectomy in less than two weeks
Hi. Diagnosed mid October with invasive ducal breast cancer, early stage 2. Decided to have a lumpectomy followed by radiation. Surgery in two weeks and I probably should not have googled results when I couldn’t find anything about the outcome on this site. For those that have had a lumpectomy, does it leave you deformed? I’ve got a 2cm tumour at 2 o’clock. Is it keyhole or incision surgery? I have an appointment with the surgeon on Thursday, last visit was information overload and I only really heard half of what he said. TIA
