Breast cancer

Hi Sarah, I live in WA too, up in Kalamunda, so not too far away from you. I am 61, and learnt I had invasive breast cancer on 7th Jan, had a left mastectomy on 16th Jan, got part of my pathology on 23rd Jan, and today got the final bit. My tumor is Grade 3 HER2+v, and I gather I will probably  be having chemo and herceptin treatment if my heart is up to it. I also got a massive seroma and an infection at the drain site, so they may delay starting my chemo and herceptin treatment. for several weeks till both are healed..

I am often up for an hour or so about 3 or 4am, and will check for you on the forum, and maybe we can connect there.

This cancer journey is a really scary process at times, And terror and sleep are not compatible.

For me the terror receded once I met my surgeon, and had surgery (a left mastectomy and SNB) Then I was fine for a little while till I got a bit but not all of my pathology. Now I am hanging out to 5th when I meet my oncologist and get my programme. .I am a person who is most comfortable when I know where I stand, and I am much more settled having at least some rough answers. I would rather have bad news than not know where I stand Other people don't feel setttled till they actually get started on the chemo, We are all different, but we are all a thousand times more than the statistics, and odds are there to be beaten.

You mention having terrible dreams. I am a psychotherapist, training in Jungian Analysis, and dreams fascinate me. Dreams come from the individual's unconscious mind and are part of your own unique personal process of making meanings, and are about what they mean to you not what anyone else may read into them. Even dreams that seem horrible are often really helpful messages from your unconscious that validate you and guide you to get what you need, and if you  ever think it might be helpful to talk about them with me by phone or by email, I'd love to. Sometime I would love to do a study of cancer dreams, and pre-diagnosis dreams, chemo dreams etc, and see if I can maybe write a book or offer a service to help people with these dreams. My mentor had a group in the US that offered free dream guidance after September 11 twin towers.

I am so glad that you have found this group so that you now have friends who are with you even in the wee small hours. I look forward to meeting you if you join Perth Women group, or want to talk dreams etc

best wishes

Jessica

Don't you hate it when you write those beautiful posts and then it disappears in to thin air and it is all to hard to try and start it again.  Been there done that.  Pain in the butt. hee hee

Luv Mich xoxoxoxoxox

This is the link I promised about stress Sarah http://www.bcna.org.au/user/8430/blog/70425

Lots of luv, Mich xoxoxoxoxoxo

Hey Sarah

Welcome huny.  So glad you found us but so very sorry that you have to be here.  It is all so very very overwhelming when you receive your diagnosis so I am sorry you are feeling the way you are feeling.  I recently started a post where all the luvly ladies have put down ideas to help you deal with stress etc.  I will find the link and let you know.

I am in WA.  I am in Midland in Perth.  I am part of a group called Perth Womens Group of which you are very welcome to join.  Just find us in Groups and ask to join and we will happily say yes.  We are having a get together coming up very soon in February that you are very welcome to attend.

You have come to a very good online group with BCNA.  BCNA themselves are very helpful in that there is the My Journey Kit that you can order through them which has things in it like information to read, a diary for your appt, a place to write how you are feeling.  Information about each thing you may go through etc. etc.  You can find all that information at the bottom of the page and can order online or call them.

I have finished all my chemo and radiotherapy and have come out the other side of that to be able to tell the story and let you know you do get through.  It is definitely a terrible time in your life and you will have lots of concerns.  Take on board that worrying and being anxious about it doesn't make it any better but as we all know it is hard to not worry but it is good to remember it doesn't help that is for sure.  You need to ask your new Medical Team for something to help you with sleeping and with your anxiety just to help you get through this stage since diagnosis.

I am available to talk to any time day or night on 0408497613.  Please do not hesitate to call me Sarah please.  My email is [email protected] if you would like to email me.

There is a lovely group I think in Mandurah.  I will try and contact one of the girls.  I know some of them are very busy with a cycle they are doing to raise funds for BCNA where they will be heading off to Vietnam shortly which is so fantastic.  I will see if they can contact you as well.

