Forum Discussion

HelenlovesSnoop's avatar
HelenlovesSnoop
Member
2 years ago

Hi from a newbie

Hi, I’m Helen and part one of my journey has flown by. Last year was a difficult year personally, so this year I decided it was time for ‘rebuilding’ - on my list was to go and have my first mammogram. I went to the Rose Clinic in David Jones for a mammogram in July, thinking nothing of it - then got a call to attend breast screening at SCGH (Perth) and was diagnosed on the day with a small cancer in each breast - ie 2 cancers, one lobular, the other ductal and more aggressive. Both the hormone positive kind. In September I had a bilateral mastectomy with lymph nodes taken on my right side (2 nodes did have cancer). A tiny margin of cancer was found to have headed toward the pectoral muscle. Now I am being asked to do everything - radiotherapy/chemotherapy/hormonal tablets, because I’m considered young at 54. I probably will but it seems like a lot. 
Yesterday an oncologist told me that mammogram saved my life!
I’m married with three teenage daughters and a cheeky Jack Russell. I’m an Aspie (very mildly autistic), and a Christian which is helping me a lot with this journey to date, but it’s still hard!
By the way my mother had breast cancer, twice, but later than me - at age 70 then in her eighties. It wasn’t considered relevant but now with my having two separate tumours I’m being sent for genetic testing.
I don’t know if we’re supposed to introduce ourselves and not just our cancer situation, but I guess that’s what’s mostly on my mind just now. Wishing you all the very best, Helen 🙂
new-diagnosis
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    2 years ago
    I attended a LGFB workshop in Vic earlier this year @HelenlovesSnoopy ..... (not being a makeup/girlie girl) and it was just so much fun!!  I must try & remember everything that I was taught & use the 'goodie bag'/products so kindly donated to us by such reputable Makeup Manufacturers!   You'll enjoy it xx 
  • HelenlovesSnoop's avatar
    HelenlovesSnoop
    Member
    2 years ago
    @arpie I only wear a little makeup, but I love samples of skincare and makeup - I always used to get drawn in by Clinique whenever they had one of their bonus sample gifts free with purchase.  I think I love miniature things! xx
  • Abbydog's avatar
    Abbydog
    Member
    2 years ago
    Dear HelenloveSnoopy,
    When you have time, perhaps you could fill in your Profile. In that we can easily see the information that you would like us to know. If you click on any of our names or Avatar, you can find out more about us (If it has been filled in). It can be a quick way to see what is similar or relevent. 
    I too was lucky (but not the same), I found my lump by accident. I was only scratching near my nipple and found the lump. I was lucky also, because I had a Mammogram only 9 months before. It wasn't there then.
    My treatment would seem very similar to yours. I have been fortunate that my body coped quite well with the treatments. I've had some side effects, but nothing serious. Since my initial treatments I have has a prophylactic Mastectomy and breast reconstruction, all having gone well too.
    All the best for all of your treatments, I hope it goes well for you.
  • HelenlovesSnoop's avatar
    HelenlovesSnoop
    Member
    2 years ago
    Thank you @Abbydog! I didn't realise that - I've updated my location and will write my story (the brief version) on there soon.  
    And thanks for sharing your story - it's so good to hear that your side effects weren't too bad.  That's my hope too, stay tuned!