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Di_BCNA's avatar
Di_BCNA
Member
14 years ago

Get Connected Day!

Hi all!

We've had a lot of new members join the last few weeks, so it seems a good time for a "Get Connected Day" post.  :)

So, for everyone who's new, and those who haven't posted yet, here's your chance to introduce yourself by leaving a comment here, or by making a post in your own blog. 

As always, the purpose of the Get Connected post is to provide a place where you can widen your connections, so everyone is welcome.

Don't be nervous about giving it a go if you've never posted before -- you can't really break anything, and you might make a whole bunch of new friends. :) 

What to do...

Comment to this post (use the comment form at the bottom of the page). Tell us something about yourself -- your diagnosis, treatment, family, favourite recipes/craft/exercise, anything at all -- and who you're looking to connect to.  Easy!

If you'd rather make a post in your own blog, then just go to the 'blog' section of your profile, click on 'create a post' and type in the fields. To see everyone else's posts, go to the Network homepage, click on the Latest posts tab and scroll down (or you can bookmark this link: http://www.bcna.org.au/node/all/blog/network).

If you see someone with experience similar to yours, who you'd like to connect to, then just click their username (in their post) and you will end up on their profile page.  Then all you need to do is look on the left side of the page under their picture and you'll see an "add contact" link and follow the prompts.

Why connect to others?

One of the good things about connecting to others, is that all of their blog posts will show up on your homepage in a reading list.  So if you haven't visited the site in a few days, you'll still see what everyone is up to!

*Important note!*

Remember to check your own privacy settings on your "edit" page. There's no need to reveal anything personal or private, but if you want others to connect to you, you should make some of your My Profile settings "public" so others can see them and find out a bit about you (eg. 'my story', 'about' me' and 'breast cancer experience'). 

If you're not sure what to do, you might like to read this post on how to change your privacy settings. 

Have fun!

Di

(if you want to go back and browse the old 'get connected posts' to find out a bit more about our members, just click on the 'get connected' tag).

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  • LeeS's avatar
    LeeS
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Yvonne! Welcome to BCNA blogging. We're an open, honest, friendly, understanding bunch and I know you'll feel right at home here. I've just turned 43 and am 4 and a half years on since diagnosis. I had a lumpectomy, 6 lots of chemo over 18 weeks and a month of radio. It was a horrible year but a lot of good has come of it too. I still have my down times here and there but it certainly gets better with time. BCNA has opened many doors for me...and breast cancer opened the door to BCNA!

    All the best for your chemo. We'll hear from you again I'm sure.

    LeeS

  • LeanneI's avatar
    LeanneI
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Yvonne - welcome to the BC sisterhood.  One which we have not chosen but all share a common bond no matter what our experience.

    I was diagnosed last year at 45 with DCIS and with horrid family history, chose to have bilateral mastectomy and recon.  Was a long drawn out process with 6 surgeries but am now done and dusted. I had gene testing and did not find a mutation however Mum was then tested and in August this year found to have the BRCA2 gene mutation (she had BC at 36 then 48 and is now 71). My two sisters then were tested and one received her result last week - BRCA2 positive and the other i have been with today to get her result - she does not have the gene.  SO Mum is having hysterectomy & ovaries removed on Monday next week and my sister will have same surgery in coming months (she is 44).  My youngest sister (42) and I are almost in no mans land - my BC sits in the unexplained basket and she is classed as being at moderate risk - without the gene, however with my history thrown in for good measure.  Gee life is interesting sometimes!

    This forum is a fantastic resource, sounding board, & venting space. It has many ears to listen and mouthes to provided words of support, wisdom and general understanding.

    Remember our journeys are all different but the bond is shared.

    Bye for now

    Leanne

  • Di_BCNA's avatar
    Di_BCNA
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Yvonne, and welcome! :)  Thanks for jumping in and sharing your story with everyone.  You seem to be finding your way around the site okay, but if you need a hand, or have a question about how the site works, just ask. 

    ~Di

  • Yvonne42's avatar
    Yvonne42
    Member
    14 years ago

    I just joined today, I am Yvonne 42 ( I am 42 years old) and I have posted the recently diagnosed blog.

    At the end of this week I am going for my first cycle of chemo.  I have had my breast surgery- it was on the 29 September- a mastectomy of my right breast and axilla clearance.

    My lump was 5 and a half cm long and a grade 3.  Four cycles of chemo, every three weeks- up until the end of this year, followed by 5 weeks of radiotherapy.

    How I found out, was I was experiencing a very very strange kind of pain around my right breast leading up to my period time.  The full story is on the recently diagnosed blog.

    Cheers

     

    Yvonne.