Zoladex covered by PBS?
This Wednesday I will be seeing a new oncologist for a second opinion. My initial oncologist recommended Zoladex and Aromasin as part of my hormone treatment. Im researching all I can before my appointment this Wednesday, is there guidelines or restrictions on the PBS cover for these drugs? I have "Googled" as much as I can but Im still a bit confused..obviously I will ask my oncologist when I see him. I may even be recommended a different hormone treatment altogether, but thought I need to do my research prior to my visit and be prepared. I have found a copy of "The Beacon" newsletter dated 2015 which was included in my breast care pack, this outlined PBS restrictions which applied to zoladex, but may be well outdated now. Thanks!
Exchange Surgery and 4th Cancerversary 💗
Hello to everyone and Happy Easter 🐣🐇🪺. I’ve been a bit quiet on here, just focusing on life after breast cancer I guess, going back to work, trying to get healthier etc. Today I’m posting again because it’s my 4th cancersary 🎉, and I’m also 2 weeks post my third surgery since this whole ride started. This was the surgery I was most excited about though, because it was my recon surgery, i.e. bilateral exchange of expanders to implants (I’ll be posting a picture story soon in the private recon group for those interested). I had my expanders in for a record time, just shy of 4 years 🤦🏻♀️😄 (surgery kept being postponed for various reasons) so I might be able to enter the Guinness Book of Records 😅. The thing is, I’m absolutely terrified of surgery and pretty traumatised too, due to what happened after my DMX. It took a change of surgical teams 4 years ago and lots of counselling to be able to get to this state of being ready for it again. Thanks to all my hard work and my BRILLIANT specialist team, I got there, and I can’t even express how happy I am with the results 😃. My breasts now look like my original ones, albeit perkier 😏😁. They were an absolute mess from the 4 years of expanders, but my surgeon fixed my pockets perfectly and used implants that look very natural. The whole experience, despite stress from my previous trauma, was very easy and smooth sailing. I am beyond thankful and grateful to my team (Dr Eva Nagy ♥️ and Fred 💙) because without them this wouldn’t have been possible 🙏🏻🙌🏻🍀. It might seem like something so simple, but it is so important to healing as anyone going through this (all of you) will know and understand, because it means getting my body back to what it was (or to a new normal for those not choosing recon). Actually, better than what it was because I was going to the gym for a year prior, to prepare myself physically for this, and so I am stronger than I’ve been in a long time. Silver linings everywhere 😁. So now, every year on this day, I do something special for myself, as a thank you to ME for everything I’ve endured. One thing this cancer taught me is that I need to prioritise myself, because I was putting myself last before all this. Well, not anymore. It’s a work in progress for sure, but I’m now putting myself at the top of my list more and more often. My message, especially to all the newbies, is that it does get better. It gets a whole lot better. There will be a day and time when you won’t be thinking about cancer all day, every day - believe me! There will even be a day when you’ll forget you ever had it. You do get reminded again because it’s a bit of a ‘gift that keeps giving’ situation, but you find the strength again and keep moving on. It might not always seem like it and I definitely encourage venting and getting all the anger out, and asking for help when ever you need it!! However, there are lots of beautiful days as well ☺️. One more piece of advice: choose your medical team very carefully, because they will either break you or make you (speaking from experience). You are responsible for your life and wellbeing, but with the right medical team, you will have the support you need to do wonders. So, don’t rush this decision. Do research before choosing, and always seek a second or even third opinion if it doesn’t feel right. *Pictured are myself, the day after my surgery so please don’t judge me for looking so terrible, and my beautiful magician of a surgeon on the right 🌸. Lots of love and fantastic health to all 🧿🪷♥️, M Xxx
Totally confused after seeking second opinion
Hi my dear virtual friends, I have Hormones positives and Her2 negative. Grade 3 and Stage 3(Tumor size 35 mm). Surgeon A: Treatment plan Option 1: 6 months chemo ( neoadjjuvant), if tumor size shrinks > lumpectomy. If it doesn’t shrink > mastectomy > radiotherapy (will have to take Tamoxifen/AI) option 2: mastectomy > chemo> radiotherapy (will have to take Tamoxifen/AI) Surgeon B: treatment plan: lumpectomy immediately, tablets for hormones +ve (Tamoxifen/AI) > radiotherapy > chemo (depends on outcome of lumpectomy surgery). surgeon B doesn’t see the need to do 6 months chemo to shrink the tumor. He says he will have a better idea after surgery if chemo is necessary. hubby and I are still processing all these information and have some further questions written down. Keen to hear what other questions we should be asking both surgeons, please. Sincerely value everyone’s input. Xx Gin
