Hi all, Just reaching out to get recommendations on best place to go for treatment.Diagnosed today after getting fine needle biopsy on Monday. Stage 3 5mm. Core biopsy and fine needle lymp nodes today checked. I had a CT scan under contrast which came back clear, pffeeeew. Getting results Monday from core biopsy. Where is the best place to get chemotherapy? I live in Sydney south west.Thinking I'm going to get double mastectomy as I have no problems/worries and I think it best to just take all the possible tissue. Always wanted a boob job so it's my silver lining that is keeping me positive.Any suggestions help tips on best doctors etc.

@arpie thanks for the info. I'm based in Panania. My surgeon wants to start chemo before surgery. I don't have a breast care nurse yet. Do I have to apply or ask for one? Yer, my personality is a go getter so I get carried away with just getting on with it. For me it is what it is. I'll treat it, beat it and move on. I know that's not for everyone and that's ok. Positive energy. 😁

I think a call to the BCNA helpline maybe beneficialhttps://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/bcna-helpline/You appear to be making big decisions based around very little information by the sound of what you have posted here. What type of breast cancer do you have?

I agree with @iserbrown, I think having a chat with a third party would be beneficial. It's always good to have a sounding board and stress test a decision both ways. Are you prepared to lose all sensation in your breasts? How will you deal with the loss of the sexual side of this area? Just being a devil's advocate here! Above all, trust your gut, but get all the info first. Good luck. K xox

Hey @NewBoobsPLS really sorry that you are here. I have no recommendations for Sydney as I am in Melbourne but just wanted to let you know it sounds like you are grade 3, and fingers crossed not stage 3 pending the results of your lymph nodes. The stage is a scale from 0 - 4 of how advanced the cancer is and the grade is a scale of 1 - 3 of how aggressive the cancer is. If you have a 5mm tumor and no lymph node involvement it should be stage 1. I hope it isn't patronising for me to explain that I just thought in case you are telling family and friends there is a big difference between stage 3 and grade 3. I have no doubt the other women on here can give you some Sydney-specific advice. Wishing you all the best xx

I should also add that finding your tumor by fluke when it is only 5mm is fantastic. You have every reason to stay positive :)

Diagnosed today fluke pickup | BCNA Online Network

27 Replies

NewBoobsPLS
Member
6 years ago
Hi all, been a little while in between posts but I now have more info and a treatment plan.
So cancer was 12mm not 6 like measure on ultrasound. 1of the 4 lymph nodes removed had abnormal cells which is why they took 4 not 2 in surgery.
HER2 positive and hormone positive.
I currently have tissue expanders in with metal valve and require both chemo and Radio. I have read that the metal valve creates more damage when undergoing radio however my Dr says that's an old school of thought. Any comments, suggestions?
Ahnn
Member
6 years ago
Best wishes @NewBoobsPLS. Your medical support team will work with you for the results you want. Recovery is slow to start but gets more manageable very quickly. Try sleeping in a recliner if possible for greater comfort. You can do this!
NewBoobsPLS
Member
6 years ago
@jintie well thank you. Both had similar plans for treatments with the limited info we had at the time but both had different techniques to do the same surgery so i decided on the one that resonated with me most. I had a double mastectomy with skin and nipple sparing on Wednesday last week. Tissue expanders were inserted and 4 lymph nodes were removed. At home with drains out getting used to the Tupperware Tits feeling that comes with tissue expanders.
Just hating that i cant do much and sleeping is so uncomfortable.
jintie
Member
6 years ago
@NewBoobsPLS How did the visit to the surgeons go?
primek
Member
6 years ago
There is only smooth implants available now as textured and teardrop lead to a different cancer risk so they are not using them now.

Saline is inside silicone and has more risk of rippling. The new silicon implants are a cohesive gel...so if the implant breaks it just blobs out a bit and not leak through your body.
Greengirl
Member
6 years ago
@NewBoobsPLS. Your thinking sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
Especially as you were thinking about getting your boobs done anyway.Whatever you decide on will be the right decision for you. I’m sure your surgeon will talk through the options, side effects etc.I had a lumpectomy and will need radiotherapy. My new left boob looks pretty good but definitely not an exact match to the other. I don’t know much about reconstruction but you will work it out. Take care x
NewBoobsPLS
Member
6 years ago
@Brenda5 thank you I looked up a few but again none work on Saturday's which is fair enough. I have emailed my surgeon asking for the details in writing so I'll see what happens.
Brenda5
Member
6 years ago
See if you have a McGrath nurse nearby for you to talk to about it. They are free.
https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse/
kmakm
Member
6 years ago
I agree with @iserbrown, I think having a chat with a third party would be beneficial. It's always good to have a sounding board and stress test a decision both ways. Are you prepared to lose all sensation in your breasts? How will you deal with the loss of the sexual side of this area? Just being a devil's advocate here! Above all, trust your gut, but get all the info first. Good luck. K xox
NewBoobsPLS
Member
6 years ago
The helpline is online open Monday to Friday.🙁

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Diagnosed today fluke pickup

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