Newly diagnosed

HI @louise64, glad all went well for you.   Sending hugs xxx

Hi Louise64, wishing you all the best, you have got this xx

Fantastic news @Louise64! Glad that went really well for you, and first step is over. Keep feeling positive, radiotherapy is not scary at all, at least not the first half 😊. Hope you recover well Xx

Update: thank you all for the wonderful support I have received from diagnosis- to becoming a grandma- telling family- bras and radiotherapy answers to questions - as a million things were spinning through my head. I’ve had my surgery yesterday-  hookwire procedure thenwide excision for DCIS malignant  tumour. More taken out than anticipated- to ensure margins clear. Home tonight and looking forward to a good nights sleep. An all female operation- surgeon, anaesthetist, nurses and staff.  A caring breast cancer nurse with a beautiful pink satin breast cushion & bra, lovely physio and all looks good so far. Radiotherapy starts in 4 weeks but feeling very positive.
thank you to you all
Louise ❤️❤️❤️💙 

Best wishes @Louise64 for upcoming surgery. School holidays are almost upon us. I found like others I limited who I told, including at work. Initially only a few close family members were advised in person,  then as as I recovered from the initial shock, I was able to tell more people. There are always going to be friends and acquaintances who ask if you are okay - it's up to you who and what you say. Support is essential for you to feel normal and concentrate on taking it day by day. No question is silly and it's okay to cry when you feel overwhelmed. 

Who you tell is up to you - no one, with the possible exception of your children, has a right to know. But I was happy to tell anyone who asked - briefly and then move on, I found it a fairly monotonous topic pretty quickly. I chose to tell my staff and director at work - I know this can be tricky for some, depends a bit on your work relations. My director could not have been more supportive - I took little time off but she was happy with anything I wanted. My main concern at work was chemo brain - my staff were all requested to let me know immediately if I made no sense. Which caused some hilarity - I was fine but oh boy, was that a tempting offer! Laughter is excellent medicine. 

@Louise64 - I only told close family & friends initially.  Then I broadened it to other friends in a monthly email until I was feeling much better in my head & could actually talk to people without blubbing (I am a total sook.)  It was easier to reply to emails than to keep repeating stuff over the phone or in person.  Some people I didn't tell for 12 months & even 2 years later (some family members fell into this category!!) 

Mine all happened over Xmas/New Year, so it totally stuffed that all up - twice in a row actually, as I had a call back the following Dec as well!  :(  (All clear luckily - but it still does your head in!)  grrr

In the mean time, just keep as busy as you can, write down ANY queries! Maybe check out these 'tick sheets' that may assist you in formulating questions with all your Medical Team (even GPs) particularly after your surgery. Click on the 4 down the bottom - the others are just pics of Page 1!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21973/questions-to-ask-post-surgery-of-yourself-to-your-specialists-tick-sheets-self-assessment#latest

Take care, all the best xx

Louise64 said:

I’m divorced - daughter interstate- so my sister will be liaison 👍

That a super idea xx

I’m divorced - daughter interstate- so my sister will be liaison 👍

Yes I sent a text saying if they wanted to talk with me to text me first and if I felt well enough I would let them know if not they could ring my husband for an update. That worked really well for me as I have been hospitalized 3 times so far with chemo so that made a huge difference as I just could not talk. Hugs Cheryl