hello there kiwi sisters.

midnight1327

hello there kiwi sisters.

midnight1327

I thought it maybe  a nice idea to have a thread for kiwi ladies. I was diagnosed with a grade 3 IDC in aug 2011, had a lumpectomy followed by rads and tamoxifen for 5 years. i have just currently had a follow up mamo to see if i am clear on the 18th of this month to which i have not had any results as yet, so still waiting, am assuming things must be ok or they may have got me back for repeat ones. have rung up and still awaiting for them to return call. so any one out there who wants to join the thread, feel free to do so. we may be able to be an encouragment to one another.  take care/

Alyson

Often though about starting a thread but when I joined there were very few Kiwis around, I do chat with the Aussie girls as their treatment is similar to ours. Do think it should be moved from here though to one of the support threads. Maybe the Support and Community area?

I have mad five years so am an old timer.

midnight1327

Yes that is a good idea to the community and support thread. kool

midnight1327

Haved  moved this thread to support and community area. come and join us.

Squid88

Hi there Midnight . It is a great idea to have a kiwi thread.  Unfortunately there are so many of us in NZ who have had BC- too many.  I also had a grade 3 tumour (ER pos) and had a partial mastectomy, rads, zoladex for 2 years and tamoxifen for 5.  I am 4 months shy of 5 years and am waiting for biopsy results for "suspicious calcifications". I just joined a forum yesterday and to be honest although all the positive thoughts and feedback were initially great (I didn't feel so isolated), they also made me quite sad as everyone seems so brave and onto it (and I know that we never feel that way all the time...).  Perhaps it's just me being in the waiting period (which we all know how much that sucks!) and being so angry/scared that maybe I have to do it all again. 

 All that aside,  I hope that you have nothing to worry about.  Let us know how you go. 

Jennt28

Hi there, I'm a Kiwi in Australia, but once a Kiwi always a Kiwi (especially when it comes to rugby!). I chat on the Aussie Sisters thread but will be interested to see how treatment options and support differ between the two countries.



Jenn

Kiakaha

Hi, I'm in Christchurch 39 and keen to chat xx

kt1966

Hi. Nice to see there are more kiwis out there. I have to admit I do lurk on the Aussie thread but haven't posted there yet! I feel like I kind of know them LOL.

I found BCO when I had rising tumour markers last year and was trying to find out what that could mean. I'm 8 1/2 years out from the original diagnosis & started zoladex & letrozole (and zometa once a year) in June last year to combat the markers. Seems to be working...

I have 2 teenage kids & live on a lifestyle block with them, hubby & way too many animals (just got a new kitten at the weekend).

An Australasian thread is a good idea... 

midnight1327

hey ladies, there is a kiwi thread, moved to support and community area. so you can go there or here, but it will get confusing with two kiwi threads. so look for us in the support and community forum. see you there

suzette5956

Hi everyone. Just discovered this site. I am 55. Had mascectomy Dec, 2011. Due to have final infusion of docetaxol on 11th of this month, then go up to Wellington at the beginning of August for 5 weeks radiation. My tumour 3.5cm. Clear nodes. ER-/PR- HER-.

midnight1327

suzette, there is another kiwi sight on this as well,  and most kiwis on there, its got everybody welcome on it, we don'y  go on this one much,  its called  for kiwi women, but everybody welcome,  welcome and glad you with us. take care

midnight1327

kiwis who need encouragment, but all welcome, is the title,  you will find more of us on that one, see you there. hugs.

tgolf

My wife has been diagnosed IDC last week.  She's 36 with 17 weeks pregnancy. 

The Surgery is this friday at auckland hospital.

We are immigrants from china living in NZ for nearly 12 years.

Feel really isolated as no any similar cases around us.

we are seeking support from anywhere. 

thanks!

kt1966

Hi. Sorry you and your wife are going thru this.

I had my operation 10 years ago at Auckland Hospital so you are in good hands.

After surgery you'll have more information to help you move forward (pathology etc).



I know there have been others on this site that have been pregnant while dealing with this (I wasn't so can't help you there). If you want info from those women you could try starting a new thread with pregnant in the title.



(The other kiwi thread tends to be a bit more active than this one, but I'm not sure if any of us were pregnant at the time of diagnosis so put your post re pregnancy in a more general one)



I wish you both well

kt

kt1966

Tgolf,

I found a thread that might be good for you to read/ post in.

I will try & put the link here



http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/27/topic/775376



I hope it works. You might have to copy & paste it...



Cheers,

kt

kt1966

Looks like it works

Hope it helps

Jennt28

I was 46yrs when diagnosed, and not pregnant. But I just wanted you to know you are not alone...



I am sure there are support avenues in Auckland that can help. Do you have a breast cancer nurse that you can ask about this?



