How did you find out about BCNA?

From what I can gather I am one of the lucky ones! 

I dutifully had a mammogram when the Breastscreen bus came to town.  The woman who did it was a little terse but anyhow we got over that but deep down I figured something wasn't right! 

A short time later a letter arrived inviting me to Breastscreen Parkville for a second look.  We (Hubby and I) arrived at the allotted time and immediately put with a Counsellor and given a run down of the day, what to expect, and that she would be at all my tests.  I joined the crowded room of women in gowns, turned out 5 other locals were there as well as and was soon called in for a Mammogram and then Ultrasound and then told you are going straight to the Surgeon. 

I wasn't prepared to go back into the room full of women in gowns, especially with locals there as I didn't want to be the source of gossip before I knew precisely what was the deal.   I insisted that hubby be with me for the Surgeon, and he was after they found him as he wasn't allowed to sit in the room full of women in gowns. It felt like a cast of thousands was with us at the introduction to the Surgeon, including the Counsellor.  No tears from me!  She then took us to one side and gave us some coping mechanisms and we waited our turn for the biopsy to confirm what the Surgeon said, 99% certain you have Breast Cancer, pathology will confirm and you will be having a mastectomy.

Once diagnosed the Counsellor gave me a box full of books from BCNA, My Journey kit including a diary.  Hubby read them all but I was selective and only read a couple prior to surgery.  Once in Hospital I was then given a Kit from Berlei, bra, book specific to my type of cancer, BCNA Strengthen Your Recovery Pilates DVD, a cushion, drain bag and another bag to carry my xrays...........very well looked after.  My Surgeon also had 2 Breast care nurses on staff who came to my room every day and rang each day for the first couple of weeks once I was at home.

It was a couple months before I joined the BCNA network and then I found the network was in turmoil, snitchy comments as the format was changing so I didn't bother again for a few weeks as I was put off by the snitchy comments but eventually I started to see others were in the early stages, in shock, totally confused and needed a friendly nudge from someone who had been through it and so started my association with BCNA forum.

This has turned into a missive, sorry, but as I said at the start, my path took me straight to BCNA and all that it offered and I only hope that in time that is more available to all across major clinics et cetera

Best wishes to all
Take care