Sad to be joining this journey with everyone, but staying positive 'is what it is' has become the new slogan in this house.Got an official TNBC dignosis mid december, was an incidental find. Had a mamagram and got called back to for a further look at 2 things, turns out those things were fine but found a BC lump which was not fine. No one could feel it which made me feel slightly better than I would have felt if it was something I had just missed (or igrnored) I meet with team at the hospital 4 days later then had to wait it out over the Xmas Break to get appointments for a lymph node biospy. It was all clear which is great, they decided as my lump was only 11mm lumpectomy was they way to go first. That was a Monday, Wednesday I was in getting a ROLLIS seed implanted and surgery Friday. What a roller coaster of a week it was. So here I sit 10 days later, very tired after 2 days back at work after surgery. Surgeon really happy with everything, the lump came out within margins and the 1 lymph node they took out it clear. The swelling and bruising was (and still is) pretty impressive but feeling pretty good overall Now I move on to the Oncology team to see where we go from here .....

@TaraJ If your scalp starts hurting, chop or shave your hair. It will relieve it immediately

So sorry to see you both join our exclusive little club, @TaraJ and @Katie46 xx. We'll do our best to support you thru these early days xx. And also tell your family & friends that they are LEGALLY ABLE TO BE CHECKED FROM AGE 40!!!!! (Tell your GP too!!) MANY younger women are also diagnosed - including Jane McGrath - she was diagnosed in her 30s!! If there is a history of BC in your family - make sure everyone knows to get checked early too - and maybe even get tested for the BRCA gene, too.TaraJ - consider joining the Triple Negative Group - jump on here & click 'join'. It is totally private - you can ask any questions, put up pics or whatever you want to, with others who are TNBC so know exactly what you are going thru xx. It sounds like it has been caught early which is great.https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/30-triple-negative-breast-cancer-tnbcTake care that you don't try to do too much - I hope you have lots of support back at home. SOmetimes it is the 'automatic' things you do that can cause a setback - picking up the dog or a grandchild .... reaching into a high or low cupboard. ..... so do NONE OF THAT! ;)Jump onto this thread for a lot of 'general' info on the forum - and other areas that we 'play around with'! You can show off your pets, your art & craft, your garden ..... and we even have a couple of funny threads too - as we all need a good belly laugh now & then!!! https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latesttake care, make haste slowly & all the best with your ongoing appointments & stuff xx. Make sure you have a buddy with you in all your early appointments both as support & an extra set of ears xx. Also, consider recording your meetings, as it is SO easy to miss bits at the time. x

SO glad you've joined the TNBC group .... @SoldierCrab was diagnosed over 10 years ago ..... I am sure she'd be only to happy to answer any of your questions xx (TNBC Group)Yep @TaraJ - it is those things that you just don't 'think of' as being 'weights' ..... Just make haste slowly, buddy xx. Yep - SILLY little things that you just never think of, like that towel thing! ;) xxtake care

@SoldierCrab thanks will check out the facebook group, Off to meet with the Chemo team on Monday

Hi @taraj, all the best for Monday, and definitely take a buddy with you if you can. Katie

New to the Journey | BCNA Online Network

28 Replies

TaraJ
Member
2 years ago
What a year this is turning out to be

in all mirid of scans etc that have been done over the 6 month journey through surgery / chemo / radiation, they have discovered a 3.5 cm lump in my kidney so now I am up for my surgery to have half a kidney removed. Its a lot when they say your choice we can remove hald or all of the kidney ~ not a decsion I even thought I would have to make

did joke with my husband that I am on a quest to visist every department in the hospital (except maternity :D)
Katie46
Member
2 years ago
Sorry to hear that @TaraJ, hope all goes well with your surgery.
arpie
Member
2 years ago
So sorry to hear that @TaraJ .... I hope they can schedule it soon & that you recover quickly & well xx

@Cindi also needs kidney surgery too - you may be able to compare notes xx

take care xx
Cindi
Member
2 years ago
Hello @TaraJ ,

Sorry you've had to go through this, it's not fun.

I had bc last year, double mastecomy, no chemo or rad but this year an aggressive cancer was found in my right ureter ( tube from kidney to bladder ) they thought it was just there but after having right kidney and ureter removed last Monday ( one week ago) he found it had invaded muscle around tube ( don't be frightened, this is just me,not everyone gets this) it's because it's a very aggressive cancer.

But want you to know I didn't have much pain, just tired.

If it was me I'd go for the part kidney removal, any part of kidney retained is better than none.
We can carry on normally with just one actually. :)

Try not to stress, just trust your surgeon.They do know what's best, and the nurses.

I'm about to go for a scan to see if all ok then I can have catheter thing removed that's been bypassing my bladder ( I think.)

If you want to PM me please do, if you want to ask anything don't hesitate.

My heart goes out to you, you've had a tough time, but we're all here for you and you'll beat this

Hugs,

Cindi xx <3
arpie
Member
2 years ago
Sorry to here there is more involved with yours @Cindi - I hope they can do what they have to do and you can start your recovery xxx
Take care & all the best xxx
TaraJ
Member
2 years ago
@Cindi
wow Cindi you have alot going on as well

thanks for some words of wisdom, been alot to think about. Not a decsion I thought I was ever going to have to make

hubby and I both thought the same lets preserve as much of me as we can while we can.

meet with the surgeon on Tuesday (after a 2 week holiday) and said happy to go with the partial removal. He is happy to do that, just means the surgery is apparently more complicated.

But is what it is, not thirilled with the idea but it cant stay there so out it has to come.

now I just wait for a date in the next 8 weeks or so ...

hope your scan went well and you are catherter free and heading towards feeling better
TaraJ
Member
2 years ago
@arpie
Thanks for putting Cindi and I togther ~ always good to have someone to get some advice and share stories with
Cindi
Member
2 years ago
@TaraJ ,

I hope you're ok & they get onto it soon so it's over and done with , I've found out that mine is stage 3 and invaded the fat aswell so I'll be having chemo within the next 2 weeks, a bit scared of that I must admit, but I'll do whatever I have to, just plod on.

You're lucky they found yours early, you'll be ok, I think a lot of our fear is the unknown, well for me it is.

Hope you're ok. Don't forget you can pm me anytime if you like.

By the way, I found out this cancer HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LAST YEARS BC AT ALL!!!!
So others don't worry.

xx

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