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

melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Ohhh that's great!!! my 19yo daughter was fabulous too, thats so great to hear! xx M
MKitty68
Member
8 years ago
My daughter is 23 & is the one who is going to be looking after me at home. She lives in Toowoomba with friends, but has come to stay for a few weeks to take care of me & do those things that I can't after surgery.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Yes good idea try and find one with it included which is tough, but it helped me so much. Ohhh thats great you took your daughter, it absolutely helps them too.

Both my kids were 16 and 18 and came to a few of my chemo infusions, they said it helped them not be afraid of what was happening and the reality of it all.

It is becoming real and the unknown is tough, but you sound like youre doing great, one thing at a time it really will help you stay focused and calm. xx
MKitty68
Member
8 years ago
Yeah, I think I'll change to a different super provider for the future!
I had my pre admission clinic today. I took my daughter with me, I'm glad I did - she said she feels more confident now after being there with me today.
I got my breast form, special bra, pillow & bag for my drain bag.
Suddenly it's all getting so real. :-(

I just got my flu jab at my GP, can't afford to catch anything now! Also got some sleeping pills just in case I have trouble sleeping.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Aaah ok, I had a bit of a look at that Super and it looks like Income Protection is additional. Ohhh community services sounds much more interesting!!! Looks like you are onto things, being asked for your resume. Let us know how you go!! Melinda xo
MKitty68
Member
8 years ago
Hi Melinda, I'm with REI Super which is a real estate industry super fund as I used to work in real estate. I now work in a community services field housing refugees.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago

@MKitty68 What super are you with? I had 2 and at the time of chemo I exhausted all avenues of financial assistance was a bloody nightmare!! it was about 4 months post treatment I rang my education super VicSuper and they had an inbuilt component was a shitload of paperwork, but no problem at all, yes a 3 month waiting but I applied in like March/April 2016 and I had stopped working in September 2015, so I had served my waiting period and the bonus I got backpaid like 3 months, though they only pay 65% of your full time working capacity wage. Ive been on it ever since its 2yrs and runs out in January 2018. Its enabled me to work 3 days a week since March 2016 and now I had to have surgery 16 months post chemo Ive been off 11 weeks and theyve paid and I took LWOP and kept my sickleave.

Not sure what work you do, I know your contract is ending but if you had it built into a super, theyd still pay it as your capacity to work would be reduced regardless.

Hugs Melinda xo
MKitty68
Member
8 years ago
That company is waiting to find out if they got the HSP tender which another company has also applied for, I have a friend who now works for the other company, she believes that they will get it instead, and has asked for my resume, so I have a high likelihood of getting a job through them, she was going through chemo whilst working there, working every second day, and she said they have been wonderful.
MKitty68
Member
8 years ago
@Zoffiel my contract ends in 7 weeks, so I'd not be eligible for much anyway. There was also a 3 month waiting period for it, for which time I'd have no income at all.
I had tried getting in touch with my super company, left a message with their message service for a call back & never got one. I couldn't find anything on their website that could tell me if I had any or not. It was confusing.
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
If you haven't accepted that payout yet, please, please have a look at what sickness insurance you have attached to your super. If it is up to date you may be much better off telling them to shove the payout, taking leave then sitting on your insurance--which is usually 75%of your wage--for a year or so until you are well enough to resume your normal duties.

Treatment can take a long time, I've got no income at the moment and was diagnosed 3weeks after I accepted a redundancy. I can't access my super insurance because of that and it will be nearly a year off work for me, then only going back part time. I'd have been nearly $30k better off on the insurance money than I was from the payout.

BTW, I'd love to get hold of your erroneous 'manager'. It makes me see all shades of red when I read things like that. They need edumacating, they do :)

Good luck @MKitty68. I don't want to complicate things for you, but that super insurance often gets forgotten. Marg xxx

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