Mental health and new diagnosis.
Hi all, been struggling really bad finding out i have cancer in my right breast early diagnosis. I dont know what sort as i cant cope with the details of it all. I have seen the doctors and waiting MRI appointment and surgery date. I am really struggling with the anxiety and the moving forward bit. I suffer with anxiety and depression quite badly. I was given the option of just having the two lumps removed or the whole breast. I cant decide which option will help me move forward better. So firstly is there any mental health accept to this organisation? I only have my hubby to rely on who is also classed as my career. I am unsure which option to go with as my mental health plays a big part in my descion. I need to make a descion that i can be happy with and wont make my anxiety worse. Unsure of who to talk to or where to go for help.
Expander to implant surgery
Hi, I’m looking for feedback on how long everyone had to wait to have their second surgery to replace the tissue expander with an implant. I’m being told that I’m now on a waitlist for ‘elective surgery’ that could take 12 months. Is this normal? I feel like I’m living in limbo and can’t even begin to recover or move forward until the second surgery takes place. I’m in NSW. This is my second breast cancer after my lumpectomy and radiation in 2018. Both times DCIS
Another surgery 😞
Hi all, I’m facing my 3rd surgery in less than 6 months. Margins were out by less than 2mm either side. To say I’m pissed is an understatement! But can’t risk leaving it. I was wondering if anyone has had local anaesthetic and/or sedation instead of general? I don’t recover well from GA. Much love to you all on your journeys x AnnaSo confused, scared and teary
Hi all, I was just diagnosed yesterday with DCIS intermediate grade 2 and told to get off my HRT patches immediately. I have 3 areas in the one breast so I think i will need a masectomy. I have been contacted by Peter Mac in Melbourne regarding my referral and just waiting on confirmation of my appointment date. My brain is saying if I had to have cancer this is the one to get but my emotions are being ridiculous, so teary inside but cool and calm on the outside trying to support everyone else. If I do need a masectomy i want to have reconstruction surgery on the same day with a small implant but Im so worried as 6 months ago I was let go at work due to business downsizing and ive really struggled to find another job, my mum has just passed away and any savings I had have helped with the funeral etc so basically I am seriously going through hardship and only just paying my rent on my job seeker payment. I am so scared that I will find out going through this process there are some unexpected charges that arent included, all the sites say peter mac is free and I am bulk billing but Im so scared that my health is going to held back due to financial stress. Has anyone had this process done at peter mac, chose the medicare bulk billing option and was their reconstruction covered? Sorry Im really rambling here but its so much easier to type this to a stranger than someone I know. xxxxx
Wound care after lumpectomy
Hello everyone, This is my first time posting, and I am still learning how to use this platform, so I apologise if this question has already been asked. Been dx with Hormone positive DCIS in left breast and did lumpectomy. I am looking for some advice regarding incision care after my surgeon removed the waterproof dressing. It has been 20 days since my surgery, and the dressing was removed today. My surgeon recommended using Micropore tape for a few weeks and then starting a silicone gel afterwards. I was hoping to clarify a few things based on others' experiences. Do you shower with the Micropore tape in place and wait for it to naturally loosen before replacing it, or do you remove it daily to clean the incision and apply a new strip? I have done some research but would really appreciate hearing what others have done. I would also be interested to know when you started using silicone gel and when you began scar massage. Thank you in advance for your advice and experiences.Anyone moved breast care teams?
I'm currently being treated at a public hospital in Melbourne and will receive my lumpectomy results tomorrow. If the margins are clear, I plan to request a DCISionRT test, as I'm hoping to avoid radiation therapy. For anyone who has transitioned from the public system to private care, did you have any difficulty obtaining your histopathology results and scans? My hospital has been very clear that they won't release any results before tomorrow's appointment, despite having an online portal. I'd like to have copies of all my scans and reports ready after the appointment so I can potentially arrange a consultation with a private breast care team.
Lipofilling - tips for preparation and recovery please.
Hi everyone. Back in 2024, I was diagnosed with DCIS and subsequently had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I'm now booked for my first round of lipofilling/fat-grafting at the end of July. The thighs are most likely going to be the donor site. I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced this type of surgery and what helped them to recover comfortably. Any tips on what to have in place for recovery? Are there similarities in the recovery process for this, as they are for a lumpectomy? I bruise really easily and dramatically, so it should be interesting to see how my thighs react. I'm also still experiencing daily pain from the lumpectomy and radiation (although I'm under the care of a Pain Clinic). Thank you. Cozycat.📣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 💕
