Hello to everyone going through this frightening journey. I am a 59 yo post menopausal woman who at this moment feels absolute terror. i had a routine mammogram and was recalled due to cancer being detected. Grade 2 established after core biopsies. I’m still coming to grips with the diagnosis, for some odd reason, I felt routine mammograms would have detected the cancer sooner. I am going through the public health system so have to wait up to four weeks to have surgery. The price to pay if you can’t afford private health insurance. I’m not complaining about the wait, I’m thankful our public health system is so accessible.I have been to the Breast & Cancer clinic three times and not once has any health professional discussed the cost of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. I was under the impression that all the treatments would be covered by Medicare. Today, my friend informed me that post surgery treatment would cost thousands of dollars! I had no idea. I don’t have the finance to cover the costs involved and would appreciate input from anyone in the same financial crisis. Hoping to receive any advice.Kind regards Tidden

Hi Tidden, sorry to see you here ,welcome to this forum of very informative people.I was recently diagnosed in late October 2018, had a partial mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy on December 19th. I was like you, why do I have to wait so long for surgery ( I am also in the public sector).I asked my surgeon that very question, he replied if I thought you urgently needed the operation sooner it would have been booked sooner.Try not to worry and overthink things, one day at a time, I’m only just ahead of you, like all these beautiful people we know how you’re feeling. I haven’t yet been out of pocket for expenses, and after talking to other people that have been through the public system in the last 12 months, I’m not expecting any. Not sure about the hormonal drugs that you take for years after though, as I won’t be taking those as my cancer is a triple negative.Take deep breaths one day at a time.I did a short course on meditation and mindfulness which was a great help to me , especially with my anxiety which was through the roof. We are so well aware of what the unknown does to you and how it makes you feel, just remember you’re not alone we are always hear to listen.Try and keep busy, I threw myself into housework, gardening, do something that you love doing.This forum is great to ask any questions that you may have and someone will respond.Do you have a breast care nurse you can talk to?Have you been offered any counselling?Everyone says that it gets easier once you know things and have a plan.I will be getting my plan tomorrow since having surgery.Any questions just ask away we are all here for each other.Sending big hugs your way ❤️

Hi thereWelcome, sorry you have to be here but you will find it a helpful and supportive place to be. I did have hospital insurance but I know many people have found the public sector to provide excellent support and services and I am sure they can advise and reassure you. I am equally sure that your wait for surgery will not be critical - but understandably difficult as you are both naturally apprehensive but wanting it over! Friends are very important at this time but it pays to treat "information" - especially from people with no first hand experience - with caution. It's well intended mainly, but can cause concern unnecessarily. We've all felt that terror and disbelief at first, but it does help when you have a plan of action. Don't hesitate to ask questions - of your medical advisers most of all, but here as well. I am six years post diagnosis - one boob, no evidence of disease, living a normal and happy life. Keep your spirits up. Best wishes.

Thank you all for your overwhelming support and comments. I’m feeling so much better and positive already. I understand it’s a hard journey for us all, and some a longer journey. Good luck and warm wishes to you all.So appreciative Tidden💗

Hi @tidden I thought I might add a bit to this thread for the information of any newbies who might not live in, or close to, a major centre.Chemotherapy is free as you are admitted to the hospital on the day. What is not free are the discharge medications. Depending on what they are--steroids, analgesics, antiemetics etc-- there can be some expense there. A word if warning about discharge meds , don't be tempted to get those scripts filled at the hospital pharmacy. Public hospitals, by law, have to charge the full PBS price (or concession price) and that can be considerably more than what you will pay at a wholesale/discount pharmacy. I'm talking about $10 per script for some drugs. Shop around.Another significant cost for rural people can be specialist fees. Not all hospitals have public oncology clinics and if they don't you have to pay to see a private oncologist. Here in North East Victoria that is a very expensive exercise. Rural folk need to ask where the nearest public service is and consider whether it is a better option to travel. You are not always informed of those options, particularly in areas where there is what amounts to cartel behaviour by specialist groups. Asking questions saved me thousands of dollars in oncologist fees for little inconvenience.Follow up scans can also be expensive if you need/want MRI or PET or bone scans for example. Cross that bridge when you come to it, but be mindful that once your cancer has been confirmed you no longer qualify for the Medicare rebate for some diagnostic procedures. Which sucks. Good luck and try not to stress too much about the wait for surgery, a couple of weeks won't make a huge difference. That said, by the time my double mastectomy surgery date came around (I had to have chemo first) I was ready to chew those puppies off myself, so the extra time can give you some space to get your head around things. Mxx

