Do I stay or do I go?
Not your average post. Originally a backpacker from the UK, been in Aus 5 years and have moved onto a work sponsorship visa with my employer. I live in a very remote area and it is a 4 hour flight to my nearest 'treatment centre'. Two weeks ago it was confirmed (via biopsy) that in my left breast I have a 2mm invasive mass, and 10cm of non invasive DCIS. I had a contrast mamo and PET scan (no result yet) and scheduled for an MRI on the 6th June, and appointment with the surgeon to discuss options on the 10th June. My breast dr said the surgeon will recommend a mastectomy due to the large area of DCIS. Possibly chemo, radio and hormone therapy. They are also talking about what I want to do with my eggs. I am so scared, and I am not sleeping. I am only 34 years old without children. I don't know what to do, do I stay here in Australia and undergo the treatment recommended and stay near the hospital with the mother of a friend (who has also had breast cancer and has said she is more than happy to support me through required treatment). I love my life here that I have built over the past 5 years, and I love my job. I am scared I will lose my job with the next few months of treatment coming up (very little can be done remotely), my visa is tied to my job. I may get deported mid way through treatment? I dont know? I know I should speak to an immigration lawyer but I am already inundated with administration from cancer. My family back home are very supportive and will support whichever decision I make. They and I am also wary of the health care system back at home (which isn't in great shape). If I go home, I will take all my diagnosis letters and scans, but I will still have to start this process again from the start and basically be told twice I have cancer and they want to chop my breast off. I wont be able to get a job due to appointments and treatment, and wont be entitled to benefits as I haven't paid tax in my home country for 5 years. Its not just cancer anymore, I am not scared of the cancer as such as my whole life here being ripped away from under my feet. Sorry for the long post. I just don't know what to do for the best. Either way, I need to stay here until I have the full picture and know what the surgeon wants to do.
New diagnosis metastatic breast cancer
Hi, I'm all very new to this being diagnosed only 7 wks ago with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (triple positive) which has spread to my bones. I am 51 with 2 children. I had only had my first mammogram 18 mths previous which was clear. I felt unwell at work & went to hospital and they found it looking for something else. It has been such an overwhelming process. My family & friends have been amazing but am feeling so very alone.
De novo Mets
It's everywhere, all through my spine, left shoulder , should blade, breast bone, hips and both femurs. Some of them are big . In February I was blissfully happy with my husband , backpack hiking in Tasmanian mountain wilderness for our 1st year anniversary. I just had an annoying sore shoulder and what I thought was normal menopausal aches. The tumour in my boob is tiny, I can't even feel it now I know where it is. It wasn't picked up in mamograms. My blood test are normal. I don't feel sick other than waves of panic. I'm not angry, just terribly terribly sad . Biopsy says it's a HR+ PR+ Her -. The nurses telle that's good and slow growing, lol, tell that to my skeleton! I'm finding it hard to be positive given the extent of the spread. Still waiting to see a specialist and start treatment. My doctor has said no running, cycling or hiking and that I'm lucky I haven't broken my arm or back. I literally don't know what to do with myself. It's like I have to give up my "core" personality
Feeling scared and just a bit angry
Hi, I'm Karen, 61yo, from Victoria. I was diagnosed in September, my birthday actually, I was numb. I had been dealing with a very coercive relationship, narcissism, gaslighting the lot, to be told this news was just too much, I had all sorts going through my head, How do I tell my children? How do I do this? Why me? Everything was so hard to process and even now I'm struggling. I was told it was an Oestrogen based cancer, sorry I cant remember much of that conversation, but 2 Biopsies, the first one they biopsied the wrong lymph node, Pet scan, M.R.I and blood test later to be told sorry its not good news, well having a lump in the breast isnt good news anyway but, I had my right breast and Lymph nodes removed, then to be told its bad news I'm so sorry was another kick in the guts, 35 of my 36 nodes were affected, so onto another more thorough Pet scan, blood test and M.R.I, To get the good news that it wasn't anywhere else in my body. Now I'm preparing for Chemo to start on the 2nd of Jan and I'm absolutely terrified, I have no emotional or any other support at home, even though I'm told everyday that he cares, they say actions speak louder than words well Im yet to see any, my son who is my heart, doesn't know how to deal with this and neither do I. They have just had an Eptopic pregnancy and I'm hurting for them, we were all so excited and happy. I don't know what to do or how I'm going to do it, my living situation is so toxic to my mental health and is impacting on my son and daughter-in-law as well. My partner is trying to get me out of the house and that is something I can't deal with at the moment as I'm trying to deal with being there for my son and daughter-in-law and Chemo, I feel like I'm rambling, my life is a mess, I just don't know what to do. Sorry for the rambling talk I'm not very good at putting things on paper, everything is very disjointed.
