Hello
Introducing myself - I’m a 65 year old writer and TAFE teacher. Diagnosed with high grade DCIS about a month ago. I’ve had a lumpectomy and am due (fingers crossed) for a re-excision tomorrow before starting radio therapy. I’ve had a monster of a cold so the re-excision may not go ahead - in which case I’ll have to live with the less-than optimum margins in one specific spot. I live with my husband and my 94 year old mother - we care for her as she has a form of dementia. I am considering getting respite care for her through part of the radiotherapy just as a bit of emotional relief but haven’t completely made up my mind yet. I’m finding these new challenges a tricky tightrope to walk. Work has been great - and I know I’m lucky! We teach online and have done so since about 2007 and are a small but supportive team. But it’s still hard, isolating and the domestic front is emotionally exhausting. Still, courage comrades!Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Moderator moved @MissL post from activity section to 'Newly Diagnosed': Hi ladies, I'm still in the testing stage, but have been told I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer, in Breast, skin & lymph nodes. Biopsies tomorrow 14 Oct, PET & Heart Scans 15th, Medical Oncologist 16th, Breast Surgeon 18th for results & chemo regime. Already been told will have to have 6 months chemo - very daunting, all my support overseas.
Alone in Melbourne newly diagnosed
Hello! Umm I came to Melbourne last week from interstate for breast lump testing. It’s confirmed cancer and I am awaiting staging, this week. I don’t know Melbourne and am alone and scared, confused, exhausted, overwhelmed and in a lot of pain. I am very concerned about metastases for some reasons I don’t want to even say. Is there a GP or any service or anything I can connect with? I am finding Melbourne HUGE and very hectic and overwhelming compared to my small town. It takes me many hours to even find food or get anywhere. Non ideal scenario, but I know better placed here for proper diagnostics and initial care. I am just very scared and alone and in pain.
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.
Information Overload!
Hello lovelies, I was diagnosed just over a week ago with invasive breast cancer in my left breast, after finding a lump. I went for a mammogram 2.5 weeks ago where they took core biopsies. Since then it has been an absolute whirlwind of appointments, questions, information dumps and just trying to find a minute to breathe and process it all. Of course, all while managing 2 littles on school holidays, home and work. I am just reeling from all. How do you even begin to work through it? Not much of an introduction, I know. Not really sure what to say, other than Hi!
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.
Diagnosed Today
Hi all, I'm new here. I'm 48. I had my last Mammogram in November 2022, and was due for my next December 7th....however.... I went to the GP in November after feeling a breast lump for 10 days which I was hoping was hormonal. It didn't go away so I got it checked. GP didn't seem concerned but she appreciated that I was and ordered mammogram & ultrasound. Appointment was in 2 weeks. On Wednesday 4/12 I had the scans, the mammogram lady went quiet, later with the sonographer I said 'I'm just not sure if it's in my head or if I'm being hyper-vigilant' He said 'I'd say you're being the right amount of vigilant', then told me he would go and get the Dr who would need to check me. The Dr started telling me that I'll need a biopsy and that the statistics in Australia in particular are very successful for treating breast cancer. He went on to say that he'll get his report to my GP straight away and if we decide to use them for biopsy they'll get me in straight away and to contact my GP. So I drove home and on my way I stopped at the GP, the receptionist could not get me in till the next day to see the GP. I left in tears and went home. I decided to do some work and 2hrs later I got a call to say the GP wanted to see me immediately. I drove back and saw the GP who gave me a referral for urgent biopsy. I went straight to the local ultrasound place to see if they could book me an appointment at their sister site, that I attended earlier that day. They said they'd need to speak to their Dr and would call me. Within an hour they called me, and said their Dr would come to my local clinic and do the biopsies there for me the very next day, saving me the 45minute drive. Thursday 5/12 I had the biopsies of my breast and lymph node done. That was pretty smooth sailing and the Dr said he didn't want me waiting a week at the other clinic so came up here especially for me. All the staff were SO lovely and I'm eternally grateful for their care and concern - however the urgency is absolutely scared the crap out of me 🫣 Today 10/12 I got my biopsy results and am officially diagnosed with Breast Cancer. No idea what most of it means but basically 👻 Invasive Carcinoma NST; and 🐝 Metastatic Adenocarcinoma 🍃 ER/PR Positive 🍂 HER2 Positive (Amplified) An hour after j left the GP, the local Cancer Centre phoned me, so I have: Medical Oncologist Appt: next Monday Radiology Oncologist Appt: next Thursday I don't understand what NST means, and it wasn't staged on pathology...is that usual? I haven't told my children, and am hoping to hold off till after sons' birthday and grandsons first Christmas. One thing I have to say is that I am SO incredibly grateful for the swiftness of care I've received and am receiving. It's a crappy club to be a part of 😭 but I look forward to 'meeting' you all xx
Newly diagnosed
Hi everyone, so relieved I’ve found somewhere I can share with others who are living the same experience. I was diagnosed, 4 days ago. 33 years old. I had my CT and bone scan done Thursday and I was advised yesterday that there was no spread (despite it being an aggressive cancer) - a silver lining in what only can be described as the most traumatic experience. Visiting my breast surgeon again Monday, undoubtedly to discuss the plan moving forward and my ultrasound guided clip insertion Tuesday. Just needed somewhere to vent, meet people who are going through the same thing and hopefully find some comfort and support, as well as provide the same to you all xSurreal
Conversation with my GP and Diagnosed with breast cancer yesterday at 46 years old. When they called and suggested I have a support person attend it was a bit of a give away. However i was still hopeful it was all benign. This is the very beginning of my journey in which many incredible women have been. I am seeing a surgeon today and further scans and tests to follow to determine staging and treatment. 3am and I can't sleep with so many what ifs running through my mind. I would love to seek advice for this incredibly early stage, what questions to ask my doctor? What self care did you do that you found helpful? What supports did you have in place that worked for you? What would you do differently if you could? I guess I am in a land of limbo for a few weeks and desperately trying to have a positive focus on what's in my control.
