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First appointment since diagnosis
Hi Lovely Ladies, I have my first appt on wednesday at Peter Mac and was wondering if anyone else went to Peter mac and what their experience was with the first appointment. Im hoping to come away with some dates of appointments to start my journey or am I being unrealistic and is it just really an information session? Thanks in advanceSo 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. xxxxxSurgeon & Hospital Choices Melbourne
Hi, I am recently diagnosed with DCIS and 75 years old. I live in Melbourne and need to select a Surgeon and Hospital for either a Lumpectomy or mastectomy. Does anyone have experience with Cabrini or Epworth and also with the surgeons Sarah Kemp or Melanie Walker?
New to this and a bit lost
Hello, I am a 44 year old woman, wife & mum who was told last night over a phone call that I have a grade 2 ductal cancer that is Estrogen sensitive. I need to make an appointment for either this week or next to discuss my options. I can opt for a lumpectomy and radiation or due to strong family history a double mastectomy with a reconstruction. I would like to get other peoples experiences or thoughts on this. I will be getting gene testing as well but know my sister tested new to the two she was tested for over 10 years ago Im scared and a bit lost at the moment. I don't know how to tell my children (they are 24,19& 16) or others really. Im not sure where to start.........
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 x
I dont even know what my question is..
I got a lump out and thought nothing of it. The ultrasound and GP kind of indicated it was in the skin not the breast tissue. So when I got a call to go back to surgeon a little earlier, I thought they were just checking the wound care. Until they said its what it is and booked me in for another surgery (this week) and had MRI and CT and biopsy. On a referral it says possible IDC and DCIS. Im getting a call tomorrow and surgery Friday. GP told me the lymph nodes are positive. Its been a blur over Christmas. Will I ever think about something else or will it always be on my mind before bed and as and soon as I wake and every moment in between? I've 2 kids. Im scared.Emotional speed bumps
Hi, I'm trying to figure out how to prepare for life post-mastectomy. I got my diagnosis a week ago and have been managing well, but then I tried to join a FB group for people going flat and got hit hard by a gatekeeper question. The question was something like, "Have you had a mastectomy?" Options: 1. Yes 2. No, but I'm looking at my options 3. No, but I am supporting a loved one who has. The curious thing is that I felt completely left out by this option list. I wanted the option: No, but I am about to. I got all teary and had to write about it. Funny what sets us off. Anyway, I would love some tips about clothes to wear during recovery that are easy to manage and don't make me stand out.ER/PR+ HER2- invasive lobular
I’m a 47 yr old mum of one 6 yr old. I received my ER/PR+ HER2- invasive lobular cancer diagnosis this week. Due to strong family history (mum passed away at 62 in 2012 with triple negative BC- and her mother also passed away at similar age from BC type unknown as it was late 1970s) - my sister and I had started the process of having additional screening etc. My mammogram and Ultrasound in Jan this year was clear - MRI last month showed something- which following a core biopsy has revealed 3mm ER/PR+ HER2- invasive lobular cancer. As I was already under care of private breast surgeon due to wanting extra screening etc- I feel grateful to have already talked to her about surgery options and possible surgery week of 12th January. I went for genetic testing this week and now wait to see results. Am weighing up option of double mastectomy(and reconstruction) - though surgeon has advised its very early and very small so lumpectomy and sentinel node surgery is a very feasible option too. Followed by radiation therapy and tamoxifen. If I chose a mastectomy it may reduce my need for radiation and tamoxifen.
Just diagnosed IDC HR++ Her2 low mulitocal, still awaiting further tests and freaking out!
Hi all nice to meet you all but wish it were under better circumstances. I have just been diagosed earlier this month for a check up that I thought was going to show nothing so I was really thrown. I have a least two 1.5cm lesions and a number of smaller ones they are not sure about yet. Just met with the breast team yesterday for my first appointment. They were all lovely but not much info yet as they need to run more tests. They did two more biopsies of lesions not done initially and also ordered a bone and CT scan as well as an MRI. I was expecting teh MRI as I have Very dense breast tissue. I was not expecting the bone and CT scan, which they said are staging scans, as given the size of the lesions I thought I was considered early breast cancer. She reassured me this was just standard practice for lesions over 1cm but I have been in a tail spin since worrying it is already stage 4. I have a 9 year old son, his dad is completely unreliable and probamatic so does not and will not be living with us anytime soon. I havebnt even told him about it yet as he's not in a potisiton to do anythign right now and it would just cause more stress. I am the sole provider for us and all I can worry about is what happens if I go down. Who pays the mortgage, who puts food on the table. I know this is all way down the line and I keep trying to bring myself back but it's so hard. I am usually a very rational person so this is killing me. My next lot of scans are on Sunday and Monday and my follow up appointment will be a week after that to give them time to review the results and discuss my case before coming up with a plan. On one hand I am terrified it's going to be worse case senario and on the other I am terrified it if is bad news they won't wait until my next appointment and they'll call just before christmas and I'll have to manbage that on my own without ruining my sons day. He's already had to deal with enough of an emotional rollercoaster with his dad I don't want to add more to that. I thought I was doing ok but I'm crumbling. Every ache or pain has me over analysing. I know the waiting is the hardest part. I almost think I would be handling it better on my own as it would be ok to fall apart but I have to stay strong for my son.
DCIS, DMX reconstruction new diagnosis
Recently diagnosed DCIS Stage 0. Opting for DMX and reconstruction using my tummy fat same day…. Videos and some social media groups are TBH quite confronting and disturbing. I would rather know but….. Reading and hearing how awful the recovery is, pain, discomfort, loss of movement and after some helpful tips to prepare please: particularly diet, did you change your diet pre surgery? High protein to help with recovery? Can you recommend a website or recipe site? Things post surgery: hire a recliner to rest in, did you hire a wedge or breast pillow as well? Button up shirts and pjs, anything else that you found useful please? I’ve heard about the drains which sound daunting… what do i need to do with them? Toileting and cleaning myself… I hear you can’t put your arm around your back to wipe? I’ve got wet wipes but …. Don’t want to ask my partner to wipe my bum? Diet after surgery to avoid constipation. Any tips would be greatly appreciated thank you so so much.
