Forum Discussion
BC Newbie
Hi everyone,
So this is my first ever blog post on this forum. I can hardly believe I'm even here! At 37 years old, and no history of BC in our family, my diagnosis three weeks ago was really a massive shock.
Since then, I've undergone a bilateral mastectomy & full axilla clearance. I'm due to start chemo in about 3 weeks time which is freaking me out.
If anyone has any tips on how best to prepare for chemo, I'd be very grateful.
Everyone keeps telling me I'm strong but I feel anything but. We are surrounded by the love and support of beautiful family & friends but still I feel utterly alone.
I'm sore, I'm scared and I'm grieving for the loss of the old me.
Kate x
39 Replies
- Hi Natasha, The great thing about this forum is I've come to realise how many others are in my exact position and it helps so much knowing I'm not alone. Best of luck for the treatment journey you are undergoing. Here's the URL (hope it's right!): http://www.bcna.org.au/user/17746/blog/85311 Kate
- Just another 9 years of hormone therapy. I have been really 'lucky' to not have too many side effects from tamoxifen. I have made some gradual changes to improve my health and I use the possibility of recurrence as motivation to live well! I think the first part of this process is just to get through treatment as best as you can. The second bit is getting your head sorted around the idea that you actually had BC and what this means for you and your loved ones. That is very much an on-going thing with some days occasionally still a bit emotional (like anniversaries of diagnosis etc). This network has been a terrific source of good quality advice and I feel I have such great support from 'friends' on here who really understand what it feels like to face all this. I hope you find it helps to keep in contact through BCNA. It is a safe place to let out some of the emotions! Take care. Deanne xxx
By the way, I understand grieveng the old you who had no idea life could be like this, but the new you is going to be absolutely spectacular.
Hi, I forgot a couple of other essentials:
You need a good thermometer by your bed for when you might be neutripenic, and a spare thermometer in the draw in the bathroom that you can find if you lose the first one.
You need to talk to your GP and get him or her to write on the top of your file that you are going through Chemo and may need a GP appointment urgently, and for reception staff to fit you in with your regular GP on the same day if you ring and ask for it. I was told to take slow-developing health problems to my GP.
You also need your oncologist to give you 24hour direct numbers to the oncology nurses who have a direct line to your oncologist for assistance whenever you get sick quickly or are worried about temperatures, diarhoea or constipation or nausea that won't go away or any other chemo-related health concern. Find a nurse with plenty of experience who gives you good full answers and will check with the oncologist if she is unsure about anything. Put the number on a sticker on your Breast Cancer diary and another on the phone. Use that number when in doubt.
You will make it through, and we are here with you if you have concerns or distress or just want some company in the middle of the night
Best wishes
Hi, I forgot a couple of other essentials:
You need a good thermometer by your bed for when you might be neutripenic, and a spare thermometer in the draw in the bathroom that you can find if you lose the first one.
You need to talk to your GP and get him or her to write on the top of your file that you are going through Chemo and may need a GP appointment urgently, and for reception staff to fit you in with your regular GP on the same day if you ring and ask for it. I was told to take slow-developing health problems to my GP.
You also need your oncologist to give you 24hour direct numbers to the oncology nurses who have a direct line to your oncologist for assistance whenever you get sick quickly or are worried about temperatures, diarhoea or constipation or nausea that won't go away or any other chemo-related health concern. Find a nurse with plenty of experience who gives you good full answers and will check with the oncologist if she is unsure about anything. Put the number on a sticker on your Breast Cancer diary and another on the phone. Use that number when in doubt.
You will make it through, and we are here with you if you have concerns or distress or just want some company in the middle of the night
Best wishes
Will do x
- Wow...what an amazing help you have been! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that for me. You've added to the info that I have gathered up until now. I am trying so hard to get as prepared as I can, so there are no surprises. Somehow I don't think that will happen, but it's worth a try! Where are you in your treatment schedule? Kate x
- You are through chemo!! Whoohoo! Good for you!!! While it does sound like you had a really rough time with it, you survived and have now been one of the first to help me prepare for my journey too. So thank you so much! I will have radiation too - I hear you get tattooed beforehand?! This whole new life never ceases to amaze me! What's in store following radiation? Hormone therapy? You're nearly there!! Kate x
- It sounds as though diagnosis is a horrible shock for most. I'd been living under the false idea that I was immune to it. I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself and take each day as it comes, but I'm someone that loves to plan ahead too and as such I've spent far too much time googling scary stuff when I should have come straight here to this bcna forum! The women on here are the best sources of info ever. Thanks for reaching out - it has really helped. Kate
- Thanks so much. I did check out that blogpost you and Deanne suggested. It was perfect - exactly what I needed -a comprehensive list. (I'm a fan of a good list!!)
