Dealing with metastatic breast cancer diagnosis

Mez_BCNA

Original post created by member @Opoho moved to own thread in ‘Metastatic breast cancer’ category:

Mez_BCNA

Hi @Opoho

Please reach out to our Member Support Team 1800 500 258 if you would like to resources/support.

You may have already viewed our website which provides information about metastatic breast cancer.

https://www.bcna.org.au/metastatic-breast-cancer/what-is-metastatic-breast-cancer/ 

Our latest issue of The Beacon magazine has a section
relating to metastatic breast cancer which may be of interest to you.

http://beacon.bcna.org.au/issue/issue-88/        

arpie

Just moving my reply across too ..... I am So sorry to hear that @Opoho - I have a few personal local friends going down the same path. xx

The Herceptin can be a real game changer & I hope it is for you xx. Hopefully you won't have any issues with the Radium treatments ... make sure you keep the area well moisturised after each session - and if it looks red/inflamed or the skin 'breaking down' - let your Breast Care Nurse (or the Rads Nurses) know immediately you notice it. xx

I hope you have strong family/friend support around you, to help you get thru these initial stages xx. If there is anything that we can do to help, just ask xxx

Take care & all the best for the Rads xx

Feel free to join the private Metastatic Group ... where you can discuss all issues in private, with those going thru it xx @Mez_BCNA ... could you arrange @Opoho to join the group please?

Cath62

Hello @Opoho, just wanted to send my best wishes to you. 💐💐💐

Opoho

Thank you 🙏 I start treatment on 8 December 

Lisa1407

Good luck with your treatment @Opoho. Rotten time to be dealing with all this with Christmas just about on us. But, I guess there is never a good time! xx

Opoho

Thanks Lisa. I guess the sooner, the better! Our Christmas is a quiet event anyway with one daughter and two grownup granddaughters. Still waiting for a visit from NZ son and family. Wish Jacinda and Anastasia would get their acts together!!
 Thanks also to Arpie. We live in a lovely over 50s village and our neighbours and friends are wonderful support. I worry about my 82 year old husband who is doing everything at present. Hoping to get our home assistance reviewed shortly!
best wishes to everyone 

Opoho

Forgot to say I met my new oncologist yesterday, what a lovely young man! Makes it much easier to be able to communicate, and my breast nurse is also very caring and attentive, so I’m lucky ☺️ 

jennyss

Dear @Opoho,
I'm glad you've got some good support. They will all look after you.

from jennyss in Western NSW

arpie

Terrific that you are happy with your 'team', @Opoho - pop your town/city in your 'profile' - we may have members nearby who can advise you on services nearby that are available to you .... there are many good people out there that are only too happy help out (community groups) ..... 

Great that you have a supportive village/neighbours/friends .... yes, we have kiwi family who want to come over & visit us too .... it looks like it will be early next year now - Feb or March, now that NZ has dropped the Hotel Isolation requirement up their return to NZ. 

I hope you can get your Home Assistance sorted asap as it can take a while to come thru.  We have a Home Care Package now for my hubby who is 85 & very frail - also with mets.  

Take care, all the best xx

Opoho

Stuck in bed with severe back pain, nothing is shifting it today. Have had 8 of 10 radium treatments for compression fracture, not working so far! Booked for portacath insertion next Wednesday, start treatment the following week. I live at Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast 😊

Opoho

Oh my town/city has popped up! I’m not technically challenged after all 😀

arpie

Are you on pain killers for the pain?  I hope so @Opoho. You should be able to contact your Breast Care nurse .... if the pain is extreme - call 000 - you don't have to put up with it xxx

Bli Bli - BIG memories of my childhood!  We lived at Nambour & used to go thru Bli Bli on the way to Maroochydore!

Al the best with your portacath - my hubby gets his in Mid Dec (has a picc line put in on Mon in the mean time.)

take care xx

Cath62

How are you @Opoho? Do you have any relief for that pain in your back? Can you call you dr?

I love your part of the world. So beautiful there. I am i  Brisbane but visit there frequently. 

Take care. Big hug xxx

Opoho

Thanks girls 🤗 I have sr targin for night and endone daytime.  000 would only take me to queue up in AnE and I had a scan there recently. My husband is being a great nurse today and my comfy bed looks out onto the back garden, pretty 😍 Just needed some moral support so much appreciated 🙏🤗

Vangirl

@Opoho have you been referred to a palliative care specialist? They are the experts at dealing with cancer related pain and symptom relief. My palliative care doctor prescribed Lyrica to take alongside my long-acting pain relief which has helped a lot. I have bone mets.