Hi Lyn Sorry took so long to reply - I was starting to think that all conversations occurred on general discussion. I had a 2.3cm Grade 3 lump cut out. Only had 3 nodes removed and they were all clear - thank goodness. I have already had two rounds of chemo (AC) and am having 2 more of this type and then 4 lots of Taxotere with Herceptin thrown in for good measure and then Tamoxifen. So much to look forward to!! I am also in contact with another girl who had same grade and size cancer, who is one week behind me in chemo stuff. She only has to have 6 chemo sessions (which I think is unfair!!!) We have been swapping notes etc and it really helps. Some of the side effects I had, she also got - so comparing and talking about things really helped. Now I know there is someone interested in chatting I will check in more often. Let me know where you are up to with treatment etc. Regards Chris :-} ... View more

Hi all Hope you all had great Xmas's and are 'armed & dangerous' for the new year.  I've decided that by the end of 2008 I am going to be a new woman (my husband will probably overjoyed - finally a new woman!) cancer free and ready to take on the rest of my long life. Nikki - is there any Petrea King type centres in Qld. I looked at her website - sounds great. It's hard to read strategies (like meditation) etc and then try to put them into place on your own. Kevin - promise I won't tell Donna that I know babies gender. Can you sit etc with your sore butt - I had a great donut cushion in the hospital when I had my kids - might be just what you need if you can't sit. Butterfly - I hope you've got your legs up and having lots of rests to help with swelling etc. How are you going Annie and your partner - keep strong. I saw a segment on the ABC and the doctors said that "people with the same cancers who have a positive attitude have much better outcomes, like longer life expectancy. They can't explain why but it is seen over and over that positive patients do much better than negative patients".  I was watching this show at an all time low and got really freaked out - so after some time to gain control of myself, I decided I have to learn to be positive and search for ways to keep positivity. So any ideas would be appreciated - don't get me wrong most of the time I'm cruzin along great but some days (usually about day 5 after chemo) I get quite low. I really don't like being sick.  ... View more

Hi Mikey You are a true gem. Thank you for all the links. I will start reading straight away.  Only a week to go before I start the Taxotere and Herceptin.  At least now I will be armed with all this info.  Thanks again. ... View more

Hi All Kevin - I think you may have given the gender away a little!! Congrats - a lovely little boy coming into the world.  Is Donna suffering morning sickness? You sound much more happy - which is great - keep doing whatever it is you are doing. I think adjusting to each bit of info the doctors throw at us takes a bit of digesting and time to recover from. I just keep telling myself it is only one year of my life and that things WILL return to sort of normality after and hopefully I will be a better person because of this. Hope the rest of you all are fighting fit. Hope your legs are better Butterfly!  I am 4 days past my first Chemo session and am cruzin along just fine. Little tiny bit nauseous but nothing like morning sickness - thank god!! Well I've added "A cure for cancer and type 1 diabetes" (my daughter is diabetic) to my Santa Letter - I'm sure he'll oblige eventually but until he does, I am going to help in any way I can, like signing up for the BCNA  survey and research group etc. I hope you all have fun shopping and preparing for Christmas. Chow 4 Now - Chris M ... View more

Hi Butterfly  Your mum is very smart, we are what we think and do.  Survivor 10 years on is very encouraging. Kevin You have a new baby coming - you have to be there to make this baby and your other kids into brilliant people - no-one else can do that except for their dad - that has got to be the best motivation to fight the C word.  Chow 4 Now Chris   ... View more

Hi Kevin My kids are coping too well. I have always been the disciplinarian, the person who solves problems and helps everyone deal with things, so I think they just assume I will cope and get on with it. This is good I know but occasionally a bit of tlc would be nice. I have 6 months of chemo starting 11 Dec 07 then 6 weeks of radiation along with Herceptin and Tamoxifen, which for a person who doesn't even take panadol, is a bit hard to contemplate.  I think the worst is not being in control and having your life taken over by treatments and appointments. The other thing is all of a sudden everywhere you look there is someone wearing a turban or talking of cancer - its seems there's no escape. Sometimes I wish we hadn't even told our families, as now I have to detail every appointment etc to them all.  Sometimes it would be nice to just forget about it and go back to precancer days. Anyway enough whining.  Chow Chris. ... View more

Hi Kevin You sound like you are on the up and up. It's great hearing good news!!!! Is it 6 weeks or so until Donna is due?  Hope the heat hasn't been to bad for her. I have been having some troubles in the butt area, I think exacerbated by chemo, and now the GP wants me to have a colonoscopy. She mentioned bowel cancer - I kind of went numb when she said the C word again. Anyway I have to talk to my Onco about how to fit the colonscopy in whilst having chemo. I may need your expert advice in the future. Ciao for now Chris M   ... View more

Hi all - I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on October 22nd this year. I have had the lumpectomy and am now waiting to be told what sort of chemo and radiation therapy I am to undertake.  I am 42 and have three teenage children and a wonderful husband.  I would love to hear from others who have been through this.  ... View more

Boy do I understand how you feel.  In October I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am 42 and have three children (20, 18 & 17).  The worst is the lack of control, one minute you have plans the next thing someone is telling you that will be spending a lot of time at a hospital and that your life is taking a new path. I too had just returned to work after a 6 month break and was looking forward to the extra cash and mental stimulation. Now I have chemo and radiation to contemplate.  Funny how your world flips in one word - cancer. I hope both our futures hold - little or no 'side effects', good news and long lives. ... View more