Diagnosed 21/12

I had an Otis Foundation holiday last June. It was wonderful. Probably the best week of the whole year. They fill up fast so book in as early as you can. K xox

The Otis Foundation: what a lovely idea. 

Thank you

inboxed the info to you....

That is fantastic that you have such terrific support from family, work & friends, @hillies2 - a friend of  mine who lives out of Nambour is a nurse & went thru BC 5 years ago - was my own mentor & was a fantastic support.  

Don't stress too much about the housekeeping department - if they run out of clean undies, they can buy some more!  ;)  Nah - I am sure they'll do the right thing!  LOL

Great news that your gaps aren't too bad .... it can be a bit of a shock if you haven't investigated it!

Check this post out - there are many 'philanthropic groups' out there, to help BC patients 'get a lift' ...... this group does a 'Pamper Day' - you maybe near the area?
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20273/another-pamper-day-for-gold-coast-ladies

Also, Otis Foundation helps you arrange a nice holiday in donated homes all round Aussie - once you are thru your active treatment:

Thanks Arpie. I am at the very bottom of the Sunshine Coast, Qld. My surgery is on a Wednesday and I go back the following Monday for results. I am going private for my lumpectomy but public for rads. My surgeon is on the Gap List thingy. Both her and her anaesthetist are $500 gap. My excess is $250 but yes, pathology etc are an unknown. However, I’m not expecting anywhere near your $6000!  I gave read the posts on here and am across the bra suggestions. The hospital, Buderim Private give patients the bra and the pillow. My sister-in-law has gone through BC and has already given me a tube of Moo Goo, a little bottle of something to make me poo and is accessing the deodorant crystal stick she used. I have great support from work colleagues, my best friend and family. Like someone else mentioned on here, I’ve told everyone. I’m not a private person and the more understanding and tolerance there is, the easier the journey I reckon.  My family of husband and two boys 18 and 20 will need to pull their socks up a bit in the housekeeping department though! 

Welcome to the blog, @hillies2 - not that you want to be here - but you'll find the support & tips that should help you thru, from those who've been there, done that!  Ask away ANY questions that you have - someone will help with a useful answer.

Where abouts (roughly - i.e. town or  city) do you live  -  we may have members nearby who can point you to specific areas of support that they've already found useful.

Fingers crossed it is not in the nodes -  they won't know until they get all the pathology back after the lumpectomy, which once again takes a while!  (My results came back over 2 weeks ..... so a bit more prolonged again!)

The waiting is really the PITS!!  Keep yourself busy between now & your surgery, doing what you love doing - I went fishing every day leading up to mine!   LOL

I was diagnosed this time last year (5th Jan to be exact) and had my surgery on Jan 17th after my surgeon came back from holidays (many health professionals take 3-4 weeks off over Xmas/New Year.)   So I had breast conserving surgery (another name for lumpectomy where the surgeon does a really tidy job so there is very little scarring or mis-shaping.)  Then rads & am now on Hormone Inhibiting Tablets for up to 5 years.

Have you discussed with your surgeon re going public or private for your surgery?  If going Private, there can be some savage 'out of pocket expenses ..... I went private for my surgery & public for rads (at no cost) & it is up about the $6000 mark!  :(   There is a LOT of stuff that Health Funds don't cover - specifically the gaps in surgeon's fees & what the health fund will pay out - plus other 'gaps' - I even had a $500 gap in my pathology (which surprised me!)

Maybe start grabbing stuff for your surgery - you will probably stay in overnight - so a front opening nightie (so it is easier to show the surgeon the next day!)  Also grab some ear plugs & an eye mask (like you get on airlines) cos hospitals are noisy bright places, 24/7!   A small log shaped pillow will help with supporting the affected arm, specially as you sleep - sometimes you Breast Care Nurse will put you onto one of these - check with her.   Also, Berlei provide a 'post op' soft bra with no wire for support - or some people go with the 'Ahaa' Bra!!  Just pull over your head (tho the Berlei one does up from the front, for ease of wearing.)

@SoldierCrab will put up a heap of info to help you navigate your way around the site ..... 

In the mean time, try not to use Dr Google - it will only confuse you, as every one is different & has different procedures & outcomes.