Hello everyone,Its not long now until Christmas and the summer holiday season. As we all know, cancer doesn't take a break at Christmas time. We have recently had quite a few new members join the online network as a result of a new breast cancer diagnosis. They will be having investigations and or treatment over Christmas and New Year break. It would be great for them to hear from our online community re any helpful tips as how to best manage this time of year, with a new cancer diagnosis.One of my tips is to make sure you have some supports in place. If you are having treatment, find out who you need to contact if you have any concerns and to keep a notebook with any contact phone numbers that you may need by the phone. Find out your GPs availability and have a back up plan if necessary. If you are worried about something its better to ask the question. No question is a silly questions when you are coping with a cancer diagnosis.

I’m currently alternating between using my time to live in a shell and using my time to actively plan for things like Christmas. Last year I threw out my old Christmas tree with the plan of buying a new one long before now. Yesterday I bought one on line with lights already fitted. I’ll get the kids to decorate and I promise I won’t be anal if the colour symmetry is not right. Also thanks to @kmakm suggestion last week I have started ordering gifts on line. I can’t face the thought of hitting the shops but it’s been quite good doing it online. I’ll probably forget what I’ve ordered by the time it arrives 😊Thanks @Zoffiel I have started recording everything because suddenly there’s lots happening and dates/names are getting vague for everything.Luckily Christmas is not at mine this year, so I’m actually just going to sit back and let others do things, and not feel guilty...promise.

Im going in for my second lumpectomy...then my radiotherapy...feel pretty good at the moment....enjoying time with my 4 yr old grandson today....his mum is not as fortunate as me...she has stage 3 and is on the last two of her chemo....31 yrs old...both diagnosed within a wk of each other...how lucky am i to have reached 59yrs without it....im more afraid for her 😢

I have had surgery just before my surgeon has headed off for her holidays. The other doctor was excellent and their communication was great. I also found starting radiotherapy in the new year to be no problem at all. This was in the private sector. I had phone numbers if I needed them and my care has been excellent during the year and in the breaks. My GP is a fairly recent graduate. She goes the extra mile, orders tests when I want them and is a great doctor. It is about keeping your own records, communicating what you want and following up with any concerns. Also make sure you go home with adequate pain killers and use them if necessary.

At this stage due for surgery on 19th December, so will be taking things easy this Christmas, Taking all the information on board relating to who will be available to talk to over the break.As we all know cancer doesn’t take a break. Have a ton of questions for my surgeon on Monday , just had CT scan and full body bone scan, so feeling anxious at the moment.Had a good night sleep last night after visiting GP yesterday, she has given me something to assist with sleep and anxiety.Booked into do a Meditation and Mindfulness course which commences tomorrow, and runs for four weeks, and I have a good friend sharing this with me.Hoping to gain skills to help me over the journey ahead.Keep the positive thoughts coming through ladies, as we all need to hear them.Looking at putting up tree early December as we need to keep things as normal as possible as this is something we do have control over.Sending love and hugs to everyone ❤️

I was diagnosed on the 20th Dec 2016 , bone scans and Ct scans the following day all clear thankfully. On the 22nd my diagnosis was confirmed as a very aggressive Stage 3 grade 3 triple positive BC. I was also told that it was inoperable due to the size and fact that there may be skin involved. My treatment was to be Chemo first. We had plans for a family Xmas at my Mums new home in Coffs Harbour and were scheduled to fly up on the 23rd Dec, we went ahead with our plans as a few extra days wasn't going to change things. I met my amazing oncologist on the 2nd Jan 2017, had a port inserted in my arm that afternoon under a general A, saw a dentist the next day as I had a broken tooth, had that pulled. Started AC chemo on the 4th Jan.15 months of treatment followed , I am now almost at the 2 year mark since my initial diagnosis and am happy to say really healthy and enjoying my life. It is a surreal feeling looking back as it honestly feels like it happened to someone else. My cancer was extremely aggressive as was my treatment even so, we were always given time to think and breathe. After finishing 6 months of Chemo we snuck a week away in Kingscliff, then I started 5 weeks of Rads,followed by a mastectomy and full aux node clearance in Mid September. We treated ourselves to 3 days over Xmas last year at Crown Metropol as I was finally cancer free after a massive year. Herceptin treatment finished in March and I was switched from tamoxifen to Arimidex in June, taking that for 10 years. It is difficult starting your treatment on or around major holiday periods as there is always a skeleton staff on, you do however get through and know that next Xmas will look a whole lot different.

Coping with a cancer diagnosis at Christmas, some helpful tips...