to biopsy or not
I have recently found a lump (2 months ago) which I initially thought was due to my cycle but soon realized that even after my periods the lump still remained. I went to my doctor who then referred me for a mammogram and ultrasound. I arrived for my appt where I was told they weren't really keen on giving me a mammogram due to my age (36) and thought it best just to do the ultrasound, so I had the ultrasound and then started to get dressed, as i was doing so the radiologist told me not to bother as she thinks it would be best to do a Mammogram now. (after this i realised that they must of spotted something on the ultrasound). So i had the mammogram also on the same day. A few days later i went to see my GP for the results and was told they had seen dilated ducts with soft tissue present in my left breast and the radiology doctor has suggested a biopsy. My GP rang the radiology centre to speak to the Dr who wrote up my report and confirm whether it would be a FNA or Core biopsy, to which he confirmed a Core biopsy. A week later I went for my core biopsy appt at the same place i had mammo/ultrasound. Once again they decided to do a quick ultrasound and called the on duty Dr in to view. i was then told by this Dr (not the same guy that wrote up my initial report) that they wouldn't be doing the biopsy as he didn't see it as necessary. So didn't end up having any type of biopsy done on the lump. I now am very confused and worried that something has been missed as i can still feel the lump (it feels like a small rock covered in gravel) I have an appt with my GP next Tuesday but am unsure of what he is going to say. Im a single mother with 2 children and don't feel comfortable waiting a few months to see if the lump grows but i am unsure if i should get a second opinion or even where to go to get one. I have also reviewed the initial mammo/ultrasound report where the Dr states a biopsy is suggested. it also states that i have heterogeneously dense breasts whish makes it harder to spot any calcifications or masses on mammogram. Im confused as they obviously spotted something on the first ultrasound to warrant them wanting to do a mammo after firstly saying they didn't think it was needed .
Need a second opinion
Not sure whether this post will be allowed, but I'm not happy with the surgeon I was referred to and I would like to get a second opinion. Is it possible to see reviews and recommendations online anywhere here? Just in case it's OK to ask, I'm looking for someone in Northern Sydney - possibly who goes to Macquarie Uni, RNSH or the SAN. I'm really surprised that there isn't anything here already Thank youneeding to find a new oncologist
Hello everyone, I'm in South Western Sydney and wanting to get a second opinion regarding my treatment plan. I'm Her2+ and my oncologist has been good, however, I really am not sure of the longer-term plan. Im twelve months down the track and had surgery, chemo, and immunotherapy. Still undergoing treatment. Can anyone recommend a good oncologist? I'm currently in the public system but happy to also explore private. Any feedback would be really appreciated. Thanks
Second opinion
Hi all Long story but the shorter version is my oncologist did not act on my increasing ca15.3 blood marker levels which had been steadily rising over 6 months. So i , bothered by their increase got a second opinion. Well thank goodness I did. Firstly, My new oncologist could not believe my bloods levels were not acted upon. But most importantly whilst reviewing all my old scans against my most recent one last week, he noted a spot in my liver existed back in May that my old oncologist had MISSED completely which has now grown. This is the reason for my increase in tumour marker reading. Absolutely disgusting. I am now on new drugs abemaciclib which I just this morning paid $7,000 for and will do each month. . Anyway my reason for posting is to follow your intuition. I knew something was nt right with my tumour marker. Ps I also got a third opinion and again absolutely shocked and he apologised for my 1st oncologists huge mistake. Thankfully he has agreed with my new oncologist that the pathway I am now on is the correct one. am feeling so angry and am wanting to take legal advice so my old oncologist is held accountable. And she never overlooks another patients scan results or blood markers again
