Forum Discussion

EarthWalkerLish's avatar
EarthWalkerLish
Member
9 years ago

New Adventure

Hi all,  This is how I told the world that I had breast cancer.

"I am at the beginning of this new 'adventure' and I'd like to share it with you. It's going to be more of a battle than exciting times. I am now a member of that special club that nobody wants to join. 20 days ago I had a mammogram and breast ultrasound that showed a lump in my right breast. Three days later I had a core biopsy of the lump. 14 days ago I found out that lump in my breast was breast cancer.

I am ready for battle. I have a great support network of family and friends around me and online. My mum is here with me, my sister down the road. Family and friends on standby. I am going to need all of the love, support, prayers, good vibes and help you can give me. But I'm also going to need a lot of quiet healing time."

I have received so much support and love from everyone, but now two weeks down the track, I find I need a different kind of support. From those with experience which is why I'm posting here today to introduce myself.

I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in my right breast. I am booked in for lumpectomy surgery and sentinal node removal on Thursday July 21 at Westmead Breast Institute, Sydney.  I have met three different breast surgeons from three different hospitals who operate in the public system.  Each time I have learned something new so I'm glad I've had the opportunity to have those appointments as it was all part of the steep learning curve of the the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient.  What an anxious time!!  I live with anxiety and depression as well but I have not had the anxiety that I have had since being diagnosed with BC. I have been reading some of your posts over the last week as a few friends put me onto the BCNA.  So I've had lots of reading material from the My Journey Kit and have been trying to absorb it all.

So I guess my question is, is there anything I should take to surgery/hospital with me?  Things that you found useful or helpful after surgery. Clothing, comfort items etc.  I'm just trying to prepare as best I can and get organised beforehand.

My name is Lisha, I am a stay at home mum of 3 boys aged 16, 14 and 10 and I have breast cancer but I am also me and I am ok.

  • Karenhappyquilt's avatar
    Karenhappyquilt
    Member
    9 years ago

    I also had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal.  I went in one morning and went home lunchtime the next day.  I took pajamas which buttoned down the front as advised by others but ended up staying in my hospital gown.  I found it helpful to take music and headphones because I couldn't sleep at night.  I was pretty drugged from the General anaesthetic so wasn't up to much reading.  I found it useful to take my mobile phone so I could talk to and reassure my adult children who were interstate.  A soft bra without underwire which did up at the front was useful too.  It seemed to give some support to my breast.  A note book and biro to take notes is always useful.  

    I wish you the very best of luck in your treatment.  I have met so many wonderful nurses and doctors since being diagnosed with cancer.  It's wonderful that we have such high quality medical care in Australia.

    Karen

  • EarthWalkerLish's avatar
    EarthWalkerLish
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi Cath, thanks for the U pillow tip. I will look into getting one, comfort is pretty important to me and you can never have too many pillows :+) I am set up with colouring books and pencils at home and I crochet so that will be coming with me to the hospital for those long waits and taking the focus off the worry. Taking lots and lots of deep breaths. Lishax

  • EarthWalkerLish's avatar
    EarthWalkerLish
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi Rowdy, thank you and yes, I'm taking it one step at a time.  I'm good at comfy PJ's, they are my favourite kind. :+)

  • socoda's avatar
    socoda
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi Lisha,

    Welcome to the site. I'm four weeks in from having had a unilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. One of the lovely ladies here advised me to get a U pillow for when I got home to assist me getting both in and out of my bed. I purchased one from K-Mart for $12-00 and it has been a most wonderful aide. It also assists in making bed incredibly comfortable and finding just the right spot to reduce pressure after surgery. I like it so much it's staying ;-) . My niece bought me a colouring in book and I had purchased both pencils and textas to help while away the time - nothing like a bit of mindless colouring to ease stress and take the focus off absolutely everything.Oh and a music player with your headphones to listen to your favorite music. If it starts to all get a bit much, just breathe deeply and slowly, you'll get there and you can always come on here to de-stress. All the best, Xx Cath

     

  • jjshep's avatar
    jjshep
    Member
    9 years ago

    Just so you know... I was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ with invasion of the right breast in 1987. I had a mastectomy, I am still here to tell the tale. Try and stay positive. My thoughts are with you

  • rowdy's avatar
    rowdy
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi and welcome to the site Lisha. You have a tough trip ahead of you but it is doable. I'm 21/2 years on from the start of my trip.I had dcis as well. I wont go in to detail unless you want to know, but I'm still here and everyday is different. Great to hear you have lots of support take any help offered This site is a different type of support we have all been there and understand. Hospital take comfy PJs and something to read or do. The most important piece of advice is one day at a time take care xx