Get Connected Day!

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  • Lynne
    Lynne Member Posts: 26 ✭
    edited March 2015

    Hi Carolyn, so glad about your great news, both the blood test results and that sence of achievenment.  I reached the point where I started to make notes in my phone if I achieved the slightest thing such as taking the dogs to the park or doing a load of washing.  Exhaustion can be so debilitating and it is great to celebrate those things.  I know from personal experience with depression that exercise, as hard as it can be to get going, is one of the best things.  Gets the endorphins happening and you just feel so much better in yourself.  Glad you have the opportunity of a local support group.  I live in a suburb of Melbourne but it can still be pretty isolating.  I think too, don't every belittle your experience with BC; it is terrifying for all of us no matter that our scenarios may be different.

    Lynne :0)

     

  • josmith
    josmith Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2015

    I am Joanna and I am 46 years old, with two wonderful children 20 and 23, and thankfully a fantastic husband who has been through every step with me.

    I have had three previous lumpectomy since I was 31 for ductal papiloma.on both breasts. Today I had my 4th as I stop gap solution as my specialist has recommended a mastectomy and an immediate reconstruction. The plastic surgeon wants to do a latissmus dorsi reconstruction. I have already major problems with my back with a disc bulge at L4L5 and a scoliosis with a nerve impact at C5. My physio believes that by cutting and moving this muscle will cause a huge increase in pain and restrict movement and lead to loss of muscle strength. Has anyone had these issues following this kind of reconstructio? and are there other options out there for me. I have made a some more appointments with plastic surgeons for second opinions as this needs to be the right choice,

  • Shazbo
    Shazbo Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2015

    My name is Sharon (Shazbo) my BC journey started on 16th July 2007 just before I turned 50 with what I thought was a routine hip replacement, not so lucky when the bone was tested it turned out to be bone cancer. However 4 weeks later a diagnosis of Breast Cancer stage 4 with bone mets in the spine, ribs, hip and pelvis. 

      

    OMG how my life has changed over the last 3 yrs I have given up work been through chemo, radiation therapy, spinal surgery and monthly treatments of Zometa, I think the hardest thing for me now is the amount of drugs I now take to be able to function every day I hate it but I try to stay positive and happy but some times the pain gets in the way.

     

    I am very lucky to have the most fantastic husband and 3 grown up children, combine them with my many many friends they all keep me going. It would be great though to talk to anyone in the breasts cancer club and ladies with secondary cancer like me. Looking forward to hearing from you.  Thanks Shazbo

  • w.a. kaz
    w.a. kaz Member Posts: 80
    edited March 2015

    Hi carolyn, have just returned from the 2nd national conference for woman effected by breast cancer. The seminar on anxiety and depression was very imformative but what was repeated often was how much a little exercise helped. Be realistic, set a goal even if it's accidental exercise (park car a bit further from shop and walk that bit more) reward yourself (I suggest chocolate,lol) , drink lots of water . Exercise-reduces fatigue and phycological distress, improves sleep and overall well being and helps bone density (quoted from Prof Suzanne Chambers) she also recommended relaxation and meditation.Also acknowledge when sad, its o.k.

    I had a cd I put on my i-pod by Rick Collingwood. Hypnosis for cancer, I found it helped with sleep and actually took me 8 months before I even heard the ending as I dozed of before it finished. You need to listen to it every night for 6 weeks to start, if your interested in this and cant find it let me know as I may be able to help there.   I hope this helps,Something else that was said was sometimes you have to look back (to were you have recently been) to be able to move forward.   Good luck, were all here for you.  Kaz

  • w.a. kaz
    w.a. kaz Member Posts: 80
    edited March 2015

    Hi carolyn, have just returned from the 2nd national conference for woman effected by breast cancer. The seminar on anxiety and depression was very imformative but what was repeated often was how much a little exercise helped. Be realistic, set a goal even if it's accidental exercise (park car a bit further from shop and walk that bit more) reward yourself (I suggest chocolate,lol) , drink lots of water . Exercise-reduces fatigue and phycological distress, improves sleep and overall well being and helps bone density (quoted from Prof Suzanne Chambers) she also recommended relaxation and meditation.Also acknowledge when sad, its o.k.

    I had a cd I put on my i-pod by Rick Collingwood. Hypnosis for cancer, I found it helped with sleep and actually took me 8 months before I even heard the ending as I dozed of before it finished. You need to listen to it every night for 6 weeks to start, if your interested in this and cant find it let me know as I may be able to help there.   I hope this helps,Something else that was said was sometimes you have to look back (to were you have recently been) to be able to move forward.   Good luck, were all here for you.  Kaz

  • Di_BCNA
    Di_BCNA Member Posts: 896 ✭
    edited March 2015

    Hi Joanna and welcome to the network! :)  Just shout if you need a hand finding your way around. 

  • Di_BCNA
    Di_BCNA Member Posts: 896 ✭
    edited March 2015

    Hi Sharon and welcome!  :)  Have fun with the network and feel free to ask if you need a hand with finding your way around.

