Forum Discussion
New diagnosis
I was diagnosed with early breast cancer last Thursday. I don't see my medical team til the 11th and each day feels like a month! One minute I'm happy that it's small and detected early, the next I'm miserable and angry and scared. I haven't had a moment to myself with everyone "rallying" round and telling me I'm lucky it's so small and how strong I am. But I don't feel lucky and still feel alone in the crowd. It seems the treatment is fairly full on even when it's contained etc etc. I am feeling very much part of this group and just want to thank Mich for her lovely welcome and the other members for their insight. Has anyone had Dr Abdulazziz and her team at SCGH?
30 Replies
- Hi Jessica, I am still waiting on delivery for the kit. I rang my breast care nurse at Charlie's today and had a chat about a few things. They are pretty good there. I did find out that even being private in a public hospital doesn't guarantee you the surgeon you want! So everybody please be aware of that. If you want to go private go private hospital too. I would never have thought to ask if it wasn't mentioned here.
Hi Sarah (and also Jen), Thought I'd put this here because Jen will be asked about her wishes re reconstruction when she sees her surgeon. But you mention your new decision about reconstruction. . My daughter just gave me some information about breast reconstruction, that I had not come across before that I thought you might find helpful since last post you were upset that you had to wait a year before you could consider it.. I too was deciding that I probably would not have breast reconstruction, though I have put that decision off to Feb15 or Sept 15. Personally, I want to wait through the period when a local recurrence is most likely so they don't have to cut it all out again for further surgery, and so I am not checking for lumps through a breast which is in the process of being reconstructed so likely to be lumpy anyway. But that's just me, and others, maybe you, see it differently
First is that you can have a good and effective breast reconstruction done months or even years after a mastectomy so you don't have to make a permanent decision now. Second is that so long as you have not had intensive radiotherapy on the chest skin and it will still stretch ok, you can often have the skin stretched with expanders and then an implant inserted, either silicon or saline to reshape the breast or breasts, and these are now generally really safe, not like the old ones. Then a nipple can be surgically constructed and an areola tattooed on. Third they have developed an amazing array of surgical techniques that use either stomach tissue or shoulder/back muscle tissue to create a breast from your own tissue, with an implant if necessary to enlarge it beyond the size possible with your own tissue.
Isn't it an amazing world we live in!
Jessica
- Thanks Paula, the waiting is killing me...I think it will be better once there is a plan of action too.
- Thanks Sarah, can't believe how supportive the members here are. I have 20DD's myself and at this stage am at peace with whatever happens to them....as long as they get it out! Haha. First laugh for a bit.
- Thank you so much for your comments about my Dr at Charlie's. I will be asking those questions for sure. Never even considered some of them! X
- Hello. Am so glad you found mich and the gang. You poor thing, having such a long time between diagnosis and treatment. Once you have a treatment plan, you will feel much calmer. I am in Bunbury and had my mastectomy, chemo and radiation down here so am not familiar with your doctors or hospital. I have only been to one get together but am planning to go to heaps more in the future. They are a wonderful bunch on here. Very important to put yourself first and be gentle. Baby steps, one at a time. Love and hugs, Paula xxx
- Hello. Am so glad you found mich and the gang. You poor thing, having such a long time between diagnosis and treatment. Once you have a treatment plan, you will feel much calmer. I am in Bunbury and had my mastectomy, chemo and radiation down here so am not familiar with your doctors or hospital. I have only been to one get together but am planning to go to heaps more in the future. They are a wonderful bunch on here. Very important to put yourself first and be gentle. Baby steps, one at a time. Love and hugs, Paula xxx
I meant do come along (not alone) to next get together! (chemo brain still kicking in sometimes)
Hello Jen
Gosh I remember what it's like at the beginning. Don't be shy at having a jolly good melt down/temper tandrum or just a good cry.Take one day at a time and try of course to take someone with you to all appointments because love, you think you can remember, but it's wise to have someone else there either recording (ask permission) or writing down.
In a lot of respects the cancer journey will bring out the best in you it can bring a family together. Wait for it to happen and this time in 6 months you will be able to help some person just in your position. Just like me who is determined to be on the road of recovery. I only have 6 weeks of radiation left as I start Monday but I have done 5 months of chemo and had a bi-lateral mastectomy a month ago. I had 20 G girls and I feel I move like a grey hound now!!!!!!!!! I will not be getting re-contrustion but I am 55yrs old and that decision is the right one for me. I am also a public patient and proud that WA have the best in Breast Cancer. Keep in touch and do come alone to next get to gether held in Mount Lawley. If you need any help with transport let me know or Mich who can arrange anything!
Cbyer hugs and you can do this girls.
Sarah
- Thank you JessicaV for your complete understanding of what I am feeling. I will definitely get a copy of that book!
