Recent diagnosis of breast cancer

Hi Rachel - hope your surgery went well I will try and find you on Facebook and send a friend request

all the best

chris 

Hi Rachel,

This is a great way of connecting with other women who have breast cancer, no matter how big or small, it affects our lives and that of our families, I too live in South Australia, though not adelaide, but in a country town, I hope you find someone who can help you get to the function, Im sure that through their facebook page someone will be able to help out, and you will be able to make a lot of new friends, there is always someone here to"listen" no matter what you want to talk about,

wendy 55

Hi Lou

Where abouts do you live in adelaide? I live in Hackham West and my gP is in reynella. I saw my breast specialist (Dr Eaton) at the southern breast and endocrine clinic in morphett vale and surgery at flinders private.  I am lucky in one sense in that i still have my private health insurance. I am having more surgery (this time more involved) at Ashford tomorrow (Monday 12th may).

Would love to keep chatting...

Rachel H

xxx

Hi Chris!

Thanks for the reply. I will check the cancer council's website soon. I am having more surgery at the Ashford Hospital tomorrow (Monday, 12th may). My DCIS is diagnosed as low grade which is good.

Would love to chat online anytime too. I am also on facebook (Rachel Hopkins)

Cheers

xxx

Rachel H

Hi Karenne

Great to get so many replies and thank you for the suggestion about the adelaide breast cancer support group. i have put through a request on facebook and look forward to hopefully joining soon!

I suppose when many people think of breast cancer they think of the "invasive" type when the sufferer goes through surgery and chemotherapy etc. As I dont have that, i sometimes think that i dont have cancer at all, but in fact I do...right?

I would love to chat online to other adelaide/local women who suffer from breast cancer (of any kind) and would love to attend dinner/lunch. I am interested in attending the dinner on the 29th at the Highbury Hotel, but I am unsure of where that is. I have no transport (I dont drive) and may have difficulty in attending (or at least getting home). Do you know of anyone that is in the group that lives in the southern area?

Cheers

Rachel H

Hi Rachel,

Wishing you well for your surgery and a speedy recovery. I also had DCIS high grade in two areas of my right breast, I had a mastectomy as there would not have been much breast left. I understand where your coming from about it being "small" I felt like that at first as I have not had to have any further treatment for the type of cancer it was, after a while my attitude changed and although I felt I had dodged a bullet I was aware that my body and life had changed. I'm also in Adelaide and have no private health cover and have had all of my treatment as a public patient at Flinders Medical Centre and they have been fantastic. Louise x

Hi, Rachel... yes you are not alone. I am 11 years on this month from my diagnosis. Had left mastectomy and chemo as my DCIS had spread to the lymph nodes. I have gained huge support from women on this online as well as BCNA My Journey kit and the local support group. Do access all and find the path that suits you. You are very lucky to be in Adelaide, with great services there.

We just bought Prof Neil Piller to Tassie for a lecture on lymphoedema and the unit he works with sounds fabulous.

Be kind to yourself, take deep breaths and absorb the knowledge that there are a huge number of us, all sending our support. xxMandy

Hi Rachel,

whether your diagnosis is "big or small", it is extremely confronting. It's great news that you have gotten onto it early and get it treated. It's a difficult road that we all understand. Good luck for your next surgery. Let's us know how you get on. Take care. Karen xox

Hi Rachel

There is lots of support out there.Keep asking lots of questions.Always lots of amazing women to chat with on the BCNA site.Just remember you are not alone.We all stand hand in hand striving to beat BC.

xxxJoy 

Hi Rachel

welcome to a great place... I also had DCIS... So can relate - as much as you are probably in a tailspin right about now there are a lot more positives than you can probably see- firstly DCIS is early so that is really good, it will be really important to get a copy of your pathology report after your next surgery so that you know exactly what you are dealing with.

the other advantage is you don't need to make any rush decisions right now - get through your surgery and then you have time to really consider your options.

the cancer council website has a really good booklet specifically on DCIS as there are many variable including size, grade and type which will be important information to understand in your decision making process.

i could go on but don't want to overwhelm you when your head is probably racing... Happy to chat more when you are ready - I am an adelaide girl too.

sending hugs

Chris