Kiwi ladies who need encouragment, but all welcome.
Comments
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Hey Helen, I am originally from Invercargill (many years ago now). I was brought up at Awarua Radio station where my Dad worked. I think it is a museum now?
My right mastectomy was mainly because I hated being lopsided. Reconstruction wasn't really a consideration for me (my tumour was very large and I had little skin left over), also ILC is sneaky and hard to detect, at least mine was. I feel that having the other one off was my version of reconstruction - I haven't regretted it.
I have gone through the public system since my diagnosis, and I have been very happy. I basically put one foot in front of the other for a year, and then it was over. Have you got kids?
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Hi Niki nice to chat to you. I have 3 kids 19 15 and 11. At 52 was a late starter travelled first then settled down. As a kid I lived in Auckland and have moved around a lot through out the years. One of the questions I keep asking the surgeon is what about the other side and he said we will look at that further down the track. I'm not overly bothered with a reconstruction and like you would be happy to stop being lop sided.
I think being in NZ we are quite lucky. District nurses coming in everyday, the public system is where my surgeon prefers me to be for the next step.
Have you got kids
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I had to wait nearly a year to have my right one off - the decision was the right one for me, however I know many people who thought I was bonkers to remove a supposedly healthy body part. This includes a dear friend of mine who has one lone F cup and is very happy. I have 2 kids, a girl 19 and boy of 17. There are a few of us on here with kids around the same age. I am 49. You'll feel so much better once you get the drain out Helen. That thing is a drag.
KT! Things are moving quickly in the house department. I will let you know if I see anything in the way of consents, and you can tell me if you want your details suppressed. It's a little service I offer to my friends
Hello to everyone else. Happy Monday.
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hi ladies
Just been doing a quick catch up. Welcome Helen. Exciting news KT about the house.
So last Friday I had a check up with my new breast specialist. My original one retired. I had the mammograms and then an ultrasound and got told that everything looked great.
Then today I get a phone call to say that the 2nd radiologist has looked at the mammograms and there is an area they want further images of and possibly a diagnostic ultrasound. So I'm booked into do that this Friday when mammo specialist is there. So now of course I'm thinking the worst again! I guess they are just wanting to check, check and double check. i wish they'd tell you more info though like which breast they are wanting to look at and what it is exactly. I feel like I'm back on the roller coaster again. Anyway, trying not to worry or think about it.
We had lots of rain again yesterday down here. SH1 was closed for a bit even. Beautiful day today. You wouldn't think it was the same city.
On a happy note, I bought a new puppy today! Get him next week. He's a Cavalier Lowchen cross - nearly 8 weeks old. I pick him up next week (on my birthday!).
This is him:-
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Adorable puppy, Kruise! I made it home just before SH1 closed yesterday and it was a nasty drive. Looked like night, but it was 3:30!
Hi Helen and welcome to the group!
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Kruise. All the best for Friday. Hoping you get answers then and that it's just an abundance of caution. Gorgeous puppy, do you have any idea what you're going to call him?
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Glad you made it home Terre before the road closed.
I went up to Palmerston North to have a look at the Pups. The radiographer who had taken my mammograms rang me while I was driving to explain everything. It was actually quite good to be in the car and distracted.
I went around to the lovely new age Chrystal shop in Palmie after and saw these beautiful stones that were dark brown and orangey red, and black looking some of them too - Jasper! So that is going to be pups name
I think Tim is a bit worried about the extra tests. He came back from work yesterday and gave me a huge hug and when I asked him how his afternoon was, he just shrugged his shoulders and said ok. Haven't said anything to anyone else. No point yet until we know if it's anything to worry about or not. Yes Nikki hoping that it's exactly like you said 'an abundance of caution'.
Hope everyone is having a great day. I decided this week I am going to just take it easy and do as little or as much as I want to. I'm just pottering at home. Plenty of wind today to dry the washing at least
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Hi all
Fun to get a puppy Kruise. I hope Friday goes well & you don't have to wait for results. Your puppy will be a good distraction when you get him!
