New Diagnosis

Hi Robyn

Can I ask why you had a Mastectomy and Chemo as opposed to a lumpectomy?

Mandy

There is a great group here on BCNA called Breast Reconstruction of which many ladies are members myself being one of them. We've shared our stories of reconstruction both immediate and delayed, different procedures, photos and experiences. The group link is http://www.bcna.org.au/group/61026. Tina, I have found the support and information given invaluable and I know you will too. Once you've joined, if you click on photos under 'filter by tag' on the right hand side of the blogs, you can read the stories and see photos by Kel Jackson, Emma May, Goldie to Rachel and Chris to name a few. There are other tags too that you will find interesting. Good luck on the 22nd Tina. We will all be thinking of you. Love Janey xxx

Hi there I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer a couple of weeks ago. I'm 41 with 2 kids, well a 17 yr old and 19 yr old so not sure they are kids anymore :) I am having a double mastectomy and reconstruction with expanders on the 22 nd November with sentinel node biopsy. I would be really grateful if anyone can offer any advice on what to expect and if there is anything I can do for a speedy recovery xxx

Hi there I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer a couple of weeks ago. I'm 41 with 2 kids, well a 17 yr old and 19 yr old so not sure they are kids anymore :) I am having a double mastectomy and reconstruction with expanders on the 22 nd November with sentinel node biopsy. I would be really grateful if anyone can offer any advice on what to expect and if there is anything I can do for a speedy recovery xxx

Hi there I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer a couple of weeks ago. I'm 41 with 2 kids, well a 17 yr old and 19 yr old so not sure they are kids anymore :) I am having a double mastectomy and reconstruction with expanders on the 22 nd November with sentinel node biopsy. I would be really grateful if anyone can offer any advice on what to expect and if there is anything I can do for a speedy recovery xxx

hi there; can definitly relate--ages  ago i worked in palliative care but really didnt conteimplate my own death that much; and once told of diagnosis and probably chemotherapy (not done) i fainted and then later saw myself in a coffin!   I think there is a role for medication --it is difficult to go through treatments and live with a life threatening illness--no matter what the odds- i also found it useful to talk everyday to my partner and gave him coaching not to advise or to fix.  The treatment makes you anxious but waiting for the treatment is worse--and you get on the treadmill and somehow you do get your head around it--and then some days back to familiar fear.  Feeling good about your treatment team is important for me; and also i find these websites useful but also un nerving at times--someone will go 'thankgod i dont have lymph node involvemnt..and i think...i do; at times i find it seems like im in the minority not having chemotherapy so i find some research on the web about this useful for me; 

all the best!

 

I too am a nurse - worked a lot with breast ca surgery in NSW, tram flaps, expanders, mastectomies - and now in ICU see the exceptions rather than the norm. It does make it worse - especially as a lot of people assume you'll know all there is to know....but you don't...but that nurse mind just keeps ticking and planning if it's A to then I can do so and so, or if it's B such and such. The only benefit I have so far found is the ability to look at reliable information in the net....and that isn't even a comfort having seen my USS. Hugs and love to you. Xx

Thank you Janey. I think I need to stop my obsessive google searching and get back to Bridget Jones' diary on the kindle. I can see my own diary now - weight 65kg (acceptable), oral intake - 2 cups green tea (vg), alcoholic units -1 sniff (excellent), calories 0 (excellent but due to inability to eat from worry). It beats those tears that keep trying to seep out. Xx