Just diagnosed

Hi @JenPritchard. I was diagnosed a day before my 40th Birthday in 2016. Mine was Grade 3, Stage 3B with 17/18 lymph nodes positive.
 My boys were 11 and 9 at the time. We were honest with them from the start about everything. The know my doctors names, what I’m going for and we’ve always told them they can ask anything they want. My littlest one spent 3 months sleeping at the end of our bed whilst our older one was very angry. We told it was ok to be angry but it was not an excuse to behave badly. They are both still scared in and off. You can get a kids brouchure from the Cancer Council to help explain it to the kids. I wore a scarves when I lost my hair and the kids chose them, so I had Pokemon and Wonder Women. 
Kids are very resilient, and while unfortunate it our cancer diagnosis becomes every day part of life xx

Hi there @JenPritchard welcome to the forum. I was diagnosed may 2016 aged 43 with  bc but mine was different to yours as mine was triple negative but I had grade 3 stage 2a. We have 2 kids but older than yours one 21 and one 19.  It is always unexpected and takes us all by surprise. Rest assured it is doable and there will be plenty of others on here with young families who can give you all the advice you need and answer all your questions. You and your hubby will find the strength you need to get through it and kids are surprisingly adaptable and they will be the distraction you need and give you their unconditional love. My best advice for you is to  Take it a day at a time, Try not to google anything,  Get the advice from your team, but also listen to your gut too. Once you have a plan of attack you will feel better about things. It’s normal to feel frightened and anxious but don’t be afraid to ask us all questions thats what we are here for. And if friends or family offer to give you a hand with the kids the housework or cooking a meal  please take it that’s what they are there for.  You will soon find out who your true friends are that’s for sure and you might even get some support from those you least expected it from too.  Keep us posted.  Biggest hug. Margie xx 

Hello @JenPritchard
Welcome to this wonderful supportive forum.  None of us ever expected to get BC but we have and we cope, as you will.
@SoldierCrab has given you a heap of information above so do follow it up, especially joining the group for young women.
No doubt some will see your post and be in touch to support you.  There is always someone online who can answer questions and ''listen'' to your vents with compassion.
Trust in your medical team, keep asking questions of them (always take a list and someone with you to appointments) and if unsure ask, ask, ask.  It is your body so don't be afraid to expect answers.
You are in our thoughts as you begin the road ahead - but you are a woman and you are stronger than you think !
Summer   <3

Hi @JenPritchard
sorry you have need to join us.... there is a Young women with BC group i will put the link here for you ... http//onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/10-young-women when you click on this link it will show the group there is a join button on the right hand side.

we are a supportive group here on the online forum all members here will also chat and give you support. 

Do you have a breast care nurse yet ?  I will also put the links to a few things here to make it easier for you to find. 

The what and how thread. helps you find your way around the forum.

http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14879/the-what-and-how-thread/p1

 

Breast Care Nurses

https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx

 

My Journey Kits and other resources.

 

https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/

 

Knitted knockers Australia

www.knittedknockersaustralia.com

Life is such a fragile thing, you can do this it is hard to begin with but you have already gotten on the roller coaster ride so now hang on and know we are here to ask questions and happy to let you vent, cry scream we get it. 

SoldierCrab