Post surgery Rehab options
Hi all, hope you all are doing fine. I wanted to share my experience in y BC journey and also want to get some expert advice/ help if you have been thru this already. I was diagnosed with a stage 3 Triple positive BC last July. Since then I have been going through Chemotherapy and targeted therapy as advised my Breat surgeon and Oncologist. I recently completed my 6th cycle of Chemo and have my surgery scheduled this Saturday on. 6Dec. I will need to undergo full Mastectomy on my left. This will be followed by immediate reconstruction- will be a lengthy process I have been told. While understandably we are all nervous , I am also hopeful that I have been thru half of my battle. I am also a mother of two, and younger one is only 2.5 years old. I am also really anxious about the post surgery situation. My Doctor has told that I should not be taking stairs post surgery after I go back home. Given that I have little kids at home and none of our bedrooms are at downstairs, I am really keen to see if I can stay at a Rehab after I am released from the hospital. This would allow me to heal for few more days and would not endanger myself with the little one ( she jumps on to my lap anytime she wants). That would also help my husband who is my only carer at this stage. Love to get some ideas and advice how can I avail the Rehab facilities. I was also told by my Insurance provider that I have restrictive coverage for Rehab. I am in a tricky situation ( and am sure many of you are ) and wanting see what support can I get at this very difficult time. Many thanks and wish me luck!
Papillary Lesion - overwhelming anxiety
Hi Everyone, Sorry if this isn't the right place for this post, but I'm feeling overwhelmed and very alone right now. I have been a member here for 13 years and it's crazy to think that it was initially to help support my mum with her breast cancer. Now, here I am with my own possible issue... My mother developed her breast cancer (stage 2c) at age 46, the same age I am now. She's alive and well after treatment (partial mastectomy and hysterecotomy), but it's also meant that I get my boobs checked regularly via mammo and/or ultrasound. This year, they found a 'papillary lesion or complex cyst' - that's what it says on my GP's referral for me to get another U/S and a core biopsy if needed. I mean, it's hard to NOT know someone who's been through a breast cancer journey these days. There are so many women who've experienced it. I've always felt like my turn was just around the corner. What's probably made me even more anxious is that my dear cousin is battling Stage 4 MBC and I've been in contact with her frequently to try and support her. She and I are in very similar circumstances (ie. living alone with kids) so I can't help but feel very deeply for her. I think holding that emotional space has done a number on me... Compounding the issue is that I have pretty severe PTSD which I've got under control for years now, but suddenly I'm having panic attacks and struggling to do even the most basic tasks. I have no idea what I'll be like when I get the results of the second scan/biopsy. I live alone with my 17-year-old (who has special needs). Frankly, I'm terrified and the fear is paralysing me. GP is urging me to make mental health appointments to get it under control. What will happen to my child if I get sick? Sorry for the ramble. Any advice or wisdom would be so appreciated. I feel better just making this post. Thanks, Effy.
Well, there's that then, meta-what?
Self diagnosed lump, x-ray, mammograms, ultrasound, infiltrating mass, biopsy, estrogen +ve, progesterone +ve, HER2 -ve with follow up labs, chest pain, enlarged nodes left arm, CT scan, bone scan, biopsy 2, marker uptake in sternum and liver. Liver ultrasound tomorrow with view to biopsy, if unable, then biopsy sternum. Next appt., 20/12, with view to immediate hormone therapy, depending upon results, start chemotherapy. "It's not good news" "You have metastatic cancer" I have no idea what that means. I've gone from phase 2 infiltrating ductal carcinoma, to "metastatic" - google: stage 4 metastases in the bone and liver - cheers, pending results, in about a week. All I can think about is, who is going to look after/ love my child if something happens to me? He has a delayed learning disability and autism spectrum disorders. He is a gorgeous boy, starts school next year, how much does he understand about what's going to happen to me on chemo/ hormone therapy. All I can think about is him. What am I going to do about him? What can I do for him? Other single Mums, how did you deal with this fear?
Support and Family
Hi all, I have already posted my recent diagnosis story. Still going through the very early stages and I see my breast surgeon for the first time tomorrow. Today has been a bit tough. My son (15) was already suffering from anxiety prior to this diagnosis (although through meds and psychologist he was starting to get better), but it has really sent him in a spiral. He didn't want to attend school today and that was a real battle to get him there. I feel guilty that he is going through this and the problem is that things for me will certainly get worse before they get better (not to be negative, but I don't think the treatment will be a walk in the park) and this will all impact him. He says that when he is at school he cannot focus and I feel so bad for him. He is in Yr 10, but doing accelerated maths (so has started the year 12 component there). With all the anxiety he has had recently his work had already started to go downhill and now with this it is really suffering. My sister is incredibly supportive and positive, but I feel that I am ringing her constantly with my issues and didn't want to share this with her. I know that they want to be there for you, but I don't want to impact other's mental health. This doesn't only affect us, it also affects everyone around us. Does everyone feel like this when first diagnosed? I am sure it gets easier to navigate down the track. Yesterday my son asked if I was dying. It is difficult to answer this, since I don't know whether it has spread or not myself. Obviously, I do not say this to him, but how do others talk to their kids about this?Diagnosed last week- 1yr postpartum & still nursing
Hello, Sadly like many I'm new here! My story started in 2009, I was 32 & single when I was first diagnosed with invasive cancer. I was treated at the time with a lumpectomy, radiation & 5yrs on Tamoxifen. Seven months after my diagnosis I celebrated being cancer free with an overseas trip where I met my now husband. In July 2022, after 7 years of trying, & with the help of ART, we welcomed our little one, & she's a gem! Last week, just two days prior to her first birthday party we got the phone call advising me I have the same cancer again. I'm still nursing her 5-6 times in 24hrs, to any ladies out there in a similar boat, did anyone manage to keep nursing? I'm guessing we'll end up weaning quickly but the thought of that is heartbreaking (even though I know she's resilient & old enough, she just so little š¢). Side note, I'm still pending my treatment planning meeting but given the preliminary biopsy grades are higher than 2009, I can't imagine the road is going to be any easier than my first go around. Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom, especially when I comes to parenting litle ones during this time. šFeeling alone and scared
Iām 36 with two young kids, newly diagnosed with lobular carcinoma. Have had a single mastectomy with axillary clearance. Pathology report shows 120mm (12cm) tumour (clear margins) and 23 lymph nodes removed, 10 with cancer. Starting 20 weeks of chemo in a couple of weeks, then radio, then hormone therapy (10 years). Doctor and oncologist use the term ātreating for a cureā however Iām still afraid about what the lymph node involvement means for my future. Im looking for stories of people in a similar position and how you are looking at the situation and stories of inspiration of people who had lymph node involvement and how they are getting on down the track. Thanks.
