So sorry to see you here, @Nafeesa - joining the club you never thought you'd join. It is a real roller coaster ride - both for your emotions & physically - early on, it is like you are on a conveyor belt - do this, go there, come back, go back there .....
Have you been assigned a Breast Care Nurse yet? They will become an important part of your team - and probably the first person to check with, if you have any concerns, specially after your surgery.
I hope you have good family & friends supporting you - if they offer to help (by way of meals, mowing your lawn, travel to & from appointments etc) say YES! ANYTHING to take pressure off you at this point in time. xx. Consider recording all your meetings on your phone as it is very easy to miss bits at the time .... you can go back over it later, if you need to.
Ask away on ANY question here & you'll get knowledgeable answers from those who've 'gone before you'! You can also use the 'Search Function' (click on the magnifying glass) and to see previous threads on the subject.
Gene Testing - BRCA gene? Is there a history of breast cancer in your family? If so, that would be a yes from me. Eventually, the hope is that it is done to everyone with all major diseases like cancer, as it is the only way they can work out who is likely to get it in the future & how to possibly circumvent it! The Yanks have it done at birth ... why not Australia?
There are also a few 'different brand’ genome tests available that check the DNA of the cancer to see if it has mutated from the ‘original’ ... and they then suggest specific drugs to combat it, if there are any. The tests are usually about $5000 - and eventually will be subsidised ... just not right now :( The results from this one can indicate if immunotherapy would be of use to your treatment, if needed.
I went private with my surgery nearly 5 years ago, so I knew it would be done sooner & then it was GONE! (I had my biopsy results on Jan 5, saw surgeon on Jan 12 & had surgery on Jan 15!) Just be aware that there CAN be 'out of pocket expenses' with going private even if you have the highest health care cover. Your surgeon should give you a 'quote' on expected out of pocket costs. My out of pocket costs were about $6,000-7,000 over the next few years, as quite a few things weren't covered by Medicare or Health Care Plan - even $500 of my pathology (which really surprised me!) Then I went public for my radiation & it cost me nothing.
Whereabouts are you (you can edit your profile & put in your city or town/region.) If you are rural/regional, you can claim on travel & accommodation expenses thru your state Gov (we have a private group for rural/regional members, to discuss stuff.) We also may have members nearby who you can catch up with for a coffee & chat now the covid restrictions have lessened xx
Feel free to jump onto this thread & read a bit about the whole forum - including tips on what to take to hospital with you xx. There is also a link to some 'tick sheets' that you can fill in & take to the meetings with your medical team. We have many 'off topic' threads, where you can chat about your gardens, art & craft, even your furkids if you have some - and a couple of joke threads - yes, we can even have a bit of a laugh xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latestRemember .... take lots of deep breaths - take one day at a time ... keep doing what you love doing - keeping busy really helps stop your brain going berserk .... DON'T use Dr Google - a lot of info there is not relevant to your own condition & treatment & it can be downright scary going down some of those rabbit holes!
take care xx
