First and foremost, if you take a friend with you make sure thier level of positivity matches or elevates yours. My friend was focussed on past experiences with two loved one's completely different cancer journeys and it was a bit of a nightmare. I know how much she cares for me, and I'm sorry if this hurts feelings, but if you're 'supporting' a friend please remember they need to be around positivie energy.
The surgeon and his registrar were wonderful guys. They both listened carefully to my decision to have a double mastectomy with full and immediate reconstruction and agreed that I could absolutly do that, or...
I could have a lumpectomy, get rid of the cancer, get through treatment and then revisit the idea of a double mastectomy.
Because the reconstruction surgeons don't do it immediately and if he did the mastectomy and then i had to wait to get reconstruction "the skin would lose elasticity and dry out." Eeewww! Leather Tits!!
Dr Hamza made it very clear he wasn't advising me to do anything, but wanted to present me with my options so I could make up my own mind.
Bless his heart! He was brilliant!!
He then booked me in for surgery on Friday 16 December. No messing about.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Diagnosis...
Thursday 31 November 2011
Not surprisingly the diagnosis was breast cancer. Invasive ductil cancer. It starts in the milk duct then 'invades' the tissue around the duct. Fortunately it's the most common cancer found in the breast - excellent! This is one time in our lives when we want to be as common as possible :)
Dr Hanna had spoken to the Breast Care Nurse who had assured her that my lack of medical insurance wouldn't change my care in anyway. Medicare would cover all my expenses and Mater would see me as quickly as if I had top insurance.
Australia is a wonderful, wonderful country and I am so blessed that I live here in Brisbane!!!
The two of them had already booked me in to see the Breast Surgeon, Dr Hamza, for the following Tuesday. All I had to do was take it a step at a time and not focus on the negative. Until someone tells me something I would refuse to speculate about anything.
Although I did go online and decide I wanted a double mastectomy with full reconstruction immediately..... :)
Not surprisingly the diagnosis was breast cancer. Invasive ductil cancer. It starts in the milk duct then 'invades' the tissue around the duct. Fortunately it's the most common cancer found in the breast - excellent! This is one time in our lives when we want to be as common as possible :)
Dr Hanna had spoken to the Breast Care Nurse who had assured her that my lack of medical insurance wouldn't change my care in anyway. Medicare would cover all my expenses and Mater would see me as quickly as if I had top insurance.
Australia is a wonderful, wonderful country and I am so blessed that I live here in Brisbane!!!
The two of them had already booked me in to see the Breast Surgeon, Dr Hamza, for the following Tuesday. All I had to do was take it a step at a time and not focus on the negative. Until someone tells me something I would refuse to speculate about anything.
Although I did go online and decide I wanted a double mastectomy with full reconstruction immediately..... :)
Mammogram...
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Mammograms are not fun. First of all you have to wear these gowns that open down the front and go sit in a room with ancient womens's magazines. For the price you pay for these things would it kill them to include a facial or a foot rub??
So we had the initial mammogram, then the 'lets just have a look from a different angle mammogram. Double ouch.
Then it was off to the Ultrasound room where a lovely lass squirted me from ribcage to neck with warm gel and gave me a thorough exam then excused herself to get the doctor, who came in with the absolue worst 'bedside expression' on her face that I have ever seen in my life.
Perhaps it's her usual expression but someone needs to video her so she can see "What Not To Look Like When Things Don't Look Good!!" Hand to G-d, she looked like someone was holding a gun to her temple.
She explained that the lump "Didn't look good," and that she wanted to do a biopsy. Even with local anasthetic, this didn't tickle!!! The needle biopsy of the lymph node that looked a bit dodgy was ok, but the 3 bites out of the tumour were right up there on the "Crikey!" meter.
I mentioned that I had a 5pm appointment with Dr Hanna for my results (that I expected to take away with me) but wondered if I should postpone and go see her when the biopsy results were back. This doctor's response... "go to see your GP, she'll need to get the ball rolling on this as soon as possible."
OoooKaaay! This sounded like it could get bad fairly fast.
I kept it together until I got in the lift then I started weeping. Not an "Oh my G-d, I'm going to die!!" sort of thing, more of a "How am I going to go through this, work and pay my mortgage?" sort of thing.
I remember sitting in my car thinking there was no point in praying that it would go away. G-d didn't put the tumour there, so instead of begging for the unreasonable I found myself praying for strength and for Angels to stand beside me for support to get me through whatever came next.
