Archive | November, 2009

Wealth of Information

23 Nov

Making informed decisions has been so important throughout these past seven months and quite obviously – knowledge is key.

Now I’m through all the big stuff, I’m viewing some of the information through different eyes.

As you know, my diagnosis was DCIS – not the standard ‘invasive’ breast cancer and at times I’ve found it a bit hard to explain (& I’m sure some of you have been left scratching your heads!)

The following link provides what I think is a really comprehensive look at DCIS – everything from symptoms to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

As it explains clearly – there are many factors to consider. The ones that had a real impact on my course of treatment were;

  • Age – 31 (crucial point -under 35 or 40)
  • Location – Multifocal
  • Grade – Intermediate
  • Hormone Receptor Status – Oestrogen positive
  • Sentinel Node Biopsy result – no involvement of lymph nodes

It also touches on phantom breast pain. So as you read with amusement – have a laugh at my getting used to the fact there are no nipples, when my body is screaming the left one is still there!

breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis/

Here’s another one;

nbocc.org.au/breast-cancer/about-breast-cancer/what-is-ductal-carcinoma-in-situ-dcis

As far as the big picture goes – I know there are some women I’ve met on my journey who have been on/are currently on a similar ride. So, I thought I’d also include links to some other websites I have found helpful and I’m sure you will too.

To those on the support side – there’s a wealth of information for you to digest as well. One area I’d like to highlight is under the ‘My Directory’ tab at The Warwick Foundation.

mcgrathfoundation.org.au

nbocc.org.au

nbcf.org.au

bcna.org.au

cancerqld.org.au

thewarwickfoundation.org.au

Happy browsing!

Scientists to trial breast regrowth

13 Nov

Perhaps this will one day make the whole mastectomy & reconstruction experience less traumatic for the thousands of women who have to go through it because of cancer.

Scientists to trial breast regrowth Technology Telstra BigPond News and Weather

Creative Friendship

11 Nov

Ask anyone who has/has had cancer – they’ll tell you one of the biggest surprises from their ‘journey’ is some of the wonderful, but somewhat unexpected friendships they’ve developed along the way.

The gifted woman who painted these incredible artworks is someone I may not have come across, had it not been for my diagnosis and subsequent attendance at a Cancer Council support group.

Lori is also a ‘boob girl’ (my Mum’s age, with an adult son and daughter), and although through surgery and chemotherapy successfully – is still very much living ‘with cancer’. The terminology she uses though, is her ‘adventure’.

You may find it hard to believe (as I did at first), that these pieces were done long before Lori was diagnosed. Her sub-conscious obviously had a much greater depth than even she could have imagined.

‘The girls’ have been donated to Cancer Council Queensland. The very place we met, during our treatment.
More on Lori’s artwork to come.

Settling In…again.

9 Nov

Apologies there’s no smile to go with this. It’s been a slightly uncomfortable few weeks.

Having said that – I think I’ve passed the period of intense pain and am now experiencing a bruised sort of soreness in the upper part of my chest, with the niggling nerve pain rearing its ugly head when I reach/move a certain way. As for the rest of my body, it’s tired. I am getting around the house much easier now and going for short walks. They’re tending to be followed by a long, very deep sleep!

Here they are three weeks after surgery. Healing nicely and I’m now changing the dressing/tape at home rather than having to trek into Dr D’s.

It’s amazing to see the transformation really. What would we do without these gifted people who choose to use their brilliant minds to study and build expertise in their chosen field?

Not Like a ‘Boob Job’

2 Nov

Guess by now you’ve worked out this latest surgery is a far cry from having an ‘augmentation’, or a ‘boob job’.

Dr D promised to try and get the implants sitting so I was ‘symmetrical’. Andrea gave him the big thumbs up, from the other end of the treatment room telling me “If it wasn’t for the lack of nipples, no-one would know.”

This was my first appointment following the latest surgery (five days out). Apart from seeing how ‘balanced’ they were (without the heavy duty bra on – it stays on for all but the shower!), it was also my first opportunity to have a look at the scars without any form of dressing on.

 

 

I teared-up as the dressings were peeled off. I was almost speechless. I just couldn’t (still can’t) believe so much has happened, and that incision is it.

 

The one above – my right side is particularly incredible as it hadn’t healed as well as was hoped last time around. Tidy up, he certainly has.

 

A bit of bruising is still apparent down my sternum and you can notice the ‘teardrop’ shape of these implants (visible up towards my collarbone), is quite different to the round tissue expanders.