Wow this is harder to type than i thought, I was delivered that dreaded news last Monday the 22/2 that i have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, as you all can imagine my head is spinning, although after 2 mammogram, 2 ultrasounds and a biopsy my inner gut instincts told me this was going to be the result, but nothing prepares you for when you hear those words, they tell me its only 7mm and that they have discovered it early, im off to the speacialst at the hospital in regards to a Lumpectomy, would love to hear from you all in regards to experiences with both public and private health, i am going public and wonder if should i concider paying to go private or is the public health systen just as good. Look forward to hearing from you all.??

Hi welcome to the site, it is hard to hear those words. I'm 2 years since being diagnosed. I had 2 surgeries and then told they couldn't get enough margin so ended up with chemo herceptin, a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.. I went private as I have paid private health insurance for a long time. I have heard good things about public so it is a choice you will need to make. I have heard alot of positives about public. Any time you go to the doctors make a list of questions and a support person for as a second pair of ears is always helpful. Try and take it one day at a time, jump on and ask questions

Hello sorry to hear that but very glad they found it early. I use private for my surgeon a lot of people in the area I live had recommended her. She did my lumpectomy that unfortunately showed more cancer so she then did my masectomy immediate expander in so let's just say she's still very involved in my treatment. I went public with chemo and radio only downside has been a few hospital policies regarding numbing cream during chemo and Metipal film I wanted to use for radio. However I am extremely happy at the care from my surgeon and having surgeries in private hospital. I've been happy most of the time public. For me I had to stop work and take up my income protection ( which pays a lot less than my salary) so I'm glad I went that way best of luck

Great that they got it so early, my lump was 9mm, so not much different from yours. We has private health so I went private for my surgeon, he was highly recommended and luckily I have no other surgery bit if I needed to I knew he was going to give me good options etc. with my chemo I also went private, the only out of pocket was my $250 excess. I like the private chemo ward as been always very punctual and has a concistent nursing staff. Private also allowed me to do cold capping. I'm yet to do radio, so not sure which path I will take there. best of luck with your lumpectomy and I hope your pathology report is one that maybe at the most requires radio and no chemo. angie

Hi, the initial diagnosis does throw you doesn't it! I have been public throughout my experience and have felt very confident with my treatment. I am in Geelong and my surgeon and oncologist also treat privately so if I had gone private I would have seen the same doctors. Once diagnosed, i had surgery within weeks followed by chemo and radio. And now that I am 4 weeks finished I am still receiving great care. I wish you well with your experience whatever path you choose. It does suck but it is doable and there is light xx

Hi Tan74 and welcome.... so sorry to hear your news, I was similar to you with 8mm tumor and one lymph node positive. Had a lumpectomy + 4 rounds of AC, have finished with this now and they offered me radiation which I said no and now next step is mastectomy I went private as I like having my own surgeon and also private with chemo... Good luck and wishing you well xxx

Newly diagnosed | BCNA Online Network

13 Replies

angiesg
Member
10 years ago
Great that they got it so early, my lump was 9mm, so not much different from yours. We has private health so I went private for my surgeon, he was highly recommended and luckily I have no other surgery bit if I needed to I knew he was going to give me good options etc. with my chemo I also went private, the only out of pocket was my $250 excess. I like the private chemo ward as been always very punctual and has a concistent nursing staff. Private also allowed me to do cold capping. I'm yet to do radio, so not sure which path I will take there.

best of luck with your lumpectomy and I hope your pathology report is one that maybe at the most requires radio and no chemo.

angie
Alsopt
Member
10 years ago
Hello sorry to hear that but very glad they found it early. I use private for my surgeon a lot of people in the area I live had recommended her. She did my lumpectomy that unfortunately showed more cancer so she then did my masectomy immediate expander in so let's just say she's still very involved in my treatment. I went public with chemo and radio only downside has been a few hospital policies regarding numbing cream during chemo and Metipal film I wanted to use for radio. However I am extremely happy at the care from my surgeon and having surgeries in private hospital. I've been happy most of the time public. For me I had to stop work and take up my income protection ( which pays a lot less than my salary) so I'm glad I went that way best of luck
rowdy
Member
10 years ago
Hi welcome to the site, it is hard to hear those words. I'm 2 years since being diagnosed. I had 2 surgeries and then told they couldn't get enough margin so ended up with chemo herceptin, a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.. I went private as I have paid private health insurance for a long time. I have heard good things about public so it is a choice you will need to make. I have heard alot of positives about public.

Any time you go to the doctors make a list of questions and a support person for as a second pair of ears is always helpful.

Try and take it one day at a time, jump on and ask questions

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