Nervous and new
Hi all. Im a 53 year old single mother of 2 adult children with an elderly mother who has been battling lung liver and bone cancer for the last 7 years. She lives an hour away from me with my awesome ...
Forum Discussion
Hi @@kimw71 - so sorry to see you join our group here but we'll do our best to help support you specially thru these early days xx
Sadly, some friends (and even family) don't know how to react or what to say when they learn of your diagnosis & so say nothing - and it hurts. Try not to take it personally - most of us have experienced it :( You may be surprised who WILL step up to the plate & be your main support. Many of us on the forum have forged really positive friendships here, as we've all 'been there, done that' so really DO know what you're going thru.
I hope your kids live nearby so that they can support you, as after your surgery you will have to take it easy for a while - no lifting (so you can't vacuum, do the washing or hang it our, or the lawn-mowing .....) Do you live alone? I stayed with my brother & his wife after my own surgery until after I saw the surgeon for the first checkup & could drive home (4hrs driving.)
Wishing you well with your surgery - check out this link - it gives you tips on what to take to hospital & other bits about the forum. In the next day before your surgery - consider cooking some meals & freezing them in 'portion sizes' so that you have ready cooked bits for when you go home.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest
Also, consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's podcasts on 'What you don't know until you do' .... she is a specialist breast cancer counsellor who was diagnosed 5 years ago & had a double mastectomy and chose to remain 'flat'. She was surprised that her reactions & emotions were totally different to what she'd been espousing to her clients over the years prior to her diagnosis .... Each episode is very easy to listen to & will cover a lot of the emotions that you are feeling now - anger, sadness, denial .... they are all common reactions to the diagnosis xx
http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html
Take lots of deep breaths, try not to get ahead of yourself & ponder the 'what ifs' ..... just deal with what you have to right now - your medical team will be doing what is needed for the best results for you xx So put your trust in them xx If you would like to chat with someone - you can ring our helpline on 1800 500 258 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.)
take care & all the best for your upcoming surgery xx
Sadly, some friends (and even family) don't know how to react or what to say when they learn of your diagnosis & so say nothing - and it hurts. Try not to take it personally - most of us have experienced it :( You may be surprised who WILL step up to the plate & be your main support. Many of us on the forum have forged really positive friendships here, as we've all 'been there, done that' so really DO know what you're going thru.
I hope your kids live nearby so that they can support you, as after your surgery you will have to take it easy for a while - no lifting (so you can't vacuum, do the washing or hang it our, or the lawn-mowing .....) Do you live alone? I stayed with my brother & his wife after my own surgery until after I saw the surgeon for the first checkup & could drive home (4hrs driving.)
Wishing you well with your surgery - check out this link - it gives you tips on what to take to hospital & other bits about the forum. In the next day before your surgery - consider cooking some meals & freezing them in 'portion sizes' so that you have ready cooked bits for when you go home.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest
Also, consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's podcasts on 'What you don't know until you do' .... she is a specialist breast cancer counsellor who was diagnosed 5 years ago & had a double mastectomy and chose to remain 'flat'. She was surprised that her reactions & emotions were totally different to what she'd been espousing to her clients over the years prior to her diagnosis .... Each episode is very easy to listen to & will cover a lot of the emotions that you are feeling now - anger, sadness, denial .... they are all common reactions to the diagnosis xx
http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html
Take lots of deep breaths, try not to get ahead of yourself & ponder the 'what ifs' ..... just deal with what you have to right now - your medical team will be doing what is needed for the best results for you xx So put your trust in them xx If you would like to chat with someone - you can ring our helpline on 1800 500 258 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.)
take care & all the best for your upcoming surgery xx