My experience
Christmas
Member Posts: 1
What a mixed load of feelings!
Background - Nearly six weeks ago on 1st November, 2011 I noticed my right breast was a lot firmer than the left and so I went to my GP that day. I had undergone my last mammogram in February 2011 and my GP, commenting that the swelling could be hormonal, referred me for a mammogram, ultrasound and fine needle biopsy. I left the surgery and rang to make these appointments as soon as I reached the car. When I was told that the earliest appointment was on 23rd November I was concerned and on the 2nd November I rang the GP to seek advice. I was hoping she could arrange for me to be assessed earlier or if not advise me whether or not I should seek assessment at the Sydney breast cancer clinic near Town Hall station.
I was dismayed when she did not call me back personally (I had been her patient for 22 years) but asked her nurse to call me and say that 'if I was worried I should do what I thought was best'. Because this reply was non-committal I told myself not to panic and that the breast change must be hormonal otherwise the GP would have advised me to seek testing more urgently.
Fortunately, two weeks later I was heading to Sydney for SPC meetings, and so just before I boarded the plane in Dubbo I rang the Sydney breast cancer clinic and made an appointment for Thursday 17th November.
After several tests I was diagnosed with advanced grade 3 ductile cancer in the right breast and grade 2 ductile cancer in the left breast. On 2nd December my treatment began with a bilateral mastectomy at RPA.
Feelings
At first devastation and fear of leaving my children, their partners and my grandchild to live in this world without my guidance and support. I felt that I was letting them down.
This was followed by feelings of love, amazement and appreciation as family, friends and colleagues rallied and sent me prayers, messages of love and wonderful practical support. Maureen and John have just been so generous and caring I can't say how much I appreciate their love and support. Kerrie and Carly my precious and beautiful daughters, Brendan and Beth came straight to Sydney for the weekend to see me and then three weeks later, Kerrie, Brendan and Beth stayed in a motel near RPA visiting me during my stay after surgery. Gerard and Kath came over from WA and it was just so good to see them and my niece Cath, nephews Peter and Nathan, my brother Peter, mother, Trish Bynon, sisters-in-law Carmel and Kerry all came to visit. I don't think I have ever felt so loved and supported by so many.
Background - Nearly six weeks ago on 1st November, 2011 I noticed my right breast was a lot firmer than the left and so I went to my GP that day. I had undergone my last mammogram in February 2011 and my GP, commenting that the swelling could be hormonal, referred me for a mammogram, ultrasound and fine needle biopsy. I left the surgery and rang to make these appointments as soon as I reached the car. When I was told that the earliest appointment was on 23rd November I was concerned and on the 2nd November I rang the GP to seek advice. I was hoping she could arrange for me to be assessed earlier or if not advise me whether or not I should seek assessment at the Sydney breast cancer clinic near Town Hall station.
I was dismayed when she did not call me back personally (I had been her patient for 22 years) but asked her nurse to call me and say that 'if I was worried I should do what I thought was best'. Because this reply was non-committal I told myself not to panic and that the breast change must be hormonal otherwise the GP would have advised me to seek testing more urgently.
Fortunately, two weeks later I was heading to Sydney for SPC meetings, and so just before I boarded the plane in Dubbo I rang the Sydney breast cancer clinic and made an appointment for Thursday 17th November.
After several tests I was diagnosed with advanced grade 3 ductile cancer in the right breast and grade 2 ductile cancer in the left breast. On 2nd December my treatment began with a bilateral mastectomy at RPA.
Feelings
At first devastation and fear of leaving my children, their partners and my grandchild to live in this world without my guidance and support. I felt that I was letting them down.
This was followed by feelings of love, amazement and appreciation as family, friends and colleagues rallied and sent me prayers, messages of love and wonderful practical support. Maureen and John have just been so generous and caring I can't say how much I appreciate their love and support. Kerrie and Carly my precious and beautiful daughters, Brendan and Beth came straight to Sydney for the weekend to see me and then three weeks later, Kerrie, Brendan and Beth stayed in a motel near RPA visiting me during my stay after surgery. Gerard and Kath came over from WA and it was just so good to see them and my niece Cath, nephews Peter and Nathan, my brother Peter, mother, Trish Bynon, sisters-in-law Carmel and Kerry all came to visit. I don't think I have ever felt so loved and supported by so many.
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