Hi Nikki and Amanda, You ladies are an inspiration and sign of hope. You are the first real young ladies I have met facing issues with fertility. All I have had is the research on the internet, heresay or what the Drs say about facts/statistics. I was diagnosed at a time when my husband and I were enjoying our holidays and hoping to conceive when I discovered the lump. Sometimes you wonder whether someone up there is trying to tell you something or is it just bad luck? Then I realised you create your own luck and happiness so you can't read into things too much. Research shows that younger women (who have had cancer) have higher pregnancy rates than those without. Probably because we have had this confrontation about life and death! At the moment I'm coming up to 1 year on tamoxifen. My oncologist and I have agreed that I will come off next July (min 2 years), as I will be 37 then because 5 years is too long. So we can conceive naturally (fingers crossed). I have recently discovered that I have ovarian cysts and am meeting my gyno (high risk) for the first time early July. Something I worry about (besides recurrence) is whether any breast milk will come out from the treated breast? Some of the breast ducts were removed and others remain. Research (breast cancer institute Young women fact sheet) shows that some women have had success with the treated breast and others don't. Anyways, its fingers crossed for the next year or so. Nikki I really do want to hear more about your little boy on the way! I'm so excited for you 🙂 Its extra special considering everything you have gone through. When are you due to have your little boy? Hugs Jules (prev. Misti) ... View more

Yvette, I agree with Steve about finding support and with time things do get better, esp when you can see/feel that your side effects heal and body recover. Secondly, start to do some of the things that bring you joy and take things at your own new pace - whether it is a day at a time or a month. Then you can start to plan 6 months ahead etc. I recommend the Living Well After Cancer workshop by the Cancer Council. ... View more

Pregnancy doesn't have to wait after breast cancer (Dec 2006) - This one includes research done in WA over a 10 year period. http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/new_research/20061208.jsp Pregnant Women with Breast Cancer Do No Worse than Others(Feb 2009 - a 30 yr study) http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/new_research/20090209.jsp ... View more

Pregnancy doesn't have to wait after breast cancer (Dec 2006) - This one includes research done in WA over a 10 year period. http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/new_research/20061208.jsp Pregnant Women with Breast Cancer Do No Worse than Others(Feb 2009 - a 30 yr study) http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/new_research/20090209.jsp ... View more

Hi there everyone, I often joke about it with others who I have met on this journey that its weird to be part of a club (that I didn't really want to be a part of???). I have been sick with chest infection and couldn't join in on the chat and advocacy. I have now returned to "lurking" on some sites. Here are some links here about YAC sites: http://i2y.com/ http://www.nowwhat.org.au/Home.aspx ... View more

Hi Lee, I've been taking Tamoxifen for breast cancer for just under 1 year and am tolerating it quite ok. Common side effects are hot flushes, ovarian cysts and vaginal dryness due to lack of oestrogen post treatment. I am fortunate enough to not have the hot flushes. My understanding is that chemo and radiation reduce recurrence by at least 25% with hormone therapy a further reduction of 5-10% and it only is effective in some people. It also depends on how strong the cancer was attached to your hormones. Another option would be to try for a minimum period of 2 years (rather than 5 years) and see how you go. You can ask your onco if you can do the test to see whether hormone therapy will work for you. Some women have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation and there is one which it doesn't make much difference. Also, handy to know for your children's sake. Get a referral letter from your GP to the familial cancer centre. ... View more

Gabrielle, Sorry you had a bad experience and that's what these forums are for. To share experiences and information. When I attended nobody touched me with their hands. Cleansers, wipes and mirrors were provided. There were a mix of ladies from older women to younger which showed the group how to apply and we all applied ourselves. There was one person volunteered for make-up, another one or two for wigs and a couple more for the scarves. Some women had mentioned that perhaps they didn't complete the forms correctly with eye colour, hair colour, skin colour and texture - because often people are in a state of shock or having chemo at the time. One lady had a recurrence and gone to the program for a second time. She had asked for a different eyeliner and the ladies (who are volunteers) were accommodating. ... View more

Hi there everyone, I hope you are doing ok. I strongly recommend the "Look Good Feel Better program" - http://www.lgfb.org.au/ excellent for women who have just been diagnosed. It helps prepare you for side effects of treatment and how to cope with hair loss, options for scarves, hats, wigs - many styles and cosmetics that complement your type of skin - eg. olive, fair, oily/dry/sensitive and how to apply esp (when no eyebrows or lashes). I found excellent advice there plus bonus cosmetics (for free) at a time when I felt incredibly low. The time I went it was just after first chemo and met many other women with BC so it was good to feel normal again. The brochure I have is for the Wig Affair http://www.wigaffair.com.au they also have a mobile wig service (they come to you) and can put you in touch with someone in your/your friend's/relative's area eg north, south, east or west. PS. I forgot to mention, if you are in a health fund you may be able to obtain a wig (at little or no cost). You will need a letter in support from your oncologist stating you need to wear a wig for medical reasons. I was treated during summer and could not tolerate much on my head. I prefer to collect a lot of info to have options before making a decision. ... View more

Thanks - I think one of the * fields was blank, the info is there now. ... View more

Okay, I will try completing About me info & save again. I will let you know if its working for me. Can you see it in my profile (ie is it public)? ... View more