The beginning of my BC Journey

I had to wait six weeks between diagnosis and surgery.  It was a long wait.  Some of the most important results don't come until after the surgery when they have the tissue to analyse fully.

Hi Avni ~ my name is Jess from BCNA. I just wanted to get in touch to say hello/hi and i hope you are you are connecting with some of the wonderful women in the online network - if need any help at all -  just let me know :-)

I just wanted to also let you know that there is a group in the online network for women living with advanced/secondary breast cancer, if you wanted to have a look, you can find the group here: http://www.bcna.org.au/group/4218

~ jess x

Hi Linda,

I will be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping your bone scan goes well.  In November I was where you are now.  One mastectomy and node clearance, plus a couple of rounds of chemo later and I still find it hard to believe I'm doing this. 

My tips for the early days is to plan treats for yourself so you have something to look forward to.  A nice day out can be snuck into the program in between appointments.  Before my surgery I wanted to swim in the ocean one day and also spend a day taking photographs at a location of my choice.  I think my husband enjoyed those days as well.  I felt sad but more normal and it got me away from hospitals and needles.  

Take care.

Well sometime in July I started getting pain in my back..ignored it for few days but by August I could not bear and went to various docs, they all said it would be a sprain etc and we did many physio etc. But by Oct 11 I was fed up and hence went in for a mri, there is said one disc D12 has been compressed due to cancer. I came to know that I have BC, a lump on my right breast which has metazised to my bones via lymph nodes. My treatment plan was 12 to 15 taxol along with Herceptin as my tumor was her 2 positive. Am done with 14 cycles to taxol + herceptin and now just 1 last taxol chemo is left. Back pain is now better then before as my lastest scan says am clear by 90% of my cancer. But that scan was after my 9th chemo cycle. And now my next scan will be after 3 months and am oping it to be more clear then ever.  Docs says back will never be 100% fine. I will always have to be careful and it will always be siff around lower back unless i plan some surgery etc. 

All my best wishes are with you and incase you have any more questions, then please feel free and ask. Eat well and healthy at the right time. Thats the 1st thing that will help you recover from chemos. also ofcourse being positive all the while <3

Lots of love

Avni

Hi Hazel

Thanks so much for your support and encouragment.  I have passed my client load onto other colleagues today in order to be able to focus on getting better.  I can still work  but in a non client load capacity part time as I feel I can.  Its good to hear of your story and how you have come through so well.  I'm just hanging out to meet with the surgeon and get full diagnosis and treatment plan.  Bone scan tomorrow and next day I'm there.

I'll stay in touch.

love Linda x

Hi Avni!

So nice to hear from you.  It sounds like you have been on an absolute whirlwind of a time since your diagnosis last year!  I am interested to hear how yours travelled through lymph nodes to your bones.  I have been having alot of  back pain over last few months, had physio etc but nothing helped it.  They did a scan a few weeks back before discovering BC, so were looking at discs only and said I had 2 slipped discs.  I still have the back pain so have been curious as to whether it is in any way related to the BC.  I have my bone scan tomorrow and then surgeons appt following day to receive full diagnosis of grading and type and treatment plan.  Are  you in pain with your back?  Has the treatmet helped with the back at all?

I know what you mean about how all your perspectives in life change.  My family are all feeling that I think.  I finished up my client load at work today and will only work as I am able but with a non client load.  That was a biggie for me.  I have to focus on getting better from here on in.  My hairdreser dyed my hair a bright colour this last week as I know that after this I will take control and cut it short before the chemo takes the lot.  I'm trying to think of ways I can funk up my head with no hair! 

You sound so brave for alll you have been through.  October is only 4 months back so you seem to be really positive for this early in the journey.  Thanks for your inspiration.  I will be thinking all the positive thoughts from here on in.

Love Linda x

Hi Avni!

So nice to hear from you.  It sounds like you have been on an absolute whirlwind of a time since your diagnosis last year!  I am interested to hear how yours travelled through lymph nodes to your bones.  I have been having alot of  back pain over last few months, had physio etc but nothing helped it.  They did a scan a few weeks back before discovering BC, so were looking at discs only and said I had 2 slipped discs.  I still have the back pain so have been curious as to whether it is in any way related to the BC.  I have my bone scan tomorrow and then surgeons appt following day to receive full diagnosis of grading and type and treatment plan.  Are  you in pain with your back?  Has the treatmet helped with the back at all?

I know what you mean about how all your perspectives in life change.  My family are all feeling that I think.  I finished up my client load at work today and will only work as I am able but with a non client load.  That was a biggie for me.  I have to focus on getting better from here on in.  My hairdreser dyed my hair a bright colour this last week as I know that after this I will take control and cut it short before the chemo takes the lot.  I'm trying to think of ways I can funk up my head with no hair! 

You sound so brave for alll you have been through.  October is only 4 months back so you seem to be really positive for this early in the journey.  Thanks for your inspiration.  I will be thinking all the positive thoughts from here on in.

Love Linda x