44 Replies

SoldierCrab
Member
7 years ago
hi Sweetpetal,
NO it could be after Christmas before you start chemo.... When did you have surgery? if you have already had it ?
Sweetpetal
Member
7 years ago
Ok now I'm worried :/ I have my first appointment with my oncologist on Monday does this mean my christmas is going to be crap?????
arpie
Member
7 years ago
I feel your anguish, @Mjheke - I had my surgery in mid Jan this year & I already had a holiday booked in April - I was given the choice of having my radiation after the holiday if I preferred - as my Rad Onc said that the time frame really wasn't 'that strict'. I decided to have it done BEFORE the holiday, just because I wanted it 'over & done with'. This way, I had it all finished by Easter, then had 2 weeks to recover before leaving on my holiday to Norfolk Island!

If I'd gone with it after the holiday - it would have been around the 12 week mark ....... I hope this helps quell your fears xxx
SoldierCrab
Member
7 years ago
Since my diagnosis in Sept 2012 I have scaled back on Christmas we now do a lovely picnic lunch at one of our local dams and enjoy a relaxed day with beautiful views and beautiful water breezes. My Teens at the time took up the watch and did the Christmas Lunch and it was awesome.
Don't forget that our loved ones learn also through this time, and allowing them to serve us teaches them we are NOT the super mum they thought we were.

For those going through CHEMO over Christmas Make sure you have all your medical supplies before the chemists close up for the break.
Mjheke
Member
7 years ago
I have just had my Radiation oncology appointment. I was told I would usually be starting radiation 4-6 weeks after surgery. 6 weeks would have been the 17th of December. I have been told this is not an ideal time to start due to all of the public holidays the following 2 weeks and so have been given a start date of the 2nd of January-8 weeks 3 days from my surgery date This may be delayed further if I choose to have genetic testing done. Christmas is already affecting my treatment plan.... :(
Blossom1961
Member
7 years ago
@Shellshocked2018 The mindfulness group helped me a lot with anxiety attacks. We are putting up our tree this weekend as my operation is 27th November and I don't want to miss out on the fun. I have even been playing Christmas carols. I love Christmas! My job this year is supervisor. I'm pretty bossy and my hubby and adult kids are all stubborn so it should be interesting.
Shellshocked201
Member
7 years ago
At this stage due for surgery on 19th December, so will be taking things easy this Christmas, Taking all the information on board relating to who will be available to talk to over the break.
As we all know cancer doesn’t take a break. Have a ton of questions for my surgeon on Monday , just had CT scan and full body bone scan, so feeling anxious at the moment.
Had a good night sleep last night after visiting GP yesterday, she has given me something to assist with sleep and anxiety.
Booked into do a Meditation and Mindfulness course which commences tomorrow, and runs for four weeks, and I have a good friend sharing this with me.
Hoping to gain skills to help me over the journey ahead.
Keep the positive thoughts coming through ladies, as we all need to hear them.
Looking at putting up tree early December as we need to keep things as normal as possible as this is something we do have control over.
Sending love and hugs to everyone ❤️
Brenda5
Member
7 years ago
Oncology gave me a vip purple pass card to give to emergency if I needed to go there stating I needed to be seen first and put in isolation due to low resistance if this card is presented.
Anne65
Member
7 years ago
I followed in the footsteps & the same hospital as @Sister. i was diagnosed on 6th Dec., went into hospital for surgery on 21st Dec & came out 22nd Dec. I remember tossing up whether to make the drive to celebrate Christmas with my family who live over 2 hrs away as I was still very sick & sore but we decided to make the trip & it was the best decision I made. Being surrounded by the ones you love at this time is the best medicine. i was looked after so well & I remember cuddling my pink pillow all day & being waited on & the pain killers also helped!! Yes, it was a big day & I was glad to get home to my bed that night but the love & support that my family gave me & continues to give me, was the best present I could have received. Good luck to those going through treatment at this time. It's not easy & never is, but you have plenty of support here no matter what time of the year it is. Hugs & prayers to you all xx
Romla
Member
7 years ago
I guess I’d remind everyone that the blog is still here if you need it and for those that may not this year try to check in and help those that do.Christmas can be a tough time and it’s great to have someone who gets it in your corner during the festive season.

Forum Discussion

Coping with a cancer diagnosis at Christmas, some helpful tips...

44 Replies

Recent Discussions

Triple Positive HER2+

Feeling lost

Second Opinion

Inoperable

Recommendations-North Brisbane -Public v Private- Surgeons