Hi @August_tran21
So sorry to see you here - to the club that no-one really wants to join! However, here, You can raise ANY issue, and get helpful replies from those whoâve gone before you. Nothing is off limits. We have âprivate groupsâ for some more personal discussions - eg you can join the Reconstruction group .... so feel free to join any of them, if they suit you.
We are happy that you found us - as we were in the same boat not that long ago - and like you, many of us copped that bit of 2 x 4 to the head - coming from 100% non cancer families, me included. The members here are just wonderful and will provide you with as much support as you need. Just ask away!
Where abouts are you - town/area - we may have members nearby who can point you towards specific services in your area - or even meet up with you for a coffee after your surgery. You can 'add it' in your profile.
You will 'gather' HEAPS of paperwork - bloods, reports, Xrays etc - so find yourself a BIG BOX to put them all in - cos an A4 expanding file just won't be big enough! This way, everything is in the one place & if you need to find it later - it should be there.
If you live in Regional/Rural areas - you will be eligible for IPTAAS assistance with travel & accomodation costs (the name may vary from state to state.) Ask your GP or Specialist about it, as they will have to sign off your first appointments. The NSW one is here:
https://iptaas.enable.health.nsw.gov.au/
If you can, take someone with you to your appointments for support - as it can be daunting sitting there alone. A 2nd set of ears also picks up points raised that you may have missed - and ask relevant questions too (as did my Sister in Law with me.) Also, consider recording your meetings on your mobile phone - so that you can go over it again later, if you have to, to query a statement, or just to have as a record.
We all know the absolute turmoil that comes with a BC diagnosis - those 3 words ....Your whole world is turned upside down in a millisecond, as you start to navigate unknown areas of our health system! It is almost a conveyor belt! First you do this, then this, then go there and do that, then come back here and do this .... and it may take a year or two for your life to settle back down again - but just know that it WILL. xx
It is totally 100% ok to skip between anger, denial, sadness - but if you find the sadness is overwhelming you, please seek professional help! Your GP may be able to refer you to a psychologist ... or your local Breast Cancer Centre May have help there .... where you are more likely to find a bc specific psychologist who is more familiar with BC issues. Just talking about it openly and sharing it with a professional should be able to give you coping mechanisms ...
You will make new friends who will support you (specially on this forum) and may lose some old ones, who just do not understand what you are going thru. Most of us here, have found wonderful friends within the group and have even met up with them in âreal lifeâ before this Covid thing and since - hopefully we'll be returning to the 'new normal' next year!
If there is anything you want to discuss in a more private manner, you can message a member (or a group of members) and chat in total privacy.
Personally I found that it mucked with my BRAIN more than anything else! And that is very hard to control, as it has a mind of its own! I found that keeping BUSY, doing things is the secret . .... get back into your hobbies or take up a new one as you are able - even more so now with Covid as we canât get together with buddies as readily as before - tho things are opening up again now ..... we hope!
Try & keep your sense of humour 'up there' - we have a really good 'funnies page' (called Friday Funnies, but we add them every day!!) Just click on the link to add pics and posts ...
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19116/friday-funnies#latest
If you are into arts & crafts, we have a 'Creative Corner'
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest
and if into your garden, a Gardening post as well!!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/186078#Comment_186078
And we now have a Fishing post, as that is one of my passions!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19494/fishing-brag-pics
If you have 'fur kids' - put their pic here & describe their funny antics ... https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/92526#Comment_92526
We even have a funny Xmas page .... feel free to add any that youâve seen!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20086/christmas-funnies-put-them-up-here-for-a-laugh#latest
When you have some time ... check out this blog by a female British Breast Surgeon who went on to develop Breast Cancer, with recurrence. She was amazed at just how much it changed her life, both mentally and physically - as she really thought she 'knew it all' from being a surgeon to her patients ... and it really validates all our own âaches and painsâ & fears ... if your Onc/GP doesnât believe you when you discuss side effects etc - get THEM to read this too!
http://liz.oriordan.co.uk/
Try not to use Dr Google too much (difficult tho it is) as there is just so much conflicting information out there (and much of it is REALLY OLD & OUT OF DATE), and every BC case is totally 'unique' and it will only scare the pants off you!
As you haven't had your surgery yet, we have some posts here on what to take with you to hospital, to make it 'easier' on you.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20232/hospital-bag-what-to-pack/p1
And for your annual checkups, here are some âtick sheetsâ to help you put your questions together for your medical team. (Make sure you click on the documents at the BOTTOM of the post, as the others are only sample pages.)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21973/questions-to-ask-post-surgery-of-yourself-to-your-specialists-tick-sheets-self-assessment/p1
Take care, and all the best for your upcoming surgery! xx