Nervous about next step

How to understand your pathology reports

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/understanding-your-pathology-report/breast-pathology/breast-cancer-pathology.html

That your cancer hasn't spread anywhere else is fantastic news! Hooray!

I think a good doctor will always make it clear what they recommend, but also make it clear that you have a say, a choice. We see a doctor to get help for our condition, so the presumption is that we will take their advice. However ultimately it is always up to the individual how they would like to proceed.

That your doctor is looking into ways to get around your problems with general anaesthetics is excellent. It sounds like you have a really good ally there in your oncologist! It makes a big difference. Most doctors are happy for you to email them some questions. Most of them understand that the amount of new information we're required to absorb is overwhelming.

I'm no doctor and I don't know the details of your cancer (size, grade, stage, agressiveness) but my understanding is they like to start chemo fairly soon in case some random cells have escaped and are looking for somewhere else in your body to settle and multiply. The sooner they can nuke them, the smaller they are and the easier and quicker they are to destroy. But do ask your doctor. You could also ring the BCNA helpline and ask one of the nurses, 1800 500 258.

Let us know how you get on. K xox

I had a mastectomy in February and all my lymph nodes were clear as was my CT scan. My oncologist said to me that chemo was up to me as well - she said she would recommend it due to my age, 43, and to prevent recurrence. I decided to go ahead - I didn’t want a “wish I had done chemo” 10 years down the track I’d it came back. What kind of chemo are u having?  It’s a completely individual decision though. It wasn’t the most fun experience of my life but it’s done now and if the cancer comes back at least I feel ok I did everything I could. I can’t comment on the port as they were able to insert a canula with me. Good luck and big hugs xoxo

Hi all, just following up with the latest update, had the scans done and also had my lymph nodes removed last week, all going well the drain will be out tomorrow, had my first oncology app yesterday and walked out more confused then i walked in... she agreed i will need a port as my viens are shit, but to do that it means going under anesthetic again, and my partner hasasked if there is anyway to have it without going under general as both ops i have had i almost didnt servive, was put into icu both times, and my partner cant handle the thought of it again, so oncologist is looking into seeing if there is a specialist that is willing to do it under local...the main thing i am confused aout is..... when she first started talking she said that the scans etc i had, came back clear so far,  so hasnt spread anywhere else, and that the chemo was up to me, if i choose to have chemo, but i reccomend you do, that confused me as i thought i had to have it, also they want it to start in 2 weeks, and will be 4 rounds of 3 weeks, and 12 weeks of weekly, i asked whyi have to have chemo and she just said that is my recomendation, also no one seems to be able to give me an answer as to why iha e to start chemo within 8 weeks of my mastectomy if the seem to of got all the cancer, would an extra 10 weeks make such a huge difference....

One last thing i read somewhere on here a link to a page to do with pathology reports or something anyone know the link please?? Thanks....

Below are a couple of links to help you find your way around the forum and also how to find a breast care nurse and how to order a MY journey Kit if you haven't got one yet. 

It can be a a whirlwind when we first get a diagnosed.... Breathe and take it one step at a time. 

The what and how thread.

http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14879/the-what-and-how-thread/p1 

Breast Care Nurses

https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx 

My Journey Kits and other resources. 

https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/

BCNA Helpline 1800 500 258

If you have any questions, concerns or require any further information or support please call 1800 500 258.  The Helpline is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am till 5 pm EST and Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am till 9 pm EST.

@shwen I have a love/hate relationship with my port.  I loathe the thing and can't wait for chemo to finish so I can have it taken out.  I love it when I only have to have one small jab through the skin for everything at a treatment and know that my veins are thanking me.

@Zoffiel  I totally agree! Best thing I ever did was have the portacath inserted.  After having an axillary clearance as well in my left arm and then a cellulitis infection which meant four days in hospital on an IV drip, I had four cannulas inserted in four days.  It was so very painful as the veins kept collapsing.  The portacath makes blood tests so much easier too @Schwen. Good luck. M

@Schwen if your veins are already crap, get a portocath. It's a monster idea, having a creepy little box under your skin, but it works. Well, they usually work. No stabbing or jabbing and you have both hands free during treatment. This stuff sucks, but some technology can help. Marg xx

Thanks everyone for the heads up, I have my oncology appointment on the 19th of June so will probably have most of my questions answered then, today I had my contrast CT scan of my body, and Nuclear bone scan, my poor left arm is just about had it now, because they can no longer use my right arm after the mastectomy, since the 9th May i have had 6 different Cannulas in, my veins are shitty now lol, and each time i have a Cannula put in it hurts more and more, especially when they move it around trying to get the vein....Just wish it was all over, so i can get on with living....

@Schwen - sorry u have to joint us but welcome. I had lumpectomy, partial mastectomy and then full mastectomy in jan/feb of this year - CT scan and lymph nodes clear. Had 4 x doses of TC chemo 3 weeks apart starting about a month after surgery ehich I have just finished and will be going on hormone tablets too. Your oncologist will be the one to decide what your course of treatment will be. Sending u big hugs xoxoxo