Hi everyone

I too are brand new at all this, late May I got the call...at 43 and fit and active, you just don't expect it. I haven't seen the oncologist yet, as I've just had to have some more scans after the 2nd op, but I'm not too stressed yet. When the surgeon initially told me that I should have chemo, I was devastated....yes, I'm proud to admit...I'm slight vein and just the thought of hair loss and possible weight gain was not something that came easily (especially after busting my butt earlier in the year to lose 5kg). But I've got over the vanity now and understand the bit that it's for the long term is far more important....I do want to see my girls marry and hound the crap out of any son in law, so well worth the short term inconvenience. Being in Cairns, we can at least now have all the treatment here, where as only a couple of years ago it was off to Brisbane. Good luck, I've already checked out wigs on line ready for the shedding. I tell the girls look at it on the bright side, I'll be able to do my hair for work the night before work and save heaps of time in the morning :) Cheers Sal

Hello Tanya,

I was diagnosed with IBC in late 2010 and I'm now NED (no evidence of disease). I was/still am a single mum with a 7yo daughter and my heald would spin with how I was going to manage everything alone, the hospital counsellor helped so much. 

I never went the chemo, surgery, radiation route as I did not respond to the chemo. I went on to do curative radio and I've been clear since mid 2011.

An American IBC friend recently told me that when she asked her insurance if the would pay for her $150.00 wig, they declined but said that if she was depressed from loosing her hair they would pay for her therapy??? Therapy would cost more than the wig. Have to laugh at all the convolutions we go through fighting this disease. 

I'd love to find out where you are in Australia, what hospital etc...I'm in NSW and attend RPA

Angela

Hi Tanya, Welcome to this blog. I've not been long on it myself having been diagnosed last December and only in the last few months have I got up the courage to start blogging. But I must say its the best thing I have done for my 'journey'. I have gained so much from our pink sisters. When I first started seeing the words 'pink sisters' I thought it was a bit much but now I know how important those words are. My hair started falling out two weeks after my first round and I hear (from our pink sisters) this is the expected time. Even though its awful at the time (I cried and cried) you do get used to it. Your family and friends will get used to it too. It amuses my husband having been bald for a lot of years (he thinks we are now twins) and he also thinks the peach fuzz on my head now is cute. I will have the last of eight chemo cycles next Friday and I can't wait to say "it's over, yay". Though my journey continues with a mastectomy and reconstruction soon, I can honestly stay thank goodness the chemo is finished. Whatever 'journey' this takes you on, concentrate on the positives and stay strong. Laugh a lot and be kind to yourself. This journey isn't funny but humour is really important to get you through. I'm 54 years old but I still consider myself a young woman and I have a lot of living to do. And like you I want to live my life to the fullest.

Hi Tanya, My name's Fleur and I was diagnosed about 3 1/2 months ago, I'm a mum of two and yes the hair thing is a shock! Mine came out two weeks to the day after first treatment, my hair was so thick so I got it cut short even then it was gone within the week. Of all the chemo I've had 5rounds now) my hair loss is the one thing I truly hate but knowing I have one more treatment and then it will grow back is making me happy. I hope your managing it all okay it took me a couple of weeks to adjust and now I see each chemo as one step closer to getting my life back. Sending hugs xxx

Hi Tanya, My name's Fleur and I was diagnosed about 3 1/2 months ago, I'm a mum of two and yes the hair thing is a shock! Mine came out two weeks to the day after first treatment, my hair was so thick so I got it cut short even then it was gone within the week. Of all the chemo I've had 5rounds now) my hair loss is the one thing I truly hate but knowing I have one more treatment and then it will grow back is making me happy. I hope your managing it all okay it took me a couple of weeks to adjust and now I see each chemo as one step closer to getting my life back. Sending hugs xxx