Best Of
Re: Trying to get through the journey of growing my hair back
My transition over 3 years. I've kept it short as I remain somewhat curly at the back.
This was me a few months before cancer found and treatment started at 51.
This is me about 2 months following chemo and keeping it short
About 6 months on. Still keeping short as grew in at different rates
Curly grandma look. I still had boys at school!
Return to short and some blonde highlights to rid the grandma look
My hair is a bit longer now but I've kept this cut and find the blonde looks best to cover my remaining natural grey. I'm 55. 4 years on from diagnosis.
This was me a few months before cancer found and treatment started at 51.
This is me about 2 months following chemo and keeping it short
About 6 months on. Still keeping short as grew in at different rates
Curly grandma look. I still had boys at school!
Return to short and some blonde highlights to rid the grandma look
My hair is a bit longer now but I've kept this cut and find the blonde looks best to cover my remaining natural grey. I'm 55. 4 years on from diagnosis.
primek
5
Re: What pets do you have?
Minus WTF here this morning. The Hound is 'up' having mastered the art of walking around the house under her own blanket all night, then carrying it on to the bed while I'm having my morning cuppa.
Its a strange, strange, puppy.
Its a strange, strange, puppy.
Zoffiel
10
Re: Struggling to cope
HI @Kip, as you can see from the comments above, you have come to the most supportive and loving place.
The early days after diagnosis are the pits! I'm sure each and every one of us have immediately gone to that dark place. I know when I was diagnosed in Oct 2014, all I wanted to do was live until January to see my granddaughter arrive safely. Well, she did, but arrived 11 wweks early, possibly due to her poor Mum's stress about me!!
Fast forward 5 years and we've also welcomed another grandson and life looks much brighter.
Take the advice of others on here, stay busy, take one day at a time and let those beautiful babies of yours be the best distraction!!
Take good care. Everyone here is thinking of you. Big hugs,
Michele xx
The early days after diagnosis are the pits! I'm sure each and every one of us have immediately gone to that dark place. I know when I was diagnosed in Oct 2014, all I wanted to do was live until January to see my granddaughter arrive safely. Well, she did, but arrived 11 wweks early, possibly due to her poor Mum's stress about me!!
Fast forward 5 years and we've also welcomed another grandson and life looks much brighter.
Take the advice of others on here, stay busy, take one day at a time and let those beautiful babies of yours be the best distraction!!
Take good care. Everyone here is thinking of you. Big hugs,
Michele xx
Re: Struggling to cope
We all understand how frightening this is for you and the sleepless nights of worry. I had to attend a funeral between biopsy and results and completely lost it, imagining myself in the coffin next. I was supposed to read a eulogy but kindly declined and organised for the director to do it instead.
I always like to share my nieces story. 10 positive nodes at age 32. She remains cancer free 16 years on and just recently celebrated her daughters 18th. A different type of breast cancer from yours but still a terrifying beginning and she was on a clinical trial due to the aggressive nature of her cancer, which is standard treatment today.
Please be aware there are many many women here who are survivors with similar pathology.
@SoldieCrab
@mum2jj
@onemargie
I always like to share my nieces story. 10 positive nodes at age 32. She remains cancer free 16 years on and just recently celebrated her daughters 18th. A different type of breast cancer from yours but still a terrifying beginning and she was on a clinical trial due to the aggressive nature of her cancer, which is standard treatment today.
Please be aware there are many many women here who are survivors with similar pathology.
@SoldieCrab
@mum2jj
@onemargie
primek
5
Re: Struggling to cope
@Klp You’ve got this. We have all been in a similar situation and believe me, we are so much stronger than we think. Try to find something to distract your thoughts. Once treatment starts it goes fairly quickly but leading up to it can be dark. Meanwhile, we are here for you. All fears and rants are welcome here. As for your littlies, you can use them to distract you. Kids are great at that. Also, join the young women’s group on this forum which is specific so that the other women with young children can help allay your fears. Big hugs. xxx
Re: Struggling to cope
Hi @Klp
I won't say anything stupid like "don't be afraid". Its a scary place.
But I will say Don't give up.
You can get through this, and you have a very good chance of getting through this.
Be brave, gather your support network and ask them for help. Ask for more than you think you will need, and allow them to do it.
I won't say anything stupid like "don't be afraid". Its a scary place.
But I will say Don't give up.
You can get through this, and you have a very good chance of getting through this.
Be brave, gather your support network and ask them for help. Ask for more than you think you will need, and allow them to do it.
Re: Struggling to cope
@Klp Hang in there my lovely. We are all here for you & what you're feeling is completely normal and yes, you CAN beat this. Im so glad you have found us here as all your questions, fears & feelings have all been experienced by any number of us. We will be able to give you personal advice of what we have all been through & no question is a dumb question! Cancer is like another language. So much to learn, acronmyns, words & terms you have never heard of before!!
You do have so much to deal with already having a newborn & a 6 y.o. but use them to give you the strength to fight & think positive. Try to get as much help from family & friends in regard to meals, housework & dont be too proud as everyone wants to help.
I found a McGrath nurse via the website & she has been great to answer all my dumb questions. They can counsel you & your family also & help you emotionally & medically. I speak to mine over the phone as she lives an hour or so away from me.
