Newbie

Hi Greengirl,

I'm in Wagga and am happy to help with some of the questions you might have re your diagnosis and treatment.  I was diagnosed in April 2018 and had chemo and radiation at the Calvary Cancer Centre in Wagga.    I know that there is community transport available and also Lillier Lodge provides accommodation to those undertaking treatment from other towns in the Riverina. 

Has the McGrath Nurse been in touch with you yet?

I know it's scary as anything at the beginning but believe me it does get better as your treatment plan goes into action.  

Ask me anything you like and I'm happy to catch up with you when you're in Wagga.

Take care and as the others have said, you're not alone in this xo

Maybe @Giovanna_BCNA could add Cootamundra to your thread title, so any living nearby can see it.  

If if you want to reply to specific people, just put ‘@‘ in front of their name in the reply and hit enter when the name shows as ‘blue’ ... and the person will be notified of your reply.

@Greengirl I record all my meetings on my phone as it gives you the choice of going over it later on, to review each comment.  

I put a post up the other day with ‘tick lists’ re questions/side effects/symptoms for post op appointments with your team/GP.   Click on the docs at the bottom of the post.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21973/questions-to-ask-post-surgery-of-yourself-to-your-specialists-tick-sheets-self-assessment#latest

Do you have a good buddy to attend meetings with you? It is always good to have a second set of ears, as well as company.

I changed Oncs mid stream as well ... very important to be comfortable and confident with your team.  My experience was very similar to @BewilderedButHopeful.  It was most off putting.  He was distracted the whole time and didn’t take my extreme side effects seriously.

Yep, I have a big box for all my stuff .... including xrays etc so all is in the one spot.

Does Wagga have onsite accommodation for radiation patients?  Port Mac does ... it was just a 2 minute walk to treatment. As the rads treatment is usually daily, it saves a lot of driving.

Being rural, you can get refunded for petrol costs and subsidised for your accommodation.  Join up here. You will need your GP and specialist to fill in the first forms, then, just send the dates you attend (tho I always get them to sign the sheet for each trip as backup.)
http://www.iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au/home

Take care, all the best xxx

Thankyou ladies for your reply’s and sound advice . I haven’t worked out how to directly reply to each comment yet 🤪🤔 but thank you 🙏🏻.
Arpie I’m from Cootamundra NSW and will have my radiotherapy in Wagga.BewilderedButHopeful sorry your oncologist was a big flop and thanks for the tips . Take care and have a great day x 

Hi Greengirl,
I was diagnosed 29th October. My advice is to always get copies of all of your test results and reports, including those to your GP. Keep them in a folder along with a list of your questions and your notes. Make sure you understand the information and ask if you don't. You are your own advocate and you are in charge of coordinating your treatment (took me a few weeks to figure that out). Take that folder with you to all of your appointments. Some doctors will give you written info, some will just talk (and you or your support person will have to keep up and take notes). Two out of three of my doctors were very thorough and had read my pathology, checked my test results etc. before my appointments. After a two week wait to see another doctor (oncologist), my confidence was shaken. No preparation before meeting me, seemed to be distracted by pressing matters elsewhere, took phone calls on mobile and left the room twice, and made a major (incorrect) assumption which I queried (because I had read my pathology report). This debacle resulted in several weeks delay to commencement of treatment while the matter was taken to the Multidisciplinary Team Meeting and the Oncotype DX test was done. I hope your path is smooth and worry-free, but just remember to take charge. It's your body.

Dear @Greengirl,

from jennyss in Western NSW

So sorry to see you here, @Greengirl - but you are in the right spot for support and and any questions that you may have.

your diagnosis and results are very similar to my own, just over 2 years since my surgery.  I also skipped chemo, but had 4 weeks of rads, followed by hormone tabs for up to 5 years, possibly more.

 That is terrific that your surgeon contacted you as soon as she had the results, as it really does much with your head, the waiting!

Trust your team that they have got it all ... but still be vigilant of any unexpected aches or pain in the future.  If they Last longer than a few weeks, my mantra is: if in doubt, get checked out!

I am also rural and had my surgery in Sydney and my Rads in Port Macquarie.

what town/city do you live in? You can add it to your profile, so others in the area may be able to point you towards any services in your area.

take care, and know that you are not alone as you navigate this quagmire!  Ask any question you have and we’ll do our best to answer them honestly, to help  Xx