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awhol's avatar
awhol
Member
9 years ago

Just saying hello

HI I am Anna, 58 and recently diagnosed with high grade bc.  From when I felt the lump to surgery was 14 days.  WLE and axillary clearance due to Sentinel node involvement but luckily no axilla nodes were affected.  Got a slight shock at requiring chemo for six months and the second lot weekly for three months then radiotherapy then Herceptin for a year.  However I have an exceptionally positive attitude (maybe a nurse who has seen a lot of tragedy helps there).  Decided to grab the damn illness first and shaved all my hair off on Sunday.  First dose of  chemo is on Friday.  I will just take one day at a time.  Unfortunately I have no partner to share this with and live alone but Miss Minx (my feline) will help me and I have two very supportive daughters who live about an hour away.  My prayers go out to all of us that are using this site because of bc or caring for someone with it.  Whilst we have to go through a lot of this in our own way it is nice and I think very valuable to be able to share experiences and what worked to alleviate side effects etc.  Sending you all my very best wishes and prayers...Anna

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  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    Welcome to the site. I've  just completed my chemo and continue on herceptin. It is hard work but you can do it. Looking forward to reading your adventure.
  • socoda's avatar
    socoda
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi Anna, gotta say I love your site name :D - excellent!! Sorry that you have had to join the site but you've come to the right place for some support and caring. And if Miss Minx is not in a particularly chatty mood we can be your cheer squad!!! Wishing you all the best, keep us up to date with how your going. Xx Cath
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi Anna!  welcome aboard, no it's not everyone's port of call however this forum is a great place to learn, research (all accredited info and as Ne said, not Dr Google), and to find support and or vent as we all have a breaking point and no one judges; we just try and pick up the pieces and let you know we're all in it together.  The diagnosis for all is the same, Breast Cancer, but after that it is all so different - who'd thought there would be so many variables.  Some of us struggle with side effects at different times as medication and or treatment comes with the hidden extras.  Your occupation certainly puts you in good stead.
    Wishing you and Miss Minx all the best
    Take care from Christine

  • Ne's avatar
    Ne
    Member
    9 years ago
    You are doing all the right things, definitely stay off google because no two diagnosis are ever the same. Keep us posted on how you are traveling.  Thanks for the well wishes too x 
  • awhol's avatar
    awhol
    Member
    9 years ago
    thank you very much.  I must admit my dining room table looks like a reference library with all the information I have been given but I have certainly only read the parts where I am up to in treatment and basically just listened to my surgeon and medical oncologist.  I also have not done any internet research...as you say it is too much to take in all at once.   I am glad you have come out the other end.  My wishes and prayers for your continued recovery.
  • Ne's avatar
    Ne
    Member
    9 years ago

    Welcome to the group Anna.  I have just come out the other end of a diagnosis/treatment similar to yours and wanted to encourage you that you have come to the best place possible for support.  Feel free to browse past discussions by searching the tabs that apply to you under discussions.  There is a wealth of help and support here and no topic is off limits.

    I wish you all the best with your treatment.  I often say to people going through bc that this will be a Marathon and not a sprint.  Be kind to yourself, listen to your body and focus only on the current requirements at hand for today or tomorrow but don't worry about next week or next month or treatments to come etc.  Those can go on the virtual shelve until it needs to be dealt with.  This way you cope better.

    If you have the my journey kit, the same applies.  Don't try to read from page 1 through to the last page of the booklet, just open the section of where you are at e.g. chemo and read what is relevant right now.  This way you do not overload your brain and emotions with information.  We are all in this together.  Chin up, you've got this!