Friday update 20 December 2019
Hello everyone,
Welcome to our final Friday update for 2019. A very warm welcome to all our new members who have joined
us in the last few weeks. I can see from the recent online discussions there is
lots of activity going on with decisions to be made regarding treatment, coping
with the total shock of a new diagnosis, managing family and friends and dealing
with the side effects of treatment.
Look after yourself everyone and know that you can use the
online community to connect with others who have gone through similar for peer
support. Don’t hesitate to jump online if you need to as there is always
someone close by. The online community will continue to be moderated and you
will see MichelleP_ BCNA, Laura_BCNA and myself Giovanna_BCNA online. We wish
you well with your treatment and hope that you are able to enjoy some of the
Christmas and New Year festivities with the people you love.
Community highlights
1.
Dark days
New thread commenced by @ddon who was diagnosed with early breast cancer
this month and is having a full mastectomy, removal of axillary nodes and a
portacath insertion. Telling her 4
children aged 7 to 16 was ‘horrendous’, she has a supportive family but
currently feeling very alone and scared.
Response from @shs14 ‘@ddon This bit is the very scary time, hang on there
and once you get a bit further, know your full pathology and have started
treatment it does get easier, you will feel normal again, even during chemo. I
am nearly out the other side but I remember the terrible fear at the
start. That's great your husband is such a great strength, I am lucky that
mine was too. We walked every day after diagnosis and it helped us talk our way
through it and the exercise was great to keep my body strong for surgery, chemo
and now radiation. port is a great thing
to have, I just had mine out but was grateful I did it.
I had twin sons going through HSC this year too
and a daughter finishing Uni. And we survived it! Made us closer if anything
and it was good for me to have someone else to focus on. There is lots of
advice here for the practical stuff once you are on the road but I am sending
you my thoughts and wishing you the smoothest path through. Good luck with it.’
@ddon post ‘You are all so wonderful. My
heart is full from everyone’s kind and very helpful thoughts and advice. I
would love to thank you all personally if I could. It means so much to hear
from people who have walked this road before me and got through it. I am trying
to live one day at a time / I know that’s all I can emotionally deal with right
now. I feel like crouching down with my arms around my head to protect from the
blows of more bad news. But I can’t. I have a family who need me and they are a
welcome distraction really. Thank
you again xxx’
2 Support during Christmas and New Year
Don’t forget to read my post for the contact details of
support services available during Christmas and New Year.
3. Christmas
funnies My personal favourite!
This week’s reflective
quote
‘Calm mind brings inner
strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.’
Dalai Lama
Wishing you all a very
happy and festive Christmas and wonderful New Year. We hope you get to spend
time with friends and family and those nearest and dearest to you and that you
get time to rest, relax and recuperate.
For all of our community members who are currently undergoing treatment,
take care of you. Try to take one day at
a time and accept any offers of help. We
are thinking of you and know that you will be well supported by our community
members and moderation team over the Christmas and New Year break.
Kind regards the
moderation team
Giovanna, Rosie, Riki, Michelle,
Laura, Jenny, Carissa, and Pat
Comments
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@Giovanna_BCNA. It would be so good if just as much support was given to those of us with metastatic breast cancer as is given to those with early stage breast cancer and their partners.
I do not feel at all supported.2 -
Hello @Patti J sending you a private message0
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Seasons greetings to all especially our BCNA team. Without the moderation of the forum we wouldn't be able to support each other.
3 -
Merry Christmas BCNA team and all. I hope you have a lovely one
3 -
All the best for the festive season to everyone especially our BCNA team. Your support is always amazing & this forum helps so many people. xx3
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Best wishes to all for a relaxed and happy Christmas.4
