My story
Invasive Ductal Cell Carcinoma (IDC) - Stage 2, Grade 2, 3.1cm, PR-, ER+, HER2+, Node + x 1, LVI++ high grade DCIS - Left Breast - 22/12/11
Left Breast nipple and partial skin sparing mastectomy with silicone implant reconstruction & sentinel node biopsy (2 sentinel nodes take, 1 with 5mm deposit) - 03/02/12.
Port-a-cath (Vital-port) insertion surgery - 30/03/12.
TCH Chemo - 6 cycles of TC and 18 cycles of H every 21days from - 02/04/12
Right breast nipple and skin sparing mastectomy with silicone implant reconstruction - to be carried out once chemotherapy is completed (as a precaution, because I am high risk, and I want it gone), my breast surgeon has already agreed to and planned the surgery, they even placed my port in a slightly different place (mine is "just" to the right of my sternum), so that it would not interfere with the 2nd mastectomy surgery (my breast surgeon came into my port insertion surgery, with my port surgeon, to make sure it was placed where it wouldn't interfere with his planned future prophylactic mastectomy surgery).
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Chemotherapy Clinic - Zita Mary Clinic @ Calvary Public Hospital, Bruce.
Breast Surgeon - Dr. Usama Majeed @ Calvary Public Hospital, Bruce.
Oncologist - Dr. Sayed Ali @ The Canberra Hospital, Woden.
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MY SHOCKING DIAGNOSIS/ MIS-DIAGNOSIS STORY
Found a lump (unusually my lump/ cancer was under my nipple at the 6 o'clock position) in October (after my very light 6yr old neice jumped on my breast while I was lying down, leaving me in AGONY) and then checking my breast and finding a SMALL lump, maybe about the size of a pea, and noticing a small pucker in the skin), I saw a GP the next day, who referred me to a specilaist (general surgeon), who told me it was nothing, just a band of Fibrotic tissue, don't worry about (my mammogram and ultrasound 8 months ago was clear).
I couldn't stop thinking about it and demanded another mammogram and ultrasound from a GP, and they found a 2.8cm malignant looking lump and took 4 core biopsies then and there, on 21/12/11 and on 22/12/11, I got the diagnosis of Breast cancer, but as it was Christmas we knew NOTHING more until 16/01/12 when the doctors returned from their Christmas holidays.
I had been having routine ultrasounds (every 2 years) since I was 30yrs old due to family history (Mother and Maternal Aunt both had breast cancer), and had my first mammogram in April 2011 when I turned 40 yrs old and it (and the ultrasound then) were both clear, in December (8 months later) I was diagnosed with a 2.8cm stage 2 tumour. I am still awaiting an appointment with the genetics clinic for genetic tests to see if I have any of the faulty BRACA genes etc.
Goes to show, don't believe the Doctors if you heart/ mind/ gut or body are telling you something else. Go with your instincts, it is YOUR body and YOU are the one who suffers the consequences if the doctor(s) are WRONG.
Member blog
My Knitted Animals
A Mermaid I knitted for my Niece (I have since also knitted another one for my husbands cousins child (who we call a niece becasue it is easier).
A Camel I knitted
Sorry for not being around (hospital)
I just wanted to say sorry for not being around for the past week and a bit, but last Thursday we had a 7pm dash to the ER, when my temped spiked to 38.9C, by the time we got to the ER (about 5 min's down the road) it was 39.9, and by the time the checked my temp, gave me a mask and walked me to the isolations room, it was 40.6C <eek>, so in about 30 mins it jumped to 40.6C.
Angel Flight
I just wanted to put this information out there for those on this site who are from outback, remote, rural or regional Australia, who have problems with getting to and from medical appointments, treatments etc( problems with distance, costs etc), there is a service out these that some people it seem have never heard of, or thought of using it is called ANGEL FLIGHT.http://www.angelflight.org.au/
Bl@@dy Dexamethasone.
Yes it is nearly 3am the night/ morning before my next chemotherapy cycle (cycle 3 (YAY! That will make me halfway when it is finished) of 6 of TCH).
I took my 2 x 4mg tablets of Dex at 10am and 2pm (told to try not to take it after 2pm to limit chances of insomnia), but alas insomnia is somethign we jsut have to deal with.
Things to pack and do for Hospital Stays
Over the years and many hospital visits I have made a list of things that can make hospital stay easier and more pleasant, and thought I would share them with those on this site, for those about to go into hospital for surgery for lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction, revision, node removal, those who are on chemo and develop an infection or for any other reason you may be hospitalised.
