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One Year since the diagnosis feeling strong and well
Hi, today it is exactly one year since my bc diagnosis and I am a little reflective. What a ride it had been. I still remember clearly the phone call and shock, terror, nervousness, sadness etc with that news. What took place after that news was a roller-coaster ride of treatments with physical and mental and emotional…
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Finding ways to support my Indonesian fiancé - I’m a fast learner.
Hello everyone, I’m looking for some guidance and help. I’m still learning the terms. My fiancé and I met earlier this year online. We were planning on an engagement and first time to meet in person mid-May in Indonesia where she lives. I am in Australia, a citizen by birth. we’re both in our mid-30s. Three days ago we…
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Supporting a loved one with post-cancer depression
Hi there, I'm looking for some guidance as to supporting a loved one who has developed symptoms of depression after surviving breast cancer. She has actually experienced breast cancer twice, as well as losing a close friend to metastatic breast cancer, all before the age of 50. Since completing chemotherapy the last time,…
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Trple neg mets bones and lungs
Hi, my BC is now triple neg, mets in bones and lungs, have had 15 rounds of chemo which was to be ongoing but canceled this week due to ca markers jumping from 72 to 360, anybody else had such a jump, l dont know what if any my next treatment options are. Having a very anxious week waiting for my next round of scans…
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Alone ... finding a surgeon
On the day I was given my biopsy results I was on my own. Apparently, it was the first day in 2022 that patients were allowed a support person when receiving pathology results ....but noone told me. All the signs at Breast Screen Vic stated that support people were asked to wait outside due to Covid. With it being really…
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Liz O'Riordan - breast surgeon with BC Recommended to Read
I found this blog by an English breast surgeon who got BC herself to be incredibly useful & informative when I was first diagnosed. And then most especially the chemo guide when I found out I had to have it myself. She hasn't posted for a long time but a notification just popped into my inbox, she's writing again. So if…
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Dark Humour is good for your health...
I joke around when I'm going through hard times, its just the person I am. I have a dark and quirky sense of humour that can leave some people perplexed, but for me, its an important way of coping. Scientific studies have shown the value of humour in hard times and I have given links to a few of them. If you feel like a…
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Not coping well
Hi, I’m new to this. I have been getting fairly regular mammograms ect for years now due to strong family history of breast cancer. I’m 45 and have always looked after myself physically very well. No one aside from me had any issues until they were in their 50’s or 60’s. Aside from my great grandmother no one has had a…
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You've got this...
I know we all have good days and we all have bad days, hell, sometimes it's good hours and bad hours, not even days. I hope this helps a little: The path maybe rocky, with many twists and turns, there’s going to be downward slopes where you’ll slip and loose control. There’ll be steep trails where you’re likely to trip and…
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The outlier
Hi all, I’m back again. In feb this year they found a new tumour which at the time they thought was a bit they had missed from my lumpectomy but now they are thinking is a very early recurrence (2 months post finishing herceptin). Last week I noticed some discolouration on my breast near my nipple which they biopsied and…
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Despair
Hello. Have had surgery and will start radiotherapy on the 19th June and estrogen blocker for 5 years. Had Asperger's Syndrome and depression already. I'm 53 and after an horrendous life filled with cruelty I thought I would get through this easily as it is not the worst thing that has happened to me. No. I am numb, have…
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Be aware and be safe with Beyond Blue
I often read of members wo are going through tough times but don't have easy and timely access to a counsellor. A few months ago attended a session for people who feel anxious or depressed and we were given a fantastic tool to help us through the bad times. I completed my safety plan when feeling really 'up' and when I am…
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What it feels like to finish treatment - the aftermath - add your experience
Hi, A few people have recently finished treatment or hit the 1 year mark. It might be helpful for others to get a glimpse of the range of experiences that people are currently and have previously had post active treatment. Im not talking symptoms but experiences, emotions and reflections. What do you think? Ill start this…