@Tidden - the girls have explained the @ function ..... I also turned off the email notification as there were SO MANY, so now, I just look for the red numbers up the top - they indicate that other threads you've replied to have also had replies, as well as you being mentioned specifically. To turn off email notification, just click on the 'settings wheel' on the far right of your name (up the top) and choose Edit Profile.Then choose Notification Preferences & 'unclick' all the emails! Then, just keep an eye on the top line or the 'pop up messages' that show whilst you are online ..... and hit 'Discussions' to update any new threads etc when you go online.Your cancer type will only be identified specifically from the tissue they remove during surgery when it is sent off to Pathology. The Core Biopsy identifies that cancer cells are present (and in what percentage) but doesn't identify the 'type'. So the Pathology Report is the one you have to wait for to give your BC a name. Sometimes the HER results take longer (mine took a week longer) - whether the tumour is positive or negative to Hormones ... which will dictate some of your other treatment after surgery chemo/rads etc.ALL doctors and health professionals should introduce themselves (also wear a name tag as it is easy to forget their names in the stress of the moment.) They should also undergo specialist training in the passing on bad news to patients. Working in the medical field yourself, I think you may be interested in Dr Liz O'Riordan's Breast Cancer Blog - she is a UK Breast Cancer Surgeon & was diagnosed 2-3 years ago, with a recurrence in 2018 ..... and her blog follows her entire BC 'journey' - and how shocked she was at how patients are treated in some circumstances & not believed (side effects etc) in others. After my Biopsy Appt Balls-up for most of December - I sent the link to my Rad Onc & suggested that everyone working in the Cancer Institute at Port Macquarie, read the whole blog! She also instigated the use of names on the surgeon's caps in theatre, so that patients can see them!!http://liz.oriordan.co.uk/Blog/Do you have a good friend to go with you on your Pre-Admission appt and when you are admitted? My sister in law was a godsend - asking very intelligent questions on my behalf, as I was still a bit in shock .....Most of your tests will have been done by now - so it is just the paperwork, really, I think. They may ask what other medication you are on - and to bring it with you, you'll be signing your life away on the dotted line ..... to be honest - I've forgotten what happened at mine!! Just make sure you have all your medicare/healthcare numbers with you ....Wishing you All the best xxx

Newly diagnosed over Christmas.. | BCNA Online Network

41 Replies

kitkatb
Member
7 years ago
So true @Sister and @kmakm , mine was also deep. We have the mobile breast screen come every 2 years for about 6 weeks and for some reason for the first time it came the following year last year for high risk people and was only here for 2 days, so they rung me. ( because of my mother ) It makes me cringe because I would have just left it for the 2 yearly visit instead of bothering to make the trip down to the city for a yearly visit. Especially already being a grade 3 invasive. Thank god I had my phone on me and said Yep I'll come in. Certainly doesn't bear thinking about but equally feel blessed I went. One of my closest friends just refuses to go as she is afraid of small spaces and gets claustrophobic. Wish I could change her mind. xox
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Tidden Yes I was diagnosed via a routine mammogram too. Lump was too deep for anyone to feel. Thank goodness I went for that mammogram. My situation would have been so much worse by the time the cancer made itself known. Did you have a nice doctor give you your diagnosis? It can be a bit of a lottery at Breastscreen. K xox
Sister
Member
7 years ago
You'll find out more about you cancer (sounds like an unwelcome pet, doesn't it?) once you've had surgery and the pathology report comes back. It will show receptor (positive or negative) as well as type of cancer and other details. It's not always exactly the same as the biopsy indicates so the doctors tend to hold off with too much info until then.

I was the same as you - nothing to indicate cancer - just a routine screening mammo but, although life has been turned upside down since, my situation if it hadn't been discovered, doesn't bear thinking about.
Shellshocked201
Member
7 years ago
Hi Tidden, have you tried speaking with your GP, they may be able to prescribe you something to help,you sleep at nights, or help you find someone for counselling. If you are anything like me I seem to deal with anything better after a good night sleep.
i did a short meditation and mindfulness course which helped me immensely for anxiety, as mine was through the roof in the early stages of diagnosis.
I was like you Tidden BC found at a routine mammogram, no lump felt by me or doctors.
Do you have access to a McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Nurse?

Sending hugs xx
Tidden
Member
7 years ago
Yes kmakm, routine mammogram, no lump present, so came as quite a surprise. I had some core biopsies done but still don’t know what type of cancer it is.
Tidden🌸
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
I don't know about that but thank you @Tidden!

I hope the care you receive there is good. Were you diagnosed through BreastScreen? K xox
Tidden
Member
7 years ago
Kmakm, that’s where I will be having my surgery and treatment, booked for the 31st Jan. The psychologist is on holidays till February, I rang today...
There is so many of us and it’s frightening.
Take Care, I read your profile and don’t know how you cope with so much going on. You must be one hell of a woman!
Stay strong
Tidden🌸
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Tidden You're not too far from me so I can point you towards Eastern Health's Breast Cancer Centre. It's connected to Maroondah Hospital and is a shiny new facility which houses, amongst other things, an almost free community funded psychologist who specialises in breast cancer. Give them a call.

One in eight women. There are so many of us.

Big hug, K xox
Tidden
Member
7 years ago
Thank you Sarnicad, will do just that.
Sarnicad
Member
7 years ago
@tidden try either bcna they have nurses who if they can’t help will be able to direct you to the correct resources or the cancer council number I believe they would be either able to help or direct you to help

Forum Discussion

Newly diagnosed over Christmas..

41 Replies

Recent Discussions

Triple Positive HER2+

Feeling lost

Second Opinion

Inoperable

Recommendations-North Brisbane -Public v Private- Surgeons