McGrath Nurses

@Fufan - feeling lonely and confused (even in a room full of people) is totally normal .... as no-one else is going thru what you are going thru. xx

That's good that she has made contact and given you the pillow & the bra .... They are usually the 'first point of contact' if you have a query re pain or any issue that you notice during your recovery from surgery & ongoing treatment.   BCNA also has a helpline Mon-Fri that you can call (the 1800 number is in the blue banner at the top of the page.)

I must admit, that my own experience with the BC nurse was a bit weird .... as the surgeon's nurse didn't always return my calls - and the BC nurse in my 'regional area' had left & hadn't been replaced .... so I just used the forum (and a couple of good friends who'd also had BC to bounce off) for most of my info and support - as everyone here 'gets it', having been thru it.   

If you have anything that you'd like to discuss in particular ..... put up a new thread, with the 'problem' identified in the heading - and we'll do our best to help you thru it.  Maybe contact your GP (or social worker at the hospital) to see if you can speak with a psychologist re 'coping mechanisms' for when you are stressed or upset?

Try not to 'overthink things' ..... take it day by day, hour by hour, if necessary xx 

Take care & all the best with your ongoing treatment xx

What do the McGrath nurses actually do?  I supposedly have one.  She's given me an office phone number,  sent me a pillow and a bra.  Full stop.  I understand that during Covid she can’t see me because I’m being treated at the private hospital and she’s based at the public hospital.  But I thought I might get some phone calls.  If I had specific questions of course I’d ring, but if you don’t know, you don’t know what to ask.  It’s more that I’m feeling lonely and confused.  Is this the usual experience? 

I’m so grateful for the McGrath nurse I have been gifted with. Awesome patient and so helpful. Also I’ve found the oncology staff absolutely brilliant. I’m sad there isn’t enough of these special nurses for all 

I think the main thing is to have the option of bc nurses available. I had a splendid senior oncology nurse at day oncology and didn’t really need anyone else. Just knowing there is someone experienced, who has a bit of knowledge about you, to turn to is immensely helpful - whatever the title. 

Just reading back the comments from you all regarding any kind of bc nurse McGrath or other, I hope this has changed a bit by now?
the amount of money they raise for bc should be for care for us not being gobbled up by other things. I know you have to pay people etc to run things but it’s either all bullshit about caring for us or we just haven’t exposed this ,to me shocking that half of you haven’t t seen a bc nurse . What the hell ,not good enough may be I should start something 😝 

@Shellshocked2018_. That is very fortunate.

Hi, I’m going through the public system right now, diagnosed late October.
The team at FMC cancer clinic put in a referral to a Mc Grath BC nurse at Victor Harbor as that was the closest one to me. They also gave me the contact number to call if I hadn’t heard anything over the next few days .
I have had several visits from the BC nurse since being diagnosed and she has been very helpful and always answers any concerns or questions I may have. I even had a call from her over the Christmas break to see how I was travelling.
The Breast Care nurses at FMC are available to talk to at anytime Mon-Fri during office hours if you have a concern.
I live on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
If there is anything I can help you with you can drop me a personal message.

It is very interesting to note that early stage breast cancer patients may have 12 interactions with a breast care nurse, for metastatic patients it can be 60, 80 or more. Hence the need to see a dedicated metastatic breast care nurse. 

I have read all these comments and my heart goes out to the lack of support for some people. I went through the public system here in Qld and was absolutely blessed with a BC nurse who followed me through all stages and often rung to see how I was and if I had any concerns. I guess I was one of the lucky ones.

For me, perhaps fortunate than some on this post, I had a Breast care nurse as part of my Breast Surgeons team.