Then I went off to see Dr Hanna.
I remember my face was cold and prickly with what I suppose it was the onset of shock. I also remember getting a bit miffed at the idea that shock would rob me of my ability to think clearly so I mentally shoved hard against it and it just melted away! Excellent :)
My fear was financial. I had a job that paid the bills but no medical insurance. How was I going to cope?
Dr Hanna was great, she explained that my Superannuation fund has an income protection insurance and apparently the government (say what you like about them, but I bless them to the skies!!) will assist with any shortfall. Phew! Pressure lifting.
Mammograms are not fun. First of all you have to wear these gowns that open down the front and go sit in a room with ancient womens's magazines. For the price you pay for these things would it kill them to include a facial or a foot rub??
So we had the initial mammogram, then the 'lets just have a look from a different angle mammogram. Double ouch.
Then it was off to the Ultrasound room where a lovely lass squirted me from ribcage to neck with warm gel and gave me a thorough exam then excused herself to get the doctor, who came in with the absolue worst 'bedside expression' on her face that I have ever seen in my life.
Perhaps it's her usual expression but someone needs to video her so she can see "What Not To Look Like When Things Don't Look Good!!" Hand to G-d, she looked like someone was holding a gun to her temple.
She explained that the lump "Didn't look good," and that she wanted to do a biopsy. Even with local anasthetic, this didn't tickle!!! The needle biopsy of the lymph node that looked a bit dodgy was ok, but the 3 bites out of the tumour were right up there on the "Crikey!" meter.
I mentioned that I had a 5pm appointment with Dr Hanna for my results (that I expected to take away with me) but wondered if I should postpone and go see her when the biopsy results were back. This doctor's response... "go to see your GP, she'll need to get the ball rolling on this as soon as possible."
OoooKaaay! This sounded like it could get bad fairly fast.
I kept it together until I got in the lift then I started weeping. Not an "Oh my G-d, I'm going to die!!" sort of thing, more of a "How am I going to go through this, work and pay my mortgage?" sort of thing.
I remember sitting in my car thinking there was no point in praying that it would go away. G-d didn't put the tumour there, so instead of begging for the unreasonable I found myself praying for strength and for Angels to stand beside me for support to get me through whatever came next.
Then I went off to see Dr Hanna.
I remember my face was cold and prickly with what I suppose it was the onset of shock. I also remember getting a bit miffed at the idea that shock would rob me of my ability to think clearly so I mentally shoved hard against it and it just melted away! Excellent :)
My fear was financial. I had a job that paid the bills but no medical insurance. How was I going to cope?
Dr Hanna was great, she explained that my Superannuation fund has an income protection insurance and apparently the government (say what you like about them, but I bless them to the skies!!) will assist with any shortfall. Phew! Pressure lifting.
Discovery...
18 November 2011
It was a fairly warm evening and I'd had a busy day at work. I did what I always do and headed straight to my bedroom to change.
As I took off my bra I felt an 'itchy ouch' and thought, "how did I get a mozzie bite through my dress and my bra?" My hand automatically went to my breast to feel the lump, but my skin was smooth. I pushed in and felt a lump.
This is where you would normally panic I suppose, but I just felt a bit curious. Also, it was Friday night and my option was to wait until the following week or pay megabucks to see a doctor on a Saturday - if I could get in.
I've been peri-menopausal for about 6 years so I flashed back over the last couple of weeks. I'd had a break-out along my jawline, been bad tempered and feeling a bit off and I've had cysts in my boobs for years. Self diagnosis? Probably a bit of hormonal rampaging and this'll turn out to be nothing.
I had a Rostered Day Off the following Friday and was so busy at work that I decided to leave it until then.
I made the appointment and went to see my doc first thing in the morning on Friday 25 November.
Dr Hanna examined me and sent me off with a form to book myself in for a Mamogram and Ultrasound.
I had the choice of two locations, one local and one in the city at the Mater. The local one couldn't see me until 8 December but the one at the Mater had 'Emergency Appointments' and could see me on 30 November.
Remember that people!!! Ask for an 'Emergency Appointment' if it's not a routine check-up!!!
Then I went off to the Crafts and Collectables fair with my friend Sonia and bought some lovely things :)
It was a fairly warm evening and I'd had a busy day at work. I did what I always do and headed straight to my bedroom to change.
As I took off my bra I felt an 'itchy ouch' and thought, "how did I get a mozzie bite through my dress and my bra?" My hand automatically went to my breast to feel the lump, but my skin was smooth. I pushed in and felt a lump.
