I am new to this

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. 

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. 

I would like to say thank you to everyone for all your words, I have received more support from strangers than my own mother.

I told her about being diagnosed and her reaction was to say that it is my fault and then she said that she didn't want me to go to hell so I had better sort things out with god... gee thanks for the support mum. (sorry, venting, but needed to get it out)

I am trying to be stong for my partner, if I am a mess then he is one too. We have always gone with the flow, this will be no different, we will play the waiting game until we see the surgeon again next week for the pathology results.

I feel like my thoughts are all over the place and it is showing in what I am writing, sorry if it is difficult to follow or read.

Thanks again for the warm welcome, feel free to add me to any groups you think will be useful/benificial.

Tricia xxx

I would like to say thank you to everyone for all your words, I have received more support from strangers than my own mother.

I told her about being diagnosed and her reaction was to say that it is my fault and then she said that she didn't want me to go to hell so I had better sort things out with god... gee thanks for the support mum. (sorry, venting, but needed to get it out)

I am trying to be stong for my partner, if I am a mess then he is one too. We have always gone with the flow, this will be no different, we will play the waiting game until we see the surgeon again next week for the pathology results.

I feel like my thoughts are all over the place and it is showing in what I am writing, sorry if it is difficult to follow or read.

Thanks again for the warm welcome, feel free to add me to any groups you think will be useful/benificial.

Tricia xxx

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, it really is a rollercoaster ride. There is no right or wrong about how you are feeling, just go with it. Any questions you have just post a blog and there is always someone on here to help, you don't have to be alone, wishing you all the best with whatever treatment you need, take care, 

Hazel xx