Forum Discussion
Just diagnosed
Hi, I thought I would introduce myself here. I am 49 years old and have just been diagnosed (two days ago) with an Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in my left breast. HR+ HER 2 negative, provisional grade 1...
Hi Kari210 it is good to be able to open up in this forum. I am 52, was diagnosed with early breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma) and the end of July and had my surgery last week. There was a real shift for me post surgery, in the realisation that this is a long road, longer than anything I have traveled on before. And it will be different for everybody.
It sounds like you are in Brisbane (the RBWH reference)? I am too. Happy to chat/meet later down the track. I wonder if there is ever any meet ups arranged by BCNA?
KalGal Sometimes BCNA has Webinars in various cities or towns ... but many of us just have informal 'meet & greets' when we know members are living nearby for a coffee & a chat!
I've made some fantastic 'lifelong' friends from BCNA & are in regular contact with them, both on & off the forum! ;)
You can use the personal messaging to chat with individual members too 😉ThanksKalGal and I am sorry you are going through it as well. Hope the recovery is going well. I have been told to take one step at a time. At this point I still don’t know how to tell the kids or my friends, not to mention the big unknown of the treatment.
I would love to meet and chat in person one day. Yes, I am Brisbane, inner west.Kari210 oooh.... stay away from Dr Google!!! A lot of the info is way out of date & may not even be relevant to your actual diagnosis & treatment!! Get your info from trusted sources - your Medical team, BC Nurse ... and us!!
Yep, it is definitely one step at a time ... one day at a time ... one hour at a time if needs be xx. Don't forget to take a trusted friend or family member with you to the appt - as an extra set of ears & both physical & mental support - and record it too - so you can go over it again in the quiet of your home xx
Re telling kids & friends ..... I only told those nearest & dearest to me initially & only opened up to others 12 months down the line. The support & understanding, really helped - plus any assistance they were able to offer as well. It also relieves a lot of the mental pressure/stress .... hmmmm ... they may also be a bit stroppy that you haven't told them earlier!! :(It was a good friend in Qld with BC who put me onto BCNA - the best thing I ever did!
I kept them informed on a 'bulk email' every couple of weeks, so that I didn't have to keep repeating the story over & over, as it DOES get upsetting and tiring! (Some people set up private groups on FB or do a private 'blog' online & only share the link with those they want to follow it.)
When my husband was first diagnosed in 2010, he didn't want anyone to know - but I found it impossible to keep the pretense that everything was OK specially when bumping into friends & colleagues at the shops etc, as I'd just burst into tears .... so I did the same with him back then.take care & all the best for Wed xx
Thank you so much for your kind words.
