Lobular breast cancer just diagnosed

@Cindi and @GinGin @Tarma ..... you can also contact BCNA's helpline on 1800 500 258 to request the Berlei Care Kit - or get your Breast Care Nurse to do it on your behalf .....

My Care Kit - New sizes available

Berlei has introduced 10 new post-surgery bra sizes into the My Care Kit range. These include 16B, 20C, 22C, 22D, 24D, 10DD, 22DD, 24DD, *12E and 20E. (*Please note 12E will arrival in late April).

We are also pleased to let you know that new stock will have an extended hook and eye clasp along the back of the bra to provide additional length. We hope that changes to the clasp and an increased size range will provide an alternative to the current bra extenders.

The My Care Kit contains a Berlei bra that's been specifically designed for the immediate recovery period, soft form inserts and information.

If you haven't accessed the My Care Kit before and you have recently had breast cancer surgery; you can request the My Care Kit through your breast care nurse, or by contacting BCNA's Helpline on 1800 500 258.

Hi @Cindi, 
do you have a breast care nurse yet? Give them a Call and they’ll give you an ‘u’ shape pillow to use under your arm. These breast care nurse at with McGrath Foundation and I’ve checked there are a number of them station at The Mater Hospital. For your convenience, the link to McGrath is and you can find their contact numbers.
https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse/

the other things the breast care nurse can organise is free post surgery bras. They are very comfortable as these bras have front opening. You may find arm movements a little restricted post surgery if you have some lymph nodes removed, so front opening bras are useful.

Awesome!!  Yep, if a lumpectomy, just the one night is common ..... some even have day surgery & go home the same day!!!  

You'll be fine xx

Thank you so much for all the helpful feedback, I'm SO GLAD I found this forum. I will keep up dating. Now I'm going out to find suitable clothing and find a small cushion/pillow for the homeward journey after op, and cook up something to freeze, I'm not sure how long I'll be in there, I heard only ONE night! I hope I'm ok to cope after only one night then home. I'm pretty sure I wont get much help at home. Anyway I'm strong and determined, I'll get through :)

All the best for your surgery next week @Cindi - it sounds similar to mine. ... try & keep yourself as busy as you can leading up to Tues/Wed - and also between the surgery & results - tho you'll be resting up a bit after the surgery - Netflix is good ;) 

So ... NO heavy lifting til your surgeon says 'yes' (ie washing baskets/hanging out clothes, reaching into high or low cupboards ...) and initially, no driving.  Maybe cook up some meals that you can freeze, for easy meals after you get home.  Definitely get a small softish cushion to take with you to the hospital (mine is like 'half a cushion' shape - for the journey home, as any bump/gutter you go over will jar the surgery area (petrol station & your driveway can be a killer!)  I hugged my cushion all the way home.  I also used it at night for the first week, as my arm didn't like lying low on the bed ... it needed to be elevated a bit.  Take the pain killers regularly for those first few days/week - don't let the pain break thru.  Hopefully it won't be too

If you want someone to be 'notified' in your reply, just whack '@' in front of their name as you type it - and their name should 'drop down' and just click on it.

Start putting aside bits you need to take to hospital with you (check here for some suggestions: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/16442/prep-for-surgery/p1)
Specially - take EAR PLUGS & an EYE MASK, as hospitals are bright, noisy places & it is difficult to get a decent night's sleep!  Take your preferred TBags/coffee too, if you have a favourite! ;) 

I was scared & a bit overwhelmed as I entered the hospital - but the relief I felt the next day, knowing the tumours had been removed, was just amazing!  I felt 'free' knowing it was GONE!

take care and all the best xx

If you keep updating this thread with how you are going even after the surgery, it can sort of be a 'diary' for you. ;) 

OH THANK YOU !! everyone for answering my questions and reaching out. :)  I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner but was confused how to navigate this forum, I'm in my 60's so not as great on the computer as the younger ones. Also not sure how to reply to individual posts.  I live in Sydney NSW and am seeing a specialist at The Mater Hospital. It seems like quite a while since I was diagnosed as I've had so many tests and appointments since then. Even though its only a couple weeks.  So , since I last posted, I have gone from wanting double breast mastectomy's and reconstruction to being talked into (by my specialist) that I don't need this as it just puts me at more unnecessarily risk? so I've relented and I go into hospital this coming Wednesday 4th Oct. to remove the 2 tumors and some lymph nodes. The day before I go in for  ultra sound directed injections of a dye? into cancers to see which lymph nodes they go to I think. Then after op a long weeks wait for results . It's definetely quite scary and overwhelming.

Hi @Cindi  

Just a big Hello and Welcome from me 😃

Don't be frightened to post whatever questions you have,, I ask all sorts of silly things.. 
These ladies are all truly wonderful ❤️ 

Take care of you,, 

T.

Hi @Cindi
I had lobular cancer - only about 10 to 15 percent of breast cancers are lobular - most are ductal.
It is often called the “ sneaky” cancer as it often does not show up on a mammogram.
 Also it  typically does not present as a neat round lump but as more of a spider web.
I found a lump only 12 months after my last mammogram and it was so extensive I needed a mastectomy.
I ultimately decided on a double mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction.
Lobular is more likely to be hormone positive which gives extra treatment options.
Everyone is slightly different in their circumstances and yet everyone on here “ gets it” in a way people who have never received a breast cancer diagnosis will.
You will find this online community very supportive and informative .
Take care.🌺