Anxiety, depression

Hi there lovey. You cry as much as you need but rest assured as overwhelming and scared as shit as it all is it is doable. Don't be afraid to ask for support from friends family and the bcna site. You will wake up soon face the fucker head on and kick the shit out of it rest assured of that.feel free to PM me anytime if you'd like a chat  Margie

Hi and welcome. What you are experiencing is perfectly normal. I can't imagine anyone not feeling anxious and sad and crying. (Although having said that some go into shock and run on autopilot).  These are normal responses to a very scary event and it's not depression..just a reaction. As time goes on you will start to accept this and can think more clearly. The calming medication will help short term but be very cautious with it's use as it can become highly addictive (as in not having it causes anxiety ) but for a day or so is fine. This will take some time to resolve so yes...keep seeing your counsellor to find ways to cope with the process and know that dcis is  treatable and has excellent results. Take care. Kath x

Dear @AA please be kind to yourself. Crying is a way to release all that stress, it will get better. Try to plan something nice for each of your treatments to balance out the awfulness. Love and light xx

Hi AA, sending you much love & the simple message that you will get through this. I was diagnosed in February and the anxiety reduced a lot once I had my surgery and had a plan for my chemo. Everyone is different, of course, but for me the unknowns were a big cause of anxiety. I have found mindfulness incredibly helpful, I have an app called Insight Timer (it's free) and I listen to meditations to help me stay calm. I had trouble sleeping after my surgery and I would listen to wave sounds or sleep meditations so I wasn't just lying in bed freaking out. This is horrible and scary and it is totally normally and sane to feel anxious and sad and worried. Have a good cry now and then and never be sorry for being sad! Do report these symptoms to your doctors, it's important they are aware, they can refer you to a psych on Medicare too. Personal opinion is try things other than pills first, as antidepressants can mess with your head too. We are all here for you xxx

Dear AA - I found the BCNA kit plus a pretty wonderful team of people at Breast Screen , a terrific surgeon as well as hospital staff and my longtime local gp cocooned me pretty much thru diagnosis, surgery and radiotherapy - essentially they carried me thru . My message is the importance of having the right people around you plus good information. I haven't related well with my medical onc as yet possibly partly my fear of hormone therapy - we'll see. I did wobble after radiotherapy but once again good people I met on this site steadied me  and I am moving forward again.For me I find having people like this around me reduces my anxiety so another message do not internalise - talk to others , look outwards - you will be surprised how much is out there to help you . There is support available thru the Cancer Council - there Cancer Connect program paired with another lady who had gone thru similar to me - was wonderful to hear her voice which tinkled with happiness and joy of living. I googled and found there were local bc support groups in my area and a couple of friends teed up other friends who have had bc to talk to me. The BCNa kit I revisited and found a wealth of helpful information re questions to ask and organisations that can help plus there is the internet. Above all you are not alone there are many of us in this club - nearly 50 new diagnoses daily - you are at the start many have come thru it before us and are living happy healthy lives now  - yes it has changed many of their lives but most seem to say for the better. Reach out  .

Thank you all ladies for the support. I really appreaciate it. I went to my GP today and she prescribed me a calming tablet. Hopefully I can now slowly manage my anxiety. 

None of us are every happy about it but look for the little things in life. When ever I got a really nice nurse or if the doctor was having a good day and happy it transferred to me and everything wasn't quite so bad. I liked to go for a walk and just enjoy life and nature. Keep things simple and don't sweat the other stuff. Step by step you will get through it all and we're here for you. <3

HI AA as everyone has said let the tears flow.  I had my diagnosis a year ago today I cried more than I ever have in my life and it was probably the most terrifying thing I've ever been through, but you do get through it.  Worry is normal, it's okay.   Good luck with your surgery.  

Hi there @AA - Just wanted to say hello and welcome. If you do need someone to chat to, the cancer council also have a free telephone service that you can call on 13 11 20. If you need  help with anything else such as finding support services, just let me know. - Jess x

Hi @AA, and welcome. It's perfectly normal to be upset and having crying bouts. These won't go away once you've had surgery, they hang around and surprise you at the most random times. And that's ok too, because you are going through an extreme trauma to both your mind and body. The crying will get less, so will the fear and you will deal with all the ups and downs. But in the meantime, let it out, it will help you deal with the stress levels. Big hug to you. Xx Cath