BC for dummies..

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Sorry - but there needs to be a book.I had my post op appointment yesterday (after right mastectomy, immediate DIEP reconstruction and left reduction) and today with plastics and surgeons.&nbsp; (8 hour return drive overnight stay)&nbsp; Still annoyed with the public system.&nbsp; But learnt two new words.&nbsp; 1.&nbsp; Exemestane - which is what I will be on - will look up2.&nbsp; Ptotic breasts, never heard this one but thats what I haveand will also be on TC chemo for 4 weeks - now need to look this upStill reeling with information and the way the public system treats patients.&nbsp; I have not seen the same person more than twice!!!&nbsp; They also seem to not read notes.&nbsp; And start talking about the surgery I'm going to have -&nbsp; when I've already had it - and expanders when I'm&nbsp; not going that path.&nbsp; Arrgghhhh&nbsp; and getting appointments with the wrong person - did a wobbly today...&nbsp; venting.Thank you everyone here because this is where I get my drive to seek information&nbsp;Julie.

brightspace · Answer

Public treatment can be problematic as you have found out
Sometime you have to be very firm as say stop ...check th e record is that my name
Have a copy of all your scans etc always take with you
Record all meetings and names
Some patients even record the meeting on phone
Be diligent and viligent
Request support from the breast care nurse
Al the best
Bright

kmakm · Answer

How insanely frustrating! Sounds like good advice from @brightspace to me. Go armed with all your records and check they're looking at the right file.

Here's a thread on TC when you're ready to read it.

https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/18193/tc-chemotherapy

Hang in there Julie. K xox

vangirl · Answer

Hi @Harvey1903 How insane is that!?I have been pretty lucky so far as I get to see the same oncologist and surgeon every time (in the public system). The most frustrating thing for me is when I begged for help (when my nausea meds werent working) and was palmed off to my GP and told to get some exercise by the on call oncologist (when I could barely get out of bed). And the plastic surgeon spent a good 15 minutes explaining how implants work, even though he knew they're not an option for me due to radiotherapy. Then he didn't write up any notes from the consultation :neutral:

kmakm · Answer

@Harvey1903 Funny eh? None of my trousers fit any more so I had to do a bit of post-op shopping!

harvey1903 · Answer

Thanks @kmakm - have read through the thread, will be prepared for the worst and hope for the best, and like everything else getting organised. Although all the frozen dinners were not really needed this time round, I was up and running as soon as I was home from hospital. No kidding - no pain, moved around easy, was driving within the week.

The scars are healing well, and the swelling has gone down considerably. Have a drawer full of undies though. Size 14 down to 12 and now need some 10's. Thanks for your help with the information. Julie... :)

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BC for dummies..

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