My journey starts today.
I am so glad I found this group today and already reading everyone's stories gives me so much comfort I have somewhere to go when lonely. I find online chats good for me and maybe I might make some n...
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It is 100% normal to feel sad or worried and anywhere in between, @TrishV - and yes, there are many triggers everywhere that may cause you to cry. It is actually very cathartic to have a good cry too!! ;)
Ring our Helpline on Monday (if you can) & have a chat if you find yourself feeling VERY sad - 1800 500 258 ..... and maybe listen to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts - she is a longtime Breast Cancer Counsellor & was diagnosed back in 2018 (and had a double mastectomy and remained Flat ...) and was surprised at how she reacted herself to the diagnosis, compared to what she'd been advising clients for years! Go to this link and click on the 4th topic (the one with 22 tracks) and start off with No 13 (the first of her First Series of Chats ....) She is incredibly forthcoming with her own experience - and you will probably relate to a lot of it xx She is also VERY easy to listen to - and discusses her partner & friends etc ....
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=charlotte%20tottman
Charlotte was written up in a weekend Newspaper some years ago - I'll put the PDF at the bottom of my post, for you to read. She had some professional photos taken after her surgery (very tasteful) ... and many of us do the same, before and AFTER our surgery, as a way of saying 'goodbye' to our boob 'as you knew it, even if you have a lumpectomy instead of mastectomy. I just took my own in the bathroom mirror .... I haven't looked at them for years now!! ;)
Try & keep yourself as busy as you can, doing stuff you love. Maybe cook up some meals so that you have some 'ready' for you after surgery/chemo in case you can't be bothered cooking xx
Take care - we have all been thru similar angst .... and yes, there IS light at the end of the tunnel ;)
Ring our Helpline on Monday (if you can) & have a chat if you find yourself feeling VERY sad - 1800 500 258 ..... and maybe listen to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts - she is a longtime Breast Cancer Counsellor & was diagnosed back in 2018 (and had a double mastectomy and remained Flat ...) and was surprised at how she reacted herself to the diagnosis, compared to what she'd been advising clients for years! Go to this link and click on the 4th topic (the one with 22 tracks) and start off with No 13 (the first of her First Series of Chats ....) She is incredibly forthcoming with her own experience - and you will probably relate to a lot of it xx She is also VERY easy to listen to - and discusses her partner & friends etc ....
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=charlotte%20tottman
Charlotte was written up in a weekend Newspaper some years ago - I'll put the PDF at the bottom of my post, for you to read. She had some professional photos taken after her surgery (very tasteful) ... and many of us do the same, before and AFTER our surgery, as a way of saying 'goodbye' to our boob 'as you knew it, even if you have a lumpectomy instead of mastectomy. I just took my own in the bathroom mirror .... I haven't looked at them for years now!! ;)
Try & keep yourself as busy as you can, doing stuff you love. Maybe cook up some meals so that you have some 'ready' for you after surgery/chemo in case you can't be bothered cooking xx
Take care - we have all been thru similar angst .... and yes, there IS light at the end of the tunnel ;)