Hello and newly diagnosed

Hi 
      I like all these ladies have been where you are and to a certain extent still am. It does get better. You will feel more peaceful as we all do. If its any consolation I am 5 treatments in and still have my hair. Yes its thinner but no one else can tell and I feel blessed. With my hair I dont announce I have cancer, I still feel I can keep it to myself. People are amazed but it does happen one other lady who finished her complete round of chemo still had her lovely blond hair. I eat ice cubes the whole infusions and drink lots of cold water the whole time. I run to the ladies constantly. I also drink heaps and heaps of paw paw leaf tea in which I boil fresh. I swear this is why I have not felt sick once or suffered a sore mouth or any tingling of hands and feet . Well I like to believe  it is any way. But hang in there we are all there rooting for you all of us on here  who share the same road. So your never alone just type in BCNA online and feel the love . Believe me it is one thing that has eased my distress and fear knowing I am not alone and I always have someone on here who actually knows exactly how I feel. Big cyber hug to you.....Your braver and stronger than you know.

@sfr09 It is a tough road, absolutely, Ive had a recurrence twice in 4yrs and it was harder the second time, but you know what? I did it, I dont know how but I did, I got through and am going on 2yrs clear again and just had a mastectomy/reconstruction 2 weeks ago, my final piece to get rid of all of this now. I did genetic testing but only because I had to have a mastectomy due to recurrence and they wanted to be sure I didnt have the Gene. Only my Mum had BC no other history and I was negative. But there have been ladies on here with NO family history and tested positive. Id be guided by your Oncologist or Surgeon as my Surgeon organised mine. Hugs xo Melinda 

I had no family history on my Mums side until myself, sister and her daughter. As yet they haven't foubd a gene but keep retesting as more genes identified. You can ve the 1st generation with the mutation.  It can ve helpful to at least have the genetic counselling and see what they think. Thete is no hurry. As my breast surgeon said to me...positive or not it doesn't change tbe treatment needed today for your breast cancer. What it does change is what you might do later to avoid another primary or ovarian cancer if you carry a mutated gene. I had it done after my chemo. 

Hi there lm nearly 5 years post and l just wanted you to know its the worst news you will ever get but its do able lm living proof. Its shitty and its good, what you make of it is up to you. It changes you and those around but you do get through it. Xxx adean

I did tell my sister last night and we did have a cry and I went back to work today for a distraction so that helped too its two weeks today since diagnosis and I am starting chemo next Monday , the oncologist mentioned genetic testing but didn't think it would show anything as mum , aunties all okay, 
Thanks to you all susanne x

@sfr09 sorry that you've joined us. Can you set it up so you can skype or facetime your family when you tell them? Might make it a little bit easier if they can see that you are coping okay. Even if you do get upset telling them it's okay to have a cry when you're telling your loved ones - it's also good for them to have a cry too - as I'm sure you are very aware because of your sister. Big hugs to you and  yours. Xx Cath

I guess you 2 will be looking at genetic testing then? Doesn't mean it is but with 2 sisters  they usually recommend having it checked out.

Yes I agree, sometimes I feel like its a bad dream, my next hurdle is telling my elderly parents and my younger sister who  was also diagnosed with BC last year , they are just getting over that shock but they are not in Australia so I can't get to see them soon sadly

A breast cancer diagnosis is hard. Many ladies I met were fit and trim. Many had demanding jobs and yet had breast cancer. It does not make any sense.It is hard to take everything in. Suddenly you go from having a normal life and then it is turned upside down. I love this forum and thank all the people that have made my journey a little easier

@sfr09 its ok to become and mess this roller coaster ride can make us emotional. better to let it out than holding it inside and becoming ill from that. 
Write down any questions you have before you go to appointments. I kept my journey diary with me and wrote questions as I thought of them ... then at the next appointment I would ask them no matter how silly I thought they were. 
I was 52 when diagnoses I am now (NED) no evidence of disease and enjoying life. 
it will be time of many ups and downs, take the time to nurture yourself. 
We all cope in different ways with the shock and then the plan ahead. 

We will all answer questions we can and we get the feelings and the emotions that come with this BC. 

Hugs 
Soldier Crab