Keeping family and friends informed
Hi everyone, Another newbie - routine mammogram in mid Oct, biopsy then diagnosed Nov 21 with invasive ductal carcinoma (13mm). Surgery planned for Jan 2 - lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy then r...
Forum Discussion
@Jo_H Welcome aboard! It sounds like you are doing really well & have a good handle on what your immediate plans are so good on you for trying to remain as positive as you can!! I have just had my 2 yr anniversary & there are many of us who have had our surgeries this time of year. Not ideal but you cant change it! I came out 2 days before Christmas & still managed to spend Christmas day with my family 2 hrs away.
i too had invasive DCIS but no node involvement, with lumpectomy & rad treatment. I guess I knew early on that i probably wouldnt have to have chemo so keeping my cancer a secret was going to be easy as I wouldn't lose my hair. To this day, not many people know. I live in a small country town & know everybody. I knew they would mean well but I wanted to be able to go shopping & not be hounded by everybody or have some avoid me & I am so happy i did this. My close family know but my in-laws dont. I told my boss & my only co-worker & a friend that works in the local chemist so she could help me with scripts etc. I also had a friend who works for Breastscreen QLD & does mammograms so she was a wealth of knowledge for me.
Everybody is different & as my cancer "journey" was very smooth, I found it easy to avoid telling people. Many find it good to have support from friends & family & to have their help with food, housework, driving, visits etc so it really depends on you & your situation as to how many you tell. Word will spread fast so be prepared if you do.
There is good & bad in both so it is a very personal thing for you to decide. As I said, I am sooooo happy I didnt let the news out. My immediate family, co-worker & couple of friends have been all that I needed to get through PLUS the most important of all....THE BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS ON THIS FORUM!!!! Good luck & I wish you love & strength as you begin your treatment. xx
i too had invasive DCIS but no node involvement, with lumpectomy & rad treatment. I guess I knew early on that i probably wouldnt have to have chemo so keeping my cancer a secret was going to be easy as I wouldn't lose my hair. To this day, not many people know. I live in a small country town & know everybody. I knew they would mean well but I wanted to be able to go shopping & not be hounded by everybody or have some avoid me & I am so happy i did this. My close family know but my in-laws dont. I told my boss & my only co-worker & a friend that works in the local chemist so she could help me with scripts etc. I also had a friend who works for Breastscreen QLD & does mammograms so she was a wealth of knowledge for me.
Everybody is different & as my cancer "journey" was very smooth, I found it easy to avoid telling people. Many find it good to have support from friends & family & to have their help with food, housework, driving, visits etc so it really depends on you & your situation as to how many you tell. Word will spread fast so be prepared if you do.
There is good & bad in both so it is a very personal thing for you to decide. As I said, I am sooooo happy I didnt let the news out. My immediate family, co-worker & couple of friends have been all that I needed to get through PLUS the most important of all....THE BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS ON THIS FORUM!!!! Good luck & I wish you love & strength as you begin your treatment. xx