Hi guysI was diagnosed last week with Breast Cancer after my GP did a boob check at a routine Pap Smear in Nov. She sent me for another mammogram in early Dec (altho the July 2017 one was clear and also didn't pick it up in the 'new one') and ultrasound .... the ultrasound came back as 'inconclusive', suggesting a Biopsy under Ultrasound. I had that on Dec 29 and got the results back last Friday. Cancer confirmed.I'd convinced myself they were cysts as I'd had cysts previously (tho never aspirated or tested in any way) so was stunned when it came back positive. My family history was always heart attack - no-one that I know of has ever had any cancer in my family history. I have my first appointment with the surgeon in Sydney on Monday and hope that surgery will be sooner than later. I live in the mid north coast - so lots of travel involved from now on.My husband had most of his stomach removed from cancer in 2010 - so whilst going thru all that, we became quite accustomed to the hospitals & chemo - but I still wasn't prepared when it came to my own diagnosis. :( My 2 tumours are small & been caught early - so I am hoping for the best result - but will only find that out after seeing the surgeon.I used a couple of forums to help me thru my husband's diagnosis (he is still in remission, 8 years later, which is pretty good for Stomach Cancer) and am happy to join BCNA in a similar role for me.

Just home now. Great surgeon, lovely manner. Up with latest trends, fresh back from hols. Optimistic of a good result As small and caught early. Getting sentinel node biopsy done tomorrow to determine which nodes to remove and test ... the ones linked directly to the tumour. Surgery is on Wed, stay in overnight. He does a mini reconstruct during surgery. Should be home on the weekend. No driving for 7-10 days. Pathology results and further treatment plan on Feb 2 and almost certain radiation for all March - so just hope pathology is clear and no further surgery needed. Staying with brother and wife At Collaroy And they are happy to ferry me round to all the appointments and hospital And house us in between! What a godsend! Christine was with me in the consultation And a great help. Happy it is starting so soon xx

Thanks Jules. So sorry for the stuff up at radiation .... i would have been bawling too. Well done on having the treatment time lessened!! Hope that happens to me as am 65 this year. Was hoping not to need radiation .... but it is better than having chemo, I guess. Hehe I was thinking he could have taken some fat from MY belly too .....I have more than enough to spread around - wouldn’t mind donating it to o5er worthy causes if needed! LOL! It DOES look a little like a pancake just now. Tho Probably sit better when the dressing is off.I am rural as well and we had similar happen with my husbands cancer treatment back in 2010 ... went to Sydney for 1st appointment of the day CAT scan, arrived and told we had no appointment! Grrr the entire week/surgery depended on that one scan ... I spat the dummy big time and said we were not leaving until it was done. In tears to our diagnostician in Taree who then rang them .... 5pm - we got the scan. I can be very stubborn, even a pain in the Axxx when needed!! LOLWoohoo, good news this morning tho...., my follow up appt has been brought forward to jan 29Th for dressing change and result discussion with surgeon. So that also means I will now be able to be in Forster for Keith carrying the Commonwealth Games baton on Feb 2nd!! Yeehaaa. :smile: fingers crossed it all heals well ... one bit is a little red but not hot. Will keep an eye on it. Guess I won’t ‘see it’ till the dressing comes off. The bra I wore yesterday aggravated it (got some blood around the nipple) so took it off ..... hanging free. Haven’t worn a bra in 40 years, so maybe the nipple is just not used to it. Funny to see the nipple free of the dressing!! CheerioRoberta

Many thanks guys ... it was YOUR support and info that helped keep me sane .... you guys ROCK!@jennyss I’ll be going to Port Macquarie for the rads and they have a lodge attached to the hospital .. just walk across the car park to treatment, as we are 1.5hrs+ away as well. we stayed there when my hubby had his chemo following stomach cancer back in 2010. They've just added 12 more rooms and have another 12 starting once funding is approved.They also have a great uke group there and i know where some good fishing spots are .... so will be taking my uke and fishing gear with me. :smiley: Yeeehaaaa ... the smile is still on the dial!! :wink:

