A big welcome to all New Online Network Members .....

A warm welcome to all new Online Network members - to the club that no-one really wants to join!  Here, You can raise ANY issue, and get helpful replies from those who’ve gone before you, cos we 'get it'.  Nothing is off limits.  We have ‘private groups’ for some more personal discussions .... so feel free to join any of them, if they suit you.
Category: Groups | BCNA Online Network

We are happy that you found us - as we were in the same boat not that long ago. The members here are just wonderful and will provide you with as much support as you need.  Just ask away!

If you put your story in the 'Newly Diagnosed' Thread, we'll have a better understanding of what you are going thru - and don't forget to add your 'town or region' in your Profile info - we may have members nearby who you can meet up with for a chat and a coffee.  https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/categories/newly-diagnosed


Try not to use Dr Google too much (difficult tho it is) as there is just so much conflicting information out there (and much of it is REALLY OLD & OUT OF DATE), and every BC case is totally 'unique' and it will only scare the pants off you!

We all know the absolute turmoil that comes with a BC diagnosis .... specially after a ‘clear mammogram’ and no family history. This was my story.  My MG was clear just months before my wonderful GP found it, by accident!  I had lumpectomy, Rads and now finished after 7 years of AI Tabs.

If you can, take someone with you to your appointments for support - as it can be daunting sitting there alone.  A 2nd set of ears also picks up points raised that you may have missed - and ask relevant questions too (as did my Sister in Law with me.) Also, consider recording your meetings on your mobile phone - so that you can go over it again later, if you have to, to query a statement, or just to have as a record.

Your whole world is turned upside down in a millisecond, as you navigate unknown areas of our health system! It is almost a conveyor belt! First you do this, then this, then go there and do that, then come back here and do this .... and it may take a year or two for your life to settle down.

It is totally 100% ok to skip between anger, denial, sadness - but if you find the sadness is overwhelming you, please seek professional help! Your GP may be able to refer you to a psychologist ... or your local Breast Cancer Centre May have help there .... where you are more likely to find a bc specific psychologist who is more familiar with BC issues.  Just talking about it openly and sharing it with a professional should be able to give you coping mechanisms ... 

Also, consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts on her own experience with BC - she is a specialist breast cancer Counsellor - and was surprised at her own reaction to the news, when she'd been counseling others for many years & thought she 'knew it all'! 
She has done 2 'seasons' ... check out the 1st season, right from her diagnosis onwards and how she coped. 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

Also consider ringing our Helpline, for a confidential, one on one chat - just phone  1800 500 258, Mon-Fri, 9-5

You will make new friends who will support you (specially on this forum) and may lose some old ones, who just do not understand what you are going thru. Most of us here, have found wonderful friends within the group and have even met up with them in ‘real life’ before this Covid thing and since - hopefully they'll get on top of it soon & our lives return to a 'new normal'! 

If there is anything you want to discuss in a more private manner, you can message a member (or a group of members) and chat in total privacy. 

Personally I found that it mucked with my BRAIN more than anything else!  And sometimes that is very hard to control, as it has a mind of its own! Keeping BUSY doing things is the secret .... get back into your hobbies or take up a new one - even more so now with Covid as we can’t get together with buddies as readily as before.  

Try & keep your sense of humour 'up there' - we have a really good 'funnies page' (called Friday Funnies, but we add them every day!!)  Just click on the link to add pics and posts ... 
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19116/friday-funnies#latest

And if you need 'spirits lifted', we have a great Wise Words thread too:
Wise words .... | BCNA Online Network

If you are into arts & crafts, we have a 'Creative Corner' 
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest
 and if into your garden, a Gardening post as well!! 
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/186078#Comment_186078
And we now have a Fishing post, as that is one of my passions!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19494/fishing-brag-pics

If you are an artist or a knitter or do chrochet or other art & craft stuff ..... whack up a picture here!: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest ;

If you have 'fur kids' - put their pic here & describe their funny antics ... https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/92526#Comment_92526

We even have a funny Xmas page .... feel free to add any that you’ve seen!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20086/christmas-funnies-put-them-up-here-for-a-laugh#latest

If you haven't had your surgery yet, we have some posts here on what to take with you to hospital, to make it 'easier' on you.  
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/16442/prep-for-surgery/p1

And for your annual checkups, here are some ‘tick sheets’ to help you put your questions together for your medical team.  (Make sure you click on the documents at the BOTTOM of the post, as the others are only sample pages.)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21973/questions-to-ask-post-surgery-of-yourself-to-your-specialists-tick-sheets-self-assessment/p1

Take care, and all the best to you!