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• Jonica

  

  • 5 posts
  February 20, 2012 12:32:10 PM WATime

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  I finished my treatment, chemo & radiation in April last year. I started my reconstruction towards the end of last year which is almost finished.

  I felt like I coped really well while it was all happening but now finding I am a little less busy with dr's appointments my anxiety levels have increased so I have joined a support group through Breast Care WA and here I am!!!

  43yo mum of 2 young boys. DX Aug 2010. 35mm stage 3 grade 2 IDC with 9/20 lymph nodes affected. LB mastectomy, 6 rounds of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation.

• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  February 20, 2012 1:45:12 PM WATime

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  Great you've joined the "click" Jonica!
  Would love to hear more about your experiences ..
  What type of reconstruction have you had? How are you feeling about it? Is it a 'two-stage' procedure involving implant exchange?
  The feelings you describe of anxiety starting to increase when the 'merry-go-round' of treatment slows is a very common one! Now is the time when life is supposed to 'get back to normal', and yet so much has happened and brought some changes that do not seem 'normal' at all! Have you had a chance to look at the booklet "Cancer - How Are You Travelling?" (you can search it under that title or via 'Cancer Australia' site). It may be really useful in helping you to identify areas of concern and how to improve things. Of course, you've made a big step in doing that by joining the site and sharing with others. Are you in touch with the counsellors at Breast Cancer Care WA? Or the Breast Cancer Clinical Psychology Service? Would love to hear if anything is/has been helpful.
  We've had a few ladies join recently who are on similar treatment plans to yours and would love to chat .. and others who've also been through it and could relate to where you are at.
  Feel free to ask any questions you may have. .
  Cheers, Glenys

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• Jonica

  

  • 5 posts
  February 20, 2012 2:02:18 PM WATime

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  Thanks for the reminder about the booklet which I do have :) I am trying to update my signature but wont save :( very frustrating. Will try again another day.

  43yo mum of 2 young boys. DX Aug 2010. 35mm stage 3 grade 2 IDC with 9/20 lymph nodes affected. LB mastectomy, 6 rounds of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation.

• Ness

  

  • 81 posts
  February 20, 2012 3:38:59 PM WATime

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  Welcome to the Click Jonica!
  I know with my mother-in-law she experienced something very similar to you. It was the first annual check up time that made her feel anxious - and even a few years on she is the same each time she is scanned.
  I find it is important for her to recognise her feelings and she is comfortable to share them with me in particular knowing I won't disregard her concerns. Have you got someone you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with?
  And of course there is the Breast Cancer Care WA team and us here on the Click now too!
  : )
  Look forward to chatting more!
  Ness

  The Click Project Coordinator
  

  Daughter-in-law and niece of breast cancer "thrivers"!

• bec81

  

  • 4294967295 posts
  February 20, 2012 5:08:01 PM WATime

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  Hey Jonica
  By the sound of it I'm heading your way with surgery planned for this week! (I'm guessing you had a mastectomy if you've had a reconstruction???). I have so many questions, like how long after your surgery did you have the reconstruction? Are you happy with the result? How was the chemo? And the radiation? Did you have lymph nodes removed? How old were you? Who did you have for support?
  It all seems like so much at the moment!! I hope you do get some help with the anxiety - just being able to connect with others and 'talking' with Glenys the breast care nurse has helped me tremendously in the past week! But I know it's a long road ahead and am hoping to find out more from people who've been through it.
  Look forward to hearing from you! Bec x
  

  30yo Dx Feb 12, Left mastectomy and axillary clearance Feb. 5cm grade 3 tumour with 15/19 lymph nodes +ve. Hormone & Her2+ve. Chemo fortnightly 8 cycles (4 AC, 4 TH), then radiation & hormone therapy

• Jonica

  

