public system or private health insurance?

Hi, I'm so sorry for your diagnosis.  So many decisions to make and all the information can be overwhelming.  I had an invasive ductal carcinoma in July picked up in a routine mammogram. I'm also 55. I have known my GP for over 30 years so he was the first person I went to after getting my biopsy results.  Sadly his wife had the same type of breast cancer 12 months before.  She was happy with the surgeon they chose so that was a pretty good recommendation for me. He specialises in only breast cancer and breast cosmetic surgery & operates out of a private hospital. I went private as I wanted this surgeon to treat me. He gave me all the options and honest info re outcomes and expectations. I had a left nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate silicon implant, 3 lymph nodes removed, all sorts of pec muscle cuts and repairs. This cost around $7500 with out of pocket approx $4000. The anaesthetist only left me with a gap of $500, not too bad for 4hrs surgery. All my follow up consultations to the surgeon were covered in his surgery cost.  I have absolutely no doubt that I would have received equally amazing care had I gone public but for me it came down to wanting a particular surgeon. As other ladies have said, there are a lot of other expenses not covered by private health. The MRI was $500 alone! 
I was fortunate not to need any further treatment (1.3cm grade 1, clear margins, clear lymphs) and am happy with the reconstruction, a good size/shape match to my healthy breast.
Make a note of all the questions you have, even if you think they are silly. Otherwise it's so easy to forget half of them during the consultation when you have information overload!  Don't forget to ask questions here too - we have all had different experiences and the ladies have so much to share.   Good luck, wishing you all the best with your decisions.  Jane xx