16 Weeks Pregnant and diagnosed with aggressive hormonal breast cancer
As the title says, I am currently 16 weeks pregnant with my first child, I turn 32 in Feb and have no family history of breast cancer. My surgeon has said I will need a mastectomy in the next week or 2. To say overwhelmed and unsure about my future is a complete understatement. I have found limited people in the same position as me and really don't feel confident as much as everyone has told me to stay strong and positive. I know I'm very lucky to have the support I do have around me, but obviously it's such a different situation that no one knows how to approach.
Newly diagnosed - feeling lost despite stuff happening.
I was diagnosed a few weeks ago, rarer invasive mucinal carcinoma. Coping well with what I know is happening but not so well with what I need to do, or where to get explanations. I’m having a Scout clip implanted tomorrow because I can’t have the MRI my surgeon requested. I have a CRT (heart) device and MRI was requested because the cancer is not well defined. So now I won’t know extent, lumpectomy, mastectomy, until the operation. Operation is on 28th. I guess my main thing is who to talk to about what will happen next. Having Pre Op stuff at GP next week, but do I just wait until the hospital gives me more detail? Do I ask to see a breast care nurse, there’s one at the surgeons office? Seeing GP I have so much to ask and take in because I’m on lots of drugs for too many health issues and I have to stop some, take less of others. And my normal confidence has flown the coop. Is this just a normal reaction?Shock is settling
it’s been two weeks since my diagnosis. I live in regional coastal NSW and I’m going to start here by being very grateful for the speed of testing and action down here. Unexpected really. I found a lump but it turns out it’s an undefined tumour about 2.5cm. Some stuff is still not definite because I can’t have an MRI thanks to having a heart failure device (super pacemaker). So having a scout clip placed next week with probable lumpectomy in two to three weeks. I feel confident I’m being cared for OK. Glad I’m retired and no longer working. But still overwhelmed by this and trying to manage my usual approach of knowing every little detail about anything impacting me. I’m listening to my anxiety for once. Oh. My surgeon told me I’m not going to die! That was particularly comforting. Dat by day this thing is feeling more manageable.
Time to process
Hi All, my intro post. Such a roller coaster of emotions and processing suddenly going from perfectly healthy to not! I had a Diagnosis 22/12/23 IDC with 2.9cm tumor and lymphnode involvement from BreastscreenSA. ER and PR +, Her -. (Xmas is harsh to get such news, both in the slow down of services and in telling nearest and dearest) It has taken a while (necessary tests, scans and byopsies), but looking at treatment beginning Wed 28/2/24 with surgery (partial masectomy, axillary node clearance). Then most likely chemo, radio, hormone therapy. Overactive imagination has been a problem, general stress/anxiety, and not sleeping well. It is settling a bit now, as Ive met surgeon and feel comfortable I am in good hands, met with Breast nurse (and now have a bright pink pillow and lovely accessories pouch for fluid tubes). I am participating in a clinic trial that I meet criteria on that I decided yes to assist. I am going ahead on a planned and booked holiday next week (which several family are also going), the surgeon was supportive on proceding with this as mental health positive. Then it is full steam ahead! I am fortunate to have supportive family, and some great friends, some who have had a bc journey themselves. Was concerned about work for a while, but Ive let the h.r. depts know (two jobs) of upcoming medical, and am scaling back for as long as I need (casual events hospitality - high energy, physical and customer facing, they will still be there when I can manage again!) So I think I am in about the best positive I can be for now! Not keen on whats to come, but ok to get on with what needs to be done! Thanks for reading, and thanks to all those sharing posts and info themselves - it has helped.New diagnosis shocked and devastated
Moderator moved @susie55 comment in Activity section to new discussion post: susie55 Hi my name is Susie, today 30 September 9.30 I got my biopsy result I've got breast cancer I'm 54 year old, I'm shocked and devastated I feel lonely. My brain doesn't function anymore. My surgeon tell me to do few test and port insert and what kind treatment I’ll get. Anyone have any advise for me? My stress is rocket High at sky, I already can't sleep for couple weeks ( when I first fund my lump) always woke up cant back to sleep. Cant eat always worry a lot of stress. and I'm sorry English is not my first language I hope everyone who reading this understand 🙏 i never ever thought I’ll get cancer because I doing breast test every couple year and last year is Clear. Dr Said I have dense breast, Anyone have same problem with me? How to manage stress and manage another test and waiting the result? ( MRI, PET scan and heart Scan ) Manage the chemo etc …. Any help appreciate 🙏
