First appointment since diagnosis
Hi Lovely Ladies, I have my first appt on wednesday at Peter Mac and was wondering if anyone else went to Peter mac and what their experience was with the first appointment. Im hoping to come away with some dates of appointments to start my journey or am I being unrealistic and is it just really an information session? Thanks in advance
Cording/axillary web syndrome
Hi everyone, it's been a long time since my last post and so much seems to have happened in my life in that time. After having a lumpectomy and axillary lymph node removal on the right side, July 2024, I undertook chemo and radiation. Since then it's been medication treatment with Letrozole (hormone lowering) and Verzenio (cancer blocking). I've undertaken some gym working, focussing on weights to build bone strength but still have residual side effects from all the treatments. I've been to my lymphatic physio yesterday and she informs me that I have axillary web syndrome which is travelling from my affected breast down the fascia of my ribs. Quite painful! And after her massage (sounds nice, but wasn't! š©) I was wondering how many of you might have had the same? Do you have any tips that could help me please? It's lovely to reconnect again and hope to hear your story. āŗļø Jo
New to the Team- not exactly happy about it
Hi, 03Dec had a lump checked- invasive lobular cancer, left breast. 09Dec- MRI and spot detected right breast followed by biopsy- same cancer although non-palpable. 19Dec bilateral partial masectomy plus sentinel lymph nodes, and conservative reconstruction. 04JAN results back- MBC!!!!!....PETscan tomorrow. I feel like I am standing in a well listening to grenades go off. I don't know how I got here although I don't think that matters. I am terrified for the future and how short it may be, but then I see some of you with MBC post 6 years,or 9 years, diagnosis and I wonder if that could be me. I used to be a microbiologist before I moved into law (these days I manage risk-imagine managing risk for a living and getting this diagnosis!). I read about the science which is ever changing and getting better at longevity and quality of life and the personalised approaches available for my situation (whatever that turns out to be) but I don't know when the sadness and fear will stop or if this is my life now. I know I am not dying this week or next week or even next year, but the overwhelming feeling is that I might, and so I have organised a council pick up and getting rid of all my furniture that isn't essential, and giving away or selling my clothes BCS I can't see which way is forward, or if there even is forward. I contacted my BCN today and asked for a psychologist BCS I need something to hold onto and this diagnosis vortex is chaotic.So confused, scared and teary
Hi all, I was just diagnosed yesterday with DCIS intermediate grade 2 and told to get off my HRT patches immediately. I have 3 areas in the one breast so I think i will need a masectomy. I have been contacted by Peter Mac in Melbourne regarding my referral and just waiting on confirmation of my appointment date. My brain is saying if I had to have cancer this is the one to get but my emotions are being ridiculous, so teary inside but cool and calm on the outside trying to support everyone else. If I do need a masectomy i want to have reconstruction surgery on the same day with a small implant but Im so worried as 6 months ago I was let go at work due to business downsizing and ive really struggled to find another job, my mum has just passed away and any savings I had have helped with the funeral etc so basically I am seriously going through hardship and only just paying my rent on my job seeker payment. I am so scared that I will find out going through this process there are some unexpected charges that arent included, all the sites say peter mac is free and I am bulk billing but Im so scared that my health is going to held back due to financial stress. Has anyone had this process done at peter mac, chose the medicare bulk billing option and was their reconstruction covered? Sorry Im really rambling here but its so much easier to type this to a stranger than someone I know. xxxxx
Whats going to happen next
as the heading states what next. I want to be the mum I was before metastatic BC came along tonight I just want to find somewhere to roll up into a ball and cry with the unfairness of it all. If i could Just get life to stand still or at least for once be nice. It seems the whole family is falling apart. 1st daughter is waiting for shoulder reconstruction she has in laymanās terms laxity of the joints already had a knee reconstruction this surgery Dr cant say its going to completely successful 2nd daughter is having major health issues (she has chrons disease, a heart problem plus other complicated health problems all of which are acting up at the same time. She carries a letter for emergency so they donāt have to ask so many questions My Only Son is now on short list for surgery for a shoulder thatās hanging on by a thread of just 1 tendon. ( came off his bike). His wife got admitted to hospital yesterday with several Kidney stones that are not going to pass so sheās in there waiting for a stent then follow up surgery to have them blasted. Iām back on my palbociclib and trying to adjust to the side effects again after such a long break. To top it off I have a new lump on a different rib which wasnāt painful before but now is hot to touch and radiating pain around it. Oncologist had a feel and immediately wrote up a referral for a bone scan asap and I am still trying to recover from the GB surgery Its a bit of where do I go, how do I spread myself around to them all, I want to divide myself into pieces so I can help them all. then my body reminds me Iām not 100% fit either.
