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

Loobylou
Member
7 years ago
Watching the Good Doctor this evening, felt like it was a cancer special. Got the whole family asking if I am ok, do I want to watch this... Interesting line about having a community going through the same increases health, wonder if that's true? Certainly good for the mental health to come on here and let it go...
Well off to bed to try to sleep. 11 hours until my appointment.
SoldierCrab
Member
7 years ago
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....
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
What do you mean @Loobylou when you say "having a community going through the same increases health"?

Best wishes for tomorrow. Crossing my fingers for you. K xox
tigerbeth
Member
7 years ago
Thinking of you tomorrow @Loobylou
Big hugs xx
Loobylou
Member
7 years ago
@kmakm it was a line on the program, so may just be drama but the sentiment was, talking to people going through the same increased/helped your recovery rate.
thanks everyone, nearly joined the night howls last night!
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Loobylou Interesting.
AllyJay
Member
7 years ago
I can identify with that @Loobylou. I only joined this group after the AC part of my chemo but before the paclitaxol and herceptin and then the bilateral mastectomy. If I'd had the support of this group during the first 12 weeks, I might not have been better as such, but I think I would have coped better. I spent a total of 56 days and nights in hospital over that period due to severe side effects and or cross effects with other co existing medical conditions. I almost threw in the towel towards the end, until my usual f**k this, f**k them, f**k the world, attitude rode to the rescue and I crawled over the line. My DIL is a new mother again and is coping much better this time around as she is part of a new mothers with toddlers group. With her first one, she flew solo as she was scared of being judged on her mothering skills by others, and she struggled. Any difficult situation, health or otherwise, is easier if you see others going through the same and supporting each other. Special Forces military training also comes to mind. Those boofy gung ho blokes all help and support each other through training and I'll hazard a guess that many more would fall out if this was not the case. Each has to carry their load, and each has to do the walking, but as a group, many people cope better. Many, but not all...some do better on their own and that's what suits their personality better.
Loobylou
Member
7 years ago
@allyjay I can empathise with the new mother group, I was going to fly solo with my first, but 16 years later those women are willing to get on a flight from halfway around the world just to come and support me. Women are strong but together we are awesome xx
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Hear hear @Loobylou.
Doin_it
Member
7 years ago
Thinking of you today @Loobylou xx

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Completely overwhelmed

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