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Janey235's avatar
Janey235
Member
12 years ago

Introducing ourselves

My name is Janey and I am starting up this group for Ladies who may find it difficult to get to other Melbourne groups but who can travel into the City. I live north of Melbourne out past Whittlesea but I travel into the city area for treatment and appointments at Peter Mac Cancer Hospital in East Melbourne. A bit about my journey..... My diagnosis was 20th December 2012 so 2013 was my year of getting well and healing having had a lumpectomy, to remove two lumps (one was TNBC and the other was ER & HER2 +) then 6 months of chemo, double mastectomy and immediate DIEP/TRAM reconstruction in Sept 2013. I developed a DVT in my right calf and then Pulminary Embolisms to both my lungs so I am on blood thinners, daily injections until May when my Haemotologist may put me onto Warfarin tablets (fingers crossed). I will still have three weekly Herceptin treatments until May this year and am on daily Femara hormone tablets for at least 5 years. I will have revision surgery later this year to correct some minor issues with my reconstruction and maybe get my new nipples. I'm now out of the tunnel and feeling well and happy. I am discovering my new normal and living life to the fullest. Janey xxx

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  • itsme203's avatar
    itsme203
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi all...I wish we could have all met under different circumstances. My name is Lucy. I am an American and have been living here for almost 3 years. I live in Southbank. On 17 Janaury...my 50th birthday...I had may routine mammogram (I dubbed it Birthday mammogram; everyone asked me why I went on my birthday to which my response was why not? Afterall, I had over 10 normal mammograms up to this point). Anyways, the radiologist found a new spot of microcalcifications, so there was mag views followed by US then recommendation for biopsy. Saw breast surgeon who recommended a core bx, done immediately and 2 days later i was told I had cancer! I have Papillary cancer (very rare I'm told) as well as DCIS. I'm planning a mastectomy with immediate reconstrution if the PS agrees and if the node bx is negative (which I will have done prior to mx). I am considering the DIEP. Thats if for my story as it's only just been started. I do work fulltime so lunch will be diffiuclt however, I think I'm going to have some time off soon!

  • yetbeung's avatar
    yetbeung
    Member
    12 years ago

    I'm Bobbie, and have been in Melbourne (St Kilda) for around 7 years. Love it here, would never live anywhere else unless it was somewhere overseas :-) 

    I found my cancer on my 32nd birthday (21st September) then was diagnosed on 1st November. Grade 3 Triple Negative. Lumpectomy on 6th November (my mum's 60th birthday) and thank god it was clear margins & nodes.

    I'm now half way through my chemo adventure, due to finish on 18th March, all going well (not that I'm counting!) and I'm going to be having radiation also, not sure yet of the schedule for this. I've been tested for BRCA 1 & 2, don't have the results yet, and this will dictate any future surgery. Trying not to think about that too much just yet!

    Apart from all that stuff, I love travelling and have a soft spot for Asia, having been an exchange studentfor 12 months in Thailand when I was 16. In October I'm heading to New Delhi then travelling across to Kathmandu over 2 weeks, it will be a little congratulatory present!

    I'm not working, but am extremely keen to get back to work ASAP, I was working at Dept. of Immigration before all this and enjoyed it immensely. I also have a keen interest in photography, the arts and live music, millinery and playing dress ups in general! 

    Looking forward to reading more about the other Melbournites!

    From Bobbie

  • Carolynvj's avatar
    Carolynvj
    Member
    12 years ago
    My name is Carolyn & even though I don't live in Melbourne, I am having all my treatment at Peter Mac so thought I would join this group. My diagnosis was 2nd May 2013. I had a right mastectomy & axillary clearance. I had node positive ER+ PR+ & HER2+ IDC. I received 8 rounds of chemo being 4 AC followed by 4 TH. Having Herceptin every 3 weeks until September 2014, undergoing 5 weeks of radiation, on daily Tamoxifin. I am also participating in the Aphinity trial. I am receiving Herceptin & placebo or Herceptin & Pertuzumab (I think that is how it is spelt..? & it is supposed to be a new wonder drug to help combat HER2+) I am looking into having reconstruction done in the future & find the Breast Reconstruction Group extremely helpful & knowledgeable. I can't wait to be finished all this treatment & not be so tied down to appointments etc. I know it will be all finished before I know it. Carolyn
  • Carolynvj's avatar
    Carolynvj
    Member
    12 years ago
    My name is Carolyn & even though I don't live in Melbourne, I am having all my treatment at Peter Mac so thought I would join this group. My diagnosis was 2nd May 2013. I had a right mastectomy & axillary clearance. I had node positive ER+ PR+ & HER2+ IDC. I received 8 rounds of chemo being 4 AC followed by 4 TH. Having Herceptin every 3 weeks until September 2014, undergoing 5 weeks of radiation, on daily Tamoxifin. I am also participating in the Aphinity trial. I am receiving Herceptin & placebo or Herceptin & Pertuzumab (I think that is how it is spelt..? & it is supposed to be a new wonder drug to help combat HER2+) I am looking into having reconstruction done in the future & find the Breast Reconstruction Group extremely helpful & knowledgeable. I can't wait to be finished all this treatment & not be so tied down to appointments etc. I know it will be all finished before I know it. Carolyn
  • Janey235's avatar
    Janey235
    Member
    12 years ago

    I've lived in Eden Park just out of Whittlesea on the Wallan Road for nearly 32 years. I drive past the old yards all the time. It's such a pity that they closed down. The Mernda Pub has this monstrosity latched onto the side and back now. It's the new 'Pokies' venue for the area more's the pity. Oh well, that's progress.

    Janey xxx

  • Janey235's avatar
    Janey235
    Member
    12 years ago

    I've lived in Eden Park just out of Whittlesea on the Wallan Road for nearly 32 years. I drive past the old yards all the time. It's such a pity that they closed down. The Mernda Pub has this monstrosity latched onto the side and back now. It's the new 'Pokies' venue for the area more's the pity. Oh well, that's progress.

    Janey xxx