Forum Discussion
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.
19 Replies
Yes Kath, that stress level is high. I used to cry lots but being on antidepressants settled that down, it's my anxiety reactions that mess with me more now. I have been living with fatigue aches and pains for a few years now due to underactive thyroid and Hashimoto's the autoimmune disease. Just as I felt I was doing well and getting some energy back I find out I have breast cancer. At least I have the tools to help me deal with all of the not so great stuff. I'm 4 days post surgery and doing ok more of a discomfort. I am being spoiled well by my family and friends. I will find out next Monday the pathology on the lump and nodes they took out. Another notch on my belt. Take care. Lishaxx
I had FEC chemo and now radiation and then will have tamoxifen for years. My cancer was oestragen positive. Good luck.
Yes the link to this PDF is really useful Lisha - we have all contributed our little bits of wisdom to the content on that list. I found the most helpful was the large cotton scarf I could use as a scarf, but also as a shawl over my shoulders if I was cool at night (while my body and legs were so warm).
Thinking of you now that you've 'joined the club'....know that you will receive loads of care and support from the members on the website.
Nikki x
I see you have the link to the stuff for hospital we recently created. I too suffer with depression and anxiety but yes it is different in this journey. I cry a lot at even small things. A lot is just that stress is so high it doesn't take much to push me over. Better than being angry I guess. I took time off work before surgery as well as I knew emotionally I needed to do this. 7 months on I still have teary weeks...now mainly due to constant fatigue and aches and pains of chemo...but when I have good days I make the most of family and friends to get out the house. Those down days I just value those close to me to just understand I need to cry....and not just be told...you will be alright. Sigh. We don't know anything for sure and pretending those fears are not there is not helpful. Better out than in. Hope all goes well with surgery. Kath x
Yes bumpy is a good word for it.
Luckily we both have family support around us. Im already planning a funky hair cut prior to my first chemo... just for fun and cos I can :)
Adrienne :)
Hi Adrienne,
Will keep in touch and update after surgery. Good luck to you too! It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Lisha xx
Thanks Jel, Fortunately at the breast clinic appointment when I met the breast surgeon I also got to meet a couple of the breast care nurses and have their contact details too. They tried to find a Berli breast care bra for me but they were out of my size I think. So will probably receive one after surgery. I did think that I may only need to be wearing the hospital gowns as I may only be in there one night all going well.
Thanks again.
Lisha xx
Hello there.
Im in a similar position to you - my surgery is booked for Aug 4th.
Its all ahead of us. Please let me know any tips after your surgery that might help me?
Good luck with it all and Im sure that this will make us all stronger in the long run.
Adrienne
Hello Karen
Im booked in on Aug 4th to have the same as you. I have also been told that I have the HER3 enzyme/protein thing and wonder if you had that as well. Did you have to have chemo as well?
Adrienne
Hi and welcome to this forum - sorry about the reason for joining it though.
I took a tonne of stuff to the hospital including nighities (I wear oversized tshirts as 'nighties') but found I stayed in Hospital gowns throughout and highly reccomend it both because you will be covered in the pink desinfectant which colours clothing so may as well stain their gowns and not yours plus I kept on sweating profisely that 1st night so being able to just grab another gown and chuck the stained one for someone else to worry about was great.
I got a large packet of baby wet wipes and they were a lifesaver as cannot shower with the dressings so being able to wipe myself down and refresh was fantastic... Being clean in spite of profise swearing was great. Turns out the rest of he ward felt the same as half the ward was knocking on my door throughout thennight asking for some so I definitely highly reccomend it.
Also ask the hospital or the surgeon to put you in touch with the breast care nurse as they are invaluable... They will be able to answer any question you may have and will have fantastic suggestions of dos and dont's for both ore and post surgery
All the best
hugs
Jel
