First Timer

Welcome to the site, yep very overwhelming in the begining as Karen has said sometimes your treatment changes, as mine did . It is hard to take it, one day at a time, you will get there. I remember the early days and yes they are tough, this site is good as different people at different stages of treatment we understand how alone you can feel sometimes. I will not say stay strong as that used to piss me off, be kind to yourself, karen has given you good advice. Sending you a hug xxx

Hi there, welcome to the forum but I'm so sorry you have had to join us. It is so overwhelming in the early days when you don't know what to expect, there is the fear of the unknown and you do feel like you don't know where to turn. Telling people can be very hard as you have to deal with their reactions when you don't even know how to react yourself. There are no right or wrong ways of dealing with bc. I personally asked the boss to tell my staff at work and I posted on fb as I couldn't deal with doing it face to face. That worked for me. I called a family meeting on my way home from the doctors office to tell my family.  You can't help your mind going into overload. Request a my journey kit from here or your breast care nurse. If you know what hospital you are going to, ring and ask for their breast care nurse.  Be prepared that you won't really know your treatment options until you have had your surgery and pathology results. I was told I would need radiotherapy and was absolutely knocked for a six when after my surgery was told I would also need 6 months chemotherapy and 12 months of herceptin infusions as well. Write down any questions you have, as you can bet you will forget them when you get in with the doctor. Get someone you trust to come with you to the appointments. Not only does it help having company but they will remember things that you may forget. Accept all offers of help. I personally struggled to know what help I needed as I was so focused on just getting through, particularly chemo and others were wanting direction from me.  It is going to be tough on you and your family but you will get through it. You are all entitled to counselling and that really does help. You will need to put yourself first, something that most us find very difficult to do, but it's they way it has to be. You will get through this! Definitely take each day at a time, very difficult to do in the early days until you know exactly what you are dealing with. Stay in contact on here. You will get amazing support from people who have been there done that. Hang in there. All the best. Karen xox

Please don't feel you are alone, there are lots of ladies here that will help with advise and kind words. There is lots of support available these days that I am sure someone else on here will tell you about. I had a mastectomy nearly 30 years ago so can't advise what's available now. Nothing really back then. Please don't worry about your family, you need to look after yourself. Things will work out, one day at a time.

Julie