The Journey Begins

thanks Jel,, 

I guess I had to be.. im putting my health at risk however my time frame is limited concerning work as such... and financially I need to think about that. My work is not hectic and I can work and heal also I just put my application in for the Midwifery Course for next year so I have interviews and such to deal with ... this i just a very annoying inconvenience at this stage. And i was going away for a week to Qld at the end of July and that will now be put on hold until I am all good to go. 

Bloody annoying if you ask me.. lol hahahaha

I have decided on a surgeon. Dr Patsy Soon from Bankstown..she was the one who gave me the news on Tuesday. After getting a call from my new Breast Care Nurse and having a chat with her.. i was not overly impressed with the 2 other choices from Campbelltown.. (as im a RN and worked around the Hospitals were you get to know Dr's and their Reps) I have gone with Dr Patsy as I felt comfortable and confident with her. My new Breast Care Nurse was good with my decision and she will just do my pre and post care... It is just fitting into place.. 

I cancelled an appointment for next Tuesday and so this left me open for only 1 day next week were im back at work. Dr Patsy wants to see me Tuesday... (pot luck). Hubby and mum are coming with me. 

I feel comfortable with my decision about the double and who I have chosen. 

Hi Kathy Jane

Sending big virtual hugs to you now that you know the diagnosis. Mine was very similar - DCIS as well as invasive in the left breast. I know that it was a surreal time (I got the diagnosis on my birthday this year - Jan 30!) but it was also incredibly important that I was able to gain some control - over the timing, the decisions about procedures, the surgeons I would engage, how I would communicate this news etc.

We are all here for you - with support and advice if you need it. If I can help with any questions, happy to...just let any of us know. We know how you're feeling because we've been there. But although we've all had BC (in its many and varied forms), each of us have had their own individual journey, as you will have yours.

All I can say, as unsolicited advice to start with, is to be true to yourself, to follow your own lead. This is one time in your life when you get to be selfish :).

Now, 2 months post-mastectomy, I am starting to feel more normal....but all along it's been what's been between my ears (ie my disposition; my attitude) which has provided me with the most strength. 

Nikki xxxx

Hi Kathy Jane,

Very similar diagnosis to mine... I rattled my head again and again when diagnosed as eberyone was assuring me lumpectomy would give me just as good of an outcome as mastectomy and in my case tjey were very much against a mastectomy as I suffer from neuralgias and they were ademant that for me it would pretty much guarantee them thus would very adversely affect my long term quality of life.

It sounds like you know exactly where you are at and what you want and need and are going full steam ahead so wishing you all the best for this next stage.

??????

Jel.

Hope all goes well with the next part of your journey. Most likely they will do a sentinal node biopsy at the time of surgery to ensure no node involvement. The next part is getting your head around  the type and grade of cancer. Be guided by your team as to the next course of treatment. I too opted on a bilateral as my cancer wasn't  visible in a mammagram but was palpable. I was fortunate it was in a spot I could feel and not deep in the breast. I discussed my awful family history  and the need to not live in fear of another primary growing somewhere else. There were no issues regarding doing surgery and the reconstruction was planned from the beginning. Take care. Kath x

I did the same.. i told them I am a Nurse too but this is so out of my scope of practice... but at least we understand the Terminology... 

Today I got my results. Stage 2 .. IDC.. so tomorrow i will get my referral and go from there. I would like a mastectomy... i dont want to be stuffing around with this.. I dont have the time.. I have applied for the Midwifery course for next year and it is going to happen.. this is just a speed bump in the road for now.. 

Latest News from 14/6/2016

Today I had my follow up appointment at Liverpool.. what an awesome bunch of girls and Dr's. 

Well, It is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.  Stage 2A... no lymph node involvement.  3cm (not as big as they thought) Stellate carcinoma's x 2. Very prominent on the scans... So tomorrow I need to see my GP for a referral to a surgeon and see where I go from here.  I have decided tho to have the breast removed and if I can find a surgeon to remove the Right one I am going to do the whole thing with a reconstruction. There is no stuffing around.. i do not want to be going through this again in 5 yrs and wondering if and when it is going to come back... and it is no good saying .. oh it might not. well it will and it does. Im being realistic and with the way my life is (which I enjoy)  I dont want to be having these feelings again, ever. My decision, My body. 

- See more at: https://www.bcna.org.au/online-network/members/Kathyjane/blog/the-journey-begins-1#sthash.NLpozKyS.dpuf

Hi Kathy.  You've had lots of good advice & support from everyone. This is such a great site for that support.  

I was diagnosed just over a year ago, and finished active treatment in January, 8 months to the day from diagnosis.  It's  a loong road, though mine was shorter than many. Like many others here, I wasn't diagnosed through Breast Screen. I had an axillary lump, never anything palpable in the breast.Known node positive from the start. Like you, I picked from the reactions that it wasn't going to be good news

I, too, am a nurse. Whilst I told everyonealong the way that I was a nurse,  I also told them to treat me like I knew nothing as it was so far out of my areas of expertise.  This helped generally, as they knew I would understand medical terminology. It was, & still is a steep learning curve. 

Keep us up to date on what's happening. Will be thinking of you tomorrow 

Take care, Lyn

Having been through mastectomy, chemo and rads, and getting the all clear in February. I asked for referral to a plastic surgeon, and have recently had a breast reconstruction. My PS has promised me that he will fix up my remaining one in a few months so I look more balanced. All is not lost, it's just a bit of a process on the lead up to this, and everyone has different treatments. Once you are able to wear a prosthesis in your bra, you'll feel a bit brighter. Keep checking in on us and we will be there with advice and support along the way. Mega cuddles, Trace ????????

So great you had the nice ride and some normality ????????

Enjoy the rest of this long weekend and all the best tomorrow - definitely wishing you the best news ever and we are here rooting for you and will be here to to either celebrate with you or support you - whatever the outcome ??????

Jel