New diagnosis

@crafty Sending you a PM.

All the best for your ongoing treatment, @crafty  ..... those bloody neutrophils are annoying little suckers when they don't want to be found! A buddy had similar happen to him (hospitalised & isolated) when his went to zero too.

When you get to the Kimberleys (or before) - make contact with @"Annie C" .... she is at Derby!   

Great that your hubby has stepped up to the plate .... mine has dementia so is not always 'up with it'!  :(  

Take care xxx

thanks everyone,
yeah its hard being on the other side. I am a nurse and worked full time within the community, I managed my area, I have always worked, been the backbone for my family: organised everything within our family, like all nurses a control freak on everything.
My girls are older and are getting there as they are not use to their mum in a non functioning role. I must say my hubbie has stepped up, I almost feel abit suffocated at times, he has become very protective. I know it sounds terrible but we have never had a joined at the hip relationship. I am not rushing back to work, actually I will need to find a new one eventually
I am not pushing myself to do anything, We have spoken about me having at least a yr off work so I can recover and then we plan to travel abit round the Kimberleys/Darwin for abit. But lets see what happens with my path and if he can get the time off work
 my hubbie is having a big learning curve on doing everything. I am learning to turn off or more bite my tongue when things are not done my way, and not to look at my garden too much.
I feel the the side effects of chemo has got worse with each one, am having Ristempa the day following my chemo. For the last 2 doses. The bone pain has been so horrendous, I am not going to have this next time and the chemo can be altered. The bone pain has become part of my day that stops me functioning, and then we have the other side effects. The fatigue has really hit me since the first dose. Sleep is not a problem for me.
I was down to join a rehab group but ended up in hospital with febrile neutropenia, neutrophils were zero on day 8 of my 1st dose of chemo. So I must remember to asked the nurses to follow it up. I go for a walk each day when i feel up to it, to get the mail and a walk round my garden. We live on a small acreage so it is a wander around.
I live just outside of Melbourne in the hills, a little unknown town called Avonsleigh, just near Emerald, I would love to connect if anyone is close by.

@crafty Welcome (unless I've already welcomed you in which case just put it down to chemo brain).  The other ladies have already given you the good advice.  How old are your kids?  If they're really little it can be hard for them to help but if they're older you may be amazed at what they are able to do.  Mine were 11, 12 & 15 at time of diagnosis - it's a year on from that now and they have been wonderful.

You need to focus as much as possible on yourself at the moment as you probably don't have the energy to do too much else.  The income protection does take a weight off when it comes through.  I would suggest (based on my own experience) to give yourself some time after active treatment to recover before rushing back to work.  I finished in September and went back at the beginning of this term.  I desperately needed to mental stimulation but physically, I wasn't ready.  Not that that probably matters yet for you but keep it in mind.

Chemo is doable but it is a hard slog so be kind to yourself and get as much rest as you can.  On the other hand, you will find it beneficial, both for treatment, better recovery and mental health, to join a specialised exercise programme if there is one available near you.  Otherwise, go to see an exercise physiologist who specialises in oncology (health care plan should be available for this).  If you let us know whereabouts you live, someone here may be able to help you.

Hi Crafty.
Yes it's a lot to take in. I'm hoping you've had some support from a breast cancer nurse. My confirmed  diagnosis happened between Xmas and New Year almost 3 years ago and unfortunately all the support people were on keave at this time. Sometimes it feels like last week that I was diagnosed.

Yes the chemo is hard going. Well it certainly was for me. Normally a woman who did everything.... working mother, a manager, a planner.... Reduced to that of the patient who couldn't remember stuff all. I wrote everything down. It's all the anxiety that goes with diagnosis not just the chemo that impact on our memory. Our body is just trying to heal. That's it's job. On a bonus side, for me anyway, is very little recall what chemo was like other than feeling unwell and not being able to work. Hopefully it will be like that for you too.

You might have radiotherapy after chemo depending on the tumor location, but you may not. Other than that it might just be a tablet for  the next 5 to 10 years to suppress hormones...if you have that type  of cancer. 

We are here for any of those questions that just pop in your head. Kath x

hi Crafty, 

Below are a couple of links to help you find your way around the forum and also how to find a breast care nurse and how to order a MY journey Kit if you haven't got one yet. 

It can be a whirlwind when we first get a diagnosed.... Breathe and take it one step at a time. 

How to post on the main forum – use this link to get to the main forum and begin a new post. https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/post/discussion

 

Navigating the online community formerly the what and how thread.

http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14879/navigating-the-online-community-formerly-the-what-and-how-thread

Breast Care Nurses

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

My Journey online tool and other resources. 

https://myjourney.org.au/hp/step5

BCNA Helpline 1800 500 258

If you have any questions, concerns or require any further information or support please call 1800 500 258. BCNA’s helpline will now be open from 9 am-6 pm Monday to Thursday and 9 am to 5 pm Fridays.  

 

How to understand your pathology reports

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/understanding-your-pathology-report/breast-pathology/breast-cancer-pathology.html

Hi @crafty, welcome to the forum. While having everything happen so quickly is a total whirlwind it can also be a bit of a blessing in disguise in that you don't have the time to ponder what is going on inside your body while you're waiting for the surgery. How old are you're children? Any questions that you may have please feel free to ask away as that can help take away anxiety of the unknown and also assist in any side effects you may be having. Above all else welcome, you are amongst friends who can offer advice, sympathy, laughter and friendship and make you feel that you are definitely not alone. Big hugs to you. Xx