Recently diagnosed
Hi all I am new here and while would have preferred not to know about this network, I have found comfort and such helpful advice in the My Journey resources and these posts. I am a 64YO wife, mothe...
Forum Discussion
So sorry to see you join our exclusive little club @Lozz ... but you are in the right place for both support and answers to any question that you may have, from those who've 'been there, done that'. xx. Absolutely - as @June1952 says - there are NO silly questions - ask away about ANYTHING that you are concerned about or just need more info on.
Your chemo team will make sure you have all the anti nausea, diarrhoea/constipation meds on hand .... so take the anti nausea tabs ANYWAY, as it can kick in a bit later & is better to prevent it in the first place ... I didn't have it, but my husband did - drinking lots of water afterwards helped 'wash it out' and he often felt very fatigued at about day 3 and would just put himself to bed for a day or so .... Eat what you can, when you can as it may not be at 'meal times' - sometimes just grazing throughout the day, as you feel it ..... just go for what you love eating & are able to tolerate. If you are up to it in the meantime, maybe cook some meals and freeze them in portions, so you can just grab them when needed (or ask a family member to do some for you xx) Make sure they also do your cleaning, washing, gardening/mowing etc as well for a while ;) .... so you don't have to do too much yourself. xx
Some people can work thru their chemo - but everyone is different - so see how you go. It could be a 'week on' a 'week off' situation, depending on how frequent your treatments are .... or just give yourself a break now & then, as it does take a bit of a toll on your body & mind xx.
Now is the time to look after YOU xx You may need to put yourself FIRST (and that can be tricky, if you've been used to looking after others all your life.)
The "overthinking and anxiety" after diagnosis & surgery are totally normal - as this bloody disease really mucks with your BRAIN even more than your BODY ..... and it can be random when the anxiety (in particular) happens ..... I was very weepy in the weeks after my own diagnosis ... but slowly, it does get easier with time ... and I think talking to people about it helps, rather than trying to 'save them from distress' and NOT talking/telling them about it .... as that just puts more pressure on YOU! Mind you - you don't have to tell EVERYONE, either - just on an 'as needs' basis. I used to keep in contact with folk by email - and they knew I'd get back to them when I felt up to it ... rather than getting heaps of phone calls .... Some people (even some family members) only found out about my diagnosis 12 months later ..... and that was just fine too!
Don't forget, we have our own helpline (Mon-Fri) 1800 500 258 if you feel a tad overwhelmed & would like to chat with our lovely ladies .... Have you been assigned a Breast Care Nurse yet? They can also be your 'first port of call' as well ...
Feel free to explore a bit more of the Forum - we have some interesting threads that may take your fancy - we show off our gardens, our pets, art & craft ... and even have some funny sections for a giggle (which we need now & then!) There is a link (down the bottom) to some 'tick sheets' that you can print off - and fill in, to take to your appointments with .... for both your physical & mental wellbeing xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
take care, and all the best for your upcoming chemo xx
Your chemo team will make sure you have all the anti nausea, diarrhoea/constipation meds on hand .... so take the anti nausea tabs ANYWAY, as it can kick in a bit later & is better to prevent it in the first place ... I didn't have it, but my husband did - drinking lots of water afterwards helped 'wash it out' and he often felt very fatigued at about day 3 and would just put himself to bed for a day or so .... Eat what you can, when you can as it may not be at 'meal times' - sometimes just grazing throughout the day, as you feel it ..... just go for what you love eating & are able to tolerate. If you are up to it in the meantime, maybe cook some meals and freeze them in portions, so you can just grab them when needed (or ask a family member to do some for you xx) Make sure they also do your cleaning, washing, gardening/mowing etc as well for a while ;) .... so you don't have to do too much yourself. xx
Some people can work thru their chemo - but everyone is different - so see how you go. It could be a 'week on' a 'week off' situation, depending on how frequent your treatments are .... or just give yourself a break now & then, as it does take a bit of a toll on your body & mind xx.
Now is the time to look after YOU xx You may need to put yourself FIRST (and that can be tricky, if you've been used to looking after others all your life.)
The "overthinking and anxiety" after diagnosis & surgery are totally normal - as this bloody disease really mucks with your BRAIN even more than your BODY ..... and it can be random when the anxiety (in particular) happens ..... I was very weepy in the weeks after my own diagnosis ... but slowly, it does get easier with time ... and I think talking to people about it helps, rather than trying to 'save them from distress' and NOT talking/telling them about it .... as that just puts more pressure on YOU! Mind you - you don't have to tell EVERYONE, either - just on an 'as needs' basis. I used to keep in contact with folk by email - and they knew I'd get back to them when I felt up to it ... rather than getting heaps of phone calls .... Some people (even some family members) only found out about my diagnosis 12 months later ..... and that was just fine too!
Don't forget, we have our own helpline (Mon-Fri) 1800 500 258 if you feel a tad overwhelmed & would like to chat with our lovely ladies .... Have you been assigned a Breast Care Nurse yet? They can also be your 'first port of call' as well ...
Feel free to explore a bit more of the Forum - we have some interesting threads that may take your fancy - we show off our gardens, our pets, art & craft ... and even have some funny sections for a giggle (which we need now & then!) There is a link (down the bottom) to some 'tick sheets' that you can print off - and fill in, to take to your appointments with .... for both your physical & mental wellbeing xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
take care, and all the best for your upcoming chemo xx