Newly diagnosed

Hi Leisa,

Sounds like your GP is all over it, it's great that you got in so quickly to see a surgeon - this waiting and not knowing part of the process is really difficult.  Just as a side point, I didn't have private health insurance either and have been entirely through the public system (St Vincent's in Melbourne) and it has been an incredible experience.  I've never come across such amazing kindness and care, and there was no waiting times at all really, it all happened in a total whirlwind.

I guess just take as much time as you can to process the information your surgeon has given you so that you can come to terms a little bit with what's happening - I know it sounds easy enough to say but it will happen.  My GP told me that I would be in a state of shock for about a month after I first found out, and she was right - it really didn't start to sink in with me until after surgery had already happened.  I couldn't even say the words 'breast cancer' out loud for a couple of months without bursting into tears. 

I know it's easy for me to say this, but please try not to get into your head too much about why this has happened to you.  I totally understand how unfair it all feels to have to face something as huge as this but you will be sabotaging yourself before you even begin if you try and answer such an unanswerable question.  Breast cancer doesn't discriminate.  Just focus on getting through the next 24 hours at a time and facing each challenge as it comes the best you can.  Believe me when I tell you that you will find strength within yourself that you never even knew existed.

Take care of YOU.  And keep us posted on how you're going with everything.

Gen