Forum Discussion
55Jlz is newly diagnosed please offer her the awesome support that you all do.
- Hello everyone 🤣
My name is Julieanne and I am newly diagnosed with invasive cancer no special type Grade 2. I call it 'Julie's Breast Cancer'...this 'no special type' lets me feel that it's not important, even thought I know that it is. My BC was found by my 2 yearly mammogram through BreastScreen. I'll be seeing my surgeon at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane on 6th March and have been told by BreastScreen doctors that I should have my surgery within 2 weeks. Then we go from there depending on what is found.
I'm not feeling anything as yet, it feels like just another day. I'm thinking that it will change when I see my surgeon.
So much information, even on the sites that BreastScreen have suggested I look at. It can be so confusing for a 'newbie' like me. - Hi @55Jlz . The BCNA My Journey kit is a good start for information and also suggests questions to ask the medicos which I found helpful - Breast Screen here gave me my copy.It is great you found this site so quickly as many will hop on to share and support you - you are not alone.It tends to move swiftly once things start - a definitive diagnosis tends to come after surgery where decisions are made about further treatment like chemo and / radiotherapy and possibly hormone therapy. I too felt a bit numb at the outset as I did not know what was happening and things went past in a bit of a blur but during the whole process I felt safe and cocooned with kindness .Just a tip if you can take someone with you to meet the surgeon to provide another pair of ears to remember what is said and make sure you keep good records including dates as well as information etc - the BCNA kit has a useful diary for that purpose. Be wary of Dr Google as it may create confusion or provide information that does not reflect your reality and cause undue worry - that happened to me. Keep us in the loop as you move through the process and ask away as there is much practical knowledge on here from those who have been through it earlier. There is also much kindness on here to lift you when you are down and a space to say what you may not be able to others and be heard as we have all been there or are going through it with you.You are amongst friends .
23 Replies
- @Joannie Always
- My surgeon has been exceptionally kind. He held my hand and comforted me the evening of my re-excision when I was desperately upset (it was finally dawning on me how much my life was going to change). And just last week he gave me over an hour of his time at the end of the day so I could ask all my questions about the mastectomy & reconstruction. Free of charge. I have been blown away by his kindness.
- Understand @Joannie is my way of coping too -nice that hospital staff play along to settle us .Reda on here the compassion of surgeons who held some members hands during anaesthesia. In my experience many working in this field be it medical or non medical have demonstrated kindness and humanity to my vulnerability.
- At the hospital I was in, the rooms had balcony doors that were permanently locked for OH & S reasons. I joked to my husband and the surgeon that it was because they didn't want to risk the patients escaping while waiting for procedures!
- The whole hurry-up-and-wait nature of treatment is really difficult, particularly the waiting part. I can say that worrying about what is going to happen is the worst part. I've gone through the BC mincer a couple of times and nothing, absolutely nothing, is more harrowing than waiting for a procedure. Once you are in the door on the day, you have done the hardest yards. Good luck. Mxx
- Hi @55Jlz Ditto what @romla and @kmakm have said. It's normal to be nervous and that day of admission is a long one - you might be better with some good magazines rather than a book, though - I found it too hard to focus. I don't know about you but I'm never good going under - I always get anxious. I was so nervous by the time I went into theatre that the surgeon held my hand to calm me while the anaesthetist put the drugs in. Do try to take things one step at a time. You will see the surgeon, of course, you will have some pre-op scanny things done with markers, you will probably see a breast care nurse each day and get information and goodies (awful Brunnhilde bra).
This op will determine exactly what's going on. Once the surgeon goes in, he/she will be able to see the real size of the tumour and take the sentinel nodes. These will go off for biopsy and the report that comes back will be the one that gives you the full information about the cancer. In my case, with the sneaky monster, lobular carcinoma, the tumour was twice the size they thought and had gone into 3 nodes (all previous tests indicated that the nodes looked good) so, given the surgeon could not get clear margins and I had to have more nodes taken, I went back for a full mastectomy and axillary dissection. The progress from there is about recovery for a few weeks, then, if you need it, you will be referred for further treatment, whatever that plan will be.
So, focus on getting through the surgery - get yourself a comfy short sleeve, full button pyjama top if you can as it's much easier in hospital. And my personal tip - if you like swimming, do it now because you won't be allowed to for weeks! - @55Jlz Excellent words from @Romla above, and they correlate with much of my experience. I had a hookwire placed, your tumour must be deep like mine was. It's no drama, they numb the area with a local and guide it in with an ultrasound. The blue dye sentinel node biopsy stings a bit but wiggle your toes and take deep breaths and you'll be right! It's over quickly. Then the operation is not too long, mine was two and a half hours.
My surgeon carefully paced the information he gave me too; I think it's something good doctors do. I think you must be in good hands! Feeling numb to start with is your brains way of cushioning you so you have a chance to absorb the shock, process the information and continue to make practical actions. When that wears off it can be very overwhelming and being tired is a normal response to that. Be kind to yourself, rest, and if there are people around you being kind and wanting to help, let them. Do you have a breastcare nurse to talk to? Mine is great, I always feel better after talking to her. Don't hesitate to call yours if you do.
And then there's always this marvellous forum. Someone is always here to reassure you, sympathise, assist so don't hesitate to ask/vent/rant/worry/share! Best wishes and let us know how you get on. K - Oops forgot - my surgeon recommended I buy Bio Oil to minimise my scar
