Forum Discussion

FLClover's avatar
FLClover
Member
4 years ago

How did you find out about BCNA?

Hello ladies! 
I hope everyone has been keeping safe and healthy 😊. 
I wanted to ask everyone who wants to share, how you found out about this site, BCNA? 
I think it’s really important for women (and men) to be told about it as soon as they are diagnosed, before they have even seen their specialist. I think it would be really helpful to be informed about all things bca from here before starting the dreaded ‘trip’, as getting advice from ladies who’ve done it is extremely helpful and supportive. I think we all know how we felt when we first got diagnosed, so terrified, petrified, mortified, lonely, lost, confused, frightened, surreal, panicky, to say the least (or was that just me? 🤔). And we all know how much our loved ones, despite them trying so hard, can’t and don’t know what to do or say at times, which makes us feel even more lost, confused and lonely. I felt a strong need to find others like me, and was very grateful when I found the pamphlet about BCNA in my pack with the free Berlei bra. However, I found it after my main surgery, which was about two months post diagnosis. I really wished I’d found it pre-surgery, because a lot of my anguish and depression in regards to my surgeon could’ve been avoided. I mentioned this at the BCNA zoom meeting we had a couple months ago, as I felt it was important to try and get those pamphlets out to gps and screening centres, so more women can know about the site ASAP once diagnosed. 
So if you’d like to share, I’d love to know how you all found out about it 🙂. 
M Xxx
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  • Julez1958's avatar
    Julez1958
    Member
    4 years ago
    I think FLClover’s first post above is about the BCNA site as a whole , not just the online forum.
    The site itself has a wealth of information which even now 12 months on I am still dipping into.
    The forum is just part of the site although in my view a very important part .
    Issues about how to improve the usefulness and functionality of the forum for the members is a discussion worth having and you will never please everyone but I know that many women have gained great succour from the online  forum.
  • noosa_blue150's avatar
    noosa_blue150
    Member
    4 years ago
    On the Sunshine Coast QLD the breastscreen clinic made sure I left with BCNA information and resources .I’ve used BCNA since day 1 to educate myself and ask questions through forum . It’s been invaluable . 
  • SoldierCrab's avatar
    SoldierCrab
    Member
    4 years ago
    My then BC nurse gave me a MY journey kit back in the days when they were in a box.... I got online in the middle of the night we all know the no sleeping as we are stressed out time... I became a member and found the forum slow back then end of 2012.... it has changed but I have met and made friends on here. 
  • Cath62's avatar
    Cath62
    Member
    4 years ago
    My surgeon recommended BCNA for information. He suggested getting online information from BCNA rather than google
  • Mazbeth's avatar
    Mazbeth
    Member
    4 years ago
    I was diagnosed at the Wesley Breast Clinic and whilst that time, almost 2 years ago, seems a blur, the breast care nurse made contact and put me straight onto BCNA. I went on the site and stumbled across the forum and found it to be a wealth of advice and support. Like a lot of us, I just read and read posts in the still of the night when I could not sleep and one day I finally posted. Whilst life has become busy again I really hope to keep checking in like so many who have gone before me as their knowledge and kind words were part of the reason I was able to put one foot in front of the other and get through it. I also know that when you are first diagnosed, you desperately want to hear from people who have been through it and are thriving to reassure you that you can do it.
    I also read and listened to the resources offered on the whole site - factual and current. 🌸🌸