Good morning all,we we will be moving to live in Canberra in approximately 8 weeks. This is for a new role my husband has just been offered. I have both a medical oncologist and surgical appointment prior to this and will ask for referrals. I am currently 4 months post op and have just completed radiotherapy. I have so far been treated privately, but have found this extremely expensive. Therefore my preference is to go public, but I would like some input if possible on the public system in Canberra please. I still have significant follow up, fr the next 5 years so it would be helpful to know my options. Any information would be helpful about both systems and your experience. I’d love to know what you think of living in Canberra too and some of the ‘must do’s. I like yoga, camping, hiking. I see they have a Dragons abreast, dragon boat race team there which I would be keen to look into-is there anyone on here in the team? Thanks in advance 😊Michelle x

Hi @Mjheke Welcome to Canberra. I have lived in Canberra almost all my life and LOVE it. I also live in Garran so if you would like to meet up and have a coffee I would love to introduce you to some of my favourite things to do in Canberra. I have had mastectomy, chemo and finished radiation on Friday!! Living in Garran I was able to walk over to all my treatments/appointments at either National Capital Private Hospital or The Canberra Hospital (Public) which was very convenient.

It really is a great place. Glad to hear you're enjoying it so far, @Mjheke. Have you found places for your furniture? It'll certainly feel much more like home with familiar items. How is the job going?@MrsMac, congratulations on finishing active treatment. Take care in the coming weeks & months, it can be a tough time for many. I grew up here in Canberra, before leaving in my late teens and not returning until my mid 30's. It truly is a beautiful city, but lets keep that a secret :D :) Also happy to chat any time

Hi Cathy, thanks for that. Sorry that you were feeling poorly. Take care x I, for the first time in 4 months have some energy back. I have just started on Aromasin, so will wait to see how that makes me feel...Maybe we can go to the next Dragons abreast meet and try day together? Neither of us us are familiar with Canberra so are just looking at where we want to live. My husbands work will be north and my preference is to rent a relatively new house, so maybe north side?? I feel like this is a fresh start for us after a not so good last year 😊Michelle x

Hi Michelle. I have been in Canberra for 30 years now, married , had 3 kids & live quite happily on the Northside. There is a bit of a “thing” with north or south. My husband could never even contemplate living Southside, & now our sons are buying houses he growls if they mention the south. Weather is good......cold or hot !!! Hospitals are fine, unfortunately I’ve had multiple visits to both over the last 8 years. Plenty of camping close by especially if you 4wd. Beautiful mountains. Take it easy with your move.Carmel

So Sorry that you are feeling poorly, @CathyMac - I hope you are feeling better soon as xxxI think you'll love Canberra, @Mjheke - it has fantastic roads, very tidy - my best friend used to live there & I regularly used to visit. It is a short drive to either the Snowy Mountains in winter if you like snow skiing or in summer for tramping/camping etc. Also just a short hop to the coast if you need a coastal 'fix' to the South Coast.It DOES get VERY cold in Winter & VERY hot in Summer - but the houses are built for it with air con and heating, so you may need to get some warm clothing for Winter ...... The museums, eat outs & art galleries etc are brilliant. You could spend a week in the War Museum & still not see it all.They have a couple of great Ukulele groups ;) and also, if you are into fishing - they have a Fly Fishing for Recovery for those who've had BC.All the best for your big move & settling in xxxx

Moving to Canberra-public or private?

arpie
Member
6 years ago
I thought of you, as we went past the Canberra turnoff last weekend, @Mjheke .... The Snowy Mountains are the playground of Canberrans, as is the South Coast towns!! ;)

Have fun unpacking!!!
lrb_03
Member
6 years ago
I'm glad that things are going well. Once you're settled and ready, pm me and we'll get organised ☺
Mjheke
Member
6 years ago
@lrb_03 our furniture fits well into our new place thanks. Still unpacking...I’m not in any rush. Work is going well in that although I am casual, I am getting plenty! Keen for a catch up soon 😊
Mjheke
Member
6 years ago
That’s terrible @JillyM. I had an MRI after I was diagnosed in Brisbane and it cost me $350. Shame that they have the discrepancy to charge whatever they want. I have found the same going privately. Cost varies so much. @kmakm, will Ben inter to see if they follow through with their promises. I am originally from New Zealand, so am unable to vote. ☹️
lrb_03
Member
6 years ago
@JillyM, ring some of the other companies. They should all accept forms for any company, and you have that right. I'll pm you some info.
Having said that, there are very limited conditions under which breast MRI has any level of cover by medicare, so that could also be the issue, regardless of what is written on the request
kmakm
Member
6 years ago
@JillyM Maybe that will change after the federal election. Both major parties have promised a lot of money to cancer treatment.
JillyM
Member
6 years ago
Hi Michelle, congratulations on your move! I went public and couldn’t fault it. My mastectomy was done at Calvary Public and went smoothly, and my chemo and radiation were at the new Cancer Regional Centre at the Canberra Hospital (which is actually quite luxurious).

One thing I will warn you about though - i had a mammogram and ultrasound last year which came back clear. Just 3 months later however, I was seeing a surgeon to have a mastectomy with a 2.5cm invasive ductal cancer. Not joking. So I was already quite disappointed with the screening company (Canberra Imaging Group).

I recently found another lump in the other breast and explained to my surgeon that I didn’t have any confidence in the mammogram and asked if I could have an MRI/ultrasound instead. The referral said “pls bulk bill”. Capital imaging Group have refused to bulk bill me for this procedure and informed me that I will be out of pocket $740!!!

I explained that I had had to give up my job and couldn’t afford that amount but they effectively told me “too bad”. Consequence....? I’ll just have to wait for my annual mammogram which isn’t due until October.

So, watch out for the big companies. Your health (your life) means nothing to them....it’s all about money.

Sorry to be negative - I’m trying to stay positive - but just so that you’re warned.
lrb_03
Member
6 years ago
It really is a great place. Glad to hear you're enjoying it so far, @Mjheke. Have you found places for your furniture? It'll certainly feel much more like home with familiar items. How is the job going?

@MrsMac, congratulations on finishing active treatment. Take care in the coming weeks & months, it can be a tough time for many. I grew up here in Canberra, before leaving in my late teens and not returning until my mid 30's. It truly is a beautiful city, but lets keep that a secret :D :)
Also happy to chat any time
Mjheke
Member
6 years ago
Hi,

Thanks so much! We are really loving it too. I really feel quite settled already. Our furniture arrived today which helps! How wonderful for you to have finished radiotherapy. I hope the post-radiotherapy burns are not too terrible. We also love Garran, it’s so convenient to everything. My work is 6 minutes drive 😊 I’d love a coffee catch up, let me know when you are free. I work casually, so my work days often change. Feel free to PM me.

Michelle
MrsMac
Member
6 years ago
Hi @Mjheke Welcome to Canberra. I have lived in Canberra almost all my life and LOVE it. I also live in Garran so if you would like to meet up and have a coffee I would love to introduce you to some of my favourite things to do in Canberra. I have had mastectomy, chemo and finished radiation on Friday!! Living in Garran I was able to walk over to all my treatments/appointments at either National Capital Private Hospital or The Canberra Hospital (Public) which was very convenient.