The Start

I ahave found a someone who also doubles up as a volunteer on Tuesdays at the Launceston Cancer Council who is happy to get in touch. Ring me and I can give you her details!

Hi Bel

as you have my phone number , please call me. I reckon there will be someone either through Sue Schwabe, the BC nurse, or the Cancer Council, who you will "click" with. I am happy to meet you- I can drive but am working til Thursday this coming week- usually only work Mondays and Wednsedays, but warn you I am old and grey! (61). It is great that your parents arrive on Thursday, perhaps they could bring you in to town one day and we could all meet up... if you want. There are ways and means, and the reason all of us out there in the world and on-line are around is because we care and don't want anyone to feel isolated.

The sun is shining so that helps, take care, Mandy

Hi Bel

as you have my phone number , please call me. I reckon there will be someone either through Sue Schwabe, the BC nurse, or the Cancer Council, who you will "click" with. I am happy to meet you- I can drive but am working til Thursday this coming week- usually only work Mondays and Wednsedays, but warn you I am old and grey! (61). It is great that your parents arrive on Thursday, perhaps they could bring you in to town one day and we could all meet up... if you want. There are ways and means, and the reason all of us out there in the world and on-line are around is because we care and don't want anyone to feel isolated.

The sun is shining so that helps, take care, Mandy

I live around the corner from your friends Kathy!  We moved here 6 months back, and Ive found it vertually impossible to get to know neighbours.  We also dont have children, and up until now, I worked at Legana Amcal, job is waiting for me.  

I am keen to connect with people close by, and even though I get the friendly waves, it would be great to talk to people.

My parents arrive next Thursday.

Have to run now, I am 46 by the way

XX Bel

Hi Mel,

For me being in the "waiting room" is a difficult time which is perfectly natural.

For me one day at a time is the only way to go on this journey otherwise I do my head in (and those around me)  ~ but I see you have worked this out already :)

Have you checked your Super to see if you have Income Protection?  Hopefully (like me) you took it out ages ago and because the premium came out of my Super I just forgot about it.

You, along with the other members of the awful club are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Ann

Dear Bel, You asked if I remembered the time between my surgery and the results! It was double jeopardy - I had the surgery prior to Christmas, and every thing shut down for Christmas and New Year! I had to wait until the 4th of January for my results - it was like a bad dream and everything was quite surreal....I just don't know how I managed it, but I did.  One part of me wanted desperatley to know the results (hoping for the best) but the other half of me didn't want to know - expecting the worst.  That was a very long time to suffer that all out - I found the lump in late October, and then the stupid and most incompetant GP forgot to ring me about the results - because she didn't book me in for the mammogram, I didn't end up with surgery until the 21st of December - talk about a comedy of errors.

After that everything seems a blur, the chemo and radiotherapy - BUT, I got through it.  It certainly changed my whole outlook on life - If I get cranky now, I make sure it has purpose.  It was at this time I didcovered this website - this is what held it together for me - my poor hubby was by now quite used to the tears, I dont drive either, so I depended on him greatly for all those travels from one end of the state to the other, with all the tests and treatments - he never once complained.  He would go fishing out at the lakes, and it was a kind of quiet reprieve for both of us, the least I could do under the circumstances was to give him some time out on his own.

We never got to move to Tasmania as planned, but have no regrets with living here - but we went over to Tasmania in February - we took the car, we could only stay seven days as I was in the middle of treatments and the doctor wasn't happy about it....but I wasn't concerned with his happiness.  So we went anyway and had a ball - we did the East Coast, down to Hobart and back up to the North West where I spent a lot of my childhood.  It all went so fast time wise, but we are saving like crazy to do it again in 2014.

I have made some wonderful friends on here - some I email, others on Facebook and also on this site - but we are in the club that no-one wanted to join, but we are firm friends - you know, the kind of friends you get to keep and have a common bond with.  The kind of friends that allow you to vent, cry and share joy.  So you are as the ladies have said 'not alone'.  Thinking of you, hugs and love from Josie x x x 

Dear Bel, You asked if I remembered the time between my surgery and the results! It was double jeopardy - I had the surgery prior to Christmas, and every thing shut down for Christmas and New Year! I had to wait until the 4th of January for my results - it was like a bad dream and everything was quite surreal....I just don't know how I managed it, but I did.  One part of me wanted desperatley to know the results (hoping for the best) but the other half of me didn't want to know - expecting the worst.  That was a very long time to suffer that all out - I found the lump in late October, and then the stupid and most incompetant GP forgot to ring me about the results - because she didn't book me in for the mammogram, I didn't end up with surgery until the 21st of December - talk about a comedy of errors.

