Come & try dragon boating for breast cancer survivors in Melbourne!
Do you live in the greater-Melbourne area? Come and try dragon boating for free for breast cancer survivors! Experience the wonderful benefits of outdoor exercise and support from fellow breast cancer survivors in beautiful Victoria Harbour, Docklands! You can come as many times as you like for 1 month for free! We can't wait to meet you! Dragons Abreast Melbourne Pink Phoenix is a Group Member of the wonderful Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA). Sign-up for your free 1 month Dragon Pass here: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/pinkphoenix/registrationNEW Private Group - Triple Positive Breast Cancer (TPBC)
Hello members, If you have been diagnosed with 'Triple Positive Breast Cancer' (TPBC) or supporting someone with this breast cancer type, you may have asked whether we have a private group available for people. Currently we do not have a dedicated group, however there are several members who would like to see a specific group and we want to create the conversation: What is TPBC? TPBC is breast cancer that has higher-than-typical levels of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 protein (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2). Hormone receptor and HER2 status are determined during breast cancer diagnosis. You can read more about the role of hormones and HER2 via our website Hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer Please provide feedback as to whether you feel you or someone diagnosed with TPBC would benefit from having access to an Online Network private group (Please leave your comment in this discussion thread)
How to find a good medical team? (Brisbane / Gold Coast)
hi all - my partner has just been diagnosed with BC, it's very early days and we don't have a lot of information yet, but are wondering what to do about finding a good Dr (and possibly surgeon if it comes to that). We live in regional SE Qld, and my partner will most likely be seeking treatment in Brisbane or the Gold Coast. But we haven't been here long, we aren't really plugged into the local community yet and don't know anything about how to find the "right" help - and by that I guess I mean the best person/people for the job. Google searching seems like a pretty hit & miss option - everyone presents well on their website - but that's pretty much all we have to go on at the moment. Are there forums where people recommend medical practitioners in particular areas? I can't find anything here. [Edit: And I understand that the main forum isn't the place for naming names, so please feel free to DM me]
Struggling tonight
I know I'm not alone in this journey but tonight I'm really feeling quite lonely. Just wondering what other people do when they are feeling this way even when they might be surrounded by supportive family and friends. Night-time is always the hardest because I live alone and have little to distract me.
Radiation therapy and support groups
Hi, I start 3 weeks of radiation therapy this coming Tuesday. I'm feeling good, exercising and (trying) to eat well although still not a big fan of tofu and the odd deserts still creep in! And, I'm being as positive as possible. I have been reading a lot of the radiation discussions here which have been really helpful. This is such a good forum! :) What I'm really missing are friends / people (who might become friends) who I can go and have a coffee, meal or just catch up with. A walk, something, anything! Local to me who have been through or going through BC. I live on Sydney's North Shore. Can anyone point me in the right direction to finding a group? I have found that most of my friends are very supportive but some have backed away. The people you least expect to.
Why can’t I find a local support group???
I live on the Central Coast which everyone is telling me has the second most prevalent cases of breast cancer in Australia. I was diagnosed with early breast cancer in August and have since undergone 2 surgeries. Currently have the “Dracula” drain which I hate with a vengeance. I am lucky enough to have a very loving sister who has come to help me during this trying time but she doesn’t live close by normally. I am soon to start the radiation/maybe chemo/medication treatments and Iv’e been trying to find a local support group to help me through. I NEED people who have gone down the exact same track as me, who understand the emotional roller coaster the this experience actually is. I don’t think anyone who has not been actually through it, including the medical professionals, who can totally understand the impact on your mental state. I have always prided myself as being a very strong person but this has all brought me down to a feeling of despair.
What a Whirlwind!
Out of sheer luck I found a suspicious lump on my right breast in early June 2023. I didn’t think much of it, but thought I should have it looked at (as a friend of mine had breast cancer at 23). All I can say is thank god I did because after a mammogram, ultrasound and a painful biopsy I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This all happened 4 days after my 29th birthday and it was an absolute shock to me! My cancer was defined as hormone based, HER- and Grade 3. The days after my diagnosis were an absolute whirlwind! I had multiple tests, appointments and then a full mastectomy of my right breast. As my fiancé and I are yet to have children, I am currently in the process of fertility treatments so I can freeze my eggs. Once this is complete I am looking at 5 months of chemo. I am feeling nervous about chemo because of the side effects it may have on me. I am a primary school teacher and have taken term 3 off from work. I am hoping to return in term 4 on a part time basis, but this will depend on how hard the chemo is on my body and mind. I am hoping to reach out and connect with others (especially young people) with breast cancer near me 💕'Flat Chat - No Breast Reconstruction' (New Group!)
Hello members, Thankyou to those who participated in the discussion and have assisted in bringing to life a new group for people who for various reasons, do not have breast reconstruction following a single or double mastectomy or may be in the process of considering no breast reconstruction. The new private group has been created and can be found via the link https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/29-flat-chat-no-breast-reconstruction It will also be added to the 'Groups' drop-down menu soon for easy access. As with the other private groups on the Online Network you will have to request to join or be invited by a moderator. With this in mind as we head into the weekend, my colleague has been given the heads up that there may requests to join when the team are back on deck Monday. Please reach out if you have any questions.
