Bowie Struggling - she needs some encouragement

OH @Bowie
 we all wish that we could be there also.... I love jigsaw puzzles. 
What style of jigsaw are you doing ? 

Hi ...Thankyou all so much for your wonderful  and caring posts ...love and hugs to you all ..Well l must say l went to the shops and drove had a bit of a panic in supermarket but just kept going ..l did it got food came home and felt empowered ..yeh weird but got a bit of my independence back ...Im  stuffed but good stuffed ...l am going to my gp  tomozz and will put some things in place to better my mental side ...l am feeling a lot better today and will embrace ...l am going to start my jigsaw puzzle later ..l wish l could have all you guys in my lounge for huge hugs but you will have to have huge cyber hugs ...xxxxxx

I spent a lot of my time living vicariously through watching uplifting movies and series. It took my mind off me for a little while and gave me a bit of a break. I even read books written by cancer sufferers which had things way worse than I did so I felt a little bit more blessed that I wasn't as bad off as them.

I liked to think the chemo was destroying the old cells including the cancerous ones and I was getting new for old replacements minus the cancerous ones. Just think of it as a rebirth. Drink plenty of water and even though it hurts, be brave and keep up the exercise. :)


PS- if you want to, you could put your location and any one of us if in your area could help out with some shopping when you are down for a bit. I have my location next to my name and if anyone else on this forum needs a chat or a helping hand in my area, just pm me. Just happy to help.

Why not have a look at @melclarity 's discussion about the simple yet positive things? http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/15979/in-an-unrelenting-journey-lets-see-whats-the-smallest-thing-that-brightens-your-day#latest

The middle of the night is the most difficult time. But like we have said before, this is a long journey of small steps @Bowie : be kind to yourself, take care and understand that it is ok to be overwhelmed. As @Afraser has said, once you have your treatment plan in place, things will be clearer and easier to manage. Thinking of you

@Bowie you will not be alone on this journey. Every week of chemo I met friendly happy compassionate nurses.No body does chemo alone. If you have side effects the nurses, cancer council or local gp are only a phone call away. I was not surrounded by an army of friends and family. Whenever everything becomes too much sit in a chair or lie on your bed and let your body go limp. Relax your leg arm etc Feel the tension in each part of your body and go limp.You will be amazed at  how much tension you have. It is normal for you to be worried .It does get better.

Hi Bowie yes the middle of the night is hard, I always found that was when my brain switched on and I started to imagine the worst. The ladies have given you good advice we are all here for you. We all understand even though every ones trip can be so different.  One day at a time, once you start treatment you will slide in to some sort of routine. Look for a support group in your area. Hope you are feeling better now. Sending you a hug xxx

Hi there as usual great encouragement from ladies who have been there. I'm nearly 5 years post and breathing the air, I remember crying to at everything my ensuite mirror was my best friend to talk to,yes crazy but good. I bought a dress for my funeral and it's still hanging, I bought a $40 box of chocs and ate them before my scans. I laugh now. 1 year ago I had a new diagnosis a rare blood cancer. The black hole would eat me but no I thought yes I'm allowed to be pissed but I can't let the big c become me and control my life, I have to control it, so you cry you be pissed but don't let the monster eat you! Xxxxxx adean

Dear @Bowie, I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis and fear.  Many of us feel anxiety and depression in our lives.  As Soldier Crab says, counseling is definitely a great idea.  You can also ring the Cancer Council for phone counselling.  My oncologist gave me a referral to a free cancer counselling service where I live.  

Once you get going on the treatment you will feel better which is surprising but is, I think, partly that you feel action is being taken and also you have a plan of action.  You will meet some wonderful nurses, doctors, radiation people along the way.  They make a huge difference.  

I too found some of my friends didn't step up to show they cared or to help. I was very upset about this. It's seems to be pretty common,  I don't know if things would have been different if I had been better at asking for help.  Along the way some other people stepped up and gave me some wonderful support.  This seems to be a common experience.  So you will make some new friends.  I made a friend talking to a nice looking woman waiting in the surgeon's waiting room.  She also had breast cancer.  Going through something like cancer treatment is a great way to bond.  Bosom Buddies is also a way to meet and talk to special women who have been through what you are going through and survived.  Keep reaching out to your children, they are young and don't know what to do.  You have to gently encourage them to help you.

The cancer treatment is tough but we make it through, even those of us who are not so strong or young.  It turns out we are stronger than we realize.  Hollywood movies have portrayed chemotherapy as dreadful with vomiting etc. but  be assured it isn't normally that bad and there are many drugs to take that help.  I got constipation for a few days after each treatment, I had simple medication from the chemist for that, then a day of diarrhea with again simple chemist medication to sort that out.  I never vomited.  I did have nausea but I had drugs to help with it.  If the first drugs aren't strong enough, there are much stronger ones available. You have to be an advocate for yourself and ask.  There are a lot of people out there in the system who are there to help you.  I recently met a woman who had chemo on a Friday and played tennis in the Saturday, some people cope better than you would imagine.  

Having said all of that, yes it's dreadful getting a diagnosis of cancer and having to go through treatment.  There are hard days now and ahead.  It's ok to feel overwhelmed and sad and frightened.  I did too.  But it's going to be ok.  Treatment will end eventually.

at the hospital and from the Cancer Council and this site also there are really helpful booklets about diet, treatment etc.  really worth getting.  

This site is so helpful and supportive.  Please keep us posted how you are going.  

Very best wishes Karen