Please join the Perth Womens Group if you would like to.

We are all here for you Sarah.  You are not alone luvly and we will help you get through this I promise.

Lots of luv always, Mich xoxoxoxo

I just close my eyes and do some breathing or pretend to go to sleep. Did not open my eyes again until somebody walks into the room and talks to me.

Did help me....

Cis

I wrote a long and hopefully humerous blog this morning but I decided to review first and then it dissappeared. Thanks everyone and my day is filled with tests and Cat scans etc so I will be kept very busy. For all those have a day of doing nothing chins up girls we can do this............Some good reading is by Cathy Glass nothing to do with cancer about Fostercaring in UK but she is a lovely writer and an easy read. My daughters are on their way down to pick me up for the excursion to RPH. I was up at 3am and felt fine but now my day is about to begin I am that sacred of going into the tunnel I hope they have a horse sedative to knock me out. I am also having a body scan for more tumurs ........unhealing broken arm but my arm feels great this morning and I think it's on the mend. After 12 weeks of doing everything one handed and wearing this brace I think I am going to miss it (not)

My thoughts for you all and everyone is right this is an amazing site.

Hi Sarah

I have a bilaterlal mastectomy with axillary clearance to one side 20/12/13. Chemo starts in just over a week which I am anxious about.  Nights are worst for me too. I dont sleep through the night waking up every 2 to 3 hours. I cry easily whenever i feel something .....anything.  I see a psychologist and she gives some tips which may be useful, which sometimes help.

Try to make a schedule for the day/week. Plan a time in the day to think about the worries then put them away for the rest of the time. (easier said than done).

Have a worry diary and just record things down then put it away until the time to to go through it.

I cant say I have a lot of success with it but it did give me some structure and writing down the worries help to let it go of it even if it is for a little while.

Doing suduko in between sleeping times helps me to focus on something else and also to fall asleep again in the night.

In the earlier days, I was a total mess not doing anything just sitting on the couch. Lucky to have a wonderful husband who does everything for me. Most of my close family do not live in this country but they have been very supportive. I too did feel that i have put such burden on everyone. Take one day at a time is a good advice which I do have to remind myself of it over and over again. The days do get better.

Take care and wish you peace.

Cis

Good luck girl thinking about you, this will be me in a few months time.

Hi everyone new at this and not sure I can understand how this chat works and feel I may not be answering in a fashion I am comfortable so anyone who wants to chat my email is [email protected]

I have 3 days ago been diaganosed with stage 3 cancer and looking down the tunnel of a double mastomectony with chemo and radiation to shrink the tumor in left breast  before surgery. I also have a none healing left humerus so bone cancer is up for grabs. I am suffering from night demons and feeling guilty bestowing this whole thing on my family I have 5 children ranging from 22 to 32 and all have been amazing and count myself lucky. I have a sister in England who is also an amazing support so I guess I am really lusky. I did work full time up to my bone break Oct 25 2013. On occassion I am very sad, very sacred of being sick and  in pain. Shittless sacred of tomorrow which is MRI and Scat scans but no I will do everything even though I am sacred of small confined spaces. If you want a good chat please email and we may be able to help each other. Good luck to everyone on this site. Women are awsome and we can do it girls.

Sarah

I am 52 years, living in Adelaide and I was diagnosed on 12th November.  I had a mastecomy on 18th December.  I am now having surgery on 29th January (this Wednesday) Auxillary node clearance. Chemo and Radiotherapy and hormone traetment to follow. I still remember the panic I felt in those first weeks, the sleepless nights, the worrying but it does get better and eventually you begin to have more and more positive days than those sad and worried ones.  Now 2 months down the track they still happen but they are few and far between. I do my best to focus on my family, my kids and my friends and keep myself busy catching up with everyone - lots of lunches and movies! Yay! Exersise is also fantastic.  Long walks can work miracles in lifting your spirits.

Keep sharing your journey, it also helps to get support from everyone on here!

Tanya