Sorry to see you here with us, @RenataW ... as a counsellor yourself, you'll no doubt 'think' that you'd be better at handling the diagnosis, as you've probably helped others before, with theirs. But sadly, it doesn't always work like that. :( I'd nursed my husband thru his original cancer diagnosis & removal of most of his stomach back in 2010 .... so I was really shocked when my reaction to my own BC diagnosis in 2018 'upset' me so much - cos it is 100% natural to be totally shocked & stunned - and crying is a natural outlet xx
Lean on your family & friends - they just don't know what to say or do to 'make it better' ..... so they'll take their responses from you ... if you clam up, so will they xx I told as many friends & family as I thought 'needed to know' - and kept them updated with an email every week or two - it was better than 're-explaining' it to everyone who called or dropped in! Let them know that you'll get back to them when you are ready - so you aren't answering your phone all the time & repeating stuff.
Have a listen to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts on BC ... she is also a BC Counsellor/psychologist who was diagnosed in 2018 (she had a double mastectomy and remained 'flat') .... She was also amazed at her own reactions to her diagnosis .... and has done 2 x Podcast Series that are well worth listening to. She is VERY easy to listen to - and having had the same diagnosis, fears, surgery, chemo etc - she just 'gets it'! xx
Click on 'See 22 tracks' and start on Track 13 (the first one of Series One) then if you go thru all of them (at your leisure) then click on No 1 to listen to the 2nd series xx
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=charlotte%20tottmanYou can read a bit about her here too (see document at the bottom) ....
Let it out - if you are in the car - do a giant AAAAAAGGGHHHHH!! Sounds weird - but it is quite cathartic! xx. Everyone asks 'Why Me'? But they do NOT KNOW! It is just pure bad luck (unless you know ther have been other family members diagnosed, in which case it may be genetic.) I am the first & only member in my family that I am aware of, to have a cancer diagnosis - but remember that Cancer is a WORD, not a SENTENCE xx.
Put trust in your team ..... write down any questions that you have for them ..... consider recording your sessions on your phone as it is difficult to remember everything that is discussed at the time. After you've finished your active treatment - sure, go on your own - but whilst you are still facing surgery & 'other choices' .... have someone you can trust 100% with you xx. For both physical and emotional support. This disease really mucks with your BRAIN even more than your body - and that is probably what scares us more than anything .... as we are used to being 'in control'!
Jump onto this thread - which gives lots of tips on facing surgery and other areas on the forum that you might like to join in ... we have bits on art & crafts, gardens, furkids & even humour ..... there are 'tick sheets' down the bottom that you can click on, to 'self assess' your physical & mental progress .... you can also call our Helpline on 1800 500 258 too ... for a chat xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latestTake care, be kind to yourself xx