Going public - will I have any choices
Hi all - I received a call last week telling me that my biopsies show cancer in one of my breasts. It's not a total surprise as there is a very strong family history of it - I always felt like a tick...
Forum Discussion
Thanks everyone for the comments. This is all so much to take in. Our closest public hospital is 2 hours away and isn't the best, so Im even more nervous. Having said that, the surgeon and breast care nurse were really good and didn't try and rush me.
At this stage, the lump is only 7mm and there is no indication of lymph node involvement, which of course can't be confirmed without surgery. As expected, they have recommended a lumpectomy, 4 weeks radiation and probably the anti-hormone tablets as well. And because of my family history, I will get the genetic testing done.
I had in my mind that I would rather have my boobs removed and just have to recover from the surgery, than have to have continual treatments that may or may not work and I feel like rubbish the whole time. I have read some terrible accounts of the side effects, radiation, hormone treatments and chemo have me way more scared than the operation.
Anyway, I think I have decided to do the lumpectomy, and the radiation. At the same time, Im going to sign up for private health so that in 12 months time I can choose a different path if I still feel that way.
And so the journey begins.
At this stage, the lump is only 7mm and there is no indication of lymph node involvement, which of course can't be confirmed without surgery. As expected, they have recommended a lumpectomy, 4 weeks radiation and probably the anti-hormone tablets as well. And because of my family history, I will get the genetic testing done.
I had in my mind that I would rather have my boobs removed and just have to recover from the surgery, than have to have continual treatments that may or may not work and I feel like rubbish the whole time. I have read some terrible accounts of the side effects, radiation, hormone treatments and chemo have me way more scared than the operation.
Anyway, I think I have decided to do the lumpectomy, and the radiation. At the same time, Im going to sign up for private health so that in 12 months time I can choose a different path if I still feel that way.
And so the journey begins.