Feeling overwhelmed

I can relate to being overwhelmed! I am 58, have had a lumpectomy and lymph node bios. The results were good however the complications from surgery left me feeling hollow and anxious.  I have a heart condition and take blood thinners (which made the complications very more tricky!) was in and out of hospital twice after initial surgery. 
I thought after having had heart surgery, a stroke and frontal lobe seizures that my breast cancer journey would be much easier!! 
Cancer does suck!! I feel for you having had cancer earlier too 💕

I am in the Sunshine Coast and there is a lot of medical support but I just want to be back to normal!! I know that’s not that simple! 

Hiannabody67​ andMelG67​ thank you for sharing how you are feeling. I feel it is okay to be sad and overwhelmed, especially when you have had another horrible experience with the disease, it would be something that rocked your world. I am pretty hopeless at sitting with my feelings of sadness and unfairness - I spend quite a lot of time distracting myself away from personal reflection and will do any other things to avoid them!

I do however, keep a gratitude journal- just for me - to see or remember the things I take for granted- that I once didn’t have. Eg 2 years ago I could not have cleaned my teeth with my electric toothbrush because the ulcers I had from chemo were so painful. Now I can. 
I think it’s okay to feel how you do. 

I am SO sorry to see both of you MelG67​  and annabody67​ joining our select little group (and you're born in the same year too!)  xx

What you are feeling is very real annabody67​  - and I think most of us can identify with your comments xx  Specially being 2nd time around - that just isn't FAIR!  :(   Next time you are in the car on your own ..... give a BIG SCREAM & SHOUT - it can be very cathartic - just make sure your windows are up & no-one is in the lane next to you!! xx 

Yep, EVERYTHING about cancer SUCKS.  BIGTIME.  All your plans & aspirations are thrown out the window - for the time being!!  Start your own 'Bucket List' on what you'd LIKE to do when you are able to .... 

How wonderful that you have a 2nd grandchild 'on the way' - something to really look forward to and will give you a real 'lift' xx.  Just be careful picking the bub up initially, as you may still be 'in recovery' & not supposed to pick up 'weights'!!  ;)  

Yes, Everyone feels overwhelmed at the start - as receiving a cancer diagnosis is a bit like being hit over the head with a shovel ....   I was the first ever in my family to have a cancer diagnosis - our family history was mainly heart attacks! 

Hearing  “You've got breast cancer” ..... Causes sadness, distress and even anger. And family & friends (unless they've also had a cancer diagnosis) have no idea just how it changes your life in a millisecond. 

It really mucks with your brain.  It is highly stressful & upsetting in the early days of diagnosis - so if you feel a bit overwhelmed by it all, please give our Helpline a bell on 1800 500 258 for a calming, confidential chat xx.

Make sure you take a trusted friend or relative with you to your meetings from now on & consider recording them too, on your phone xx. It is almost impossible to remember everything & this way you can go back over it in the quiet of your home & take notes. xx

Also, consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts on her own experience with BC - she is a specialist breast cancer Counsellor who had a double mastectomy, choosing to stay flat - and was surprised at her own reaction to the news, when she'd been counseling others for many years & thought she 'knew it'!  She has done 2 ‘podcast seasons' ... check out the 1st season, right from her diagnosis onwards and how she coped, then move on to the 2nd season. She is very easy to listen to & you'll probably recognise your own reactions in many of the podcasts. 
http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html

Check out this thread too - there is a lot of info on the forum & what to take with you to hospital - even 'tick sheets' that you can fill in to take with you to your appointments on your mental & physical health .... this info has been gleaned from many of our members over the years ... I hope it helps you xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest

Re trying to get back to 'normal' .... just try & get back into doing the things you love doing (as soon as you are able to following surgery/treatment) as it keeps your brain AND body 'busy' - so less chance of getting sad/depressed.  Or try something NEW!   Check out what groups are in town - walking, fishing, ukulele, or volunteering at Nursing Homes .... to help fill in your day!  I do the last 3!!

take care & all the best

annabody67​ - You may like to also check out Cancer Support Services flyer outlines a range of free, community‑based support groups and activities available for people affected by cancer across the Mornington Peninsula. It highlights opportunities to connect with others, learn from local health professionals, and participate in supportive wellbeing activities, including walking groups and men’s and women’s cancer support groups. The services are open to people at any stage of diagnosis or treatment, as well as family members and carers, and are designed to foster connection, information‑sharing and emotional support in a welcoming environment.