Double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction
Hi all, new member of this exclusive club nobody wants to be a part of! Just found out the lump in my right breast is cancer 5 days ago. I’m 43 and considered young for cancer (how nice… been a while since I’ve been called young 😅) I am still in shock so have gone into plan mode. I Still don’t know what stage type or grade yet but scheduled for a breast MRI and biopsy tomorrow. My question is if anyone has ever been through Peter Mac as either a public or private patient? What was the experience like? How long was the wait for surgery and reconstruction? I’m not sure if my private will cover all costs of surgery as my surgeon (who operates privately) so far says I’m a candidate for a double mastectomy but is waiting on biopsy report and MRI. Ideally I am leaning towards an immediate DIEP reconstruction. Anyone had that before? Thank you 🙏
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.
Where it all started
In February I had weight loss surgery and in may I turned 50 and with that came the mammogram reminder. About 6 weeks ago and with a 40kg weightloss I was diagnosed with a stage1, 1cm malignant lump. It hit me like a tonne of bricks. If it wasnt for my weightloss they may never have found it. I got my referral to see the surgeon who wanted me to have a bilateral ultrasound prior to seeing her. At my appointment she told me I had 2 additional lumps in my right breast and 1 in my left. My head was spinning out of control. Started thinking the worst. She sent me for a biopsy and those additional lumps turned out to be cysts. Fast forward a month and today I have had my breast surgery to have the cancer removed as well as a therapeutic mamoplasty to make them symmetrical. I am absolutely beyond thankful to Dr Poon for the amazing job she has done. I have gone from an F cup to a small D large C with 450g removed from left and 380g removed from right. I dont m so thankful to this site it has given me alot of information and answers to the questions I needed answered
Oncotype Dx test
Hello everybody, I'm new to this webpage. Sadly 3 weeks ago diagnosed with BC, I'm 47. I decided for full mastectomy and my results were good for to be able to do Oncotype DX test. I'm having first app. with oncologist this Thursday, will go ahead with the test and hope all goes well. I'm having couple questions, if somebody will be so kind to help me. How long it takes get results back? If good results and I don't have to have chemo, is there anybody who had this test done many years ago and still cancer free? I'm just so scared if I don't have chemo that cancer will come back..... I'm bit mess atm. especially every time I look on my kids or start to think about the future. hank you very much