Forum Discussion
The Ripple Effect
My diagnosis, from a routine mammogram rather than finding a lump, has caused several of my friends in their 40s & 50s to have a mammogram themselves . Has this happened to anyone else?
My best friend, the one to whom I tell all the things, and my partner in my India endeavours, got a call back 10 days ago. 10 days of being on tenterhooks, 10 days of that sick feeling I know you all know.
She went to the clinic (in Perth) yesterday. Mammogram, ultrasound. They found two lumps. Biopsy. I had to wait a week for my biopsy results, my friend just 24 hours.
Benign. Both gloriously benign! I feel so insanely happy it's almost as if I've had a phone call to say my diagnosis has been a horrible mistake! Mind you, I'd be mighty pissed off about the chemo...
I wanted to share this joy. I haven't smiled much over last four months but I've been grinning all afternoon! :) <3 :)
My best friend, the one to whom I tell all the things, and my partner in my India endeavours, got a call back 10 days ago. 10 days of being on tenterhooks, 10 days of that sick feeling I know you all know.
She went to the clinic (in Perth) yesterday. Mammogram, ultrasound. They found two lumps. Biopsy. I had to wait a week for my biopsy results, my friend just 24 hours.
Benign. Both gloriously benign! I feel so insanely happy it's almost as if I've had a phone call to say my diagnosis has been a horrible mistake! Mind you, I'd be mighty pissed off about the chemo...
I wanted to share this joy. I haven't smiled much over last four months but I've been grinning all afternoon! :) <3 :)
21 Replies
- Whilst the mammogram didn't reveal my cancer. ..there was a line up of women I worked with at breastscreen the next month. Many have followed my fb journey and all have learned a lot about treatment and side effects...and realise it's. ..not all pink and cute and like getting over a cold.
- That's a great story to hear @onemargie. Lovely that they came to see and tell you. 1 in 8, 1 in 8.
- I remember lying on the table just before my first mastectomy and one of the nurses said to me “but you’re only 43” I said I know and I told her I’d been having mammograms since I was 40 as I had lumpy boobs. There was 3 or 4 nurses in theatre around the same age and all of them came and saw me the following morning to see how I was and they all told me at the end of their shift they all booked in for a mammogram. So if my experience saves just one life or gets one woman to be more vigilant and aware of their boobs then that’s a great thing. Bc doesn’t discriminate thsts for sure and @kmakm I’m so relieved for your friend. What great news. Margie xxx
- Thanks @jennyss :)
- Dear @kmakm, Fantastic news for your friends, and job well done for you. As all the posts show ( @sandyr ), our bc's are found in many different ways from different symptoms and signs. So important to communicate and be aware - I think I need to get a wriggle on talk to people. Love the lemons.
- Blinkers! So true @Sandyr.
- Yes I am ok transitioning from a ppointments and rad, to trying to get back to some normality.still getting some fatigue but is getting less everyday. The best advice I was given by my the breast care nurse was put on your blinkers when it comes to doing housework and cooking, which I have done.now it's time to catch up SLOWLY with all that.
- Good on you @Sandyr, that's brilliant! it's such an important message. You are part of saving your ex d-i-l's life, incredible. I hope you are travelling OK with your own health :)
- This is my first post after being diagnosed last year, my mammogram didn't show anything, I found the lump myself.i have been talking to women and men about how important it is ti now to know your own breasts. My ex daughter inlaw discovered a lump and is now undoing treatment, my husband has had a checkup,for prostate cancer. We can as survivors inspire others.
Wonderful to hear!Rosie_BCNA said:Great news @kmakm! @Afraser and @iserbrown you may be interested to know BCNA has been working on a project with the designer of the know your lemons campaign. Corrine has designed a Communications Toolkit for people with newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer using the metaphor of a dandelion. BCNA has partnered with Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance (MBCA) to adapt the toolkit for the Australian setting and it will soon be piloted in Australia. We will keep you posted with further details. Rosie
Have a lovely Easter break, take care
