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Feeling angry
I have recently been diagnosed and had a lumpectomy last Thursday. I’m feel fine not overly sore but tired. Mine was picked up on a mammograms so early and I’m very grateful and know how lucky I am. I’m ok with diagnosis 1 in 7 my turn. The issue is I’ve been through so much recently and I’m finding myself angry. Well the last 2 days. 2 knee replacements, fibromyalgia, depression, late adhd diagnosis at 62, mum with dementia I’ve had to put into care, I sold her house without her knowing which is heart breaking - no help from siblings and that just this year. Lol. I had a breakdown a few years ago through work, got divorced, my dog died and I burnt my nachos the other day. A bit of light relief. There is more but that will do. I’m exhausted keeping a lid on everything. I’ve spoken to my psychologist who suggested Emdr. I’m by myself and just so angry. My kids have their own lives and basically my safe place is my home (with a massive mortgage) and my dogs. I had started a wonderful new business but have had to put that on hold until I find out what happens next. Which is next Monday. This is not a why me post it’s a is it normal to be angry. Not all the time but it’s scathing and my dogs have heard some words that I have never mentioned before. I’m not really good at asking for help. And was disappointed with the support I received with my knee replacements so reluctant to go through that rejection again. I think maybe it’s the lack of control, not knowing where we go from here. Again I know how lucky I am and whatever treatment (looks like radiation and hormone therapy and possibly another op and chemo if it’s travelled) I will gladly do and be thankful. I guess I’m just bewildered and have no idea what’s normal and whats not. And if I’ve honest I’m teary too. Ok I feel lonely and unsupported as well.
Telling my toddler and child I have breast cancer
Hi All, Last month I was diagnosed with IDC and 2 weeks ago I had a single mastectomy. I have a 3 and 5 yr old who I am struggling on how to discuss this with them. So far for all the surgeries and appointments we have told them 'Mummy has a sore booby' which has been enough for them. However I am likely to need chemotherapy and I with the likelyhood of hair loss I will need tell them more about what is going on. I have done reading online into how to do this however it seems to all be directed at older age groups. My children I dont think would understand cancer or even cells. We tell them to brush their teeth so they doing get bugs eating their teeth so I am worried to say I have a bug in my booby to them and scare them of bugs! Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I was wondering if anyone had found a good little video or book to help them understand what cancer is?
Wound care after lumpectomy
Hello everyone, This is my first time posting, and I am still learning how to use this platform, so I apologise if this question has already been asked. Been dx with Hormone positive DCIS in left breast and did lumpectomy. I am looking for some advice regarding incision care after my surgeon removed the waterproof dressing. It has been 20 days since my surgery, and the dressing was removed today. My surgeon recommended using Micropore tape for a few weeks and then starting a silicone gel afterwards. I was hoping to clarify a few things based on others' experiences. Do you shower with the Micropore tape in place and wait for it to naturally loosen before replacing it, or do you remove it daily to clean the incision and apply a new strip? I have done some research but would really appreciate hearing what others have done. I would also be interested to know when you started using silicone gel and when you began scar massage. Thank you in advance for your advice and experiences.
Tamoxifen..
Hi I had been on Tamoxifen for 3 months. I'm post menopausal. I'm 64. I started getting a discharge after couple months and heavy feeling in bottom of stomach like having a period again. Haven't had one in 18 yrs. Also diagnosed with ongoing constipation. Told med onc she said get gp to do an xray of pelvis and u sound. Had Gray then trans vaginally u sound. Results..thickened uterus and possibly hyperplasia along with increased uterine volume. I am off Tamoxifen and have appt with Gyno at qe2 in Brisbane on 12th may. I am more nervous of this app than when diagnosed with ILC. Has anyone had this while being on Tamoxifen. I d like to have a historectomy I don't need my uterus annymore then I could go back on Tamoxifen. Stay safe.. Tanya xx
Mental health and new diagnosis.
