So confused, scared and teary

Hi Tangerine​,
I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through, and I’m glad you reached out here. Everything you’re feeling right now —the speed of it all can feel overwhelming, and the financial stress on top of your diagnosis is a lot to carry.

You might also find these resources helpful:

• Questions to ask a surgeon about breast reconstruction

• Questions for your surgeon/medical team when diagnosed

• Think Pink Foundation –  provides psychological, emotional, physical, and practical support for anyone affected by a breast cancer diagnosis

Please know you don’t have to navigate this alone. If you’d like to talk things through, you can call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm AEDT). We’re here to listen and support you.

Thankyou I really appteciate the information x

Hello Tangerine​ 

The early days of diganosis are scary when there are more questions than answers.

Jot down your questions when you can. You can take them to an appointment and ask the questions to find answers or to find out who will provide those answers.

If you haven't already, you will probably soon be given a recommendation for a breast care nurse, or you can find contact information for local nurses on the McGrath Foundation website. My breast care nurse has been a wealth of knowledge and helped coordinate my appointments so they don't become overtaxing mentally and physically.

You've been through a lot recently. As you get to meet your medical team sharing that information will help them guide you through with consideration for the things that also weigh on you. If there are out of pocket costs, they may be able to explain options or suggest financial supports.

It can feel like everything is going very fast but try to take moments to slow down and catch your breath.

Hopefully someone with specific experience at Peter Mac will see your post soon and be able to give additional advice.

Take care.

Tangerine​  I am SO Sorry to see you join the club that no-one every thought they'd be joining 🙁

Peter Mac has a wonderful reputation so you'll be in good hands!!   Many of our members go Public in many different hospitals - with wonderful results xx  My condolences on losing your Mum xx.  You've had a rough trot recently.  

Try not to get ‘ahead of yourself’ with the ‘what ifs’ ….. as they may never happen - and going down that rabbit hole (specially if using Dr Google) will REALLY muck with your brain  :(  A lot of info on Google doesn’t relate to your diagnosis or is out of date - so put any questions you have, to your medical team (or here!) xx   Take it one day at a time, one hour, if needed ..... but keep trying to do 'stuff you love' too .... so you have good 'down time' as well! 

This diagnosis can really muck with your brain too - so if you feel sad, angry, distressed - that is absolutely 100% NORMAL!  But you don't have to 'do it' on your own!  .... ask your GP (or your treating team) for a referral to see a counsellor .... or listen to Charlotte Tottman's podcast (link below.)  You can also ring our Helpline on 1800 500 258 for a confidential one-on-one chat xx   

Charlotte Tottman  is a BC specialist counsellor who was diagnosed herself, also had a double mastectomy, so knows EXACTLY what we've all been thru, both emotionally and physically!  Her reaction to her own diagnosis was also quite different to what she 'thought' it might be, given that she'd been counseling women's reactions for some years before, so thought she 'new' what to expect!  She is VERY easy to listen to, too xx
http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html. 

Raelene Boyle's video is also well worth watching! 
https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/podcasts/upfront-about-breast-cancer/upfront-about-breast-cancer/episode-21-raelene-boyle-on-pulling-herself-out-of-the-darkness/

You've found the right spot here tho, for support & info from those who've 'been there, done that'! So hopefully we'll be able to smooth the way for your own story.  Whack up ANY question - remember there are NO dumb questions!!!  Make sure you take a trusted friend or family member with you to your appointments, as a 'backup set of ears', as it is difficult remembering everything that is said.  Also, consider recording your sessions on your phone, so you can go over it again later, for the same reason. 😉

Mine was ILC (Invasive Lobular Cancer) - I was lucky to only have the one lumpectomy, rads & tablets .... and have recently finished with the tabs now!

There is HEAPS of handy info in the link below to help you navigate the blog, including what to take with you to hospital etc - and also some tools to evaluate your own physical and mental recovery thru your ongoing treatment! xx.

https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussions/general-discussion/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members-/222737

Take care & all the best for your surgery & ongoing treatment xx

Hi Tangerine​ 

I had my BC treatment at Epworth (all good) but my partner has recently had complex surgery (some cancers are worse than breast cancer!) at Peter Mac and the treatment, information, consultation and follow up have been extremely good. It is of course a specialist hospital but even so, I have been impressed. I can't advise about reconstruction, but his complex surgery was free - he did have a private room, covered by his health insurance, but he was in hospital for three weeks. You still have to have some details confirmed so now's the time to put together all your questions, as Moomincorn​ suggests, so you can make an informed decision. I note that, if you have a mastectomy, you would prefer an immediate reconstruction, fair enough too but you may wish to ask what your options are for a delayed reconstruction, if the costs are a concern, allowing you to do that at a later stage when your finances are in better shape. Best wishes.