Hopefully we'll all get some nice weather to enjoy soon. Because I hung my washing out before I left home, it's rained today of course
Helen, I'm with you & Nikki on not being lopsided. My prophy was 10 years after my original mx. My kids are 21 & 18- very good reasons to stick around & go thru treatment.
It was fun choosing colours, tiles, bricks, flooring etc yesterday. We managed to do it all in 2 hours with the help of the colour consultant! Fantastic, as I would normally agonise over things like that for days...if not more.
Nikki, I don't mind either way if it's suppressed or not- who gets to look at such things?
My hubby is down in Ak at the mo, his dad needs to be moved out of hospital in the next few days, so we are sorting things out for him (he needs to go into care now...) I hope he likes the place we've found.
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Hi guys, hope everyone is doing well. Sorry to hear you need more tests Kruise, hopefully they are just being overly cautious. I've been feeling so shit lately. I don't know what is wrong with me but I practically spent the whole weekend in tears. Just feeling really down and don't know why. Do any of you ever feel like this for no apparent reason. I thought I might go to the Doctor and get some antidepressants, but want to wait and see if I start feeling better. Life is just shit sometimes isn't it? Wondering also if Menopause can make you feel like this??? I'm having so many hot flushes if I get into my car the windows get automatically fogged up and I can't even wear my glasses if my hair is wet because they get fogged up too haha! Sorry to moan
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Kruise - I am in love with Jasper! Beautiful puppy! And sending lots of good thoughts for you this week and that it's an overabundance of caution.
KT - how fun! We're in the process of painting the interior of the house (slow process). And I've been browsing curtains, kitchen cabinets, etc. So much fun! Happy for you.
Donna - Menopause is definitely linked with depression. And I fell you with the hot flushes, although mine are better than they used to be. Do check into an antidepressant. I take generic prozac and it just keeps me on an even keel. I don't notice it at all unless I run out and don't take it. Winter can add to depression too. It takes about 2 to 3 months to take effect, so I'd ask about it now.
Well, back to work...
Hugs to all,
Terre
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Yeah, Donna. I def feel like that sometimes. Thankfully it passes but no fun at the time.
Menopause doesn't help for sure. I've stopped having flushes etc- chemo seems to have booted me out the other side.
I know a lot of people on this forum do take advantage of anti-depressants. I haven't as yet as my moods pass after a bit, I just ride it out. Hope you feel better soon.
Terre, have fun painting! I usually do it all myself (renovated a villa a few years back) but I'm glad to get it all done for me this time! Luxury
It's so good to put your own stamp on a house. 0 -
Thanks again for the welcomes.
Drain gone today which is awesome one less thing to lug around.
Still in limbo re Chemo date but one step at a time.
Pretty nervous as checked into a US discussion group as well and boy they are very detailed with the medical treatment and terminology they are or will be receiving - is this what we become as well?
Should I be looking into wigs, nail stuff and things already.....
I just don't know as everything seems so mind blowing..... and I'm not a thicko either.
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Hi Helen,
One breath and one step at a time is definitely the key. And yes, you'll pick up some of the techno babble. Once you have a treatment plan, things get easier. And ask questions! Here, at the doctor's, everywhere. Sending hugs.
Terre
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Helen, it's amazing how helpful this website is, both the articles on all the different aspects of BC, and of course the discussion boards including this one of course. For me it helps me feel a lot less alone in all this.
Donna, sorry that you're feeling down. I wonder if it's related to Tamoxifen? I've had many tearful times in the last year and I wonder if it's partly a letrozole SE, though my son has caused me a lot of stress and I've had other stuff going on too.
Kruise, your puppy is gorgeous. Good luck with your appt on Friday.
kt, your home decorations sound like fun. I remember when we renovated eight years ago and it took months to choose everything so it's great to get it all done so quickly.
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Helen, I remember the first time I had chemo (2004) I was so anxious, trying to find out about it - what to expect, what to eat to help etc. I hadn't found this forum then & there wasn't much info to be had. It really helps 'talking' to others going thru the same chemo here on various threads. Now when I'm doing chemo I'm a lot more relaxed.
