Hi Melinda
It's taken me awhile to get back on to respond!
I am a carer these days to a younger sister who has Dementia and is now living in Aged Care even though she's not 65. Young People in Residential Aged Care. Her Dementia has progressed and it brings tears and smiles at the silliness of some of it however, her GP has lectured me about looking after me otherwise I will not be available for her! Hard words but necessary!
I remember your journey and some of the ups and downs but I must admit I was taken aback when you said on top of it all was heart failure and cataracts! Goodness me, that would have been such a shock for you!
I was also pleased to read that you've published - an Author! Wow! That is a wonderful part of everything for you.
Have to say seeing your post brought smiles and tears - lots of memories and so pleased that you were there sharing your treatment and triumphs with me and encouraging me and others to keep going at the time and here you are again offering encouragement!
It's a so and so this Breast Cancer business but the support that comes from those you've never met is just so uplifting. For me personally I found myself in a message group of 4 others. When the forum changed we found our ability to engage on the forum was difficult until the teething problems were resolved. Fortunately we now share privately and of the 5 of us I have met 2. We are family to each other and support as much as we can through our day to day and challenges that present.
Melinda I wish you nothing but the best as you get through these new challenges. I do hope your heart issues are under control.
Sending a virtual hug xoxo
Take care
Christine
iserbrown so lovely to hear from you Christine.
I can only imagine how being a carer for your sister would be challenging at times. Certainly not an easy road, and it is so important that you take care of you along the way too. Couldn't agree more.
That's so kind of you to say, I think all of us sharing a time in our lives on BCNA has been so validating and crucial to this horrible disease. I took value in your sharing.
I have to say inspite of my new challenges, my optimism has never wavered. Something so valuable that my Psychologist said to me at the time I was deliberating over a mastectomy. It was one of the toughest decisions of my life at that time. She said, I am not just my physical self, it will change, the depth of who I am remains no matter what. She also said and I cannot stress this enough to anyone on here. The fact that you have MADE it through your path to this date is testament that YOU WILL get through whatever comes. Even when it feels impossible and you're so broken, your history has showed that you ALWAYS get through.
I never envisaged these health issues at 58 and yet here we are. So I don't stop living or doing the things I enjoy. However that retirement age of 67 seems slightly cruel for me to climb to.
So day at a time! one challenge at a time. Lovely to hear from you Christine, take care of you! xxoo
