My Journey is only beginning....
To begin with, your posts have been comforting and inspiring.... Thankyou and bless you all.
I'm 39 years old and in September 2013 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer with a 3.5cm tumour. Grade 3, medium to high radiation....I felt it but didnt want to admit there was anything wrong. The mammograms and scans followed. An auxillary clearance with total lymph removal (no node invasion) was unsuccessful. The tissue clearance fell short. A week later a full mastectomy took place...With a breast size of G cup the difference couldnt be missed! Then the bills rolled in and rolled in and are still rolling in...... I swore I would never have chemo, radiation or tamoxifen....I would make green smoothies and eat organic to help fill the cloud of denial.....until yesterday.
I met with the oncologist to find that I was stupid to deny chemo. I now have been given two options 1)- Tamoxifen and 9 weeks of chemo with a cold cap or 2)- low grade chemo over a period of 24 weeks? All while trying to figure out how to switch from private to public so I can afford to live. SCGH have rejected my referral to the Breast Centre as I dont live in the 'boundaries'. I'm located in the peel region Western Australia and would have no idea how to organise to have a second mastectomy, double reconstruction and begin chemo in the public sector. My journey is only just beginning but to find the right medical dr who can help is really hard.
If anyone knows of any oncologist or reconstruction surgeon they can refer me to I would be very grateful. xxxx
