I am new to this

Hi Karen

I hope your next session with chemo goes better than the first, while I don't know yet what it is all about I am very soon to learn and will be able to share with you.

The people that are on this site are all wonderful and very supportive, you can never have too much support.

I am finding that I don't need to put on such a strong persona at the moment and have occassionally crumbled in a blubbering mess but that is ok, people are understanding.

Big hugs to you

Tricia

We saw the surgeon this afternoon, and the results are in...

I have early stage breast cancer, grade 3.

Removed were 2 lumps and 5 nodes. The nodes were sticky but clear. Of the lumps, 1 was just a lump the other is doing all the damage. It has spread to the surrounding tissue and is possibly in my blood. Is this why they took blood from me in hospital?

There are no receptors. (Please what does this mean? is it a good thing?)

She said that I am to have another surgery to remove more tissue (this Friday.. very fast), once I am healed from this I am to start on chemo followed by radiotherapy.

My wonderful partner was there with me as always, he is fantastic and always says the right thing at the right time, everyone should have one like him.

This is another journey that we are taking together forever making us stronger as a couple. (One day we will get married and you are all invited)

What I thought was another lump growing isn't, it is a buildup of fluid. What this means I don't know. The fluid will be released when in surgery on Friday I guess.

For now I have to make sure that I don't catch any colds etc and also that my current cuts don't get infected.

Time for me to google some of the terminology used in the pathology report so that I know more.

Thank you for reading and for any advice that comes my way.

Big hugs

Tricia

 

 

So Tricia,

What was the result???

Pam sending gentle hugs

 

So Tricia,

What was the result???

Pam sending gentle hugs

 

Hello Tricia

Good luck with finding out your results hope it all goes well, but if not their will be people on here to give you lots of support, I have just had my first chemo and wasn't happy with how my body reacted and am not looking forward to my next round but I know somehow I will get through it with all my support. and trying to be strong and positive.

Hugs Karen

Hi Tricia , Life is full of so many surprises with who does step up to support and help you. First time round , my very best girlfriend couldn't see me for a good month after my diagnosis. She was always the first person there with food and help when anyone needed help, but she couldn't do it with me as she didn't want to think that she might lose me. So second time round, I went to her and told her and we cried together. Some people just can't handle that you might not be invincible. Yes I know it is hard and you don't forget. But a lot of people will surprise you, and it does restore your faith in human nature. So good luck and enjoy those that are there Cheers. Pam.

I'm with Hazel! Julie

I know they mean well in their own heads but jeez! Not your fault. Just so not! Join the Perth ladies. You will be surprised that you will actually have some fun amid all this bad stuff. Thinking of you. Xx Julie

What a terrible response from your mother, you poor thing. Doesn't sound very christian to me somehow. My family were very supportive because we have all been through this with our mother and my sister as well. I can't fathom having family who don't understand what you must be going through. I can say one thing though and it is definitely not your fault you have this disease. None of us asked to travel this 'journey' but we all try to get through it in our own way and most of us succeed. Keep in touch and we will all try our best to help you through, take care, 

Hazel xx

Hi Tricia,

I too am very new to this,  My diagnosis was confirmed on 24th July and since then I've had 3 surgeries (tumour, other breast tissue and 11 lymph nodes removed) and am about to start chemo.  
Apart from my not having a partner, I can relate to your story in many respects.  I don't have a lot of family or friends I felt  I could call on and while I am very good at providing support to others, it takes an awful lot for me to ask for help.  I never want to put anyone else out or be a burden.  I also don't own a car and most of the friends I do have live on the other side of Melbourne to me, so I'm also geographically isolated, like you.

What I have found in the last few weeks though has astounded me.  I'm very lucky to have had one brother and one friend step up to help me at home and to come with me to medical appointments.  I also have one colleague who has recently finished chemo as part of her own breast cancer journey.  More than that though, I have been astounded by the unsolicited support that's come to me through technology, Through the good old internet I have found an amazing amount of support. Sites like this one, filled with people who understand and who help to make me feel far less alone.  I've also,  very surprisingly, found a lot of support from people on Facebook.  Friends of friends have reached out to offer support and comfort.

I am coming to understand that I don't have to be strong all the time and there are people I can lean on. Most of them complete strangers.  Accepting help is not easy to start with but you too will come to understand there are people out there who genuinely want to help and you are not being a trouble to them, so it's ok to ask for and to accept help.

The one piece of advice I can give you is that as hard as it is, do ask for help.  You'll be surprised at who steps up.  Maybe not the people you would like to have help you.  I've been bitterly disappointed by people I thought were friends, who have disappeared since I told them I have cancer.  Other, better people have put their hands up though and I know that along the course of my breast cancer journey, I will meet many wonderful people, some of which I'm sure will become life long friends.  

I understand that you feel alone, as I did.  I can assure you though, you are not alone and you do not have to do any of this by yourself.  
We all stand with you.