Here we go 🌸

Did anyone else have server shoulder cramps, headaches? I’ve had issues sleeping,night sweats, absolutely no appetite, I’m a healthy 78kg normally, down to 62kg within 4/5 weeks 

Thank you everyone. I think getting the diagnosis and learning the treatment options will put some of my anxiety to rest. I’m still in shocked. 38, I’ve been through 6 years of knee surgeries (benign tumours), I kind of thought I’d made it though that. So this has just gobsmacked me 

youngdogmum said:

Hi @Jennie_Lou which city for Mater are you located in?

Brisbane City 💞

Welcome @Jennie_Lou The others have said it all, really.  It can be exhausting trying to keep everyone else up when you're trying to get your head around everything yourself.  How you react to this disease will be your own way but we do understand where many people in your "real life" won't.  I found that I didn't want to have to constantly tell people what was happening so I asked two of my best friends (from two different friendship groups) and told them, asking them to pass on the info and to say that I didn't want to talk to people for the moment.  While I was in hospital for surgery, my husband set up a blog page for me.  I posted in that quite often so that family, friends and colleagues could follow what was going on.  It made it so much easier for all of us and now is a fantastic record of a year that I don't really recall very well.

Remember to breathe and take one day at a time.

Hi and welcome and acknowledge how hard it all is,  yes it's  exhausting. I just wanted to say that lymph node involvement means locally advanced cancer. Even though they are metasteses on pathology, it can still be curable if in lymph nodes. It's the distant metasteses they consider stage IV. 
My niece was diagnosed in her 30s with 10 positive nodes, whilst a different cancer, 16 years on she is cancer free. I exoect you are waiting for the rest of the results...that was the hardest time for me. I felt much better once I had surgery and chemo. It's the waiting that did my head in.

@Jennie_Lou
I'm two years down the track. In the beginning I was overwhelmed, just overwhelmed. 

I had 4 weeks between diagnosis and surgery. In that 4 weeks I had 3 return flights to Perth (I am very remote - in the Kimberley) because of a lack of coordination from the hospital with scans, tests and appointments. 

I found other people's reactions very hard to handle, add in my anger at having my retirement plans of travel thrown into disarray, the fact that I had to leave my beloved home in the Kimberley for quite some time, along with the need to find financially affordable accomodation in Perth I was not a 'nice' person to be around.

And the constant 'how are you', along with townsfolk wanting to hug me (I am NOT a hugger) and the continual advice, useful or not, from people regarding treatment, was too much.

I had a 'bolt' hole, a place in the bush that I could go to, armed with a thermos and a snack where I could sit, watch the birds at the waterhole, yell, scream, sob, cry, pick up the pieces and then go home somewhat a little calmer and "put together".

My way of handling the whole shebang was to keep my own company. That was best for me. 

This forum has been very supportive. The lovely people on here are non judgemental, encouraging, warm, friendly and helped me realise that there is no "right" way, it is what works for you. 

My very warm Kimberely wishes to you.

Annie

Isn't it odd how a lot of us end up calming everyone else down?  

This. This is what’s been the worst. Im acting like superwoman & people are breaking down in front of me. It’s become too much. Exhausting 😪 I’m so glad I’ve found this forum 💞🌸

Hi @Jennie_Lou
Sending love and hugs.  It’s really hard at the start when you don’t know what is happening.

You are in the best place here for info and support. You are never alone.
Caz x

Hi @Jenny Lou, I haven't got anything I can add to what these 
 lovely ladies have already said but jusr wanted to say welcome.
I am 5 years post diagnosis and doing well, but remember like yesterday when I discovered my lump and the absolute fear and dread I felt.  A friend of mine has also just been diagnosed and is currently feeling all the overwhelming emotions you are.
I have four adult children and still try to keep a positive spin on things so they don't worry.
Wishing you all the very best with surgery and treatment. 
Lots of support to be found here on the days when things are too much to handle alone. 
You are amongst friends who truly understand.
Big hugs
Michele x

Sorry to see you here, @Jennie_Lou - but you are in the right spot for support, comfort, advice & even venting - from those who've gone before you ..... 

Will you have a friend or family member attend the meetings with you?   Even if you do - maybe record the meetings on your phone, as it is easy to 'miss bits' as you are pondering what they've just said, you miss the next bit.  

The waiting for appointments & results etc really sucks big time - I hope you get your game plan really soon.

Take care & thinking of you xxx