After that everything seems a blur, the chemo and radiotherapy - BUT, I got through it.  It certainly changed my whole outlook on life - If I get cranky now, I make sure it has purpose.  It was at this time I didcovered this website - this is what held it together for me - my poor hubby was by now quite used to the tears, I dont drive either, so I depended on him greatly for all those travels from one end of the state to the other, with all the tests and treatments - he never once complained.  He would go fishing out at the lakes, and it was a kind of quiet reprieve for both of us, the least I could do under the circumstances was to give him some time out on his own.

We never got to move to Tasmania as planned, but have no regrets with living here - but we went over to Tasmania in February - we took the car, we could only stay seven days as I was in the middle of treatments and the doctor wasn't happy about it....but I wasn't concerned with his happiness.  So we went anyway and had a ball - we did the East Coast, down to Hobart and back up to the North West where I spent a lot of my childhood.  It all went so fast time wise, but we are saving like crazy to do it again in 2014.

I have made some wonderful friends on here - some I email, others on Facebook and also on this site - but we are in the club that no-one wanted to join, but we are firm friends - you know, the kind of friends you get to keep and have a common bond with.  The kind of friends that allow you to vent, cry and share joy.  So you are as the ladies have said 'not alone'.  Thinking of you, hugs and love from Josie x x x 

I do have your phone numer on the fridge, but knew I wouldnt make it to the first meeting this morning on Melbourne Cup Day!  My husband has gone back to work, I cant drive, and we havent got outside help its just the two of us.

I was told by my doctor that there is a great support system here, and a high population of breast cancer people.  I thought good, at last, I can join a group and make friends.

I have been working for 5 months in a Pharmacy, they have sent beautiful flowers, but obviously it takes longer to form bonds.

Asking people to care, and help a stranger, and I havent been to church, is a tall ask.  A bit rude rolling up at church now (smiling).

I have a great sense of humour, and find it easy to talk to people, its the patience I struggle with at the moment.

This website is fabulous, and I look forward to meeting you one day.

I am at Swan Bay by the way on Windermere Road, and most locals dont even know where it is!

Regards Bel

Josie

I thank you for the words of encouragement.  This is my second day home on my own, and it really helps to have "friends" out there who understand.  As I look around my house and see the floors need vaccumming and notice my husband who has had me to do all the domestics seemed to have his head in a flurry as he left this morning.  I have spoilt him and now he has to do it all.  But he has the short list in mind, and I remind myself its not important.

You never know what its like until it happens to you.  I was someone who thought it wouldnt, remain positive I said, and you will be fine.  My husband said "I never expected anything to happen before we turned 50!" which sums up his responses every time I said "We should get some income protection, life insurance, bla bla bla" 

5 years ago when his sister became brain injured in a cycling accident I marvelled at the results obtained for some-one who had a fabulous career, wealthy friends, and plenty of money to support the years ahead.  I recall thinking, how hard would it be if you werent wealthy, when things go wrong over night.

How did you cope? Do you remember that time between the op and the results?

Regards 

Bel

Thank you Daina for you great words of advice and I do appreciate it.  We were a bit stuck because I was sent home with only seeing a Breast Cancer Nurse, and then no communications due to it being a long weekend.  We have moved here to Launceston and dont have friends to drive us around, my husband has gone back to work, and I live 25 mins North of Launceston at Swan Bay.  Unable to drive and now my husband is totally overwhelmed with having to do everything, I shall have to work out how I am supposed to get to these meetings first! 

There is one this morning, I missed that, but at this moment, with horrible weather outside, wouldnt have been interested yet anyway.

I am a social butterfly and love a chat, so I will be keen to participate in anything to meet people and make friends.

Regards Bel