30 days later and I feel confused
Hi, I finally went to the doctor in October as my left breast started swelling over a period of 3 months, my nipple became inverted and I started experiencing constant dull aches and sharp electric s...
Forum Discussion
Hi and welcome. It's a disappointing wait for you and I'm surprised your GP didn't phone through with urgency given pain and possible skin affected. I guess now it's only 3 more days (which will feel like an eternity) and you will see someone who should have a treatment plan pretty quick smart in place for you.
Start talking to close friends and family. Gather support. You do have something to tell. You know you have cancer that requires treatment and a shoulder to cry on or even some distraction whilst you wait is good idea. A support person at your appointment is also helpful as you miss stuff being said (as it truly is everwhelming) and get them to write things down for you.
Meanwhile I guess thinking about what type of treatment you would prefer to have helps. Usually 2 options. Mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation. Knowing what you would prefer if the option is available, given your cancer and location etc, helps.
If you think a mastectomy and reconstruction is something you would want, having a bit of a read of the different types helps also. This way with first consult you have some idea what YOU want and not feel quite so overwhelmed when the surgeon goes through the different options with you.
Whilst we say be careful with Dr Google ...we all do it. Hense you found us.
Other good links
https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer
And if you need to go down chemo road. Here are some links for hats and scarves if you think you would prefer that instead of a wig. (I know this stressed me a lot thinking about it...so good to have a plan)
https://hatshow.com.au/
https://chemohats.com.au/collections/all
https://www.hathouse.com.au/
Take care. Kath x
Start talking to close friends and family. Gather support. You do have something to tell. You know you have cancer that requires treatment and a shoulder to cry on or even some distraction whilst you wait is good idea. A support person at your appointment is also helpful as you miss stuff being said (as it truly is everwhelming) and get them to write things down for you.
Meanwhile I guess thinking about what type of treatment you would prefer to have helps. Usually 2 options. Mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation. Knowing what you would prefer if the option is available, given your cancer and location etc, helps.
If you think a mastectomy and reconstruction is something you would want, having a bit of a read of the different types helps also. This way with first consult you have some idea what YOU want and not feel quite so overwhelmed when the surgeon goes through the different options with you.
Whilst we say be careful with Dr Google ...we all do it. Hense you found us.
Other good links
https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer
And if you need to go down chemo road. Here are some links for hats and scarves if you think you would prefer that instead of a wig. (I know this stressed me a lot thinking about it...so good to have a plan)
https://hatshow.com.au/
https://chemohats.com.au/collections/all
https://www.hathouse.com.au/
Take care. Kath x