OK!! First up, Happy Easter EVERYONE!! I hope you are in a good place with your treatment - and that you just have a great long weekend, no matter your religion!!Woohoo!! I am now finished with my radiation treatment and only have the possibility of tablets to discuss with the Onc Specialist in coming weeks!! Wednesday was my last treatment - and I bounced into the clinic going 'Woohoo, Last one' ... but as soon as I lay, face down, the enormity of the day dawned on me & I became quite emotional! These people had become such an important part of my life, almost daily for a month - So there I am, unable to move with a very runny nose (NOT a good look!) until after the treatment was over ... and the nurses then gave me a tissue & then a big hug of congratulations!! I continued being teary for most of the day, but felt better in the afternoon.My specialist is REALLY happy with the way my skin has held up during the radiation - I still have to maintain the calendula cream, aloe vera, a cream called BOZ for at least another 2-3 weeks as the radiation effects 'work thru' - and until the redness and spots go down .... I've only had the odd 'sharp, shooting pain' and the itchiness seems to have settled down .... so that is good. The 'Hippy' Pharmacist at the Hospital Pharmacy reckons straight up Olive Oil is just as good - so I will give that a go as well!! She used to make up a Cold Cream from Rose Water, Bees Wax and Olive Oil that worked really well, but had to stop making it as all the hospitals had to be able to provide the same 'stuff' and not all were compounding chemists! ...... I've found a 'recipe' for that - so may even have a go at making some!Paula, the manager of Rotary Lodge at Port Macquarie (a REAL SWEETIE who has supported both my husband AND I thru my journey) had invited both my husband and I to dine with her and the other residents on my last night - as the local Wauchope Rotarians come in now & then & provide a lovely meal for both management & Residents (and themselves.) It was just wonderful - a lovely home cooked Corned Beef or a Salmon Quiche with lovely accompaniments of a Chinese Salad and Potato Salad, then finished off with home made berry crumble or home made Chocolate/nut Bavarian! I'd taken a bottle of bubbly & shared it with some residents & Rotarians, to celebrate the finish of my treatment.Thurs morning, we packed up, had a long chat & hug, farewelled by Paula and the Rotary Lodge at Port Macquarie - and headed home for Easter.My sister & her husband will arrived later on Thurs from Qld - and we are enjoying our Easter together! To everyone who has just been diagnosed or is still going thru surgery & treatment - radiation & chemo - I wish you well. There IS an end to it - All the best - take care, even tho 'emotional', it feels really great to be over this tricky part of it. xxxx

@julesjourney All the best for your Rads on Monday ..... My surgeon says that just having the lumpectomy (not mastectomy) required the radiation to mop up the randoms that may have got out .... as the cancer I have is a 'nasty one' that sends out legs (a bit like the advert on TV) ..... so I guess I go with his recommendations when I see him & the team on Monday.Apparently there is a 20% chance my tumour could come back - reducing to 5% in 5 years after the rads.On a brighter note I managed to sleep on my tummy for the first time last night & it just felt SO much more comfy, even tho the sleep was still not a quality one. Still Feeling a bit sleep deprived .... up til now, I've been dropping off at about 3am and getting up about 9am!! Who's underarm ended up being sorer than the actual breast?? The last couple of days, it has been quite painful. No obvious swelling or infection. Just sore - more of a burning sensation! Happy Australia Day! I've just spent the day with my husband and a few of my uke group buddies at Club Forster for their Aussie Day Celebrations & Sausage Sizzle! All good fun.My fingers & toes are crossed for good results with my appointment with my surgeon on Monday ....

Another bad start to the year | BCNA Online Network

Blossom1961
Member
7 years ago
@arpie Sometimes our own advice is the hardest to take. Throw yourself into Christmas, your Uke and fishing and time will pass a bit quicker. I would send you a snuggle hug but it is probably a bit too warm where you are for that so I will send a great big normal hug instead. xxx
arpie
Member
7 years ago
Many Thanks ladies.

@Wonk - Thank you - I am trying to take my own advice, but it really is difficult. I am still awaiting an appointment for the biopsy :(
Wonk
Member
7 years ago
Hi @arpie I’m sorry to hear you’ve had some concerns come up at this stage. I just wanted to say thank you for all the advice you’ve given me over the last month. Now it’s my turn to let you know that I’m thinking of you and hope everything turns out ok xxx
SoldierCrab
Member
7 years ago
@arpie
what a frustration for you at this stage I hope that appointments flow quickly and easily for you and that results are in before Christmas so that you can plan ahead whichever way your results come back.
Keep up the Uke playing and remember Breathe....

