Get Connected Day!

Hi everyone,

My name is Louise and unfortunately this is my second experience with breast cancer (and I'm only 42!).

The first time I was diagnosed was in July 2003 when I had extensive (9cm) DCIS in my left breast.  I had a mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction done and now have a lovely flat tummy (you have to look on the positive :D).  I didn't need any further treatment as the cancer was contained and the sentinel nodes were clear.

I have now been diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer in the right breast and have just come out of hospital after having another mastectomy and, this time, a lat dorsi reconstruction.  I was rushed back in last week because of a haematoma (400mls of blood was drained! - I felt like I had mastitis!!).  Since last Wednesday when I came out of hospital I have been to see the breast surgeon for the pathology results, had a CT scan, a bone scan and today I have a visit to the oncologist.  Tomorrow is an MRI on my liver (they found a shadow on it) and then Friday back to the plastic surgeon to check on the reconstruction....I am thoroughly sick of doctors appointments and being used as a pin cushion!! 

My pathology results appeared to be quite good - clear margins, no cancer cells in the sentinel nodes nor the other 3 nodes found in the breast tissue, oestrogen and progesterone positive, HER2 negative, DCIS and grade 2 invasive ductal 2.2cm tumour.  Now I am worried about the shadow on the liver though.....

I am not sure what the oncologist is going to recommend today but it has been mentioned that I may need to take Tamoxifen for 5 years and maybe have some tablets to suppress my ovaries for 5 years.  It seems unlikely that I will need chemo as the pathology was good (but I guess we will need to wait until I get the results of the MRI on my liver before I can be sure - and that may be another 10 days yet).

If anyone is in the same sort of boat or would like to talk to me, I would love to make contact.  There doesn't seem to be much in the way of groups in WA as far as I can see, but on-line works ok for me anyway....I normally live a pretty busy life as I work from home with about 500 clients (I'm an accountant) and have two gorgeous boys to run around the place (13 and 15yrs). I have some wonderful friends who are willing to drop everything to help and a fantastic family too.

Take care,

Louise