Hi all, been struggling really bad finding out i have cancer in my right breast early diagnosis. I dont know what sort as i cant cope with the details of it all. I have seen the doctors and waiting MRI appointment and surgery date. I am really struggling with the anxiety and the moving forward bit. I suffer with anxiety and depression quite badly. I was given the option of just having the two lumps removed or the whole breast. I cant decide which option will help me move forward better. So firstly is there any mental health accept to this organisation? I only have my hubby to rely on who is also classed as my career. I am unsure which option to go with as my mental health plays a big part in my descion. I need to make a descion that i can be happy with and wont make my anxiety worse. Unsure of who to talk to or where to go for help.
Tamoxifen + irregular periods.
Hi all, wondering if any has advice/having a similar experience. I have been on Tamoxifen for almost 2.5 years now and also in perimenopause. Since I’ve started Tamoxifen, periods have been extremely irregular (at least 5 months between a period), and when I do get my period it is so heavy, I can barely leave the house. I have been to my GP and he suggested I take Tranexamic acid to try and reduce the bleeding but that doesn’t seem to be having much effect. He has suggested I could have a mirena inserted, but need to check with oncologist (had lobular invasive carcinoma - ER positive). hoping someone else may have had a similar experience. thanks xx p.s have already been checked for endo + fibroids.
Newly diagnosed
Hi all, I have received a diagnosis of DCIS, I was told on Friday, and now I need another biopsy before we work out the best way forward, obviously the two options are mastectomy or lumpectomy, my concern is I can’t have this other biopsy for 3weeks, I feel overwhelmed, I was also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis this time last year, and I am a hairdresser, so I’m finding work a struggle and I’m wondering what I should expect with the recovery if I have a mastectomy and reconstruction vs lumpectomy and radiation? I would love to hear if anyone has experience any restrictions as a hairdresser getting back to work after a mastectomy? After my MS diagnosis I had to cut my business in half because of fatigue, now I’m concerned that I won’t have a business left after this if I can’t work for a while 😢
Hair Loss Advice
Hi beautiful people. I have just commenced chemo a few weeks ago and I am just starting to lose my hair. I have bought some hats and scarves but I would appreciate some advice on wigs. Looking at the possibility of a real hair wig? Would really appreciate your opinions. I live in the the Wollongong area. Thanks ☺️
So confused, scared and teary
Hi all, I was just diagnosed yesterday with DCIS intermediate grade 2 and told to get off my HRT patches immediately. I have 3 areas in the one breast so I think i will need a masectomy. I have been contacted by Peter Mac in Melbourne regarding my referral and just waiting on confirmation of my appointment date. My brain is saying if I had to have cancer this is the one to get but my emotions are being ridiculous, so teary inside but cool and calm on the outside trying to support everyone else. If I do need a masectomy i want to have reconstruction surgery on the same day with a small implant but Im so worried as 6 months ago I was let go at work due to business downsizing and ive really struggled to find another job, my mum has just passed away and any savings I had have helped with the funeral etc so basically I am seriously going through hardship and only just paying my rent on my job seeker payment. I am so scared that I will find out going through this process there are some unexpected charges that arent included, all the sites say peter mac is free and I am bulk billing but Im so scared that my health is going to held back due to financial stress. Has anyone had this process done at peter mac, chose the medicare bulk billing option and was their reconstruction covered? Sorry Im really rambling here but its so much easier to type this to a stranger than someone I know. xxxxxWho to ask about pathology details?
Hi all, just new here…yay🎉?! 🤦🏻♀️ I see everyone seems to know what hormone, stage and other details of their cancer. I know the size of mine, that it is invasive lobular. Just wondering, as I’d like to find out further details and I guess just assumed someone would “tell me” when I needed to know. Would my surgeon or GP be the person to ask for those details? I’ve had a lumpectomy, several lymph nodes removed and need to have further margins or areas of margin removed. I’d like to know obviously if the cancer is potentially fast growing, stage and hormones. thanks so much.
