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Hi ladies

It is strange to imagine how so many positives can come from facing a crisis. I also had fantastic support during my BC journey.

My elderly mother (90) went through bowel cancer a couple of years ago. Before that she used to sit alone at home (she lives alone in a small country town) and see heaps of her neighbours receiving visitors daily - with their family living locally. She became embittered that no-one visited her, no-one phoned regularly enough etc.It didn't matter how often we phoned she would answer the phone with "It's been a week since you phoned me last!" (Focussing on the negatives.)

Once she had been through the cancer, and the family rallied to encompass her with assistance, support and love, she viewed the whole thing very differently. It truly changed her attitude to us all. She is the most loving mother now and so pleased to hear from us. And, because she is so warm and welcoming, we phone more often! :)

She has been a widow since she was 38 so she has had it tough, but she certainly hasn't been grumpy all those years. It only started once all her friends started dying off. She is one of the last of a big group. She also did lots of community work until about 5 years ago. She is missing the sense of community.  I call it her 'small paddock' . . . she is a big thing in a small space now, so everything seems LARGE to her.

Anyway, after a big rave . . . :) . . .  my message is that the bowel cancer was the best thing that happened to my mum in a few years because of all the positives that were to be gained from her troubles. I hope that you and your family also can draw goodness from this, Judy.

Best wishes for your journey, Judy. Also, good luck with the pathology. The wait is terrible, isn't it?

Jenny

I agree this is such a great site to get support and some much needed answers. Not knowing what is going on is so hard.

I am waiting for my full lymph clearance after a positive sentinel and it has been the longest 5 weeks of my life. Christmas and the surgeons holidays certainly delay things...  Bring on next Wednesday! 

I am glad your family are being a great support, smiley face text messages during the day make all the difference to me.

Thinking of you,

Kylie

I agree this is such a great site to get support and some much needed answers. Not knowing what is going on is so hard.

I am waiting for my full lymph clearance after a positive sentinel and it has been the longest 5 weeks of my life. Christmas and the surgeons holidays certainly delay things...  Bring on next Wednesday! 

I am glad your family are being a great support, smiley face text messages during the day make all the difference to me.

Thinking of you,

Kylie

Hi Judy,

Good luck with your pathology results, I imagine it must be an anxious wait but when you find out what your treatment regime will be you can relax a little. It is a great site and it is good to be able to chat with other women who can understand what you are going through.

Take carexox

Renata

Thanks for your encouragement too Leonie. It's a strange new adventure, but its good to know I am not alone. I'm glad there are people here who will understand what I'm going through.Thanks,

Judy

Thanks for responding Mel and thanks for your encouragement. I feel a bit in limbo at the moment, I'm sure that will change after I have a set treatment.

My children are coping well...my daughter is 18 and has been really supportive. I didn't actually find out about the breast cancer until I was at the Breast surgeon...it all happenend so fast and they had to phone through for results of the biopsy. My daughter was at this appt. with me. She has been putting her arm around me and encouraging me since. My Son (20) is the strong silent type but he too has been taking extra time to comfort me and just be there. My hubby and I sat and talked it through with both of them the night we found out, this was a positive time for all of us.

I hope your chemo goes well on Friday.

Thanks for your support 

Judy

Yes as Mel says the waiting is the hardest.  It really is amazing how we all cope with the treatment.  I found it best to "know everything" when I had my first diagnosis back in 2006.  I nearly drove myself mad reading everything and asking so many questions of my surgeon.  The second time around in 2010 I was a lot more relaxed.  My surgeon was more anxious and upset than I was.  Once you have the results and get your plan you will adjust your life to fit in with it.  The treatment is just "something that has to be done".  What got me through the chemo (didn't have it the first diagnosis) was knowing that others before me had done it and survived.  It is really good having this site to ask questions when you need to.  All the best XLeonie

Yes as Mel says the waiting is the hardest.  It really is amazing how we all cope with the treatment.  I found it best to "know everything" when I had my first diagnosis back in 2006.  I nearly drove myself mad reading everything and asking so many questions of my surgeon.  The second time around in 2010 I was a lot more relaxed.  My surgeon was more anxious and upset than I was.  Once you have the results and get your plan you will adjust your life to fit in with it.  The treatment is just "something that has to be done".  What got me through the chemo (didn't have it the first diagnosis) was knowing that others before me had done it and survived.  It is really good having this site to ask questions when you need to.  All the best XLeonie