Hello everyone, I'm From Brisbane.I had my diagnosis given to me by my GP on Monday, who confirmed BC.Last week I had a CT with contrast scan for my lungs.A mass was seen on the breast which I already had reported to my GP and which I was scheduled to have tested the following week.They brought my Mammo and US forward to last week.I had a core biopsy of the lump (local hurt like hell!) and biopsy of a lymph node.Here are some parts of the pathology reports:Invasive metastatic carcinoma grade 2 to 3Mass 32x23x29cmI have been referred to the Mater public hospital and I'm waiting to hear back.My question is how long did you have to wait to see the specialist and then how long to set a date for surgery?I have a trip to Holland with my mother scheduled for late October and I don't know whether to cancel the trip or bring it forward and go now.Any info would be highly appreciated.

Hi kombigirl I was diagnosed 1 week before a walking holiday in Tasmania just before Xmas 2016. My surgeon gave me the option , surgery or holiday , and I chose surgery as I wouldn't have been able to stop worrying about BC and how I would manage. Surgery was only a few days after diagnosis. I finished treatment in march and have been recovering very well. I'm about to have a holiday to japan on Sunday and I'm really glad I can leave BC behind and that I feel really well. Good luck with the specialist.

Hi Kombigirl, if you can bring the trip forward and go, I would, but be aware they will probably want you to have more tests. I was diagnosed with a smiliarly sized invasive tumour on 1 Feb and they had me in surgery on 24 Feb. Mind you, I was treated at Ipswich and they had me in surgery before I could even see a surgeon at the Mater, so there is a 'window' but I would guess they will want to get it out soon. All the best, having fun when you can is a great coping skill for what is ahead! Which isn't all bad x

Hi therei had a similar experience with my diagnosis is April this year. It all happen so quickly. My us and core biopsy was on a Friday and within 14 days I had seen my GP, surgeon oncologist and started chemo. I’ve just finished chemo and will have a mastectomy on 16 October. From my experience it is a long process but it usually starts really quickly. Good luck.

Thanks Moosie. Good luck with your surgery.

You should get to see a surgeon pretty quickly. What they will want to do and when is almost impossible to predict, but that's a fairly large lump of nasty and I'd think it will attract some prompt attention.It's probably worth investigating what your options are if you do need to cancel. We are all different but if you are advised to act quickly it may difficult to enjoy a holiday with a toxic tit. Unfortunately, once you are on the cancer bus it can be difficult to time a rest stop. That said, heaps of people go on holidays during treatment and delays in starting treatment are common enough for reasons that can't be controlled. Your mental state will have a lot to do with the decisions you are comfortable making. Good luck. Marg

Hello just diagnosed | BCNA Online Network

18 Replies

Kombigirl
Member
8 years ago
Thank you Steplightly, yes you're right, it came just when Mum and I were going to share bonding time in her homeland. Now it looks like we'll spend bonding time at the hospital. She's 82 now so hopefully after all this is done and dusted we can do the trip.
steplightly
Member
8 years ago
Hi Kombigirl. This diagnosis does not take into consideration our plans at all. It just drops on us at the most inconvenient times. Important to take care of you right now particularly in the early stage of diagnosis and ultimate treatment combinations. As Tasneem said things do move fast from diagnosis to the start of treatment. This will be all very challenging to digest and process initially and then each step will present new things. One step at a time, however a trip overseas may add new challenges and delay things. Best to speak to your treating doctor. This network is a great place to off load with and gain support. Keep focused and stay positive. Deep Breath as you dive in but you do not dive alone. Hugs
Kombigirl
Member
8 years ago
Thank you Tasneem, It sounds like I should cancel the trip. It just all seems so slow at the moment, particularly because I'm not at Uni cos it's a non contact week. Good luck with your treatment. Ange
Tasneem
Member
8 years ago
Hi Kombigirl,

I was in a similar situation as you since the last 7 weeks. My family & I too had booked our overseas holiday but the surgeon advised us to cancel our trip & he even gave me a letter so I could get my refunds of my air tickets. Things move pretty fast. It is 3 weeks since I had my mastectomy and will be starting my treatment next month. The surgeon advised me that I could travel in 6 months time. So hopefully will do next year but for now I am focussed on getting better.
Just one word of advise - please stay positive & you will come through this phase easily.
Kombigirl
Member
8 years ago
Thank you Marg, I do hope they attend to it quickly. I'd hate to think I've done nothing with my time but sit around worrying.
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
You should get to see a surgeon pretty quickly. What they will want to do and when is almost impossible to predict, but that's a fairly large lump of nasty and I'd think it will attract some prompt attention.
It's probably worth investigating what your options are if you do need to cancel. We are all different but if you are advised to act quickly it may difficult to enjoy a holiday with a toxic tit. Unfortunately, once you are on the cancer bus it can be difficult to time a rest stop. That said, heaps of people go on holidays during treatment and delays in starting treatment are common enough for reasons that can't be controlled. Your mental state will have a lot to do with the decisions you are comfortable making.
Good luck. Marg
Kombigirl
Member
8 years ago
Thanks Moosie. Good luck with your surgery.
Moosie
Member
8 years ago
Hi there

i had a similar experience with my diagnosis is April this year. It all happen so quickly. My us and core biopsy was on a Friday and within 14 days I had seen my GP, surgeon oncologist and started chemo. I’ve just finished chemo and will have a mastectomy on 16 October. From my experience it is a long process but it usually starts really quickly. Good luck.

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