Having said that, I'm a little concerned at the mo. I've been offered a trip down to Wanaka in August, when I'm supposed to be starting my new chemo. So I rang to see if I had appts booked yet, I do- but just an assessment & port flush on the 22 of August! So now I'm thinking that's a heck of a long time to be on no treatment for stage IV bc! I'm feeling a bit abandoned & I don't want the cancer to get too much of a head start!
(my last chemo was the 11 of May- so that's 14 1/2 weeks with no treatment whatsoever)
I'm going to try & relax about it. Surely they know what they're doing, right?
Anyway - hope you're all enjoying the day. Not long until the weekend, phew!
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Oh KT, I would be feeling like you as well. I would feel like 14 + weeks is too long for a "holiday". Could you ring Karen Spells and talk to her? She's talked me down offa cliff a couple of times. You don't want to worry for the next few months. I know that abandoned feeling and it doesn't feel good.
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You know KT, I would seriously question them. I would actually annoy the hell out of someone until I got a decent answer I believed and understood. If there is one thing I have learned on this journey, it's to be pro-active and if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't!!!
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kt, I agree about being proactive with doctors, even though it's not always easy. Please excuse my ignorance on this topic, but are you still on hormonal therapy? I've noticed that some Stage IVs are on that and not chemo even if hormone positive. There seem to be so many different drugs now.
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My sentence doesn't make sense! I meant to say "I've noticed some Stage IVs are on that and not chemo if hormone positive".
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KT I'd definitely be giving Karen Spells a ring. She's the most sensible person in that place.
Kruise what a cute puppy. The best sort of distraction
Helen welcome to the group sorry you've had to join us but you couldn't ask for a nicer support group.
Hi to everyone else. I've tried to catch up with everyone's posts but chemo brain means I forget everything as soon as I read them.
I just had 4 days in Queenstown with a girl friend and boy did we have a great time. It's so beautiful down there.
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Haha- I'm with you on chemo brain Shazza. Mines terrible, even tho I'm on a break. Yay, for trips away for fun!
Thanks girls for all your replies re my delayed start (?when?) for chemo. I think I may ring Karen as you've suggested & query it. (Optimist- I finished hormonal treatment when I was diagnosed stageIV as my oncologist thought the cancer had become resistant to it).
Busy day today, labelling clothes etc for my f-i-law who is now in the local private hospital/rest home. It's his birthday today too, so we took a big cake up there & his b'day presents etc. He was a bit teary at the end
Have a good Friday tomorrow
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Hi everyone from the sunny south.
I got a letter from the Dunedin Hospital to say I was triaged at now "semi urgent" and the waiting time would be another 4 weeks before I would be looked at for Chemo. Not happy about this as I thought I was the most important person needing treatment at the moment according to my surgeon.
The letter advised that it was cc'ed to my GP and they could put their input into whether the waiting time was OK or not. The big worry was not seeing my GP as the cc'ed person but The Invercargill Family Planning Clinic. I ask you what would they want with this letter.
The one and only time I went to them was for an IUD 13 years ago which resulted in my 11 year old son Michael at the ripe old age of nearly 42.
Quick phone call put that right.
Drain out on Tuesday thought I would go for a walk spend the afternoon leaking
There's my moan - sorry
Queenstown and Wanaka are special at this time of the year.
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hi again. Yes KT definitely ring and query the time frame. Let us know how you get on. It does seem a while.
Helen I did laugh at your bit about family planning being copied in (the way you wrote it) ....but how ridiculous they could even do that - comedy of errors absolutely. They do like to start chemo within 3 months of surgery, I waited around a month from my 2nd surgery. It's to give you time to recover from the surgery a little, make sure all the test results are in properly. You could certainly see if your GP can rev it up a bit for you as you did have a lot of positive nodes. Have you been scheduled for a petscan or ct type scan at all yet? You'll be glad that drain is out. Hope the leaking has stopped.