Soldiercrab
jennyss
Member
7 years ago
Dear @arpie, I will be going to Moruya after Christmas. No access to boats, but there can be good fishing from the river banks and beach. We will be able to fish on the rising tide every afternoon.

from jennyss in Western NSW
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Hope you catch a tasty one, @arpie.
arpie
Member
7 years ago

WOW - 6 months since I last posted on my 'initial post' on BCNA - I've just read thru it from beginning to end and would like to thank all the ladies who helped me so much throughout it all - I couldn't have done it without you! @kmakm @Romla @Zoffiel @Julesjourney @Afraser @SoldierCrab @lrb_03 @"Annie C" @Brenda5 (and so many others!) ... and lots has happened since.

I only lasted the 6 weeks on Letrozole and then swapped to Exemestane, which seems to work better for me. I have a few hot flushes now & then, but not extreme. My brain doesn't work as well as it used to - but sort of getting used to it. The joint pain is virtually non-existent which is terrific (apart from my normal arthritis pain.)

I am still playing uke & kayak fishing - we have lots of Xmas Uke Gigs on - with our final gathering is Dec 18th. I've really found that keeping busy has helped me thru it (as well as my uke buddies & family who've supported me too.)

My husband's dementia has now been definitely confirmed & now on a restricted drivers licence - so good that he can still drive locally! His general behaviour makes me laugh & almost cry day to day - he wanted to have a go at the Dr who said he had dementia - but then forgot about it, so that was good!

Sadly, my ultrasound 2 weeks ago has shown some "hypoechoic fat necrosis tissue'' at my surgery site that wasn't there 4 months ago - and 5 days ago, was contacted by my Rad Onc who told that this will need to be investigated with a biopsy. I am still awaiting confirmation of an appointment either late next week or early the week after (leading up to Xmas Day!) It has been quite stressful for me - as no appointments are available in either my home town or Taree - so will be going to Port Macquarie for it (TBH, my preferred area for it!) Sadly, My wonderful specialist Breast US radiographer won't be available either, so very disappointed with that. However, at this point in time, I will just happy to have it done before Xmas!

All this has brought back all my fears & tears from 12 months ago - so whilst "hypoechoic fat necrosis tissue'' is generally benign - it can't be discounted, as some do turn out to be cancerous. There is also a 'dent' on the surgery site that I'd noticed a month or so ago whilst in the shower & bending down to pick up the soap (it doesn't show when standing upright) ..... but thought it was just 'settling down'! Should have had it checked back then! DUH!

SO .... fingers crossed I get the all clear (once I have an appointment to go to! grrr) ....

It is a shame that another Xmas & New Year will be impacted by my BC (I reckon I'll be lucky to get the results by Xmas unless my appointment IS next week.)

I have an appointment lined up with my BS in late Jan (the 12 month checkup) so hope that it WILL be just a checkup - not looking at further surgery/treatment!!

TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME, WOMAN! DON'T OVER THINK IT ..... this is what I tell other newbies & need to do it myself again right now! KEEP BUSY!! Yes, and the waiting SUCKS!

I am currently thinking of everyone else who is newly diagnosed & going thru the 'waiting period' - and those who's anniversary is now & going thru all the checks & tests again and those who've had 'call backs'. Take care & all the best xx

I am off to have a bit of a fish!! ;)
Romla
Member
7 years ago
Hi @arpie pretty impressive catches .No wonder your vitamin D is great with all that sunshine ! Being active helps a great deal with Letrozole and you certainly are. Best wishes always. X
arpie
Member
7 years ago
@Romla
I am getting the DEXA bone scan done tomorrow. Then I sit back and wait and see what side effects I will get. Hopefully, like you, I won’t get too many (or much worse than what I already have!).

I’ll be getting out fishing as much as I can, so long as it is not too rough or the wind to nasty. :)

Fishing was a tad quiet yesterday but I landed one really nice one and lots of small ones! I do it more for sport, so 99% go back. I mainly target bream, tho get whiting and flatties as bycatch. I DO keep the odd Flathead :) These all went badk to grow bigger!
Romla
Member
7 years ago
@arpie wise to get a baseline for bone density at the start if you haven’t already. I did feel like 90some mornings early on but seem to have adapted to it and no longer an issue - with your level of activity hopefully will be the same. Bream ? Any chance of fish and chips ? Yum! Nothing better than freshly caught fish!