Introduction...
hi there, Thought I'd say hi and introduce myself. I am 30 years old and have a 7 year old daughter. I was diagnosed on 27/11/2015. It all still feels very surreal and overwhelming. Doctors think I have Inflamatory Breast Cancer so are treating me for this diagnosis. My treatment plan is 6 rounds of chemo, surgery and then radiation. I meet with the oncologist in the next few days to learn more. I'm still trying to get my head around all the jargon, medical terms and medication names! I'm hoping I can find some support and answers to some of my questions here. Kylie
Young Mum
Hello everyone, I'm so grateful for this online community. It's been an overwhelming time for me. I was diagnosed on the 23/12/22 and had a really tough two weeks as I was unable to access any support just being to the time of year it was. I was breastfeeding my 20 month year old at the time, and didn't feel a lump, but just a weird sensation in my breast at random times during the day. I'm so grateful that my GP took it seriously enough to send me for an US. I have Grade 2 ER+ve, PR +ve 11mm x 4mm in my left breast. I'm 32 years old, and my Mum also has metastatic breast cancer (diagnosed at age 69, now she's 72). That wasn't a fun conversation telling her on Christmas Day. Reading through other people's experiences it seems that going public can be quite slow. I'm also finding that. It took about 5 weeks from me first going to the GP to getting my diagnosis, and I just found out today that my surgery has been pushed back from the 30th Jan to the 3rd of Feb. I understand things happen, but I had already organised childcare for my week post surgery and a friend was coming to stay to give me a hand. I do now get to drop off my son for his first day of kindy the day before surgery, so that's a bonus. I just want to get the treatment started so I can get past this part of life and back to being me. Does anyone have any advice over caring for 2 kids under 5 whilst on this journey? I'm so worried about not being able to be the Mum I want to be.Hormone Therapy options for young women who hope to have children
Hi everyone š Iām seeking some advice on what hormone therapy is best for younger women who want kids in the future. I have Grade 1 multifocal IDC+DCIS, 80% hormone positive, ER- cancer & Iām premenopausal, with no children. I was told after 2 years of hormone therapy I can try to fall pregnant (ā¦but am hoping 1.5 will be enough?) I have been given three options for hormone therapy: ā¢Tamoxifen only ā¢Zoladex + Tamoxifen ā¢Zoladex + Exemestane (Aromasin) All offer similar coverage in regards to my type of cancer, but I was wondering if there are any differences in regards to future fertility? ie. longer detox periods required before falling pregnant, or potential fertility issues after long term use, eg Zoladex or Exemestane? I have also read that Exemestane (Aromasin) is an *irreversible* steroidal aromatase inhibitor. I donāt want to be on anything that could irreversibly damage my oestrogen production.. Fertility-wise, does anyone know if this is something to avoid until after having children? Iād really appreciate any advice & tips for having the best chance of getting pregnant in 2 years! XSydney oncologist recommendations - Children after early hormone positive breast cancer.
Hi everyone, Iām trying to find a Sydney (or Wollongong) oncologist recommendation for a friend of mine. Preferably with an interest in fertility preservation/pregnancy for young cancer patients. My friend is only 28y & was in the process of planning for an elective double mastectomy (due to genetics), when they found Grade 2 hormone positive cancer in one breast. She is three weeks out from her double nipple sparing mastectomy, with a plastic surgeon in Wollongong. Even though it wasnāt in her lymph nodes, she has just been told that she will also need Chemo & hormone therapy. Having children in the future is very very important to her. The oncologist she saw in Wollongong essentially told her there was little chance for that, as she would need to be on hormone therapy for 5years with the precautionary removal of her ovaries at 35. I know each cancer case is different and very complex, but I would like her to feel like she has all the current information, exhausted every avenue, & has access to the most up-to-date modern options available. (She wasnāt even offered the option of Zoladex to protect her ovaries during chemo.) If anyone has a recommendation for a good second opinion oncologist in Sydney/Wollongong, we would be so grateful! Iāve heard good things about Prof Jane Bieth & Dr Sanjeev Kumar?