My story
I went for my regular breastscreen mammogram. I was called back to have an ultrasound. This didn't worry me because when I had
had the previous one two years ago I was also called back but they confirmed that what had shown up on the x-rays was just breast cysts. This time there were calcium deposits in three areas of my right breast. So I had the ultrasound and also a fine needle aspiration but the spots were so small they could not be conclusive.So I had a biopsy ... they only did one spot because they figured that if that was ok so would the other two. They gave the impression there was little likelihood of any problem so I was not in the least bit concerned. Later I discovered that they should have done a biopsy of all 3 areas. ($1000 out of pocket to cover the latter two) On the 19th April 2012 I went to get my biopsy results not the least bit worried. So when I was diagnosed with DCIS (breast cancer) it hit me like a brick. I was lucky because it didn't appear to be an aggressive cancer and as far as the doctors could tell, at this stage it was also non-invasive. This meant my treatment was to be surgery and unlikely to involve either chemotherapy or radio therapy. My life was not in danger but I would require a mastectomy because it was multi focal. After two further biopsies the diagnosis was changed to lobular carcinoma with one area being invasive. The treatment remained the same. I had my mastectomy on April 30 along with a sentinel node biopsy. Thankfully the cancer had not spread and the only further treatment I need is anti hormone therapy because the cancer was oestregen positive. I discovered from blood tests I was post menapausal (surprised me because although I hadn't had a period in a number of months I had had no other side effects). I have had some irritation of the incision ... feels like sandpaper rubbing on it, but it is decreasing in intensity and I have hope it will disappear completely over the next few months.
btw. there were no lumps, no discharge, nothing at all to indicate that I had a problem. The only way it could be picked up is through the mammogram. Thank God for Breastscreen
Member blog
BCNA Forum Melb
So excited to be going to the BCNA forum in Melbourne next week ... I think my work mates thought I'd totally lost it when I opened my acceptance email yesterday! lol
Pink Clothes Hangers
Hi all,
I had a mastectomy 2 months ago and was fitted for my prosthesis at a lovely shop in Mornington (Michelle-Ann). The service was wonderful.
But being a girl I have checked out a few other shops too however it becomes a little frustrating when you have to ask where things are, particulalrly bathers.
Last week I was in Hervey Bay on holiday and popped into a store that had a great idea ... all mastectomy products were on pink hangers. This made it easy to browse without having to ask the assistants what items were suitable. I give this a big thumbs up!
love this T Shirt
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=470006226362169&set=a.2230983243...
I'm hoping this works .... I think it does!
Bio Oil, Vitamin E
Hi ... just wondering if anyone can tell me when I should start rubbing bio oil or vitamin e cream into my mastectomy incision and also how often I should do it.
I am now 5 weeks post surgery and don't need chemo or radio (thankfully)
thanks ... Sheila
