My story

Hi Laree,

How are you? I hope you have managed to get back online and are getting through your treatment.

I meant to mention this resource back in June - did you receive a copy of the 'Hope and Hurdles' resource? If not you might find it really helpful. Have a look and order online: http://www.bcna.org.au/hope-hurdles-pack

I hope this message finds you well.

Cheers

Daina

Look to the left and see the picture, Its below that.  It stops us from seeing what youre writing, its very private!

Radiation is over a 6 week time frame.  Each day, at a different time on my schedule, and they sometimes give you a day off due to maintenance on the machine, or a public holiday.  I had 2 operations, a lumpectomy, which was a tidy result, and 2 auxillary under same arm to removed nodes.  I had cording as a result, and it took months to reduce.  I wear a compression bandage, as a preventative to lymphadoema.  As a Trip Neg, I can only treat cancer with Chemotherapy or Radiation and this is why they are leaving my Portal in.  Since I started asking questions they have said they will take it out the if I really want to, but it is the fastest access and method to attack cancer if it reoccurs.    I also want to mention that there was about 6 weeks off between Chemo and Radiation.  For me, I found this was necessary as I was surprised at how exhausted I was.  I normally bounced back on week 3 each time, so expected to be ok fairly quickly.  ....next question.....(smiling)

Hi Mich,

Please come back to Tassie when you are well!! I'll be your tour guide :) I am loving being back here, apart from the cold weather that is. It's freezing! Come in summer!!  I went for a wander around Salamanca markets yesterday looking for hats. They have so much great stuff, I couldn't decide on anything except a scarf. MY hair has started to fall out so I'll have to get organsied fairly soon :))

I have had lymphodema in my breast and arm pit post surgery and it was most uncomfortable. It seems to have settled now though. Can't imagine what it must be like to have it constantly :(  I'm off to the NW coast for a few days with family from tomorrow, so I'll check back in again when i return. Dodgy internet up there!!

Enjy the rest of your long weekend.

Take care,

Laree :))

Thank you Leonie. I'd appreciate any information i can get my hands on atm :)

Laree :))

Hi Bel,

You are the first person I've met with triple neg cancer. Can i ask what treatments you have had? surgery? Chemo? and now radiation- for how long?? I'm being tested for the BRAC genes so I may not have radiation post chemo if I require a double mastectomy, as radiation makes reconstruction difficult. Also do not know if reconstruction is for me.... I'll deal with that as and when i have to:) I have lots of questions but I wont bombard you with them all. I hope you are coping well with the radiation and have a great result. 

Laree :))

Hi! Thanks for your message. I would like to join your facebook group if possible??  It would be nice to chat with people who are in a similar position. Still rying to figure out the Private Message thing.....

Laree :))

Thank you everyone for your kind words and messages full of caring and support and helpful information. I don't have a reliable internet connection atm - only on my phone - and therefore my visits here may be a little sporadic until I move. I'm slowly exploring the site and getting a handle on the navigation. Daina, I mistakenly assumed this site worked more like a forum rather than a blog and comments style arrangement. Hence, my confusion trying to find said forum!!! lol

Things ahve been very hectic this past couple of weeks. I had my first chemo on the 30/5 and thought i was doing very well. Kept up my regular activities, felt fatigued and "odd", slight nausea but okay. Or so i thought!! I woke up on WEd morning last week - a full week post chemo - and felt fantastic! Then i realised just how crappy I had really felt the week before!!! Amazing what ignorance/positive attitude can do!! lol Now that I'm aware I will feel slightly crappy for the first week, I will not force myself to do quite so much. :)

I'll check in again soon. Thank you all for your warm welcome :)

Laree

Hi Lala

Receiving the news that the cancer has spread is devastating. I was diagnosed with mets in bones right from the start.  Here you will find great support - it was a lifesaver for me when I was first diagnosed.

Know that you are not alone.  Take care.

Amy