An unexpected birthday surprise
Hi everyone, I have been on the journey for about a month now. I had no symptoms and given it was my 53rd birthday at the beginning of March, and the last checkup I had was just before I was 50, I tho...
Forum Discussion
Hi @AlliD - I am so sorry to see you joining out little group - I bet it was the last group you ever thought you'd be joining :( Terrific that you have found us and thank goodness for the Surgeon's nurse advising you!! Once you've had your surgery & get your pathology report & get your 'game plan' you will feel a lot better. I know I did, specially knowing the little sucker was GORN!
Your range of emotions are totally normal xx But if you feel yourself getting very sad or overly worried, give our helpline a call on 1800 50 258 for a chat. Just talking with someone who KNOWS all the ins & outs, will help. Also, consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts - she is a BC psychologist who was diagnosed in 2018 and had a double mastectomy & stayed flat. She was surprised that the diagnosis hit her as hard as it did, as she'd been counseling women for YEARS on helping THEM get over the shock ... This disease actually mucks more with your BRAIN than your body, I reckon! So she really 'gets it', more than any others (who haven't experienced it themselves.) Below is her story in PDF form. And the podcast link is here:
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=charlotte tottman
Make sure you Click on 'view 22 tracks' and start with No 13 (which is the first episode of Series One - weird that they've put Series 2 'first'!) They are really good as she talks more as a BC survivor, not a Psychologist - and they are very easy to listen to!
Your range of emotions are totally normal xx But if you feel yourself getting very sad or overly worried, give our helpline a call on 1800 50 258 for a chat. Just talking with someone who KNOWS all the ins & outs, will help. Also, consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts - she is a BC psychologist who was diagnosed in 2018 and had a double mastectomy & stayed flat. She was surprised that the diagnosis hit her as hard as it did, as she'd been counseling women for YEARS on helping THEM get over the shock ... This disease actually mucks more with your BRAIN than your body, I reckon! So she really 'gets it', more than any others (who haven't experienced it themselves.) Below is her story in PDF form. And the podcast link is here:
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=charlotte tottman
Make sure you Click on 'view 22 tracks' and start with No 13 (which is the first episode of Series One - weird that they've put Series 2 'first'!) They are really good as she talks more as a BC survivor, not a Psychologist - and they are very easy to listen to!
I was like you, but a tad older, 63 - fit & well & had absolutely no idea that I had this little bugger in my breast, threatening me!! Don't beat yourself up about not being checked earlier - I'd had 2 yearly checks for 10+ years & a clear Breast Screen check just 4 months before my fabulous GP found it, almost by accident. (When she said she'd check my boobs at the same time as having a pap smear ... I told her I'd had a clear result just months before but she checked anyway - and just as well, eh?!) So the mammograms, whilst 'good' - are not infallible - specially if you have dense breast tissue (ask your surgeon if you do.)
We all 'act strong' on the outside, but it is important that your husband and family know that you are feeling a tad fragile on the inside - I hope they step up to the plate & support you well xx.
Your GP can definitely do with upgrading his people skills! Or, consider changing GPs if you are in a multi GP Clinic! Maybe even contacting the Manager of the Practice & letting them know that you were disappointed in the way he delivered the news (when you are up to it!) xx Also, ask for copies of ALL THE REPORTS that will be coming thru after each visit to the specialists. Get a big box & store them all in there .... scans, blood test results, everything - so you can lay your hands on them, if/when you need to later!
Being in Bega - does that mean you have to go to Canberra for your surgery? (I have a nephew down the south coast & they see an Onc in Bega but have their treatment/surgeries in Canberra!) If you have to travel more than 100k from home to see your medical team and/or treatment (or weekly travel adds up it) you can make a claim for fuel & accommodation costs ... Join the Living in Regional, Rural & Remote Group - we have a lot of info there on claiming back travel & accommodation expenses (via IPTAAS - Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Scheme.) Lots of forms to be filled in by the GP (to the referred specialists) and also getting them signed off by the specialists each visit & if you travel for scans ..... Once you do it online, it is even better. You have 12 months to put a claim in and the specialist's referrals last for 2 years.
In the mean time, try & keep yourself busy (and away from the computer & Dr Google) doing things you LOVE doing! Cook up some meals & freeze them, so you have 'ready made' when you get out of hospital! Get out with friends, try new things as you wait for the surgery day xx. Remember to be kind to yourself too xx
Check out this post ... there are lots of 'other areas' on the forum that may take your interest ..... show us your gardens, your furkids, art & craft ..... and check out the 'funny bits' as well, as we all need a laugh now & then! xx. At the bottom of the post are some downloadable docs on self assessing yourself, both physically and mentally .... print them off & keep a copy for your team to check out as well! (Sometimes it is easier to give it to them to read, than to talk about it with them. xx)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
If you continue this thread for all your active treatment .... it will almost be a 'diary' to look back on later! ;)
Take care & all the best - it is a bit of a conveyor belt to start off with - appointments every other day!
We all 'act strong' on the outside, but it is important that your husband and family know that you are feeling a tad fragile on the inside - I hope they step up to the plate & support you well xx.
Your GP can definitely do with upgrading his people skills! Or, consider changing GPs if you are in a multi GP Clinic! Maybe even contacting the Manager of the Practice & letting them know that you were disappointed in the way he delivered the news (when you are up to it!) xx Also, ask for copies of ALL THE REPORTS that will be coming thru after each visit to the specialists. Get a big box & store them all in there .... scans, blood test results, everything - so you can lay your hands on them, if/when you need to later!
Being in Bega - does that mean you have to go to Canberra for your surgery? (I have a nephew down the south coast & they see an Onc in Bega but have their treatment/surgeries in Canberra!) If you have to travel more than 100k from home to see your medical team and/or treatment (or weekly travel adds up it) you can make a claim for fuel & accommodation costs ... Join the Living in Regional, Rural & Remote Group - we have a lot of info there on claiming back travel & accommodation expenses (via IPTAAS - Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Scheme.) Lots of forms to be filled in by the GP (to the referred specialists) and also getting them signed off by the specialists each visit & if you travel for scans ..... Once you do it online, it is even better. You have 12 months to put a claim in and the specialist's referrals last for 2 years.
In the mean time, try & keep yourself busy (and away from the computer & Dr Google) doing things you LOVE doing! Cook up some meals & freeze them, so you have 'ready made' when you get out of hospital! Get out with friends, try new things as you wait for the surgery day xx. Remember to be kind to yourself too xx
Check out this post ... there are lots of 'other areas' on the forum that may take your interest ..... show us your gardens, your furkids, art & craft ..... and check out the 'funny bits' as well, as we all need a laugh now & then! xx. At the bottom of the post are some downloadable docs on self assessing yourself, both physically and mentally .... print them off & keep a copy for your team to check out as well! (Sometimes it is easier to give it to them to read, than to talk about it with them. xx)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
If you continue this thread for all your active treatment .... it will almost be a 'diary' to look back on later! ;)
Take care & all the best - it is a bit of a conveyor belt to start off with - appointments every other day!