Just diagnosed

That's tough for you Jules. Is that the Peninsula Hospital in Brisbane? I found having an A4 notebook with me everytime I had an appt helpful so I could write down everything as your memory takes a bit of a battering. Write down questions for the Dr in it so you're ready next time you see them. Then write down the answers in your appt. I'm sure your daughter wants to be there for you every step of the way as you would be for her. Take care.

Hi Terri The info from the group definitely calmed the nerves and the day of treatment it's self went well. I think I was just in shock and panicking. I received the definite diagnosis on monday and was having my first chemo on Friday, I feel like my feet didn't touch the ground. I was diagnosed with IBC stage 4 so have been told surgery is not an option. I am receiving treatment at Peninsula Private, Chemo is FEC and that's really all I know for now. Not even sure what I should be asking or what comes after this. I have found the support and encouragement from this group very helpful. My husband died just over a year ago (cancer) and I only have my daughter who is wonderful but has a 17 month old son so I am trying not to put too much on her. Thanks again to everyone in the group, I'm sure I will be seeking you advice as my journey continues. Much love and thanks Jules

Hi Jules It seems the rest of the group have given you lots of good advice & words of encouragement. I can speak from someone who's almost 4yrs after date of diagnosis, in remission & doing well. I was terrified when I was diagnosed but had a great team of doctors around me & the unwavering support of my family & friends. Chemo wasn't a 'walk in the park' for me & I did have some hiccups along the way but here I am today & that is all a distant memory. Think of the chemo as your friend & if you're into visualisation, look at the chemo drugs as the Australian Army advancing around your body, killing off the invading enemy. The Dexamethasone you take before your chemo will wire you up & you may have trouble sleeping but it's well worth it as it helps with any nausea. I learnt to have a few good movies on hand to watch into the wee hours when I was taking it. Also, don't research too much about your treatment as you will learn things along the way from your oncologist, the breast care nurses & your support group etc. A lot of info on the net has not been proven or is outdated so don't place too much value on what it's saying. If you want knowledge, only look at the dot gov or dot org sites which are absolutely reliable. I hope your chemo went along as well as it possibly could today. One down, ? To go. Terri xxx

Hi Jules It seems the rest of the group have given you lots of good advice & words of encouragement. I can speak from someone who's almost 4yrs after date of diagnosis, in remission & doing well. I was terrified when I was diagnosed but had a great team of doctors around me & the unwavering support of my family & friends. Chemo wasn't a 'walk in the park' for me & I did have some hiccups along the way but here I am today & that is all a distant memory. Think of the chemo as your friend & if you're into visualisation, look at the chemo drugs as the Australian Army advancing around your body, killing off the invading enemy. The Dexamethasone you take before your chemo will wire you up & you may have trouble sleeping but it's well worth it as it helps with any nausea. I learnt to have a few good movies on hand to watch into the wee hours when I was taking it. Also, don't research too much about your treatment as you will learn things along the way from your oncologist, the breast care nurses & your support group etc. A lot of info on the net has not been proven or is outdated so don't place too much value on what it's saying. If you want knowledge, only look at the dot gov or dot org sites which are absolutely reliable. I hope your chemo went along as well as it possibly could today. One down, ? To go. Terri xxx

Yeah Ivf got a port it's a god sent I'm onto herception next

Yeah Ivf got a port it's a god sent I'm onto herception next

I have to say I've had a port put in this year and it's been a god send! Had made life and treatment so much easier, no prodding away at veins. Straight in and doesn't hurt! I hope today has gone well for you xx

I have to say I've had a port put in this year and it's been a god send! Had made life and treatment so much easier, no prodding away at veins. Straight in and doesn't hurt! I hope today has gone well for you xx

A port is a device under ure skin it makes it easier for the chemo nurses to give drugs I'm sure if u needed one they would of told u

Hi Jules I recently finished my active treatment for IBC and now am wishing the fatigue would go away. I guess the first chemo is behind you now and presume you've got the normal IBC path ahead of you - chemo (FEC/Dosetaxol), surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy. Where are you having your treatment? I'm through Austin Hospital in Melbourne. A port is a medical device used for chemo, rather than using your peripheral veins and means you don't have issues with veins collapsing. You'd definitely know if you had one. My best advice is listen to your oncologist (everything mine told outlined would happen then happened on the schedule he suggested it would - hair loss, fatigue, pains). Secondly I would say is to stay positive. I know that can be very hard sometimes, but I found staying positive took less energy than being angry and frustrated about the situation. If you feel like you're having a bad day, just let yourself have a bad day and then move onto the next day. I found that having breast cancer made things very clear and simple. You quickly learn who you want in your life, what's important and what's not. Hope things went well for you today and that the next few days aren't too bad. Stephanie