Not doing so well
Hi everyone. I thought I'd get on to share that after my MBC diagnosis 2 weeks ago, I am struggling. I'm on Ribo/Fulvestrant combo for treatment and two weeks in am doing okay physically. I wish I cou...
Forum Discussion
Hi @LDP.
I'm so sorry to hear that you're struggling. I'm a month ahead of you - got the news in early January - no signs or symptoms. I'll be honest - I howled constantly for the next week whilst I was having all the tests. The shock was unbelievable. We then went away for a few weeks, and I spent lots of time howling and I was in a deep, black hole - I was numb and didn't want to talk to anyone. The rest of the party were skiing, and I wasn't able to ski as the slopes were too difficult for me, so I went walking most days. It wasn't the nicest 'holiday', but it gave me the space to howl, feel sad, think, do some research. It also gave me the opportunity to act on my niggles I felt about my surgeon, and thanks to this group, I found another surgeon who I'm really happy with.
I'm trying very hard to look for one good thing in the day - just one to start with. I'm trying to use all my senses - if I'm sitting in the garden, I look for pretty things, I listen to the birds tweeting or the rustle of the wind in the trees, I feel the sun or wind on my skin, I smell the perfume from the flowers or the newly mown grass, I enjoy the taste of my tea. I found it quite hard to slow down my mind, and often I don't succeed, but when I do manage to slow the mind, I do feel a bit better.
I've also felt better now that I'm settled on my surgeon and oncologist. I'm meeting with a plastic surgeon later today to discuss reconstruction options, and I've howled all morning. I'm beginning to think alot of my anxiety and howling is to do with the unknown and not being in control.
All I can say is that I took 1 minute at a time to start with, then 1 hour, then 1 day. Take 1 appointment at a time. Keep lots of notes, and write down lots of question. My surgeon and oncologist are very pleased that I'm (with my husband) taking control - effectively project managing my treatment.
My husband is also really struggling - his mum lost her battle with breast cancer last year, so this is all very raw for him. He also says that he 'feel's helpless as he can't fix it', and it breaks my heart.
I've tried meditation and mindfulness previously, with out success, but I listened to a BCNA webinar last week on Managing Stress - here's the link https://www.bcna.org.au/webcasts-new/webcast-managing-stress-and-improving-wellbeing-with-mindfulness-and-meditation/. I found it very useful and they've put some links in a pdf which I'm going to start working on.
I'm really feeling for you - please reach out here if you need support as there are so many people who can help.
Hugs
Kim
I'm so sorry to hear that you're struggling. I'm a month ahead of you - got the news in early January - no signs or symptoms. I'll be honest - I howled constantly for the next week whilst I was having all the tests. The shock was unbelievable. We then went away for a few weeks, and I spent lots of time howling and I was in a deep, black hole - I was numb and didn't want to talk to anyone. The rest of the party were skiing, and I wasn't able to ski as the slopes were too difficult for me, so I went walking most days. It wasn't the nicest 'holiday', but it gave me the space to howl, feel sad, think, do some research. It also gave me the opportunity to act on my niggles I felt about my surgeon, and thanks to this group, I found another surgeon who I'm really happy with.
I'm trying very hard to look for one good thing in the day - just one to start with. I'm trying to use all my senses - if I'm sitting in the garden, I look for pretty things, I listen to the birds tweeting or the rustle of the wind in the trees, I feel the sun or wind on my skin, I smell the perfume from the flowers or the newly mown grass, I enjoy the taste of my tea. I found it quite hard to slow down my mind, and often I don't succeed, but when I do manage to slow the mind, I do feel a bit better.
I've also felt better now that I'm settled on my surgeon and oncologist. I'm meeting with a plastic surgeon later today to discuss reconstruction options, and I've howled all morning. I'm beginning to think alot of my anxiety and howling is to do with the unknown and not being in control.
All I can say is that I took 1 minute at a time to start with, then 1 hour, then 1 day. Take 1 appointment at a time. Keep lots of notes, and write down lots of question. My surgeon and oncologist are very pleased that I'm (with my husband) taking control - effectively project managing my treatment.
My husband is also really struggling - his mum lost her battle with breast cancer last year, so this is all very raw for him. He also says that he 'feel's helpless as he can't fix it', and it breaks my heart.
I've tried meditation and mindfulness previously, with out success, but I listened to a BCNA webinar last week on Managing Stress - here's the link https://www.bcna.org.au/webcasts-new/webcast-managing-stress-and-improving-wellbeing-with-mindfulness-and-meditation/. I found it very useful and they've put some links in a pdf which I'm going to start working on.
I'm really feeling for you - please reach out here if you need support as there are so many people who can help.
Hugs
Kim