Hello ladies, I had tests (mammograms, ultrasound, core & FNA biopsies) last Thursday week & got my results on Tuesday 11/04/17, so very newly diagnosed. From what was going on & reactions, things that were said i guess I just knew. So by the time I got my results, I had started my journey to acceptance. Everything is no new to me still, I have no idea what to expect. I am currently waiting for my first visit with the oncology team at RBWH and find out what they believe would be the best line of attack so that I can beat this. I have 3 solid masses in my left breast, the largest of which is 2.5 cm and malignant. They also found malignant cells in the lymph node in my armpit. I have been told that I will need chemo and surgery, but i won't know what's what until I see the team at RBWH. The Breastscreen Doctor & nurse said that the tentative date they were told is around ANZAC day. I feel as though i'm in limbo at the moment. Most of the time I feel fine, but I am so tired & my body aches a lot. I am nearly 49 & single, so no partner, but have a lot of wonderful supportive friends around me. Being single with breast cancer brings about a whole other set of 'fears'. One thing I worry about is being able to continue to do my job, I work in Humanitarian Settlement Services, working with and housing Refugees. I love what I do and feel very passionate about my job and what it is that we do. My colleagues are wonderfully supportive and are already trying to work out a way that things can be restructured so that it makes things easier for all of us and less stressful for me, and so that I can continue working. Unfortunately it's up to management though and i am only on contract until 6th July. I have had all sorts of thoughts go through my head, but i remain positive that i will beat this! Scary words on my pathology are metastatic carcinoma when referring to the lymph node they did the FNA biopsy on. Cat

Hi cat im only a newbie too. Diagnosed 3 weeks ago after accidently finding a mass in the right breast near breastbone. I had ultrasound and core biopsy same day. Was grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. The wait is scary and the moods may swing like crazy. Mine did and at only 3 weeks still are. I had mastectomy yesterday and was to have just the sentinel node removed for biopsy but once on the table they discovered a number of enlarged auxillary nodes. So ended up taking more than planned. I too now am so in limbo because an guessing now probably lymph node positive which was hoping not. I do know as hormone pos, like most are, i will need anti hormone therapy for several years, but like you i still feel like im floundering. I guess we both just need to take on each new bit of info as ot arises. I know its hard because i have always been a forward planner and here is something that i now cant. All the best bev

MKitty68, hi......I think the very beginning is difficult. When you know the next stage things will be easier. All the accounts of people going through breast cancer are true. Some work some cant. Some have every side effect others very little.It is odd one day you are perfectly fine the next you have breast cancer. Huh How did that happen? . On a very positive note after a year of treatment I am now cancer free. Good luck on your journey.

Hi Cat, welcome but sorry you have joined us.Just thought I would let you know about some legal obligations in relation to your diagnosis. See link below.http://employsure.com.au/blog/management-of-non-work-related-injuriesillnesses-employers-health-and-safety-obligations-relating-to-employees-injured-outside-of-work/You will have more information after your oncology appointment. I was wondering if you had a breast surgeon appointment yet or are they thinking you will have chemotherapy first? Those pathology reports are awful aren't they. Unless in your organs or bones usually when in lymph nodes they consider this as locally advanced rather than referring as metastatic. Know that even with cancer cells in lymph nodes your cancer is still curable. My niece had 2 multifocal tumors and 10 positive nodes. 14 years on she remains cancer free. So know that yes it can be beaten. Everyone is different on chemo so it's not possible to predict if you will feel well enough to work. Some people have little issues and people like myself were unable to work. The start of this is a whirlwind and a real feeling of being out of control but once a treatment plan is in place it gets a little easier.Take care and ask anything. Kath x

Thank you ladies. Kath, that link is good, thank you for that. Is this something that I should speak to my union about? Just to make sure they're on top of it? We are in the HSP Tender process at the moment, I believe the Tender is just being submitted to the relevant government body. The 'fun' part at the moment is my body's withdrawals from my HRT.... I went through early menopause when I was 39 & a half, so nearly 10 years of steady estrogen & now nothing. Damn menopausal symptoms all over again! I think my kids would be glad they moved out LOL Cat

Hi Cat, it wouldn't hurt to seek advice from the union prior speaking with your boss just to have the legal knowledge. Hopefully it won't be an issue.Yes....I guess you are going through menopause yet again. Necessary evil.

MKitty68

Member

8 years ago

Only two weeks into the journey

Hello ladies,
I had tests (mammograms, ultrasound, core & FNA biopsies) last Thursday week & got my results on Tuesday 11/04/17, so very newly diagnosed. From what was going on & reactions, things that were said i guess I just knew. So by the time I got my results, I had started my journey to acceptance. Everything is no new to me still, I have no idea what to expect. I am currently waiting for my first visit with the oncology team at RBWH and find out what they believe would be the best line of attack so that I can beat this.

I have 3 solid masses in my left breast, the largest of which is 2.5 cm and malignant. They also found malignant cells in the lymph node in my armpit. I have been told that I will need chemo and surgery, but i won't know what's what until I see the team at RBWH. The Breastscreen Doctor & nurse said that the tentative date they were told is around ANZAC day.
I feel as though i'm in limbo at the moment. Most of the time I feel fine, but I am so tired & my body aches a lot.

I am nearly 49 & single, so no partner, but have a lot of wonderful supportive friends around me. Being single with breast cancer brings about a whole other set of 'fears'.

One thing I worry about is being able to continue to do my job, I work in Humanitarian Settlement Services, working with and housing Refugees. I love what I do and feel very passionate about my job and what it is that we do. My colleagues are wonderfully supportive and are already trying to work out a way that things can be restructured so that it makes things easier for all of us and less stressful for me, and so that I can continue working. Unfortunately it's up to management though and i am only on contract until 6th July.

I have had all sorts of thoughts go through my head, but i remain positive that i will beat this!
Scary words on my pathology are metastatic carcinoma when referring to the lymph node they did the FNA biopsy on.

Cat

chemotherapy

surgery

work