so, found lump a week ago, had biopsy 3 days later after mammogram and ultrasound. Had to wait to today for results. Thought was going to have lumpectomy and radiation but today told it's a triple negative high grade tumour so seeing oncologist next week to talk about chemo.feel very under researched! I had spent the intervening days looking at all the lumpectomy reading and therapy, now feel like I have hit by a truck...my main worry (after the cancer and my kids) is costs, I do not understand how the health system works for cancer. My consultant has sent me to a private oncologist, is this normal? I have bupa (who, when I thought it was lumpectomy said they cover costs) but I don't know what they pay. I am having CT and bone scans on Monday, and I know there is a rebate on that. I am just so confused, just wanted to talk, thanks X

Hi @Loobylou. Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you've found yourself here. I hope you find it as helpful and supportive as I have. It's a great hive mind, and good for a laugh, a vent and a whinge!It does all move incredibly fast at the beginning, and for many, treatment plans change when pathology comes back.Everything you're feeling, experiencing and expressing is entirely normal. Everyone here has been there, we get it. So take some deep breaths and slow everything down.It's very easy to get fast tracked onto the private health treatment conveyor belt. You get to say stop. Do you like your oncologist? You can ask them if they work in the public system, many of them do.Do not hesitate to say "how much will that cost me?" at every step of the way. If you get an answer you don't like, ask if there's a cheaper way to do it. You can go to your GP tomorrow and ask to be referred into the public system immediately, where you will pay little to nothing for your treatment. You can mix public and private treatment. Many get treated privately untill radiotherapy, when they go public. Radiotherapy is very expensive in the private system.The care you receive publicly will be equal to private care. The biggest difference is your choice in personnel. You tend not to get it in the public system. Ie, you may not see the same oncologist each time, depending on how your local hospital/treatment centre is run.The learning curve when you're diagnosed with breast cancer is a vertical straight line. Fire away with your questions. There's almost always someone here who knows the answers. And if they don't, they know someone who does. There are others here who can speak to your private vs public better than I. Hopefully they'll be along soon!And you can always call BCNA helpline on 1800 500 258. They're great listeners and fantastic experts on all things BC related.Hang in there. Big hug, K xox

Hi @Loobylou know you don’t have to be strong all the time. Be sure to take someone with you tomorrow for support. Remember your health care team is there for you so don’t hesitate to let them know how you are feeling so they can help you the best they can. Take care of you.

oh Loobylou it can be hard my daughter chose a movie to sit with me one night while I was in chemo land .... Lo and behold it was about someone dying of cancer she was so distressed that I might be distressed .... it turned into a really good heart to heart session about where I was emotionally at the time.... Breathe and remember we have your back .... pop back on tomorrow and let us know how it went and rant vent cry we get it....

Hey, am near Ringwood in Victoria.thank you, will look into Breast care nurse now

@Loobylou . So sorry you've had to join us, now you're here , you'll find everyone very helpful with lots of good advice , doesn't matter how small a question or how silly it might seem, we've probably asked the same questions as we've all been where you are now and gone through the same uncertainties and worries. Diagnosed last February, I elected to have my surgery under a private breast surgeon and then moved to the public system for chemo and radiation. I had excellent treatment and really can't fault it. I hear private patients can end up being considerably out of pocket , so don't hesitate to ask how much each step is going cost. Other than my surgery and my follow up appointments with my surgeon, my treatment hasn't cost me anything. Take care and best wishes xxxx

Completely overwhelmed | BCNA Online Network

93 Replies

kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Loobylou. Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you've found yourself here. I hope you find it as helpful and supportive as I have. It's a great hive mind, and good for a laugh, a vent and a whinge!

It does all move incredibly fast at the beginning, and for many, treatment plans change when pathology comes back.
Everything you're feeling, experiencing and expressing is entirely normal. Everyone here has been there, we get it. So take some deep breaths and slow everything down.

It's very easy to get fast tracked onto the private health treatment conveyor belt. You get to say stop. Do you like your oncologist? You can ask them if they work in the public system, many of them do.

Do not hesitate to say "how much will that cost me?" at every step of the way. If you get an answer you don't like, ask if there's a cheaper way to do it. You can go to your GP tomorrow and ask to be referred into the public system immediately, where you will pay little to nothing for your treatment. You can mix public and private treatment. Many get treated privately untill radiotherapy, when they go public. Radiotherapy is very expensive in the private system.

The care you receive publicly will be equal to private care. The biggest difference is your choice in personnel. You tend not to get it in the public system. Ie, you may not see the same oncologist each time, depending on how your local hospital/treatment centre is run.
The learning curve when you're diagnosed with breast cancer is a vertical straight line. Fire away with your questions. There's almost always someone here who knows the answers. And if they don't, they know someone who does. There are others here who can speak to your private vs public better than I. Hopefully they'll be along soon!
And you can always call BCNA helpline on 1800 500 258. They're great listeners and fantastic experts on all things BC related.
Hang in there. Big hug, K xox
Loobylou
Member
7 years ago
Hey, am near Ringwood in Victoria.
thank you, will look into Breast care nurse now
arpie
Member
7 years ago
SO sorry to see you here, @Loobylou - you are still in the 'shock stage' & will be going thru a whole raft of emotions I hope you have a bunch of good family & friends to back you up - it really helps. You don't have to tell EVERYBODY at the start - was diagnose in Jan las year - and still haven't told some friends/family. Matter of fact, I didn't even send out a lot of Xmas cards, as I didn't feel up to it!!

Others with your diagnosis will jump on soon & give you really good advice .... in the mean time, take deep breaths, keep doing what you enjoy dong to make the time 'go fast' until the next appointment (and there will be many!)

Have you signed up with a breast care nurse & the support pack from BCNA?

You don't say what area you are from (town/city.) Other members may be able to advise different resources specifically available to you.

I had private surgery in Jan last year (most of which wasn't covered by my health fund NIB sadly) ..... but I did my Onc Rads public. Ask the Onc if they do public as well (as my ongoing Onc medication is public also.) There is no reason to be stuck in the private section if it is not convenient to you & costs a bomb.

All the best with your Scans on Monday ..... it is good that everything is going fairly 'quickly', cos the 'waiting' - really sucks! :( EVERY time, it just sucks. I tried to keep really busy doing stuff I loved doing, to keep my mind occupied (but i don't have kids!)

Take care & big hugs coming your way xxxx

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