  • moira1
    moira1 Member Posts: 449
    edited March 2015

    Welcome to our group of women here, we all know how it feels, but in my case once treatment starts, things start to get better.  We have a wide age group on this site and feel free to come on any time and have a chat, complain, vent your anger, or whatever, there is always someone here willing to help. I too am from a rural area in SA where there is no support groups near. I was diagnosed in 2008, had a lumpectomy, chemo, radiotherapy and am now on Arimidex hormone for 5 years, and life is looking positive. so keep on comming here and let us know how you are going. please feel free to add me to your contacts, and i will help with anythin i can, also as di said unfortunately there are plenty of young ones on here who have been through and going through the journey.  regards moira

  • louiseg
    louiseg Member Posts: 412 ✭
    edited March 2015

    Hi everyone,

    My name is Louise and unfortunately this is my second experience with breast cancer (and I'm only 42!).

    The first time I was diagnosed was in July 2003 when I had extensive (9cm) DCIS in my left breast.  I had a mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction done and now have a lovely flat tummy (you have to look on the positive :D).  I didn't need any further treatment as the cancer was contained and the sentinel nodes were clear.

    I have now been diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer in the right breast and have just come out of hospital after having another mastectomy and, this time, a lat dorsi reconstruction.  I was rushed back in last week because of a haematoma (400mls of blood was drained! - I felt like I had mastitis!!).  Since last Wednesday when I came out of hospital I have been to see the breast surgeon for the pathology results, had a CT scan, a bone scan and today I have a visit to the oncologist.  Tomorrow is an MRI on my liver (they found a shadow on it) and then Friday back to the plastic surgeon to check on the reconstruction....I am thoroughly sick of doctors appointments and being used as a pin cushion!! 

    My pathology results appeared to be quite good - clear margins, no cancer cells in the sentinel nodes nor the other 3 nodes found in the breast tissue, oestrogen and progesterone positive, HER2 negative, DCIS and grade 2 invasive ductal 2.2cm tumour.  Now I am worried about the shadow on the liver though.....

    I am not sure what the oncologist is going to recommend today but it has been mentioned that I may need to take Tamoxifen for 5 years and maybe have some tablets to suppress my ovaries for 5 years.  It seems unlikely that I will need chemo as the pathology was good (but I guess we will need to wait until I get the results of the MRI on my liver before I can be sure - and that may be another 10 days yet).

    If anyone is in the same sort of boat or would like to talk to me, I would love to make contact.  There doesn't seem to be much in the way of groups in WA as far as I can see, but on-line works ok for me anyway....I normally live a pretty busy life as I work from home with about 500 clients (I'm an accountant) and have two gorgeous boys to run around the place (13 and 15yrs). I have some wonderful friends who are willing to drop everything to help and a fantastic family too.

    Take care,

    Louise

  • Mel
    Mel Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2015

    Hey Lynne

    Firstly So glad youve finished chemo! congrats! such awonderful thing to celebrate!! get that champayne as soon as you feel better

    onc visit was ok bloods all good, added letrozol tablets and have more scans in 4 weeks, so i guess that will be when i see if this treatment is going to work. fingers crossed!

    off today to pick up our caravan from qld sooo excited cant wait!

    take care chat when im back home

    Mel

  • ShirlO
    ShirlO Member Posts: 350 ✭
    edited March 2015

    Hi there Louise, you've definately been on the medical merry-go-round haven't you.  I hope as your results come in they give you the answers to your many questions.

    I"m sure it seems like one step forward and two backward at the moment.  You are fortunate that you have a great network of friends and family you can rely on.

    Whereabouts in WA are you .... Perth or elsewhere?

    Your business obviously keeps you busy, but don't forget to make room for yourself ..... in the overall scheme of things YOU are the important one.

    Take care .... Shirl

  • louiseg
    louiseg Member Posts: 412 ✭
    edited March 2015

    Hi Shirl

    Yes, I can definitely say that I have well and truly been through the mill! Hopefully things will settle down soon and I will know what I'm doing....I feel a little lost at the moment :(

    I live in Hillarys (northern suburbs of Perth).

    I am trying to make more time for me....not always easy though and I do tend to put everyone else first :)

    Keep your fingers crossed for me for the oncologist's visit the afternoon and a good result on the MRI tomorrow :)

    Cheers,

    Louise

  • louiseg
    louiseg Member Posts: 412 ✭
    edited March 2015

    Thanks for the lovely welcome Kaz......I feel like I have found a whole new group of friends who understand what I am going through by writing in this forum :)  I may not have anyone who I can talk to face to face around here but it is great to write your feelings down anyway!  I am also very lucky to have some wonderful friends and family members to help me.

    Hope to chat to you all again sometime really soon

    Louise x

  • Shazbo
    Shazbo Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2015

    Thanks Di I think  I will need help not sure if I am getting around the netword the right way yet but will keep trying.

    Shazbo

  • Di_BCNA
    Di_BCNA Member Posts: 896 ✭
    edited March 2015

    No problem, ask away. :)  If you do have a question, just make a new post here in this group and someone will respond. Chances are good if you need an answer, others will too!

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