New To BCNA

All the best to both of you, @GavinCh  - most of us find that after the actual surgery, a HUGE weight is lifted off our shoulders - and the recuperation isn't as bad as our minds have built it up!   Once the Pathology results are back, you'll both have a clear idea of the followup treatment.

Yep, keeping busy in the mean time is the way to go.    Maybe see if you/Karen can cook up a few meals for the freezer as she may have limited arm movement for a little while afterwards.  

Re preparing for hospital - a few things that helped me get thru it was my iPad with charger (for messages & amusement), my eye mask (as from airlines) and ear plugs were a god send (hospitals are noisy places with lights on all the time!) A few magazines (short stories) rather than books.   Maybe some treats (biscuits/lollies.)  A warm top (hospitals can be cold places too.) A front opening nightie (for ease of putting on/off and also for Surgeon's inspection the next day.)  Don't forget to take any 'regular medications' with you that Karen may be on as well.  Let the nursing staff know what she needs to take.   

Take care xx

It will be good to have it over and done with Gavin. I hope it all goes well. K xox

Surgery is booked for Monday.

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I've not been on here for a short period, the days seem to fly by these days, below is the general information I've posted for my wife's close friends and our family keeping them in the loop without having to ring every one individually.

March 28th
Karen received a phone call from her doctor March 28th letting her know the results of the second lump because her doctor knows how anxious Karen is at this time and wanted to discuss both the biopsy results as well as the mammogram outcome.

Second Biopsy Results.
Some fantastic news received, this being that the second lump is not cancer cells and it's just  normal breast tissue clear of cancer.

Mammogram Results
Karen’s doctor advised this test highlighted some small white areas which they need to investigate to determine if these are cancer cells or not, this will require another biopsy however unlike the prior ones under an ultrasound procedure, this will be whilst having another mammogram, this process can be more painful however must be done. The doctor is arranging for this to be completed tomorrow, more so to ensure she has all the information and data at her finger tips before Karen’s appointment next week on Wed.

Today a small clip was inserted in Karen’s breast in preparation for surgery. There will be surgery but what type will be known next appointment.

I must say, the staff in this section of hospital are fantastic, very caring and helpful. Answering all our question and describing the team here as an extended family. Karen is starting to see the benefit of knowing and learning more and as I mentioned to her, will give her the information to assist in her making informed decisions.

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Again thank you all for your support and for giving me a place I can vent, talk or even just read, I know a number of ladies are or have gone through such and ordeal and whilst all new to us I do spare a thought to all going through this situation.

The delay in appointments does mean you have a little more time to come to terms with things and cope. There was some sort of research done in which one surgeon was doing operations pretty much the next day with not much waiting times at all. They found those that were processed faster had more anxiety and depression later on down the track as they hadn't had time to come to terms with breast cancer. Best wishes for next weeks appointment.

Thanks all. We received the expected call yesterday however are unable to get in any earlier than April 3rd meaning Karen will worry for a bit longer. I'll be looking to see if she can keep busy and take each day as it comes.

All the best for the results on Monday @GavinCh.  Keep doing what you are doing - supporting Karen 100%.  That is just terrific.  

Great that they've picked up the 2nd lump at the same time.

Thinking of you both xx

It's good to have a clearer idea of what's what, it makes dealing with the whole sudden business a bit easier. Great too that you are so supportive.

Everyone needs to find their own way through this one though, and the paths are many and various. Like @kezmusc, I wanted things to be as normal as possible, at least at first.  I worked through chemo (67) full time and while I can't say I enjoyed chemo, it wasn't quite the nightmare I had imagined. I too went to sessions by myself and valued the peace and quiet - and the occasional unplanned conversations with someone else having treatment. I made some changes about what I wanted in my life (a new job, resumed singing) a full 12 months after diagnosis and I feel poised to make another soon (6 years on). Cancer's a bit like having a baby - you are still exactly the same person except you are not! You are less likely to make assumptions about time and how you spend it. You may want to be more active (travel, exercise) or concentrate on your inner self. The first few months are a blur of treatment, new language and experiences. Even if, like me, you come through it well and positive, you do tend to think about things just a little differently. Some space and time to reflect and embrace those changes (they can be good changes) are important as well. Best wishes to you both. 

Thanks for the update. Thinking of you both as you wait again

Morning All,

Again thank you for your thoughts and comments, it is great to know we have somewhere we can talk about things and with people who Get it :)

Karen had her first appointment last Wednesday (20/03/2019) which provided some great news and some not so great, I’ve started a secrete page on facebook for Karen which was suggested by another person going through BC, Karen and I thought it was a good idea and saved either one of us having to make a number of phone calls to keep other up to date on things and saves us having to talk about the same things to different people over and over again. Our appointment went for around 6 hours below was how the day went and whilst Karen had built herself up for the appointment and not knowing how it would play out we were let down a tad as we need to go back again next week as another biopsy was needed for a second concern we only found out about so we had no plan or dates etc. We will head back in with a bit more knowledge once the results comes back (Should be Mon) and have a better idea on things. Below was the description of our day in summary but I would like to highlight again how wonderful everyone has been, Karen received a phone call yesterday from Breast Care WA and will have someone come by even just to talk.

I'm lucky to have a great company I work for and I have around 80 sick days available (plus long service if needed) so I'll be by Karen side the whole way.

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Today 20/3/2019 Karen had her first appointment at Fiona Stanley since finding out she had “BC” which was March 9th, 2017 (yea on her Birthday) to review what her treatment plan might be. Today however Karen found out she had another lump which was around 15mm is size as such Karen needed to have a Mammogram, followed by another Ultrasound and straight after, another Biopsy this morning for the second lump located at 6 o’clock. 

The good news is that the original lump located around 1 o’clock on the breast was around 5mm in size and is a grade 1 out of 3 with 3 being the more aggressive. Grade 1 has been described as a slow growing lazy sloth cancer cell. 

Until we know more about the second lump the plan would see Karen having surgery and with the current 5mm lump we would be able to have this removed without needing the whole breast removed. If the second lump is a cancer cell and of the same grade as the smaller one they could both be removed without having the whole breast removed. 

However worse case would see need to have the whole breast removed but only if it’s a must. 

Karen will be contacted once the results are avail (Fri, Mon, Tue) to come back in to review the results and to then look at options for treatment. 

Post-surgery Karen will need to visit Fiona Stanley five days a week for five weeks for radiation treatment followed by a tablet medication for five years which does however provides protection between seven and ten years. 

If however Karen does require stronger treatment because of the results from the second lump we will cross that road then.

One day at a time.