Out of control and in shock
Where do I start? I recently changed GPs and was working on a general health check you know the one do these tests everything will be fine no drama - always has been. Trot off for a mammogram and the...
Forum Discussion
Hi @Sarnicad. I'm so sorry you find yourself here but welcome.
The beginning is the absolute pits isn't it? You've had the excellent news that there was no spread to the nodes, and now your treatment plan has emerged from the jungle of testing, always a good stage to get to.
My tumour was 16mm and I had no spread. My first emotion was white hot anger (my bio will tell you why, not that we need a reason, cancer is enough...) that went for about three weeks and then I dissolved into tears for two months. I cried for Australia! Everywhere my kids couldn't see me, very randomly. Eventually it passed. There were still tears from time to time but now seven months down the track, I'm mostly dry! Don't fight the tears, they're evidence of huge emotion and they need to come out. Cathartic.
I had TC chemo. It's hard but doable. Chemo has a shocking reputation that comes from the past, and from the outer reaches of reactions. While there are side effects in common we all react differently so don't go too much by other people. There are now very good medications that control nausea. You'll be given them as a matter of course but if you get troubled by break through nausea, or pain, or any side effect at all for that matter, don't hestate to contact your oncologist to get it under control.
When I was diagnosed I told only the people in my house and only because I was going to be out overnight having the wide local excision. I didn't tell anyone else until over a week later after my son's big 18th birthday party, and my re-excision. And then I sent my husband to tell my parents and sister and I actually didn't speak to them for a week or so. I couldn't face it. I told my closest friends in confidence by WhatsApp, and the wider circle weren't told until after Christmas, over three weeks later, also by WhatsApp. You do what feels right for you. There's no right or wrong at all in this situation. This is happening to YOU, not anyone else, so don't stress. Truly good friends and family understand and won't mind. If people get upset about the timing of the news that's their issue, not yours.
When you're ready, there's a really good thread here called TC Chemotherapy. I had this chemo starting in January, and then two other members, @Finch and @"Kiwi Angel", started it on the same day. So we have lots of info fresh in our minds if you ever have any questions or concerns. You can also use the search bar to find other references to TC.
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/18193/tc-chemotherapy/p1
Hang in there love. It sucks arse but we're all here for you, day and night. We'll hold your hand and you'll come through. We've got you. Kate xox
The beginning is the absolute pits isn't it? You've had the excellent news that there was no spread to the nodes, and now your treatment plan has emerged from the jungle of testing, always a good stage to get to.
My tumour was 16mm and I had no spread. My first emotion was white hot anger (my bio will tell you why, not that we need a reason, cancer is enough...) that went for about three weeks and then I dissolved into tears for two months. I cried for Australia! Everywhere my kids couldn't see me, very randomly. Eventually it passed. There were still tears from time to time but now seven months down the track, I'm mostly dry! Don't fight the tears, they're evidence of huge emotion and they need to come out. Cathartic.
I had TC chemo. It's hard but doable. Chemo has a shocking reputation that comes from the past, and from the outer reaches of reactions. While there are side effects in common we all react differently so don't go too much by other people. There are now very good medications that control nausea. You'll be given them as a matter of course but if you get troubled by break through nausea, or pain, or any side effect at all for that matter, don't hestate to contact your oncologist to get it under control.
When I was diagnosed I told only the people in my house and only because I was going to be out overnight having the wide local excision. I didn't tell anyone else until over a week later after my son's big 18th birthday party, and my re-excision. And then I sent my husband to tell my parents and sister and I actually didn't speak to them for a week or so. I couldn't face it. I told my closest friends in confidence by WhatsApp, and the wider circle weren't told until after Christmas, over three weeks later, also by WhatsApp. You do what feels right for you. There's no right or wrong at all in this situation. This is happening to YOU, not anyone else, so don't stress. Truly good friends and family understand and won't mind. If people get upset about the timing of the news that's their issue, not yours.
When you're ready, there's a really good thread here called TC Chemotherapy. I had this chemo starting in January, and then two other members, @Finch and @"Kiwi Angel", started it on the same day. So we have lots of info fresh in our minds if you ever have any questions or concerns. You can also use the search bar to find other references to TC.
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/18193/tc-chemotherapy/p1
Hang in there love. It sucks arse but we're all here for you, day and night. We'll hold your hand and you'll come through. We've got you. Kate xox