Time is of the essence

Trinny the inbox I sent you has the links to how to find a Breast Care Nurse etc... 

Thank you both x
I didn't know about a BCCWA but would love to get intouch with them and was not aware there were breast care nurses.
So much positive information.
Thank you xx

Hi Trinny, welcome to this forum where you will find a great deal of information .
There is so much support here and any questions you may have someone will be there to help answer them.
 I was only diagnosed October last year.
As to your question regarding waiting a few weeks to see a surgeon, that is nothing to worry about.
I waited three weeks to see the surgeon, as someone has previously said if you needed to see one sooner it would have happened.
Take one day at a time, I saw this time to look into a mindfulness and meditation class to help me with the anxiety of waiting for things to happen.
Im sure a lot of people closer to you will be able to give you lots of information regarding a breast care nurse , if you don’t have one already. They are there to guide you through all the processes and are full of knowledge and information as to what is available to you in your local area.
Once again welcome to this forum full of warmth and knowledge.
We are here for you
Sending cyber hugs xoxo 

Hi @Trinny
I think my wonderful forum friends have put your mind at ease regarding your time between diagnosis and seeing a surgeon. I too am in Perth (Freo as you can see). All my friends from counselling group (run through Breast Cancer Care WA - BCCWA) that have been through FSH have been happy. I can't recall Dr Fernandez being spoken about (but that doesn't mean s/he wasn't - I forget a lot of details  these days).
Please tell me that you have been in touch with BCCWA - if you haven't PLEASE DO.
They are an amazing organisation that offer all sorts of help. Get yourself allocated a breast care nurse (Joan is awesome - but they all are) this is all FREE. Much love to you during this difficult time of diagnosis which I call  the  'What the F*** has Just Happened?' time. Please message me if you want .  Jo xx

@Blossom1961
Ha ha, imagination overdrive definitely comes into it.

Picture this 5'8" (178cm) tall and joints that no longer bend like they used too!

Ah well at least we still have our imaginations. And cats are my favourite pet.

@Annie C Oh dear, I am a visual person and you would have to be a cat to be able to lick those wounds, very awkward. Sorry, imagination overdrive. 🤪

@Trinny

It is one hell of an experience ( 1 I would cheerfully not had). Your mind will wander, you will be distracted. There were times when nothing else existed for me.

Remember this is a time for you to focus on you. 

Kimberely women are expected to be resilient, resourceful and self reliant. Those character traits made it difficult for me because all I wanted to do was sit in the corner and lick my wounds.

Thank you Annie
That helps my wondering mind ❤

@Trinny
Hello and welcome to our very supportive and warm forum.

I was diagnosed just over 18 months ago when the mammogram bus visited town. What a shock. It was my 9th mammogram in 18 years. I can tell you that there is nothing so frightening  being given your results via a telephone call and then being told you have to come to Perth for treatment.

 I had my initial treatment at Royal Perth. From diagnosis to surgery I had a wait of 5 weeks complicated by the oft quoted "tyranny of distance". In that space of 5 weeks between diagnosis and surgery I had 3 return flights to Perth. I live remote, some 2,300 kms north of Perth.

My initial treatment was at Royal Perth, however I am now being looked after at Fiona Stanley and I can tell you that there is a huge difference in attitude to patient's care.

I had no confidence in the clinic at RPH. I have all confidence at Fiona Stanley. 

I should have learnt from the 5 weeks and 3 flights that RPH had no idea where I live. Fiona Stanley organise all scans and blood tests with the followup results for the same week. It means that I am not coming and going. Cuts down on costs and time. I still whinge though. Would rather go somewhere exotic than an oncology clinic in Perth. However it is what it is.

My very best regards to you for your treatment. Hang about here as we really are a wonderful supportive group of women who do understand the fear and disruption to your life.

Warm Kimberley wishes to you.

Annie

@JJ70