Regards Jenn in Sydney, Australia - originally from Auckland

kt1966

Good point Jenn. Also the Cancer Society across the road from Auckland Hospital do support groups I believe.

I remember attending one but it was mostly older women- but they may be able to put you in touch with someone.
They are at Domain Lodge, 1 Boyle Crescent,Grafton ph 0800 CANCER
Edited to correct address

Anonymous

tgolf Im really sorry about your wifes Dx. Please don't feel isolated and feel welcome to post here anytime, even though we may not be going through exactly what you are it helps you to be able offload or ask questions or whatever.. and remember, no question is too dumb. There are many resources on these boards and sometimes it can be daunting to try and find what youre looking for. I know theres a thread somewhere for hubbys or indeed wives (yes men can get BC too)  but right now I can't find it. I think its in the caregivers section.

I just want to say, thankyou for posting, as those of us with really supportive hubbys are deeply grateful to them. My hubby doesn't post here at all. Hes just not that sort (doesn't like pooterz)  but has stood by me through thick and thin and has been absolutely amazing. Please hang in there and let us know how the surgery goes on Friday. Maybe sometime if you are ready to, you might like to post a bit more about your wifes Dx type, as this can help others to know how to help you.

Musical

midnight1327

Hi there, and welcome to our family,  we are glad  you here, but not for the reasons you are here. very sorry you going thru this. there are so many women on here from all over,  Australia and nz who will be a great support and full of knowledge, please just plug in here and we will be here to be able to be of some support and may be abl;e to offer answers to your questions, i will be ok for a supportive role, but there are many brilliant ladies on here who can be informative. My husband like musical is like mine, he does not post, but supportive in every other aspect of my BC journey. I hope you feel welcome and please keep us posted how yr wife gets on friday,  we will be thinking of you.  take care, warm hugs

raspberry

Hi there, another kiwi here, in Auckland.

First of al tgolf - you wife won't be having radiotherapy or chemo until the baby is born (surely?) so you have time to get through all the information. But as Chinese nationals, do you have to pay for this? I hope not, no one needs that additional stress.

==============

Myself, I have my own uncertainties heading for my radiotherapy mapping session tomorrow. Really scared of rads side effects. Every medical professional I talk to has a different opinion. I feel like each person's personality affects what they think you should have! Its a worrying thought.

For example my surgeon was quite relaxed and said tamoxifen didn't really add up for me. Then my radio Oncologist said she can't believe I aren't on tamoxifen, then gave me quite a radical radiation regime, which is terrifying!

I am after a second opinon today. 

Anonymous

I feel like each person's personality affects what they think you should have!

Hello and welcome raspberry. Unfortunately you are so right with the above observation and yet it shouldnt be like this. What we all need is a uniformity or consistency with the protocols of treatments and when you don't then its largely a crapshoot. A lot of women are fighting this very thing right across the board. The only thing we are left with is to be our own best advocate. This includes learning what we can to make informed choices and getting that 2nd opinion is often what has to happen as well. 

How much time are you talking about beofre RADS? Looking at your Dx I would be looking seriously at as much as I could. FOr example, RADS can certainly increase your risk for LE and people who have only had 1 node out have ended up with bi-laterial LE. This is NOT to scare you but let you know LE is something you need to look at.  I would strongly advise you to take a look around the Lymphoedema forum here on BCO. There is a heap of advice and tips and if you were ever to get LE you wont be sorry you learned about it prior.

Moderators

Sorry to pass sad news but Moira (Moiralf), passed quietly with family around on the 14th of December 2014. She was with husband Sten and daughters sharing memories and holding her hands.

Message from her husband:

"Hi there,

I'm using Moira's account to pass on the sad news that my darling girl died at 2am on the 14th of December 2014. We had been staying with her in the hospice for four weeks. Her bone mets were causing hypercalcaemia that became resistant to treatment. Her liver was failing too at the end. She became progressively more tired and confused until she passed into a peaceful sleep.

Our daughters and I were with her at the end, sharing memories with her and holding her hands. The last thing she heard was our laughter as we remembered some of the stroppy things she had said to us all.

I know that Moira found this site a huge help and she often spoke with admiration of the wonderful women who shared her journey.

Please pass on her love and respect to those who she corresponded with.

Thank you all,

Sten."

The Mods

midnight1327

Aww, i am so sad to hear that, my  love and thoughts are with her family, RIP, Moira, , love  Annette (midnight)   thankyou mods for letting us know. hugs

chrissyb

I'm so sad to hear of Moira's passing but so happy that she got to hear her families laughter as she passed. RIP Moira.

ShazzaKelly

such sad news at this time. Glad she passed peacefully though, with her family around her.

KiwiMum

I'm very sad to read this. May Moira rest in peace x

Kruise

I am sad too to hear of Moira's passing. It would have been a tough Christmas for her family this year. Thoughts are with them.