Hello All, A little over 3 weeks ago I saw a dimple on my breast that was only obvious when I raised my arm over my head. Since then I’ve had mammograms, ultrasound, biopsy, radioactive tracer injected and as of yesterday, a wide excision tumour and node removal. My breast, urine and poop are all bright blue 😆 Now the waiting for the results begins. I received the call to say that it looked like I had a malignant tumour while I was quite literally standing in front of 60 students on an excursion (as the lead teacher). It took every ounce of my willpower to hold it in until I got home!Since then I’ve had some very low moments but I’ve tried to approach this positively and with an attitude of ‘I can beat this’. Fortunately I’m surrounded by supportive colleagues, friends and family. With the support of my family, and if the biopsy is favourable, I’m planning a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. My surgeon says there are other options but I’ve lost faith in my breasts. For me I think this is the best path back to not thinking about this every waking moment. What a whirlwind it’s been. I’ve never had to make so many decisions so quickly. How I wish I had a crystal ball 🔮

Hi @Tracey2800, I’m so glad you found your way here. There are so many beautiful people here who can help you through this time. I’m relatively new and had my wide excision and node removal 9 days ago. My boob is still blue and thanks @kmakm I didn’t know it will take 3 months to fade!Wow it’s such a whirlwind and how awful to receive the news in front of a group of students. You must have really had to hold it together, you were amazing to do that. I’m glad you’re surrounded by family and friends. These are the people that you have to allow to help you. Many strong, independent women find it hard to accept help. I’m one of them! But over the last week my friends have dropped off dinners every day for my family of 5, and I never realised how much I would appreciate it. Tonight the freezer is empty but my heart is full of gratitude.The decision of mastectomy is a really confrontating one. First reaction is to get rid of everything so this horrible thing is gone. Once you have the full histapathology results your surgeon will have a much better idea of your unique situation and will be able to provide pathways for you to consider.The waiting time is tough and I often found myself on this site as I fluctuated from being positive to sometimes just feeling really low.We are all here for you and will support you through this xxx

@Tracey2800, hi Tracey, I'm sorry you find yourself here too! I was diagnosed on the 8th November after a routine mammogram in early October. It took 3.5 weeks to get the call back. On the 1st November I spent a day at breast screen ACT having more mammograms, ultrasound and 4 core biopsies later I was feeling far less confident than when I had arrived there that morning. I had a 2.5 week wait to see my surgeon who I saw on the 22nd Nov. I had decided before I saw her that I was going to opt for a mastectomy, but after much consultation with her I have decided on breast conservation surgery as she is fairly confident that it is early and contained. I will lose 40% of my breast on the 6th December when I have the lumpectomy and then a year or two down the track will have breast reduction surgery on the other breast.I have found this forum to be most helpful and supportive as I'm sure you will.Keep us posted on how you are going.Best of luck and sending many hugs❤️❤️

Hi Tracey. Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry that you find yourself here but I hope you find it as warm and supportive as I have.If you are considering a double mastectomy and reconstruction, you should join the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group. Scroll down and tap Groups. You could also check out Reclaim Your Curves.I had a BMX and DIEP recon at the end of April this year. You can read and see my experience in the group. It is a massive thing to do. It is not easy. The recovery time is long, and there are many possible complications.Because I had chemo I had a lot of thinking time, which I needed. I have no regrets, especially round the fact that I had two lots of DCIS discovered via post-operative histopathology, that were invisible on mammograms & ultrasounds. I've since discovered I have a CHEK2 gene mutation that pre-disposes me to breast cancer, and a bunchof other cancers. That further confirms my decision. You can tap on my @ name to read my story.If there is not a cluster of people in your family with breast cancer my understanding is the chances of another cancer in your other breast is not more than the general population, or just a little. Make sure you talk it through with a counsellor who understands breast cancer. You know yourself best, how you can live with 'scanxiety', but please make sure you understand the ramifications of removing the delightful erogenous zone that are your chesticles! I have foobs, they fill out my clothes, but there is zero sensation there, and no nipples.Good on you for checking out that dimple! Seriously, a lot of people ignore stuff like that. I had the blue dye injected into my nipple, oi... It took about three months to fade.It is a whirlwind at the start, and the learning curve is vertical. I hope you're doing OK. Good luck with your test results and let us know how you get on. K xox