  • 5 posts
  February 20, 2012 6:33:21 PM WATime

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  Hey Bec, it is so over whelming when you are at the begining and good luck for your surgery on thursday.
  To answer your questions.......I deperatly wanted an imediate reconstruction and although it has higher risks of failure I opted for a TRAM recon as it gives a more natural reult without the need for implants. But it didn't work for me so had to have it removed. I think it was a blessing really because I ended up needing radiation as well as chemo and the radiation can damage the reconstructed tissue. I went 12mths wearing a prosthesis before I went in for a lat dosri recon which was much easier operation. I have only had one breast removed. I am happy with the result........its not the same as I was before...but I can wear most clothing and people would not know. In hind sight I am glad I had the time in between the mastectomy and the recon as I think I appriciate it more :)
  The chemo was not too bad.....it did get hard towards the later treatments....I had 6 rounds. But I found the radiation more tiring driving into the hospital every day for almost 6 weeks. And the burn was quite uncomfortable towards the end but not sick like chemo. My lymph nodes were removed as the sentinal node tested positive. I was 41 when I was diagnoed 18months ago.
  My Mum, my hubby and a few close friends were amazing support. I have 2 young boys who were 3 & 4 at the time and I kind of put up a brick wall to protect them.....them knew mummy had a nasty germ and the dr had to chop mummy's boobie off to make her better. But also my hubby's 1st wife died of cancer so I felt I needed to protect him also. I have just had some counseling at breast care wa and joined the support group for young women with breast cancer because there is so much that you feel and worry about that only someone else in the same position can understand.
  I hope that has helped you a little. I feel like I have rambled a bit...sorry But please ask me any questions.....I am online most days so can reply quickly...take care xxx

  43yo mum of 2 young boys. DX Aug 2010. 35mm stage 3 grade 2 IDC with 9/20 lymph nodes affected. LB mastectomy, 6 rounds of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation.

• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  February 22, 2012 4:17:06 PM WATime

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  Hi Jonica, - gosh you've had to deal with the works and be strong for others too! Must have been very challenging for your hubby - do you know if he looked for / found anything that helped him? And your mum? I'm not surprised the effects of having to be so strong for those around you is now catching up! Great you are getting more support yourself, and hopefully others around you are as well. There are good supports available - it's finding what you need when you need it that makes all the difference!
  Did you know about / use the booklet I've referred to in 'Telling your kids'? Would love to know what you think of it with 2 young boys! How did you go about dealing with hairloss and explaining to them? I know some ladies who encouraged their kids to 'help' when they cut their hair or shaved their head (ie mum's) to help them feel included but yours may have been a bit young?? Hopefully your hair has well and truly grown back now - is it any different to before?
  Any tips about chemo you could add to our 'chemo' topic? A few others are just going through that now ..
  Love to hear more as you've certainly experienced so much! Thanks for sharing this x

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• bec81

  

  • 4294967295 posts
  February 22, 2012 11:48:59 PM WATime

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  Thanks so much for all that Jonica .. doesn't sound like rambling to me! I'm so sorry the first reconstruction didn't work out for you!! - I don't understand the terms as haven't looked into that at all yet but will do a bit later down the track. I was told from the start they thought would be better for me to wait for the reconstruction until treatment finished in case it delays treatment or I need radiation - don't know that yet either until after the surgery and results. I'm so glad to hear the chemo wasn't too bad for you - that one does concern me a bit!! You do hear so many awful stories, I'm not looking forward to it but your comments and SusanB's have helped.
  I can't sleep with surgery tomorrow - but will go and try now I've read all the great supportive messages again! I look forward to chatting more after the surgery, especially as you really do know how this feels! Thanks for being there! x

  30yo Dx Feb 12, Left mastectomy and axillary clearance Feb. 5cm grade 3 tumour with 15/19 lymph nodes +ve. Hormone & Her2+ve. Chemo fortnightly 8 cycles (4 AC, 4 TH), then radiation & hormone therapy

• bec81

  

  • 4294967295 posts
  February 29, 2012 2:14:08 PM WATime

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  Hey Jonica
  Thanks for your message just before I went to surgery! Makes such a difference knowing others have been through this. I'm not sure how I feel yet .. all feels very strange and like it's happening to someone else! Did you feel like that? I keep expecting to wake up and find this was all a bad dream and I have my boob back! I do look forward to when I can have a reconstruction - at least knowing that should all be able to happen when I've finished chemo and ? radiation is some comfort.
  Thanks again for being there, and look forward to many more chats! Bec x
  
  

  30yo Dx Feb 12, Left mastectomy and axillary clearance Feb. 5cm grade 3 tumour with 15/19 lymph nodes +ve. Hormone & Her2+ve. Chemo fortnightly 8 cycles (4 AC, 4 TH), then radiation & hormone therapy