Secondary breast cancer

Hi Amy

Thank you so much for your prompt response.  Yes, shock is sort of an understatement isn't it.  The bad news just kept coming for us.  And just six weeks earlier had been the happiest day of my life.  I finally got married to the man of my dreams, the first marriage for both of us at 55.  I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world, a good job, a teenage daughter who had finally come out of her teenage angst, and a fantastic man. 

I'm glad to hear you went well with surgery and my fingers are truly crossed that your scan is positive.  I am seeing Dr Barry at the end of this month for a second opinion.  Dr Gorddard at Canberra hospital is my oncologist and she assured me he does not operate unless he really thinks it will help.  I also want the reconstruction, even if I only lived the minimum statistically, it is important to me.  I've been a bit shocked at my vanity, I know it is what is inside that is important but I hate looking like a cancer patient, and can't wait for my hair to grow.  If the consultation goes well, I probably change my surgery to Canberra.  More convenient of course, and if he operates in the public system there is a cost advantage.  The Sydney surgeon can operate at St. Vincents public but his charges are private so would add up.

My last chemo (for now) was yesterday so I'm feeling much more positive.  Of course, I'm scared the herceptin won't work or won't work for long but just have to be positive ( and I loathe it when people say that to me!).  And can't wait to stop taking those awful steroids - they do great job of minimising side effects, I've had a pretty easy run, but I've put on weight through emotional eating, the drugs and lack of energy to do any decent exercise.  

I would love to catch up for a coffee if you would like.  I'm not so much a group person and so many groups seem to be for early breast cancer patients. I don't want to hear them talk about a cure and end of treatment and I hear they are not so keen to be reminded that could become one of us.  Where in Canberra do you live, I'm northside in Lyneham.  My email address is webbhurst@hotmail.com or 0423 676 246.  I'm off work until 24 June and then will see if I am up to going back, but it will only be on a part time basis to start with.  Luckily I'm a pubiic servant so i have heaps of sick leave having never had to utilise it before.

All the very best and thanks again.

Jane