Get info/brochures from good sources like BCNA, Cancer council & medical waiting rooms. Try not to Dr Google as that can be confusing. Take someone with you to all appointments as a second set of ears or record the appointment & take lots of notes.
FACT: Stress fuels cancer so try not to let it take hold of you as it wont help you mentally or physically...easier said than done. Things will constantly change so try to focus on what you DO know & not what MAY happen as the worse may never come. Again, easier said than done. I worried over every possible outcome, mastectomy v lumpectomy, chemo, rad......but I only ended up having a lumpectomy & a very easy 3 weeks of rad. I also was gene tested & that was negative. Its good that they are testing you as that is information you will need for your children. Its also good to have that test early on as the outcome could effect your treatment going forward.
Your medical team will guide you. Try to focus on the next step & keep ticking off each box. We will be here to help you. Wishing you love, prayers, strength & lots of hugs. xxxx
You do have so much to deal with already having a newborn & a 6 y.o. but use them to give you the strength to fight & think positive. Try to get as much help from family & friends in regard to meals, housework & dont be too proud as everyone wants to help.
I found a McGrath nurse via the website & she has been great to answer all my dumb questions. They can counsel you & your family also & help you emotionally & medically. I speak to mine over the phone as she lives an hour or so away from me.
Get info/brochures from good sources like BCNA, Cancer council & medical waiting rooms. Try not to Dr Google as that can be confusing. Take someone with you to all appointments as a second set of ears or record the appointment & take lots of notes.
FACT: Stress fuels cancer so try not to let it take hold of you as it wont help you mentally or physically...easier said than done. Things will constantly change so try to focus on what you DO know & not what MAY happen as the worse may never come. Again, easier said than done. I worried over every possible outcome, mastectomy v lumpectomy, chemo, rad......but I only ended up having a lumpectomy & a very easy 3 weeks of rad. I also was gene tested & that was negative. Its good that they are testing you as that is information you will need for your children. Its also good to have that test early on as the outcome could effect your treatment going forward.
Your medical team will guide you. Try to focus on the next step & keep ticking off each box. We will be here to help you. Wishing you love, prayers, strength & lots of hugs. xxxx
Anne65
6
Re: Struggling to cope
@Klp
You poor thing, we have all been there, its a very scary place. Hang on and get through this bit and then things will start to feel more normal again. Once you start treatment as everyone has said you feel like you are doing something. Chemo is hard and long but very doable. I am just out the other side and feeling well.
My advice (which I try to take myself!) is to put off the worry, wait till you have all the facts and then look to the positives, these days the prognosis for breast cancers is so much better than in the past and there are more great drugs that help you to tolerate the treatment.
My other advice is when you can, and harder with small kids, get out and exercise, go for a long walk. Its great for taking the edge off that excess adrenalin floating round your system and making you panic. I hope you feel better soon xx
You poor thing, we have all been there, its a very scary place. Hang on and get through this bit and then things will start to feel more normal again. Once you start treatment as everyone has said you feel like you are doing something. Chemo is hard and long but very doable. I am just out the other side and feeling well.
My advice (which I try to take myself!) is to put off the worry, wait till you have all the facts and then look to the positives, these days the prognosis for breast cancers is so much better than in the past and there are more great drugs that help you to tolerate the treatment.
My other advice is when you can, and harder with small kids, get out and exercise, go for a long walk. Its great for taking the edge off that excess adrenalin floating round your system and making you panic. I hope you feel better soon xx
shs14
6
Re: Struggling to cope
Dear@klp
That’s a sane and normal reaction. It’s the one most of us have at the beginning - that it’s all about the end! But for many, it’s the start of a road we didn’t plan (or want!) but it’s still a road about living. There will be a time to think about those fears in a less frantic environment, but for the meantime put your energies into fighting cancer, getting through treatment and seeing the future again. The CT scan is good news, the other tests will help clarify things. Many have found that the uncertainty is the hardest problem, so the more you know the better the focus, for treatment and for your mind. Maybe not right now, but at some time, think about some special support, through either other younger women with families and how they have coped, or with a counsellor. You wouldn’t hesitate to talk to a financial adviser if you had some money issues to deal with, fear and uncertainty can be even harder to deal with emotionally and family and friends are in the grip of it too - all focussed on you, but not always helpful in spite of best intentions. One step at a time - you can walk a very long way one step at a time. Best wishes.
That’s a sane and normal reaction. It’s the one most of us have at the beginning - that it’s all about the end! But for many, it’s the start of a road we didn’t plan (or want!) but it’s still a road about living. There will be a time to think about those fears in a less frantic environment, but for the meantime put your energies into fighting cancer, getting through treatment and seeing the future again. The CT scan is good news, the other tests will help clarify things. Many have found that the uncertainty is the hardest problem, so the more you know the better the focus, for treatment and for your mind. Maybe not right now, but at some time, think about some special support, through either other younger women with families and how they have coped, or with a counsellor. You wouldn’t hesitate to talk to a financial adviser if you had some money issues to deal with, fear and uncertainty can be even harder to deal with emotionally and family and friends are in the grip of it too - all focussed on you, but not always helpful in spite of best intentions. One step at a time - you can walk a very long way one step at a time. Best wishes.
Afraser
8