Friday Update 6 December 2019
Welcome to our Friday update and welcome to all our new members who have joined us in the last few weeks. I do hope that you are finding your way around the online community and are settling in. Don’t hesitate to contact one of the online moderators if you have any questions or concerns.
The online moderator’s names end with _BCNA. You will see that there are different moderators online over the course of the week. If you see that a moderator is online, you can private message them directly or tag them into the conversation by adding @ before their name. Current moderators are Giovanna_BNCA, Riki_BCNA, Rosie_BCNA, Laura_BCNA & MichelleP_BCNA.
Breast Cancer and Fertility Video
This Wednesday 4 December 2019 saw the launch of the Breast Cancer and Fertility video at the second national Oncofertility Summit at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. Fertility Specialist Kate Stern launched the resource on behalf of BCNA. The new resource was well received by the 200 plus fertility and oncology specialists in attendance.
A BCNA survey found that one in six Australian young women had not been informed of their fertility options at the point of diagnosis. Where fertility options were mentioned, discussions were limited or not fully explained. In an effort to help young women understand their fertility preservation options, BCNA developed a Breast Cancer and Fertility resource which aims to assist women to make informed decisions around their fertility protection. The resource includes real life stories of four women who share their own experiences in regards to their fertility.
The resource has been developed as part of our Cancer Australia funding to support young women who are making fertility preservation decisions after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
BCNA would like to thank all who were involved in the making of this video. A big thank you to our own @youngdogmum! What a fantastic resource! One that Im sure will help many young women needing to make decisions regarding fertility preservation.
To view video click here
Glitch in the system
Many of you may have noticed that we recently had a glitch in the online network. The threads that were marked as 'new' remained marked as 'new' and once the thread has been opened, the 'new' remained. Our developers were contacted and the issue has now been resolved. Don’t hesitate to contact one of the online moderators if you are experiencing any issues with the online network.
Community highlights
1. Long term Herceptin for bc mets….
Thread commenced by @Mazzi who has been on Herceptin for 13 years and doing well! So great to hear that your bone metastasis are being kept at bay and that you are coping with your treatment. Let us know how you are going Mazzi. See responses below to your post.
‘Hi @Mazzi, just wanted to say that's fantastic, I hope that I can say I am still on treatment in another 9 years’ time, you give me hope!!!’ @wendy55
‘You provide such hope to us all! Thank you for sharing! I've been MBC HER2+ for over 7 years now and while I'm still on Herceptin, I've had to add Perjeta as I had some new growth beginning of 2018.’ @Keely
‘HER2 positive and metastatic as the biopsy of right lung showed inflammation which they took very seriously left breast mastectomy and lymph node clearance Dec. 2011. I had my first Herceptin infusion on 18th July, 2011 and continue to have infusions every three weeks. This Sat. is no. 103. I have three monthly heart scans and so far so good. I took Arimidex for about six years and then changed to Exemestane. I've had three local recurrences which meant two surgeries and last Aug. 15 radiation 'zaps'. Good to know that others are doing well with long term treatment. Thanks Mazzi for starting this discussion! X @Beryl
2. Acceptance
Great thread commenced by @Bim who made the decision to have bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction, and is not planning on using any breast prosthesis or wearing a bra.
‘Thank you for the loving support from my husband and family, I am who I am, comfortable in my own skin and accepting this is how I am now. I do understand those who want reconstruction. My mother was a widow but said it did affect her and how she felt. We are all different. PLEASE do not make my choice and those who feel the same as less a person because we choose to be who we are now in life.’ @Bim
Thread commenced by @shs14 who finished her radiation on Monday and is now clear of active treatment, well done! She still has six months of Herceptin injections to go but her intensive treatment has finished after eight months.
@shs14 ‘Anyway, I wanted to come on here and celebrate because this site and all of you have been a great source of information and empathy and companionship over the 'journey' for me. Thanks everyone ’
Community news
Carmen’s Women’s Fun Run
Thank you to the 7000 women and supporters who painted St Kilda pink and participated in the annual Carmen's Women's Fun Run on Sunday 1 December. Participants challenged themselves in the Half Marathon, 10 km, 5 Km and Girls Mini Fun Run events. A great time was had by all. With your help we’ve raised over $260,000 for all Australians affected by breast cancer. Congratulations and thank you from all of us at BCNA and see you next year!
This week’s reflective quote
‘Love is the absence of judgement.’
Dalai Lama
Hoping you have a great weekend everyone, Regards Giovanna and the moderation team.
Comments
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Thanks @iserbrown have let the developers know, hopefully sorted very soon.0
