I was diagnosed on the 12th November with cancer in both breasts. Stage 1 in my right and stage 2 in my left. The right one was found during an ultrasound. My Mum passed away from cancer - started off as breast and metastasised to her bones. She has been gone now for 18 years.I work as a nurse. I am terrified! I am having breast conserving surgery on the 12th December. What are peoples experiences for recovery with both sides? I would really appreciate any feedback. Sorry if this doesn't make sense.

I had a double mastectomy in 2012 and no reconstruction I recovered quickly from surgery. there is no need to be sorry @Andrea_J1 Below are a couple of links to help you find your way around the forum and also how to find a breast care nurse and how to order a MY journey Kit if you haven't got one yet. It can be a whirlwind when we first get a diagnosed.... Breathe and take it one step at a time. Navigating the online community formerly the what and how thread. http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14879/navigating-the-online-community-formerly-the-what-and-how-thread Breast Care Nurses https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx My Journey online tool and other resources. https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/ BCNA Helpline 1800 500 258 If you have any questions, concerns or require any further information or support please call 1800 500 258. BCNA’s helpline will now be open from 9am-6pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm Fridays. How to understand your pathology reports https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/understanding-your-pathology-report/breast-pathology/breast-cancer-pathology.html

I was unable to work during chemotherapy as was really unwell during it. I returned to work on reduced hours and gradually increased over 6 months. My job is in community so it involves very little lifting, just driving and walking a lot, and being able to focus on listening. I was unable to drive after initial surgery for 6 weeks but a lumpectomy wouldn't be like that.It was my personal choice of mastectomies as my cancer was undetectable in a mammogram 5 weeks before I found a lump. My fear was recurrence or a new cancer that was undetectable. My cancer was aggressive but contained. As I live 500km away from many treatments avoiding radiotherapy was also something I was keen on as I had 3 boys still at home. Thanks @SoldierCrab ...we must have all been typing at same time.

Hi @Andrea_J1. You make perfect sense ! So sorry about your diagnosis . I didn't have it in both breasts just the one but there will be others here who can give you advice and comfort. I'm coming up to 2 years since my op on the 19th Dec. A rotten time of year to be in and out of hospital but you might get some tips from the Diagnosis at Christmas thread. Once you have a treatment plan, things really do fall into place and you get used to the whole idea.Good luck with it all, thinking of you !

Hi and welcome. It makes perfect sense to me. I too am a nurse and I lost a sister to bc. But both myself and her daughter have gone through surgery and treatment following a bc diagnosis and both doing well. I'm almost 3 years. My niece is 16 years post treatment. I chose a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction and also needed chemo.Have they offered you genetic counselling? It may well be appropriate given the bc is in both breasts and family history.@SoldierCrab could you add in your wonderful links. Ask any questions as we are here to help as we can. Kath x

Welcome @Andrea_J1 It's perfectly reasonable to be absolutely terrified. I lost my sister to this disease nearly 20 years ago and I felt like my world had collapsed when I was diagnosed. This forum has helped me through some of the worst periods of my life and given me some great laughs as well. As you move into treatment, you should find that you can regain some stability as you focus on what has to be done.I had the genetic testing and it came back as negative for the known but will be reviewed as future discoveries are made. The geneticist was pretty convinced that there is something going on but it could just be that my sister and I are an unfortunate coincidence. For me, it doesn't really matter as that horse has bolted, but it may be useful information for my kids.I can't comment on bilateral as I had one breast affected and chose, on surgeon's advice, not to take the other one off. I had a wide excision and sentinel node biopsy followed a couple of weeks later by a mastectomy and axillary dissection once the path report came back. I needed some help with some things for the first couple of weeks? (anything that I had to reach for such as hanging out washing) and I would get help in the first few days at home with getting in and out of the bath (more as a safety thing rather than a need). The time frame is just a guess because it's a bit of a blur, now. I'm a librarian in a school so my job involves a lot of reasonably heavy lifting and reaching. I took the active treatment time off due to the impact of chemo but also because of the manual aspect of the job. I have been back at work now for 7 weeks and I know that I do not have the same upper body strength that I had before but hopefully, I'll get there. Come and talk to us when you want to - there's usually someone around.

Newly diagnosed both breasts | BCNA Online Network

13 Replies

poodlejules
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Andrea_J1. You make perfect sense ! So sorry about your diagnosis . I didn't have it in both breasts just the one but there will be others here who can give you advice and comfort. I'm coming up to 2 years since my op on the 19th Dec. A rotten time of year to be in and out of hospital but you might get some tips from the Diagnosis at Christmas thread. Once you have a treatment plan, things really do fall into place and you get used to the whole idea.Good luck with it all, thinking of you !
Andrea_J1
Member
7 years ago
Thank you SoldierCrab
SoldierCrab
Member
7 years ago
I had a double mastectomy in 2012 and no reconstruction I recovered quickly from surgery. there is no need to be sorry @Andrea_J1
Below are a couple of links to help you find your way around the forum and also how to find a breast care nurse and how to order a MY journey Kit if you haven't got one yet.

It can be a whirlwind when we first get a diagnosed.... Breathe and take it one step at a time.

Navigating the online community formerly the what and how thread.

http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14879/navigating-the-online-community-formerly-the-what-and-how-thread

Breast Care Nurses

https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx

My Journey online tool and other resources.

https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/

BCNA Helpline 1800 500 258

If you have any questions, concerns or require any further information or support please call 1800 500 258. BCNA’s helpline will now be open from 9am-6pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm Fridays.

How to understand your pathology reports
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/understanding-your-pathology-report/breast-pathology/breast-cancer-pathology.html

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Newly diagnosed both breasts

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