Decision Time

Hi Paula, Thanks so much for your help. Your decision to have the mastectomy was that yours alone from research or was this proposed by your medical team due to your diagnosis ie lymph node or was it based on statistics of reoccurrence. I ask this as no one has ever mentioned to me about the need to have it off. I will let you know my diagnosis- lumpectomy, invasive ductal carcinoma 1.6cm, grade 3, no lymph involvement stage 1. I am seeing the oncologist tomorrow and will choose my treatment plan which I am going with the harder hitting one but again many of the TN ladies seem to be on the FEC chemo. Was the AC and then Taxol offered to you. I am in sydney going through St George Private at present. One other thing is the oncologist said it works like this regarding hospitals- if I go private I do have health cover I pay for the excess if I have one, consult fees and medication for side effects. If I go through St George public as a private patient I pay for the chemo drugs and that's it but the treatment is no different? I know you said you didn't have to pay for anything in the private for chemo but did you have to pay for meds. I had heard that it can cost up to $10000 or more in the private for chemo. Hence my concern. I know money shouldn't be a concern when it comes to health but it is overwhelming I have 3 little ones and I just don't want the financial burden. I really appreciate your advice. You are amazing to be able to pass on your wisdom. It's incredible how much peace I have gained from joining BCNA. Xx Sam