Forum Discussion
New member to the B.C Club
Hi all,
I have been stalking this page for last few days and am in awe of all the amazing women on here and the sage advice you are all able to share.
My story so far - l am 42 and mother to 3. I found a lump in my right breast 2 weeks ago. My G.P referred me for a mammogram and ultrasound and after reviewing sent me to my now breast surgeon. She confirmed it was a cancer and we now need to find out what type. Core biopsy results are in and l have an invasive Oestrogen positive lump grade 2-3 stage 2, Nodes appear clear. Recommend treatment is to remove lump first and then begin chemo. First l will have MRI and C.T to be sure l am clear everywhere else. Surgery wil be in next few weeks and then chemo to follow.
I feel so much more positive having a game plan and will go into this with a can do attitude. I also know this site and all you wonderful warriors will be able to guide me through this and l hope as l travel along and learn the ropes l too will be able to offer that same support.
I have been stalking this page for last few days and am in awe of all the amazing women on here and the sage advice you are all able to share.
My story so far - l am 42 and mother to 3. I found a lump in my right breast 2 weeks ago. My G.P referred me for a mammogram and ultrasound and after reviewing sent me to my now breast surgeon. She confirmed it was a cancer and we now need to find out what type. Core biopsy results are in and l have an invasive Oestrogen positive lump grade 2-3 stage 2, Nodes appear clear. Recommend treatment is to remove lump first and then begin chemo. First l will have MRI and C.T to be sure l am clear everywhere else. Surgery wil be in next few weeks and then chemo to follow.
I feel so much more positive having a game plan and will go into this with a can do attitude. I also know this site and all you wonderful warriors will be able to guide me through this and l hope as l travel along and learn the ropes l too will be able to offer that same support.
49 Replies
- Thank you @afraser perhaps l will investigate when the time comes x
@onemargie you are a gem.
I am at eork at the moment so will look at your p.m tonight x - Just a thought - I was certain I wasn't a wig person, but my terrific oncology nurse said it did no harm to have a look, I might want a change at some time. I wore a wig throughout! It was light and easy and I never had to go into long explanations at work or at leisure if I didn't want to. It cost $200 but I felt it was very worthwhile.
- Her is a great support group in Melbourne called young pink sisters. I’ll PM you the details. Margie. Xx
- Hi there I have heaps of cool bandanas/ scarves you can have and I’d be happy to post them to you I’ll PM you now and give you my number so you can give me a ring and you can give me your address if you’d liked them. They are quite bright and fun and Im happy for you to have them. Margie xx
- Sometimes those skinny silk scarves can spice up a basic cap. I did that a lot.
The caps were my favourite in summer as I had frequent hot flushes and easy to whip on and off. - I got some cotton based budget scarves from Kmart under $10 each and from cheap as chips. I also bought some nice chemo caps. My chemo went through winter so I had lots of normal wooly caps and would wear a bamboo wig cap under. Also essential to buy a sleep cap as in air conditioning your head can get really cold.
This one has some starter packs which are good.
https://www.hathouse.com.au/
Some nice ones here
https://www.hatshow.com.au/index.php?route=common/allproducts&gclid=CjwKCAjwhOvPBRBxEiwAx2nhLptB2Ze9mEsYR9AazZMFQ6DorCDeXITNlSMt3hZLDyCkR-W4hnhqjRoCz3UQAvD_BwE
New site I've not seen but looks good.
http://treatmetreasureme.com.au/headwear/?gclid=CjwKCAjwhOvPBRBxEiwAx2nhLsxnkw4aO0A2mYr_lm-wx7Y7_juva4S8HeH6OEELYKrp70jQaSsV-RoCJosQAvD_BwE
If you swim...this is great as UV protection and can be worn under a straw hat too. I wore mine in aquafit with clear safety glasses as my eyes became sensitive to chlorine.
http://www.nammuhats.com/special-needs/chemotherapy-hats/
One chemo units also have volunteers making lovely capa ...so be sure to ask as they gorget to offer. Sone of my favourites were home made. I probably had about 20 scarves and 20 caps. I was a bit obsessed. Haha. - Hi ladies, thank you all for the great tips and advice.
@primek and @onemargie do you recommend a site for head scarves, l don't think l'm a wig person.
@onemargie l am in Melbourne and will look for local support group.
@Zoffiel l do a mean eye role and loved Calamity Jane as a kid so l will fit right in.
Update - l am booked for 23/11/17 for surgery. This is the same date my 14 y.o daughter leaves for a volleyball tournament in N.Z so its going to be a crazy day.
Love and light ladies - Brenda5 said:Welcome @Salpal. The girls have given good tips and links. Even if you just want to come on and have a rant about the injustice of it all, thats ok too. <3primek said:Hi and Welcome. Well you've got through some of tje worst parts...the waiting to know. At least now you do have a plan. Have you are breast care nurse and have you got a my care kit and a post surgical bra planned?
I kept busy researching and prepping.
I got my hospital gear ready.
I bought some scarves and researched how to tie them.
I found a wig library and picked a wig (which I never wore)
I had to buy bigger clothes as I stress eat.
I went to the dentist and had my teeth checked and cleaned pre chemo and started flossing daily without fail.
You could do some cooking ahead ready for chemo. Things like casseroles or lasagnes etc. There are many prep ahead slower cooker recipe ideas you could do.
I set up a private fb page to share my cancer journey so people could read how I was going. I posted hospital pics, chemo rounds etc. Saved me telling them all individually.
Ask anything you want. We are here to help with what we can. Kath x - Hi there lm 5 years post and l just wanted to say welcome. You will have good days bad days and better days but you get there.
Hi Sal,
Great to see you going in with a game plan. Despite the horror stories that you will be told by some not terribly helpful people, including complete strangers ( think being pregnant) a good many of us sail through treatment with minimal, or very manageable side effects.
Yes, there are a few Calamity Jane's here ***guilty eye roll*** but the benefit of that is we have a really good idea about what might, or probably won't, help when you are pissed off, blocked up or when any of the other myriad weirdo things associated with chemo are an issue.
The best advice anyone gets is to be kind to yourself. Delegate stuff, rest when you can and never feel like you have failed if things don't go as you have planned. It's a big job, this cancer stuff, in the end we muddle through somehow. Marg xxx
