Working & concentrating

As Deanne and Robyn say, exercise is so important. My oncologist told me she'd like me to walk for 45 minutes to a hour every day. I'm managing 30 minutes right now but I will build up time when I am able. I live in a very hilly area so I'm lucky I have a treadmill at home. It's probably the best thing I ever bought. The girls have already given you some really good advice about preparing for your operation. I would add that I took in headphones and some of my favourite music. It helped me tune out what was going on around me and helped me relax. I just closed my eyes. Hazel mentioned the difficulty of telling people around you about your diagnosis and I agree. It was probably the toughest time emotionally for me through this whole journey. My husband was with me for my diagnosis but I found it extremely hard telling my two children, my mother and my sisters. I think seeing their reaction was somehow worse than my own. Give your family time though and they will rally and things will calm down. I didn't work through my treatments but I keep in contact with those work colleagues I want to and sent a group email of my progress to others from time to time. In the end I was very chuffed at the good wishes and support I received from everyone at work. But I did end up consoling some of them and trying to keep a brave face on things. Especially when some well meaning but misguided people would keep telling me stories of people they knew who 'died'. I found that so irritating. I know what you mean about this messing with your head. It's such a whirlwind of information you have to take in at first. But believe it or not things will settle down and you will get through it all. You can vent and rant or just put down your thoughts here and we will be listening. We will hold your hand. Love Janey xxx