Newly diagnosed
I'm 39 from Hervey Bay QLD I have just been diagnosed with Invasive Breast Cancer HER2 positive and ER positive. Looks like I've caught it early. My first appointment with surgeons is in 2 weeks. I have no information and no idea what treatment may be other then lumpectomy. Anxious and scary with so many unknowns.
Waiting time
Hi, After a routine screening mammogram with no lumps or bumps prior, I was shocked to find myself in the positions of being newly diagnosed and struggling with the timing of everything. I was originally diagnosed on 20th March with Stage 2 with positive hormone receptor then subsequent biopsy was done on the 1st April. I have 2 lesions one 18mm (invasive Duct) and the other 27mm (invasive duct or lobule- they're not sure) , I saw the surgeon pretty quickly as he was free on the 3rd. he has asked for an MRI to be certain and to also check the right breast as I have fairly dense breasts which may have hidden something. They are to sure if it has spread to any lymph nodes- nothing showed on mammogram and no-one has felt anything. I can get the MRI until the 14th April and then follow up appointment with the surgeon on the 20th April....... it feels like such a long time.... is that normal??? the waiting and not knowing anything for sure is really hard!
Daughter
hi everyone, just need to vent, oh f..... oh s... oh f..... I was diagnosed earlier this year with Mets, son had testicular cancer in 2017, he all clear which is awesome. Youngest daughter who is 29 rings me today, mum I found a lump, have been to the doctors got an ultra sound tomorrow, doctor has put on the referral it’s auxillary tail. I’m frightened and really scared for her, I have everything I can crossed and I’m hopeful it’s only a fat lump as she has a few of those as well around different parts of her body which her dad also has. Please please be that. OMG what have I passed onto my kids.
Baseline Measurement for Lymphoedema
Due to cording issues, I see a specialist physio on a reasonably regular basis. The clinic treats cancer survivors and obviously, lymphoedema issues. Last visit, the physio decided it was time to measure and scan me again for any swelling in the arm. My scan came out high (but it's a new machine so possibly that could be a factor) while my measurement came out low. I'll be getting it checked again at the next visit. Unfortunately, I have no baseline from before surgery to compare to. I asked the physio if this shouldn't be done for everyone before surgery and her comment was that it should be but never is. My question is: has anyone had a baseline measurement done before surgery? I'm curious as lymphoedema can be such a problem so it would seem to make sense to be able to recognise it before it gets bad. Is this just another area of "after" that is not considered?
Early stage breast cancer #4 (recurrence #3)
Hi everyone, reaching out to find anyone in a similar boat which I call the SS "Lucky/Unlucky". I have been dealing with early stage BC for 18 years now since an initial DCIS dx in 2001 (1mm in size - picked up on my first ever mammogram at age 37) - had all the recommended treatment (lumpectomy x 2 for clear margins and then rads). Since then I have 3 more re-occurrences - 2004 (1.5 mm, low grade, mastectomy no reconstruction), 2011 (in chest wall scar - lumpectomy and then 6 years of Armidex) and now late 2018 a 2nd chest wall recurrence. Tumour is ER positive, PR negative, HER negative, grade 2, Ki-67 25-30% (high - although my new Oncologist suggests that Ki-67 is 'the least reliable' prognostic indicator. UNLUCKY!!! Have never had any lymph node involvement or mets. LUCKY!! Have had chest wall reconstruction surgery 3 weeks ago using a flap from my thigh - went very well with clear margins etc. Differing opinions from the experts now about next steps. Advised I should consider radiation (second time around as I had it in 2001 for DCIS), although have been warned about potential heart issues and chronic skin and bone problems. Have been told chemo is also something I should consider. I asked about the Oncotype DX test and was initially told it was not suitable for someone like myself for prognosis or treatment planning, but when I said I was planning to get it done anyway, it was suggested it COULD be used to work out if I would benefit from chemo or not. Signed up for the test yesterday. Best $5K I have ever spent - either way. But I am very aware that not everyone can afford this and think it is a great shame that Australia is one of the few developed nations that does not support the cost of this via government medical programs (Medicare) or private heath insurance. Will get the results week after next. I clearly have something odd (lucky/unlucky) going on with my tumour type, and if I have to have chemo even though there is no node or lymphatic invasion so be it. I have never posted before because I don't want to frighten anyone with my sad story about recurrences - but equally, I figure now I am in some way a good story of how early detection, ongoing monitoring etc. has kept me going until now and hopefully for many more years to come. I am back on Arimidex and my new Oncologist has indicated that I may need to stay on this forever - no worries!! Have pretty much decided not to do radiation a second time as it seems quite dicey in terms of risks and rewards. Anyone have any experience they want to share. Love and best wishes to all on this forum. Cheers MvB
Lovely video I saw on Facebook
Hi everyone saw this on facebook and thought this is a great tool for young women..... https//www.facebook.com/coppafeel.org/videos/10155459739492671/?hc_ref=ARQ969g7y_-IqcHQhDajDC2PK4heHIY3Y2CIYQky7N0wQjV3niSQZCnEgrYGY2VS3BQ Feel it is a really good video about BC and knowing your boobs .... good to share to young women.