Try not to overthink all your planning, @Tracey2800 .... one the ball starts rolling ... a lot of it is a tad outside of our control! So, try not to get worried or upset if your appointments are late, or delayed or even changed date .... (says she who had the wheels fall off completely TWICE & went into a serious MELT DOWN! ;) ) We'll be here to help you thru xx

@duxx1234 wow from me too , my blue dye only lasted a few days too !!All the best @Tracey2800 its definitely a whirlwind , @Mjheke hope you get to Bali & enjoy a well deserved break Hugs xx

Staying Positive - new diagnosis | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

Sister
Member
7 years ago
Mine was gone in days @duxx1234 - wow! The anaesthetic made me very sick the first day...well, you know how you wee blue? It happens the other end, too - that's an interesting experience.
Tracey2800
Member
7 years ago
I too hope your treatment plan goes to schedule @Mjheke. I’m such a planner and it’s been difficult giving in and just taking it a day at a time. Best of luck, and thanks for the message. It’s wonderful that people like yourself @kmakm, @arpie, @primek, @Wonk @"Beryl C. " take the time to reply to me 💓
Tracey2800
Member
7 years ago
Oh wow @duxx1234, that’s a very long time!
duxx1234
Member
7 years ago
The blue dye on my nipple is almost faded away. It will be 12 months on 15th December that I had my axillary clearance. I was to,d it would disappear in three months! It must have been a big dose of blue dye in my case!!
Mjheke
Member
7 years ago
Thanks @arpie
Grateful for your input in the early days!
Xx
arpie
Member
7 years ago
Great post @Mjheke ... terrific that you are still able to go back to NZ and now have a better plan of your own treatment now ..... a 2 week break before my own holiday after radiation, was just perfect.

All the the best for your ongoing treatment xx
Mjheke
Member
7 years ago
@Tracey2800
Hi Tracey, hopefully you will have more insight and a treatment plan soon. I wish you all the best in whatever decision you make, only you will know what is right for you.

This forum has been my saviour. The great thing is that you can ask a question or you can sometimes find the answer by searching, as someone has already likely asked it. You can comment when you feel up to it, or as I have, sit back and read for a few days when you are not...The wonderful support and positivity I have received whilst on here since my diagnosis 4 weeks ago has been amazing. Some truly beautiful people on this page willing to take the time to hopefully make your journey more informed, more supported, and definitely more lighthearted.
I have found that if there is a specific question that you have and you see that someone on here seems to have a lot of experience or insight about a topic, or the issue is not something you wish to discuss openly on the forum, then feel free to PM someone, even just for a little support through hard times or hard decisions.
I have found it good talking to someone on a similar diagnosis/treatment timeframe to you but also talking to someone who has had to make these difficult decisions before you, truly worthwhile. I will be forever grateful to them on helping me stay positive and ‘on track’.

I think the hardest part for me was the waiting...for biopsy results, surgery, post-op results and then a treatment plan. For me so far it has happened quickly, however it doesn’t always go to plan. I am due to start radiotherapy treatment on the 2nd January (was supposed to start 17th December, but was advised by my oncologist that it was not an ideal time to start due to the breaks in treatment caused by public holidays in the Christmas/New Year break. This may be delayed further as it has been suggested that I now have genetic testing. This may change my treatment plan depending on the results. The positive being that I can still go on our planned trip to NZ to be with family for Christmas 😊 We also have a trip to Bali booked in February to celebrate my 50th Birthday. So I am seriously hoping my treatment plan stays the same as I will finish my radiotherapy 2 weeks before we go! Which would be an amazing celebration to have combined with my Birthday. 🎂🎉

All the best in the coming weeks,
Michelle xox
Beryl_C_
Member
7 years ago
Hi Tracey - suggest you check what sick leave and other leave you have available as you may not be able to return to work quickly or may not feel like doing so. As Primek has said, this is a site where you can ask, share, express whatever - and its very safe and private.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Wonk Hee hee hee! Ah, you're among friends. Quite a few members of the blue boob club here.

If you want a giggle, check out this thread. We discuss hair regrowth... not the hair on our heads!

https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/18295/hair-growing-back/p15
Wonk
Member
7 years ago
Haha all good @kmakm
Maybe I should post a photo of it in Show us your naughty bits - just kidding everyone 😂

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