This is where you would normally panic I suppose, but I just felt a bit curious. Also, it was Friday night and my option was to wait until the following week or pay megabucks to see a doctor on a Saturday - if I could get in.
I've been peri-menopausal for about 6 years so I flashed back over the last couple of weeks. I'd had a break-out along my jawline, been bad tempered and feeling a bit off and I've had cysts in my boobs for years. Self diagnosis? Probably a bit of hormonal rampaging and this'll turn out to be nothing.
I had a Rostered Day Off the following Friday and was so busy at work that I decided to leave it until then.
I made the appointment and went to see my doc first thing in the morning on Friday 25 November.
Dr Hanna examined me and sent me off with a form to book myself in for a Mamogram and Ultrasound.
I had the choice of two locations, one local and one in the city at the Mater. The local one couldn't see me until 8 December but the one at the Mater had 'Emergency Appointments' and could see me on 30 November.
Remember that people!!! Ask for an 'Emergency Appointment' if it's not a routine check-up!!!
Then I went off to the Crafts and Collectables fair with my friend Sonia and bought some lovely things :)
Welcome!
Thanks for stopping by to read about my little journey down the rabbit hole.
My name is Kayt Deans and the last 5 years of my life have been a bit 'challenging'. This culminated at the end of 2011 with a breast cancer diagnosis!
Let's take a swift glance back in time...
After almost 21 years of a wondeful marriage to an honourable man, I discovered neither of those statements were true. My wonderful marriage shattered at my feet and I joined the ranks of those women who really had no clue her husband was cheating on her.
It took some time but when my head cleared I decided to show my sons that just because people knock us to our knees, it's our decision to stay down there or get up and move forward.
I re-educated myself with the latest office technology and I got myself a full-time job; I had a five year plan which, with a considerable amount of luck, I managed to achieve in 2 years.
It turns out I had this strength inside me that I had never really noticed before, and I liked it a lot!
Don't get me wrong, this time was fraught with a huge amount of stress and I had so many sleepless, tear filled nights. This was a very, very scary time for me.
It took 5 years to get through the divorce & settlement and was eventually finalised in October 2011. I could finally say that I was in charge of myself, my life and the wellbeing of the boys! WooHoo!!
So here I am, on my own feet, a fully fledged adult paying my own mortgage on a house in my own name; managing to pay the bills and eat at the same time. Wow!
G-d is an absolute Piss Taker!!!
Now, I am not a religious person but I do have a great faith in G-d and believe that there is a reason for everything that happens in my life.
The Great Journey to a Better Understanding blah, blah, blah.
I love G-d and know that I am loved in return. This does not, in any way, cause me to drop my head in shame when I tell you that I know, beyond a shadow of doubt that...
G-d is an absolute Piss Taker!!!
Which is where my story really begins...
My name is Kayt Deans and the last 5 years of my life have been a bit 'challenging'. This culminated at the end of 2011 with a breast cancer diagnosis!
Let's take a swift glance back in time...
After almost 21 years of a wondeful marriage to an honourable man, I discovered neither of those statements were true. My wonderful marriage shattered at my feet and I joined the ranks of those women who really had no clue her husband was cheating on her.
It took some time but when my head cleared I decided to show my sons that just because people knock us to our knees, it's our decision to stay down there or get up and move forward.
I re-educated myself with the latest office technology and I got myself a full-time job; I had a five year plan which, with a considerable amount of luck, I managed to achieve in 2 years.
It turns out I had this strength inside me that I had never really noticed before, and I liked it a lot!
Don't get me wrong, this time was fraught with a huge amount of stress and I had so many sleepless, tear filled nights. This was a very, very scary time for me.
It took 5 years to get through the divorce & settlement and was eventually finalised in October 2011. I could finally say that I was in charge of myself, my life and the wellbeing of the boys! WooHoo!!
So here I am, on my own feet, a fully fledged adult paying my own mortgage on a house in my own name; managing to pay the bills and eat at the same time. Wow!
G-d is an absolute Piss Taker!!!
Now, I am not a religious person but I do have a great faith in G-d and believe that there is a reason for everything that happens in my life.
The Great Journey to a Better Understanding blah, blah, blah.
I love G-d and know that I am loved in return. This does not, in any way, cause me to drop my head in shame when I tell you that I know, beyond a shadow of doubt that...
G-d is an absolute Piss Taker!!!
Which is where my story really begins...
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