Breast Care Nurses

Thanks for the advice xx

Thanks for the advice :)

Thanks for the advice :)

Hi Leila, I was lucky enough to be diagnosed through Breast screen and the nurses there contacted the McGrath nurse on my behalf but because I was having my surgery out of my local area my McGrath nurse would be contacting me after my surgery. She did in fact contact me prior to surgery and she had ordered my my journey kit and the berlei bra and I had them ready to go for hospital. I had looked into the drain bags that everyone had been telling me about (had heard that they are provided by breast care nurse or McGrath nurses) and had also looked into the zonta pillows (u shaped pillows that you put over your arm and it acts as a pillow between your arm and breast and can be ordered free of charge through zonta.org.au)and decided to wait until after my pre-admission at the hospital. Pre-admission I met my breast care nurse who was attached to the hospital and what a gem she is!!! So helpful, attention to the smallest details, full of information, helpful advice and even able to give me further information about sentinel node mapping and biopsy!!! She also told me she would see me on the day of surgery and would have a drain bag for me and a zonta pillow. So it may be that your hospital has a breast care nurse attached that you will be introduced to - perhaps you could phone them to find out and put your mind at rest. All the best. Xx Cath

See if an online search turns one up for you. https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx

Usually where you have a mammogram centre in a public hospital has a nurse who visits. I had my mammogram at a private centre and it wasn't until I was referred to the surgeon in the public hospital that he contacted the McGrath nurse for me. I didn't even know they existed prior to then. She did the bra fitting for me and ordered my journey kit for me. The book in the journey kit is how I found this forum. 

Hi there Leila, Just jumping in to say hi/welcome, you can certainly call us to order a my care kit over the phone on 1800 500 258 :-) Also you  might like to have a look at our local services directory to find some places that sell post surgery bras online or close to home :-) Jess

I believe it depends on where you are - your hospital and the process they have in place

I was visited by the Breast Care nurse day after the surgery and had no clue about them prior to that

But they are invaluable and if I was you I would either call the cancer centre at your hospital and ask to be put in touch with one or theocal breast screen place as they have breast care nurses working there and they too can help with advice

Also do note that the helpfull gifts / pressies are not the same everywhere and not every breast care nurse has access to them. At least that is my impression as I did notice from comments on this group that our experiences do differ

Jel

Hi Leila, good luck with your surgery. Yes I think the hospital where you have your operation would be a good link. I was in contact with one as soon as I had my tests done at breast care clinic then passed me on to one in my closest town . She works through community health. They are lovely caring nurses she can assist you with a lot of information and takes an active role in your journey. She put me in touch with a bra shop where I was given a post op berlei bra to wear. I also purchased a comfy cotton crop type one which I have been wearing two weeks after my surgery. Will be changing over to the verlie bra soon when some soreness disappears.Sending hugs. Xx