Forum Discussion

LR's avatar
LR
New member
1 day ago

Newly diagnosed

Hi all, 

I have received a diagnosis of DCIS, I was told on Friday, and now I need another biopsy before we work out the best way forward, obviously the two options are mastectomy or lumpectomy, my concern is I can’t have this other biopsy for 3weeks, I feel overwhelmed, I was also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis this time last year, and I am a hairdresser, so I’m finding work a struggle and I’m wondering what I should expect with the recovery if I have a mastectomy and reconstruction vs lumpectomy and radiation? I would love to hear if anyone has experience any restrictions as a hairdresser getting back to work after a mastectomy? After my MS diagnosis I had to cut my business in half because of fatigue, now I’m concerned that I won’t have a business left after this if I can’t work for a while 😢

anxiety
biopsy
breast reconstruction

1 Reply

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    7 hours ago

    Hi LR​ 
    I am SO sorry to see you joining our select little club .... the one none of us ever expected to join.  :(    I am also sorry to read of your MS diagnosis as well - which is a real double whammy.  :(  I hope you have access to good support for the MS as it progresses xx

    Everyone remembers the shock of hearing the ‘diagnosis:  “You've got breast cancer” ..... Causing sadness, distress and even anger.  It can really muck with your brain - sometimes even more than your body!  It is highly stressful & upsetting in the early days of diagnosis - so if you feel a bit overwhelmed by it all, give our Helpline a bell on 1800 500 258 for a calming chat xx.

    Make sure you take a trusted friend or relative with you to your meetings from now on & consider recording them too, on your phone xx. It is almost impossible to remember everything & this way you can go back over it in the quiet of your home & take notes. xx

    Also, Consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts on her own experience with BC - as she explains it all very well xx  She is a specialist breast cancer Counsellor who had a double mastectomy following her own diagnosis, choosing to stay flat. She was surprised at her own reaction to the news/surgery/treatment, as she'd been counseling others for many years & thought she 'knew it all'!   
    She has done 2 ‘podcast seasons' ... check out the 1st season, right from her diagnosis onwards and how she coped, then move on to the 2nd season. She is very easy to listen to & you'll probably recognise your own reactions in many of the podcasts. 

    http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html

    Check out this thread too - there is a lot of info on the forum & what to take with you to hospital - even 'tick sheets' that you can fill in to take with you to your appointments on your mental & physical health .... this info has been gleaned from many of our members over the years ... I hope it helps you xx
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest

    A fellow member Blondy​ is a hairdresser .... I think she had a lumpectomy ... so she may be able to help with post-op info from her own experience. 

    My own guess would be that holding your arms up cutting people's hair would be a bit tricky (even painful) for quite a while following surgery  ... tho everyone recovers at different rates, too.

    take care & all the best