Newly diagnosed and waiting for appt. breast becoming more tender as I wait :-(
Hi there, I feel Iām in the difficult position of waiting four weeks between diagnosis and first surgeon appointment. Invasive lobular ER+ PR + HER2 - lump that I noticed in right breast a month ago. Iāve had the MRI done privately this week so the information is ready at that appointment. Trouble is the breast and armpit just feels increasingly niggly and slightly tender while I wait. Iām worried that itās just growing/spreading as I wait. I donāt have private insurance, do have savings. but wanted to hold out for public and it being a more multi-disciplinary team. Iām really struggling wondering if I should have gone private and quick :-( Thank you x
Christmas emotions
This was my first Christmas with cancer and it definitely felt different. I have been pretty good lately about not worrying about the future but I was quite emotional Christmas morning. I kept thinking how many more Christmas's do i have left & will I ever get to be a grandma watching my grandchildren open their presents?? And I also kept thinking about this time last year, I was thinking life was good, but I had cancer & didn't even know it. Just a mixed bag of emotions.Wishing everyone a Safe & Happy Xmas.
Wishing everyone tomorrow - a very Happy and Safe Christmas. xx And may 2026 be kind to you xx You've done the hard yards, so I hope you can relax & put your feet up & have others fuss around you xx Take care on the roads if you need to travel - take care on the roads anyway!! (The invasion usually happens on Boxing Day here!) I hope that those undergoing treatment are also able to enjoy the day xx I'll be visiting friends for a '2 house' celebration - we skip between her & her sister's house (next door) for various parts of the celebration, then back to the first house for a welcome swim in their pool in the afternoon (as it it is supposed to get up to about 40Ė tomorrow!) I don't often swim ... maybe once every 5 years ... I prefer to be on TOP of the water (in my fishing kayak) than in it, swimming! LOL I don't even have a swim suit - I just wear a pair of boardies & a rashie! š l'll take them and a towel, just in case I decide to dip a toe in the water! š I am taking my famous blueberry & raspberry twisted tart for dessert (recipe below) .... it is yummy with whipped cream or ice cream and super easy to make. Don't 'overfill' with the berry mix - it will just spill out onto the tray & become toffee - this is one recipe where 'less is more'! It is equally yummy, hot, warm or cold!! I thought the '16 slices' looked a bit stingy, so usually make 12 slices! ENJOY
DCIS, DMX reconstruction new diagnosis
Recently diagnosed DCIS Stage 0. Opting for DMX and reconstruction using my tummy fat same dayā¦. Videos and some social media groups are TBH quite confronting and disturbing. I would rather know butā¦.. Reading and hearing how awful the recovery is, pain, discomfort, loss of movement and after some helpful tips to prepare please: particularly diet, did you change your diet pre surgery? High protein to help with recovery? Can you recommend a website or recipe site? Things post surgery: hire a recliner to rest in, did you hire a wedge or breast pillow as well? Button up shirts and pjs, anything else that you found useful please? Iāve heard about the drains which sound dauntingā¦ what do i need to do with them? Toileting and cleaning myselfā¦ I hear you canāt put your arm around your back to wipe? Iāve got wet wipes but ā¦. Donāt want to ask my partner to wipe my bum? Diet after surgery to avoid constipation. Any tips would be greatly appreciated thank you so so much.
