Forum Discussion
The “journey” begins.
I was diagnosed with grade 2 IDC ER & PR + Her2- on 19/12. I am 50 years old, married with three teenagers at home, two homeschoolers, one working.
I work as a nurse for NDIS.
Getting the diagnosis just before Christmas was horrific.
So far this has been my plan.
Diagnosed 19/12
Follow up call from GP on 21/12 to see how I was
Nothing happens for a couple of weeks over Christmas/New Year.
Follow up call from GP on 21/12 to see how I was
Nothing happens for a couple of weeks over Christmas/New Year.
Bone scan and dye CT scan 5th Jan ( all clear and no lymph activity)
Surgeons appt Jan 8th.
Surgeons appt Jan 8th.
She was lovely and very respectful ( had sat in on a couple of her operations on my surgical rounds)
She talked me through the process and I felt a lot better after that. She also examined me and noted that the lump that was the issue is not actually the cancer, it’s sitting next to it. I have type D density and very fibrous.
She talked me through the process and I felt a lot better after that. She also examined me and noted that the lump that was the issue is not actually the cancer, it’s sitting next to it. I have type D density and very fibrous.
She mentioned that it’s a tricky one to find and that she’ll need to follow a trail of breadcrumbs. Also mentioned that the cancer is sitting in a DCIS. I can’t find any info on others having that.
Today I get the carbon tracer injected and she said that will attach to the cancer so she can see what to take.
Next Tuesday I get the blue dye injection for the lymph node activity then Wednesday have the surgery.
Nothing happened then everything happened!
All this appt making and phone calls while attending a cricket carnival for my son 4 hours from home.
All this appt making and phone calls while attending a cricket carnival for my son 4 hours from home.
My surgeon recommended this site and I’ve been lurking for a bit but today thought I’d share my story.
I can’t believe this is happening and I’d love it to go away but it won’t and I need to remember how fortunate this happens in our public system.
102 Replies
- Sorry to see you join our select little group, @JenD .... If you copy your comment & put it into 'Newly Diagnosed' ..... you'll get more specific replies to your thread & it can 'sort of' be a diary of your treatment from now to the end of 'active treatment' .... just adding comments (like your results & game plan) as & when you receive them along the journey. xx
You've had all the tests done, good luck with your results - make sure you have someone with you at all your early meetings, and also consider recording them on your phone, for later reference. It is very difficult to recall ALL that is discussed in the meetings, even if you take notes at the same time xx
Take care - Hi, sounds like you are very fortunate for such quick action. So far from tumor diagnosis at breastscreensa on 22/12 with idc grade 3, er and p + and her-neg, I went straight to dr for referal. First appt at clinic jan 10 (mammagram done which ruled out to only 1 side tumor and calcification). Jan 15 ct scan, blood tests and bonescan, and then a 9 day wait till next appt for results on 24th jan..in 2 days time. Xmas is hard to find out bc news and Im just trying not to let my imagination totally trip out while I wait. Thanks for sharing your journey so far. The anxiety of unknown is very challenging, so reading and knowing there are lots of others feeling this way is calming me a little.
- I think we all 'try it' a bit earlier than we should @MrsMorrisey ......
Just keep your feet up and REST and RECOVER xxx. For as LONG as it takes. ;) - Got my new bra in the post today. Thankyou@BCNA
You were right ladies, don’t do too much too soon.Did some housework etc. then thought to myself yep need to lie down 🤦♀️ - Wonderful! All the best with your recovery @MrsMorrisey
- Surgery all done.Glad that sneaky bugger is gone.
- @MrsMorrisey I am a needle / hospital phobic and therefore the idea of mapping scared me. I read a lot on bcna (tried to stay away from Dr Google) and spoke to a few people who'd had this done recently. Most importantly a friend came with me to the appointment.
The doctors and nurses at Mater imaging were wonderful. They settled me, joked with me, discussed everyday life and talked me through the whole process. It was fine.
For me, it was the fear of the unknown and the whole big package of BC.
You will be ok but if you can take a friend with you to hold your hand and just be there, that's the best advice I can give. - @MrsMorrisey I had this procedure the morning of my surgery.
it wasn’t too bad. In between the injection & scan I went & had a coffee ( was still time before my pre-op fasting as my surgery was late in the afternoon).
in the grand scheme of things it was one of the less scary procedures, much easier than a core biopsy (IMHO).
you’ll be fine - I asked many questions during & both the tech & doctor were very calm & made me feel comfortable.
best wishes for this & your surgery.
i too agree with @nicmaree - the support bras were good.
i wore mine for a good 5 weeks before I transitioned back to normal bras.
kelly - @MrsMorrisey I bought extra post surgery bras from Target. My breast care nurses recommended both Target and Kmart bras. They were very comfortable and not expensive :)
- @MrsMorrisey regarding your surgery- my surgeon recommended a soft front opening bra be worn 24/7 for 4-6 weeks after my lumpectomy surgery. I found out later that BCNA has a kit with a free bra, so here’s the link if your surgeon is recommending the same to you:
https://www.bcna.org.au/my-care-kit/
I was also provided a soft pillow by the ward nurses to take home. You wear it like a shoulder bag to tuck under arm.No adverse effects for me from the lymphosinctogram.
