First post - struggling with the anxiety
Hi. Just diagnosed this week, still waiting for receptor status but I know I’m starting chemo of some sort next week. Too extensive for surgery at this point. 4 young children (teens and pre-teens). ...
Forum Discussion
So sorry to see you here @tsjlhm - but you are in the right place for support, comfort, advise and yes, even laughs!
Yes, the anxiety is very real as @"Beryl C." says and we've all been thru it. The diagnosis alone & then jumping onto the treatment train really mucks with your brain - it goes into overdrive.
Yes, we all want it OUT asap .... and the chemo will be to shrink it prior to surgery.
Where abouts do you live? Town/City/state - if you put that in your profile, members may be able to give you more specific info regarding available services to you and your children. Yep - the kids are going thru the same stress as you too - so trying to keep information to them on an 'as needs to know' basis and age appropriate for them so they aren't too freaked out. Do you have good friends & family nearby who maybe can help with taking them out now & then as you go thru your treatment - do you now what sort of chemo has been suggested yet?
Make sure you have a good buddy or relative with you in your appointments as a 2nd set of ears - and even record them on your phone too, for later reference. It is almost impossible to remember everything that's been mentioned in the meetings.
There is a 'Young Women' group here that you may like to join, to discuss issues with in private (only group members can see the posts.) . You can raise any issue you like with them. Clicking on it will show BCNA, @InkPetal and @jane84 as contacts for joining ...
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/10-young-women
OK - take lots of deep breaths to slow that heart beat down and (weird tho it may seem) try & keep busy doing things you would normally do! It keeps your mind busy as well & should help reduce the anxiety. Nothing worse than just sitting at home, brooding over it, to make it worse. If you are having difficulty sleeping - chat with your GP about tactics that may help. We have a thread called 'night howls' where people can post any time of day or night - as we usually have someone online 'most' of the time.
Maybe start cooking up some 'freezable' meals to prepare for during your treatment - or if friends & family ask what they can do to help - maybe suggest some freezable meals!
Take care, jump onto our funny threads for a laugh (you ARE allowed to laugh - it is actually encouraged!!)
Thinking of you as you head towards your chemo. I didn't do chemo, but others who did will jump on & give you tips there. WHen my husband had it, he was encouraged to drink heaps of water to help flush it out, quicker! xxx
Yes, the anxiety is very real as @"Beryl C." says and we've all been thru it. The diagnosis alone & then jumping onto the treatment train really mucks with your brain - it goes into overdrive.
Yes, we all want it OUT asap .... and the chemo will be to shrink it prior to surgery.
Where abouts do you live? Town/City/state - if you put that in your profile, members may be able to give you more specific info regarding available services to you and your children. Yep - the kids are going thru the same stress as you too - so trying to keep information to them on an 'as needs to know' basis and age appropriate for them so they aren't too freaked out. Do you have good friends & family nearby who maybe can help with taking them out now & then as you go thru your treatment - do you now what sort of chemo has been suggested yet?
Make sure you have a good buddy or relative with you in your appointments as a 2nd set of ears - and even record them on your phone too, for later reference. It is almost impossible to remember everything that's been mentioned in the meetings.
There is a 'Young Women' group here that you may like to join, to discuss issues with in private (only group members can see the posts.) . You can raise any issue you like with them. Clicking on it will show BCNA, @InkPetal and @jane84 as contacts for joining ...
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/10-young-women
OK - take lots of deep breaths to slow that heart beat down and (weird tho it may seem) try & keep busy doing things you would normally do! It keeps your mind busy as well & should help reduce the anxiety. Nothing worse than just sitting at home, brooding over it, to make it worse. If you are having difficulty sleeping - chat with your GP about tactics that may help. We have a thread called 'night howls' where people can post any time of day or night - as we usually have someone online 'most' of the time.
Maybe start cooking up some 'freezable' meals to prepare for during your treatment - or if friends & family ask what they can do to help - maybe suggest some freezable meals!
Take care, jump onto our funny threads for a laugh (you ARE allowed to laugh - it is actually encouraged!!)
Thinking of you as you head towards your chemo. I didn't do chemo, but others who did will jump on & give you tips there. WHen my husband had it, he was encouraged to drink heaps of water to help flush it out, quicker! xxx