Donna I hear you too about the 'down' days. Just keep a diary and if you find there are more down days than average or good days an anti-D might be the ticket. As Terre said they do take a while to kick in. My daughter is on them, but they certainly aren't the complete answer. Sometimes just finding something you really love doing can be a way out too. I know everyone says exercise is good but being creative making things is therapeutic too. If I have a day where I feel low, I just try to pamper myself a bit more and try not to eat...lol...well eat the bad stuff because it's amazing how you can go to food for comfort that's for sure!
Anyway I have my appointment at lunchtime today so I'll report back in with how it goes. Tim has insisted on coming with me to it, even though I said he probably won't be able to even go into the room with me (for the mammogram part anyway) but he said he'll meet me there. So fingers and toes crossed its nothing to worry about! I'm feeling ok about it so hope that's a good sign.
Have a good Friday ladies...xx
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Hey Kruise, will be thinking of you today. Nice Tim is going too
Helen, waiting for treatment is a pain isn't it. The first time around I had a 2 month wait from surgery. I hope your GP can get some clarification soon & an actual start date.
Looks like it's going to be a lovely day up here. I love blue skies & sunshine- does wonders for the mood
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Helen, I had a almost 7 week wait for chemo. Like you I had a "heavy lymph node burden" (as my oncologist said to me). During the 7 weeks I had a CT scan and a bone scan. Once those results were in, I started pretty much straight away, within 2 days of getting my port installed.
Kruise - hope today goes well.
I agree KT, it's a lovely day in Auckland today. I am taking the day off work to sort out my house! I have been down with the flu for the past week or so, and it's all looking pretty tragic in my neck of the woods.
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Hi guys, Kruise I thinking of you today and keeping everything crossed. Your puppy is so cute! have my second interview on Tuesday for that job I really want in Wiri. It would make such a big change in my life to have a bit more money and I know the traffic still won't be fantastic but it can't be as bad as the Southern Motorway. Hopefully the boss will be nicer too! Trying really hard to get out of my frump, at least I've stopped being tearful because that is just embarrassing. I've had to cry in the cupboard at work a couple of times this week. I work with all men and they freak out when I'm upset bless them. My bitch of a boss is in our Head Office and I don't see her very often thank goodness. Helen I can't believe they attached the Family Planning Clinic in on your letter, on dear I shouldn't really be surprised. You know I never even had chemo but my brain is like swiss cheese, lots of holes in it, however I do believe I was born that way haha! Nice to hear from your Shazza, glad you had a lovely holiday in Queenstown. Take care everyone, I hope you all have a lovely, restful weekend, Donna xxx
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Hi everyone,
Took a bit of digging around to find the Kiwi connection but glad to find it.
3 weeks out from a bilateral mastectomy and healed so quickly that everything tightened up before all the drains came out even though I did all the exercises so lots of physio.
Start on my first round of chemo on Wednesday. Very nervous as I have had reactions to lots of anti nausea meds.
On the plus side...what a wonderful Autumn and Winter here in Hawkes Bay. 😊
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Welcome to where us kiwi gals hang out NgaiD. Glad you found us but of course we are all sorry you find yourself here. Best of luck for chemo on Wednesday!
Hi everyone else....Paaarrtttyy at my place tonight! I am shouting you all a glass of bubbles and some virtual God :-)
Extra mammo and images all came back good as gold. The radiologist came in and told me personally how sorry he was for making me worry, but just based on my history wanted to have the extra views and it's all fine. Perfectly normal! So yay! Tim and I did go to a cafe for lunch to celebrate. Thanks for all your thoughts. Xx
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stupid phone was supposed to say food not God!! Lol
We could probably use a bit of God too though :-)
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hi NgaiD Welcome
I'm pretty new to this group too and was glad to find it. I'm 2 weeks out from op but have been told by the medical people I'm 4 weeks away from being seen re chemo so your lucky to be starting sooner rather than later.
I'm allergic to maxalon so hope that's not an anti nausea med they use.
Hope all goes well on Wednesday- keep us posted as I'm right behind you treatment wiseso am very keen to hear how your getting on.
Take care
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