So scared

Hi Jodie, I remember being in the same position as you, and trying to decide on lumpectomy verses mastectomy. My lump was discovered on ultrasound, and totally invisible on a mammogram. I was rushed through to have a lumpectomy which was to be followed by radiotherapy, but pathology showed this 4mm lump was actually 21mm and very aggressive. More surgery was required, and I knew that chemo was necessary. Having a little bit more time to think things through, I chose to have a mastectomy. I came out of hospital on Christmas morning 2010. Six months after finishing chemo I went and had the other breast off and started reconstruction with tissue expanders. I didn't want the fear of more breast cancer, and since this one didn't show up on 2 mammograms 3 months apart, I felt I would always doubt a negative result. I had also had time to research radiotherapy, and really didn't think I wanted it, and it made choosing a reconstructive method easier, as I had more options. It is now 2 years tomorrow since I had my second mastectomy, and I have never regretted my decision. It has given me enormous peace of mind. Good luck with your decision making. Love Chris x

Hi again ... I'm away for the weekend - going down to Horsham, Terry's daughter's 30th BUT my mobile is on all the time .. I think we have coverage out at the phone.  If mine doesn't receive, Terry's number is o428337890.  Call if you need me,

Enjoy your time with the kids, share everything with them - you will be surprised how strong they will be after the initial "sooky session".  Not putting down anyone who crys, it's a natural reaction when you are afraid.

When I went to Community Liaison training, I would cry every time I talked about b/c and mentioned Trevor, Jackie and the kids ... so we coined a phrase "Shirl's sooking-up" so that was another source of laughter.!!!

I've been speaking to Mum and I'm going to send her some info (so that she keeps away from Dr Google).  She and David are with you all the way, but as you can imagine they are scared too.

Love to you all, and will chat when I get home

Shirl x0x

Hi girls and thank you.

Im in awe of how you have gone through this and are here to help me. my specialist said my prognosis is excellent but im afraid to believe her ( if that makes sense). 

my son is coming home on special leave from the army for 2 days and arrives soon. I cant wait to see him. He said he will take me wig shopping lol bless him. That will have to wait for a few months.

Its all blurry at the  moment and my thoughts are all over the shop

It is just the worst part of dealing with BC for you right now. The beginning is full of the shock, fear and uncertainty of it all. There is a lot of waiting for results and appointments with specialists. Try not to google too much as the info is not always very good quality. Stick to this site, Cancer Australia and government sites if you do go looking. But really until you have your pathology results you won't be able to find out a lot of specifics. Even then a lot of statistics etc are old so I have found the oncologist has the most up to date info. As far as mastectomy versas lumpectomy, see what your surgeon recommends. I had a mastectomy because my cancer was in more than one spot (3cm invasive ductal carcinoma and 3cm DCIS). I found the recovery not too bad and preferred to know that the cancer had virtually no tissue to come back in. It can mean you avoid having to have radiation in some cases also which gives you more options with reconstruction. I have just finished 6 rounds of Chemo and am feeling tired but very happy to have got through it. It is not easy but with good support you find the strength to do what you have to. The advice about taking a support person with you to appointments is excellent as you just can't seem to function the same when in crisis mode. My husband or daughter have come to all my appointments with me and it does help. Writing down questions also helps. I had the same attitude as you (just wanted to do everything I could to live) as at 47 I have a lot more living to do! It is going on for 5 months since my diagnosis and once my immune system recovers from this last dose of chemo I can get on with living my life again. All I can say to you is that you do get through what you have to and there are positives along the way. You don't feel bad the whole time. Even on Chemo I had more good days than bad. It has brought my family closer together and we all appreciate the little things more! Wishing you strength and a liitle bit of luck along the way. Let others help as it makes the journey easier and you will recover more quickly. Take care and all the best. Deanne xxxxx

Hey Jodie

Welcome to BCNA luvy but I am so sorry you have to be here.

You couldn't be in better hands than the lovely Shirl.  She will take up under her wing and care for you like one of her lil ducklings :-)  

You also have all of your other BCNA sisters so you can come and chat with us at anytime you need.  Any questions you may have or even if you want to vent, rant and rave, we are here.

We understand.  We have driven this road before you so we can help.

Good luck, make sure you listen to the old duck Shirl won't you.  Luv ya Shirl!!!!  Come back and chat with us any time Jodie.

Lots of love always, Mich xoxoxoox

No more of that silly "stupid me" talk young lady - you are not stupid.  When we get news like this we all search for answers but I found "Dr Google" a very confusing bloke !!!  No two sets of circumstances are identical and unfortunately the information on line can't answer your questions the same as someone you are eye-balling.

I'm not going to tell you to relax and not stress, that's not possible.  The next few weeks will feel as it you've got onto a merry-to-round that won't stop.  When you think of questions, write them down so that when you go to see your doc you can go through the list and get answers.  If you don't understand the answers then ask to have them explained in a simpler manner.  Don't forget - this is your body and you have the right to understand what's happening to it.

Make sure you always take someone with you to appointments ... if Richard can't make it sometimes, take Brittany (it's good to include her in your support crew so that she understands what you are facing).  Two pair of ears are better than one because you may not absorb everything.

OK young woman - it's late .... go to bed x0x

Thank you Shirl xxx Coming to terms with it all is all so new.

Stupid me is still googling and trying to find out information on Stage 1 because my tumour is under 2cm's? 

The next 2 weeks wait to see the specialist is going to be so hard :(

Hi Jodie .. you certainly acted quickly - good girl !!!  i have ordered your My Journey Kit, you should have it early next week.

Everybody - Jodie is part of my NT "family"  - she and my daughter have been mates for years - I have watched her grow up and she is a delightful young woman.  I'm so pleased she is now part of our BCNA family.  Goodness me .... this old girl (65) calling a 44 year old young ... what's 20 years !!!

Jodie, you are now part of a club - a club that none of us chose to join and you will meet caring women on here who will be only too happy to share their stories with you and help you through your journey.

You can say anything you like on here, share your fears, vent your anger whatever you like - we all do it !!!  In time you will feel a role reversal and you will be able to help others who find themselves where you are now.

Enjoy being in the "land of blog"

Luv U ... Shirl x0x