Day 2

Hi there Heather - this waiting can be exhausting can't it.  I was diagnosed on 13th Jan last year and had my mastectomy on 28th Jan, two weeks later.

Those two weeks were busy, i felt as if i was on a merry-go-round that just kept spinning faster and faster, going from appointment to appointment.  I am lucky in having a very loving and supportive partner and extended family,  my children and their families are all over Aust (Darwin and Perth) and they are all still on this journey with me.

One thing you said struck a chord with me ..."all I've done is study breast cancer and still haven't got a clue".  I got the BCNA My Journey kit which provided a wealth of knowledge.  We read everything in it from cover to cover and managed tothoroughly confuse ourselves.  I even took it to hospital, would read bits and ask questions (always ask ... it's your body and you have to understand what's happening).

My surgeon came in one day when I was reading and he had a suggestion for me.  He said to put the books away while I was in hospital, relax and let him and the staff look after me.  He promised that they really did know what they were doing!!!  He is a lovely man and we still have a laugh about it.  He was right though, I did as he suggested (I don't make a habit of doing as I'm told).  After I had been home for a few weeks I went back to the kit and had a better undrerstanding of it all, without the confusion because I could relate to what I was reading.

I hope you keep coming here and sharing your experiences with us ... keep us in the loop so we can share this journey with you.  Call in for a chat any time .... to rant, sulk, throw a tantrum or just say hello.  Now you have us in your life there's no getting rid of us.

Cheers .... Shirl xx