Before breast cancer surgery, consider consulting a breast cancer specialist; I later learned my axillary lymph node dissection may not have been necessary because modern protocols typically begin with a sentinel lymph node biopsy and remove additional nodes only if cancer is detected, and tumor boards exist so multiple doctors can review and guide treatment decisions based on evidence.

#BreastCancerJourney #PatientAdvocacy #CancerCare #MedicalAwareness #WomensHealth

After a recent car accident, airbags struck my sternum and potential rib fractures were initially dismissed because I appeared composed; breast cancer survivors often develop extremely high pain tolerance from surgeries and treatment, making it difficult to gauge injury, and that strength can become a hidden risk when real damage is overlooked.

#BreastCancerJourney #ChronicPainAwareness #HiddenInjury #PatientAdvocacy #Resilience

A few days after my axillary lymph node dissection, my left arm swelled painfully from trapped lymphatic fluid; the pressure and inflammation were intense, yet I walked to the doctor with my young son singing beside me, reminding me that even in post-surgical complications and lymphedema recovery, strength often shows up quietly in the hardest moments.

#LymphedemaAwareness #BreastCancerJourney #PostSurgeryRecovery #ChronicPain #PatientAdvocacy

I’m smiling, but I’m in pain — and most cancer survivors are too.

I’m smiling, but I live with chronic pain; many cancer survivors experience ongoing pain and lymphedema after surgery, even when there is no obvious swelling, and this invisible reality often goes unnoticed while we continue with daily life; sharing it openly helps others recognize symptoms and advocate for proper care.

#ChronicPainAwareness #BreastCancerJourney #LymphedemaLife #CancerSurvivor #HealthAdvocacy

Lymphedema is often mistaken for visible limb swelling, yet it can exist internally in the chest and back, causing persistent stabbing shoulder blade pain and surgical complications due to blocked lymphatic fluid. As a breast cancer survivor living with chronic pain, I am sharing this so others recognize hidden symptoms and advocate for proper diagnosis before complications escalate.

#LymphedemaAwareness #BreastCancerJourney #ChronicPain #WomensHealth #PatientAdvocacy

I spent years navigating a complicated relationship with my breasts—longing for them, resenting the attention and pain, struggling with clothes and bras, finally embracing them, feeding my babies, watching them change and deflate, and then hearing the words breast cancer; our bodies carry identity, nourishment, grief, and survival, and that journey deserves honesty.

#BreastCancerJourney #BodyImage #WomensHealth #HealingStory #Resilience

There was longing.
Then discomfort.
Then pride.
Then motherhood.
Then grief.
Then cancer.

A lifetime relationship with one part of the body — shifting through identity, nourishment, pain, and survival.
It’s not simple. It’s layered. And it deserves to be told honestly.

#BreastCancerJourney #BodyImage #WomensHealth #HealingStory #Resilience

𝗞𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 fundraiser is on again. Donate during the event, and/or buy the LE bundle. Join this wonderful event!

Here's what will be happening:
💖Online fundraisers in both Australia and Canada, with fibre-tastic daily raffle prizes between 5th-12th October.
💖Over 30 daily & grand prizes, featuring luxurious yarn & accessories from some of Australia's & Canada's finest indie dyers, mills & fibre artist suppliers.
💖A new limited edition 2024 'Knit for the Girls' bundle, available for purchase at 12noon AEDT, Saturday 12th October in the @louielolayarns shop, with $30AUD from the sale of each bundle donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia.
Also available in the Thread & Maple and Grocery Girls Knit online stores (links below).

As part of the Daily Prize on Friday 11th October, you could win. All for just making a charitable donation of $5 or more. It's a WIN-WIN!🥳

So if you'd like to make a difference and maybe win some amazing prizes, be sure to check out https://www.louieandlolayarns.com.au/blogs/news/lets-knit-for-the-girls-again-in-2024.
https://bcsc.akaraisin.com/ui/9C7FBFCC09494298A6E87783BF450034/p/knitforthegirls2024
https://www.threadandmaple.com/pages/knit-for-the-girls?utm_campaign=featured_banner_KnitfortheGirls&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio

#knitForTheGirls2024 #handdyedYarn #knittersOfMasodon #knitters #crochetersOfMastodon #yarniesOfMastodon #cancer #breastCancerAwarenessMonth #breastCancerDetection #breastCancerCommunity #breastCancerJourney #breastCancerSurvivor

It's been 20 months since my diagnosis. Make sure you check your boobies every month - not just in October!
And don't forget to have regular mammograms.
Remember men get Breast Cancer too, so don't neglect your own check guys.

#breastCancer #breastCancerAwarenessMonth #breastCancerDetection #breastCancerCommunity #breastCancerJourney #breastCancerSurvivor #cancerAwareness #cancer