New to this

Thanks really appreciate the feedback so good to see it is not just me and really nice to have a flexible work environment I am working from home this week and the dog is loving me for it.   Let me know how you go with the Chemo I am waiting on a date for that but I now it is a positive step to prevent this reoccuring just need to remind myself on this a few times....  Fiona xxx

Hi Fiona It is emotional and a shock and I some times think am I taking this too calmly, should I be panicking but as that seems a pointless exercise I try to keep my mind busy. I saw my oncologist yesterday and have a date to start 3 months chemo and herceptin and will have that for the 12 months and radiotherapy after chemo. Surgery was 2 weeks ago and I'm feeling well now. Back to work next week and when chemo starts I will see how I go . Work has been very happy to be flexible and I am able to take a few sick days per week so will hopefully work when I am well and take days off if I am unwell. Will try to keep rested and eat well and exercise and will take each process I step at a time. I went to my mothers last week and 2 of my brothers were there and we sat and talked and had lunch together and apart from one "how are you feeling" question it was not mentioned. Bliss!! Your family are in shock but it is your call just redirect the conversation and say you don't really want to talk about it at the moment  and stay away from people who make you feel bad. Good luck with it all

Thanks again work sent me two messages today:

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have 

And

F.E.A.R has two meanings - 

Forget everything and RUN

or

Face Everything and Rise

the Choice is yours

I will be the person that Faces everything and Rises........

Such an emotional journey

Hi Fiona,

It still gets very overwhelming for me also but the more you read the my journey kit the more it will make sense emotions get very scary sometimes just keep going on this site and the support you receive will make your journey all that much easier take it easy and look after yourself sending a cuddle and a smile Anita xx????????

Thanks Anita,

Already I can see that is a great website and I have to remind myself that Chemo will be given as a PREVENTATIVE to ensure that the cancer does NOT reoccur but again so many mixed emotions and just so terribly daunting and you are right the wait now for the next appointment to start the chemo plays on my mind.  Will be sure to keep on this site and have the Journey Kit which I am now starting to read and try and digest.   Thanks again appreciate it Fiona

Hi Fiona,

Welcome to the Network I was diagnosed officially on the 21st May with Early Stage bc and I got told Lumpectomy and 6 weeks Radiotherapy which to me at the time was enough to deal with they didn't know what grade my cancer was at that time, I had a lumpectomy and a sentinal node biopsy on the 24th of June, and I too thought that was it when I got my results on the 9th of july things were a bit more complex than I first thought, I too was told I would have to have a 2nd surgery to remove the lymph nodes in my armpit as there was cancer in my lymph node they removed but that came all clear. I started Chemo on the 24th of August the worst is allways the waiting between appointments but whenever your feeling down you come on here even if you feel like it's so overwhelming and confusing and the support is amazing I don't know how I'd have gotten this far without the ladies and support they will give you, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE remember that, the most important thing is you need a support network around you family and friends you need to look after yourself and you need all the support you can get, the most important thing I have found is people need to give you a shoulder to cry on and asking you how you feel doesn't help much as they also don't know how to cope, the best thing you can order from this website if you don't allready have it is the My Journey Kit and It's Free and I don't know what I would do without it and allways take someone with you to all your appointments as it's so overwhelming and your emotions are all over the place at the moment, I've found one of the best people to be in contact with is a Breast Care Nurse I don't know what I'd do without mine they are also there if you want to talk, you hang in there and keep on the network we all look after each other and help each other sending you a big cuddle and a smile and lots of Positive Vibes. 

Anitaxxx

Thanks Pam appreciate this yes it is all so very daunting and this site does seem fantastic for support.  Have a journey kit already and so much information to take in.  I know it is not all that bad and there is a reason for it just a big shock to the system for someone that has never been ill in the past.Fiona

Hi Fiona - boy it is a big shock hey.  And this site is fantastic.  Order a my journey kit, it is very good.  Make a dentist appointment, mouth health is important during chemo.  A lot of people continue working throughout with minimal time off and I agree it is way better than sitting home worrying.  Have a trusted person with you on the oncology visit, so much info in such a short period - two brains can even find it hard.  Friends and loved ones are in shock too, maybe get them to clean something in the house while they are commiserating hey.  Chemo is not nice, but  it is not as bad as you might think.  

Also be prepared to meet a lot of very caring happy people, nurses (they are fantastic), patients, Doctors.  It is not all bad.

Keep well Pam