Newly Diagnosed and trying to cope
Hi my name is Suzie and I found a lump 1 week prior to christmas whilst checking my breasts in the shower. My lump is under my right breast just above the breast bone. I had one biopsy done with the r...
Forum Discussion
Hi @Suzie82
Welcome to the club that no-one really wants to join! :( Here, You can raise ANY issue, and get helpful replies from those who’ve gone before you. Nothing is off limits. We have ‘private groups’ for some more personal discussions .... so feel free to join any of them, if they suit you (eg the Young Woman group.)
Where abouts are you? City/town? We may have members nearby who are familiar with local facilities. If you are rural/regional, you can access payments to offset fuel & accomodation costs. You can add it in your 'profile'.
We all know the absolute turmoil that comes with the bc diagnosis .... Your whole world is turned upside down in a millisecond, as you navigate previously unknown areas of our health system! It is almost a conveyor belt! First you do this, then this, then go there and do that, then come back here and do this .... it may take a year or two for your life to settle down.
Terrific that your son was with you when you got the news - try & have someone with you at all your important appointments - 2 sets of ears are better than one, as it is easy to miss some points whilst pondering what was just said, also the support is very important - even better if they can drive you to & from the appts! Also, consider recording your meetings on your mobile - so that you can go over it again later, if you have to, to query a statement, or just to have as a record.
It is totally 100% ok to skip between anger, denial, sadness - but if your find the sadness is overwhelming you, please seek professional help! Your GP may be able to refer you ... or your local Breast Cancer Centre May have help there .... where you are more likely to find a bc specific psychologist. Just talking about it openly and sharing it with a professional should be able to give you coping mechanisms ...
Some of the bigger hospitals have Welfare Officers who may be able to help re your financial/pension questions.
Personally I found that it mucked with my BRAIN more than anything else! And sometimes that is very hard to control, as it has a mind of its own! Just try Keeping BUSY doing things is the meantime - the waiting really sucks! :( .... Get back into your hobbies or take up a new one - even more so now with Covid as we can’t get together with buddies as readily as before.
Try not to use Dr Google as there is just so much conflicting information out there, and every BC case is 'unique' and it may only confuse you!
Difficult tho it may seem - Try & keep your sense of humour 'up there' - we have a really good 'funnies page' (called Friday Funnies, but we add them every day!!) Just click on the link to add pics and posts ...
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19116/friday-funnies#latest
If you are into arts & crafts, we have a 'Creative Corner'
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest
and if into your garden, a Gardening post as well!!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/186078#Comment_186078
We have some posts here on what to take with you to the hospital, to make it 'easier' on you top of my list would be a small pillow to support your arm, post op. You should also 'hug it' whilst in the car on the way home, too, as any bump (eg gutters into the shops, petrol stations & your home) are REALLY jarring & can hurt like hell! :(
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/16442/prep-for-surgery/p1
Deep breaths, take one day at a time ..... All the best with your ongoing appointments. xxxx
Welcome to the club that no-one really wants to join! :( Here, You can raise ANY issue, and get helpful replies from those who’ve gone before you. Nothing is off limits. We have ‘private groups’ for some more personal discussions .... so feel free to join any of them, if they suit you (eg the Young Woman group.)
Where abouts are you? City/town? We may have members nearby who are familiar with local facilities. If you are rural/regional, you can access payments to offset fuel & accomodation costs. You can add it in your 'profile'.
We all know the absolute turmoil that comes with the bc diagnosis .... Your whole world is turned upside down in a millisecond, as you navigate previously unknown areas of our health system! It is almost a conveyor belt! First you do this, then this, then go there and do that, then come back here and do this .... it may take a year or two for your life to settle down.
Terrific that your son was with you when you got the news - try & have someone with you at all your important appointments - 2 sets of ears are better than one, as it is easy to miss some points whilst pondering what was just said, also the support is very important - even better if they can drive you to & from the appts! Also, consider recording your meetings on your mobile - so that you can go over it again later, if you have to, to query a statement, or just to have as a record.
It is totally 100% ok to skip between anger, denial, sadness - but if your find the sadness is overwhelming you, please seek professional help! Your GP may be able to refer you ... or your local Breast Cancer Centre May have help there .... where you are more likely to find a bc specific psychologist. Just talking about it openly and sharing it with a professional should be able to give you coping mechanisms ...
Some of the bigger hospitals have Welfare Officers who may be able to help re your financial/pension questions.
Personally I found that it mucked with my BRAIN more than anything else! And sometimes that is very hard to control, as it has a mind of its own! Just try Keeping BUSY doing things is the meantime - the waiting really sucks! :( .... Get back into your hobbies or take up a new one - even more so now with Covid as we can’t get together with buddies as readily as before.
Try not to use Dr Google as there is just so much conflicting information out there, and every BC case is 'unique' and it may only confuse you!
Difficult tho it may seem - Try & keep your sense of humour 'up there' - we have a really good 'funnies page' (called Friday Funnies, but we add them every day!!) Just click on the link to add pics and posts ...
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19116/friday-funnies#latest
If you are into arts & crafts, we have a 'Creative Corner'
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest
and if into your garden, a Gardening post as well!!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/186078#Comment_186078
We have some posts here on what to take with you to the hospital, to make it 'easier' on you top of my list would be a small pillow to support your arm, post op. You should also 'hug it' whilst in the car on the way home, too, as any bump (eg gutters into the shops, petrol stations & your home) are REALLY jarring & can hurt like hell! :(
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/16442/prep-for-surgery/p1
Deep breaths, take one day at a time ..... All the best with your ongoing appointments. xxxx