📣Have you experienced differences in surgical quotes? We’d love to hear from you.
We’re looking to connect with our members living in Victoria who have received one quoted fee for surgery, and then either secured or discovered a lower cost elsewhere. Your experience can help highlight why greater transparency in healthcare costs is so important. 🌿 These insights will support advocacy efforts around the need for a transparent costs register, a topic very important to us here at BCNA that we will be working towards later this year. If this sounds like you, or someone you know, please comment below "learn more" to share your experience. Every story makes a difference in creating a fairer, more informed system for all. ✨
Write off 6 to 12 months?
I was given a diagnosis today of small tumor, early invasive breast cancer, double hormone positive and I have an appointment with surgeon in 1 week. At just-turned-60, the next 9 months were supposed to include 2 sons' graduations, 1 son's wedding (a family first), our 25th wedding celebration, a road trip to find-purchase-or-build a new home in a tree-change location in another state, and downsizing-packing-relocating. Surgeon and nurse at breast clinic today seemed to think "we can work around things" ...is that realistic? What is the most valuable question to ask the surgeon, next week, re time frames and realistic expectations? Thanks.
My reconstruction turned into 4 surgeries, 9 transfusions & a cardiac arrest… I need advice
Hi everyone, I’ve been going back and forth about posting this, but I’m really hoping to connect with anyone who may have experienced something similar or can point me in the right direction. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and went through the full treatment journey. In September 2025, I underwent reconstruction surgery. What followed was not what I expected at all. I ended up having four surgeries, required nine blood transfusions, and ultimately had the new breast removed. To make things even more traumatic, I went into cardiac arrest when they were trying to wake me up from surgery. I was told it was due to the anaesthetic drug-but I had previously had that same drug without any complications. I can’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. I’ve since questioned whether my body was already too weak, whether the amount of blood loss and transfusions played a role, or whether something was missed or mismanaged. This whole experience has had a huge impact on me physically and emotionally, and I’m now starting to consider whether I should be looking into this further from a medical and possibly legal perspective. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who: Has had severe complications after reconstruction or surgery Has experienced cardiac issues related to surgery or anaesthetic Has sought second opinions or independent reviews Has gone down the path of a medical negligence claim Can recommend good lawyers or specialists (especially in Victoria) I’m not looking to place blame unfairly. I just want to understand what happened and whether I should be advocating more strongly for myself. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this 💕
Radiation Therapy
It's all been very quick diagnosed with stage 1, grade 1 invasive breast cancer, ER+ then appointment with surgeon 2 days later, lumpectomy and removal of two lymph nodes 4 days after seeing surgeon. Currently day 3 after surgery, home recovering. Get results on lymph nodes and margins next week. I'm trying not to think too far ahead, but ... I worry about radiation (been told 5 days a week for 4 weeks) and how it will affect me as I work full-time. Any advise on what I can do to make the next stage of treatment easier and what to expect ☺️
Unilateral mastectomy with delayed reconstruction
Hi everyone, I’m currently in treatment for TNBC and starting to plan my surgery and reconstruction, and I’m really hoping to connect with others who have had a similar pathway. Others who chose unilateral mastectomy with expander/implant reconstruction I’m 41 and currently undergoing chemotherapy (AC followed by weekly Paclitaxel). Surgery is planned after chemo finishes very soon. My current plan, pending final discussions with my surgeon and a plastic surgeon, is: Unilateral mastectomy (left side) Nipple removal (due to previous lumpectomies and blood supply concerns) TExpander placed at the time of mastectomy Later exchange to a permanent implant (skin is tight and I'm too small for immediate reconstruction/DIEP) Possible fat grafting and/or minor adjustment to the natural breast for symmetry Genetic testing was negative, so my surgeon feels comfortable with a single-sided mastectomy rather than bilateral. One of my biggest challenges right now is that most of the stories and photos I find online seem to be double mastectomies and DIEP, and I’m finding it hard to visualise what unilateral reconstruction looks like long-term. Some things I’m especially curious about: How close did the reconstruction get to your natural breast over time? Did you end up having adjustments to the other breast? What did the expander stage look like under clothes? Were you happy choosing unilateral rather than bilateral? Anyone who slightly increased their size with implant? Did anyone here go on to have fat grafting to improve symmetry? I’m quite small-framed and originally around a B/C cup (medically-induced menopause and weight loss have decreased this somewhat), and ideally would love to maintain a similar size and shape if possible. I’m also trying to understand what the timeline looked like for others, particularly between mastectomy, expansions, and implant exchange. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken this path, especially if you: had unilateral reconstruction had expanders then implants were younger (30s–40s) when treated Even just hearing your experience would help me feel a little less like I’m navigating this blindly. I’m finding the lack of similar stories and images a bit overwhelming, so I’d really value hearing from anyone who’s been through something like this. Also, anything to potentially be aware of for out-of-pocket expenses. Thank you so much in advance.Just need to talk to someone
I’m 59yo and newly diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m really not sure I get what is going on either because I’m just slow or it’s just not all clear yet so I feel confused, in total panic and that I’m drowning and there is nobody to save me 😢 I am waiting for an mri this Thursday. I have a 10cm Not Special Type Grade 1 something positive to do with hormones and her2 1+. The surgeon says mastectomy is the only choice because of the size. There isn’t anything clear about what happens after that… is that how it’s meant to be? I just feel very lost appreciate any words of wisdom for these circumstances? susanWorking while waiting for surgery
Hi all, was diagnosed 3 weeks ago today with early stage and was told I’d be having surgery pretty quickly. Ended up having to have more tests to eliminate issues in the other side and thankfully that all seems to be clear. But that has meant I still don’t have a date for surgery (I should find out tomorrow hopefully). My question is about how you’ve all kept sane during this ‘limbo’ period. My emotions and anxiety are all over the place, I can’t really focus or concentrate so I’ve taken a fair few days off work. I’m lucky enough that I can work from home (when I’m up to it) and my boss is awesome but I weirdly feel guilty about taking time off as though I should be managing this better. I’m conscious my surgery might not be for another few weeks so feel I need to work out better ways to handle this. Any inputs welcome! Thanks.
First appointment since diagnosis
Hi Lovely Ladies, I have my first appt on wednesday at Peter Mac and was wondering if anyone else went to Peter mac and what their experience was with the first appointment. Im hoping to come away with some dates of appointments to start my journey or am I being unrealistic and is it just really an information session? Thanks in advanceNewly Diagnosed WA
Hi, I have just been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. I have decided to have a double mastectomy. I live in a regional town in WA so I will be flying to Perth for the surgery. Any advice for preparation for surgery. Will I need propping pillows to sleep post surgery. I am staying in Perth post op for 14 days to allow for the nurse care of drains. Has anyone else done this in Perth?Newly Diagnosed
Hi In January a had my regular breast screen, and later received a call back saying that there was a change in my left breast since my last screening 2 yrs ago, and was required to go back for a 2nd screening, ultra sound and possible biopsy. To say I was slightly scared is an understatement... So I had the 2nd screening and biopsy and the results came back with an Invasive Ductual Carcinoma HER2 Low Grade 1, and I'm scared. I'm booked to see the surgeon next week and resolved to be positive until then. So far, so good. Would love to hear from anyone in a similar situation.
