Hello, I am a 44 year old woman, wife & mum who was told last night over a phone call that I have a grade 2 ductal cancer that is Estrogen sensitive. I need to make an appointment for either this week or next to discuss my options. I can opt for a lumpectomy and radiation or due to strong family history a double mastectomy with a reconstruction. I would like to get other peoples experiences or thoughts on this. I will be getting gene testing as well but know my sister tested new to the two she was tested for over 10 years agoIm scared and a bit lost at the moment. I don't know how to tell my children (they are 24,19& 16) or others really. Im not sure where to start.........

Hi @kato79 - just sit back and take a breath. One day at a time. It might be a good idea to wait until you have some more info so you can tell your family at the same time that there is a plan. It is an awful time of the year to get that news and you don't want to stress them or yourself too much. Due to the festive season many specialists do take time off so you may not get treatment too quickly so try to relax until you have more information.Do join the Reconstruction group, a private group on here, as there is a heap of info there as well as stories and photos. Your options for reconstruction will depend on different factors so read up and have questions ready for your medical team.This is the link to the group so apply to join:https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstructionYou are stronger than you think and will get through this - come on here with questions and to get support or just to vent.Thinking of you 💖💖

@kato79 like June said don’t get too far ahead of yourself. One day at a time. One step at a time.the process does take time. When you get all the ducks in a row and your team is put together seeing that this whole process is now very individualised unlike years ago one size doesn’t fit all. The team of specialists will usually have a meeting to look at your individual results. You haven’t said what tests you’ve already had. With mine 7 years ago now. Once i had the initial biopsy i was referred straight to my local cancer clinic. I don’t have private health cover. I had further tests done eg bloods and more scans I saw the oncologist first then the breast surgeon then their meeting happened then the plan outline and options was put to me. I was pretty clueless where medical terms were concerned. And a lot of stuff just buzzed around my head. i took my children with me to my first couple of appointments mostly because they had lost their father to cancer just 15 months before, and then at least one came to the rest of my appointments, that way they could take notes and ask the questions. Some say record the appointments on your phone. You legally have to get permission to do that. My oncologist was very good at writing everything down for me in plain english. If you don’t understand get them to explain. I was also appointed a nurse who i could phone/ leave message or email if something came up between appointments. Whatever you do. DO NOT dr google. It often leads you down a rabbit hole it can give you out dated information and the very worst case scenarioNothing is too weird to ask on here and there is no judgement there great podcasts available on the My Journey its also a great app BCNA have developed. I think thats enough for now. Im sure one of the other members will put up the links to the various links and sections to have a look at. Take care and keep us posted

so sorry to hear you’ve joined our club!! My advice would be to not get too far ahead of yourself. See what your surgeon suggests as a way forward. Mine first suggested a mastectomy but I didn’t want so we went with a lumpectomy. 6 months later and armed with more information I’m considering a double mastectomy and reconstruction. There is time to make a decision. There will most likely be other treatment you will need to have. There’s lots of info here and I have found it extremely helpful.

@kato79 Easier said than done, but please take a deep breath! This is a so and so however, you are on the road to finding out how to handle all of this medically and you have found the BCNA website! We are here to help you through and allow you to rant as much as needed - we've all experienced the need for ranting at some stage of our experience.Here's a link from the BCNA website, a wealth of information, that you may find beneficial when it's time to speak with your Children.Telling your children you have breast cancer (bcna.org.au)And other linksBreast cancer in the family (bcna.org.au)Reclaim Your Curves - WelcomeAlso has information sheet on What to Pack for Hospital and this website is beneficial if you do go down the path of Mastectomy and some form of reconstruction.Best wishes and no decision are right or wrong - it is what is best for you!Take Care

Hi, I am also 44 yr old wife & mum, diagnosed on Oct 31st. My cancer is a little different to yours but one thing that was an absolute game changer for me in the early days was my GP calling the McGrath Foundation and organising a local Breastcare nurse for me. I highly recommend looking to see if you have access to one of these amazing nurses xx

New to this and a bit lost | BCNA Online Network

14 Replies

June1952
Member
2 years ago
Hi @kato79 - just sit back and take a breath. One day at a time. It might be a good idea to wait until you have some more info so you can tell your family at the same time that there is a plan. It is an awful time of the year to get that news and you don't want to stress them or yourself too much. Due to the festive season many specialists do take time off so you may not get treatment too quickly so try to relax until you have more information.
Do join the Reconstruction group, a private group on here, as there is a heap of info there as well as stories and photos. Your options for reconstruction will depend on different factors so read up and have questions ready for your medical team.
This is the link to the group so apply to join:
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction
You are stronger than you think and will get through this - come on here with questions and to get support or just to vent.
Thinking of you 💖💖
PrisMay1
Member
2 years ago
so sorry to hear you’ve joined our club!! My advice would be to not get too far ahead of yourself. See what your surgeon suggests as a way forward. Mine first suggested a mastectomy but I didn’t want so we went with a lumpectomy. 6 months later and armed with more information I’m considering a double mastectomy and reconstruction. There is time to make a decision. There will most likely be other treatment you will need to have.
There’s lots of info here and I have found it extremely helpful.

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New to this and a bit lost

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