Recent Diagnosis
Hi all, well it's been a head-spinnng few weeks. Diagnosed on 24/4 with BC - grade 2 - in my right breast and right lymph nodes. Started with a GP appointment for a lump I had been ignoring for ...
Forum Discussion
SO sorry to see you join our exclusive club @SS73 .... but you are in the right spot for advice from those who've been there, done that. xx. Have you been assigned a Breast Care Nurse yet? They can be terrific support for you - and your 'go to' person for many queries.
You'll still be in a bit of shock, I would imagine & are now on the 'conveyor belt' of treatment, surgery & more treatment, which will keep you incredibly busy over the next 6 months or so .....
This bloody disease actually mucks with your BRAIN even more than your body, I reckon. If you find yourself a bit overwhelmed & not coping too well, your GP or your Cancer Centre should be able to put you onto a psychologist or counsellor who can give you 'coping mechanisms' .... We also have a help line that you can contact Mon-Fri 1800 500 258
A well known cancer psychologist, Charlotte Tottman has put together 2 lots of podcasts about how breast cancer impacts your life - she was actually diagnosed with Breast Cancer herself in the last few years, and was surprised that it impacted her WAY MORE than she thought it would .... and these podcasts follow HER journey ....
Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don’t Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman and the 2nd one:
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/bcna-resources/podcasts/charlotte-tottman-podcast-series/
I didn't have chemo, but I nursed my husband thru 2 lots ... I went with him for all his treatments - some people may like to be on their own .... the staff are brilliant - and so caring. Not everyone gets nasty side effects - so keep a journal nearby to write down anything you think they should be aware of - as they should be able to minimise many of the side effects. Drinking lots of water after each session helps 'wash it' out of your system .... Sometimes your appetite can be affected - so just eat whatever you fancy! Small serves, more often, can be better for you than 3 set meals ...
Jump onto this thread & read up a bit about the forum - what to take to hospital etc .... we have lots of 'off topic' stuff you can jump onto (pets, gardens, art & craft etc ....) There are also some 'tick sheets' you can print off (down the bottom) where you 'self assess' between appointments - just take them with you xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
I see that you are Central Coast - do you have to travel to any of your Appointments? If you have to go to Sydney or Newcastle, you should be able to claim for some fuel and accommodation costs - we have a private group for people who live in regional, rural and remote areas ..... where we try to keep up with ongoing changes in policy. I am Mid North Coast. .... and had my surgery in Sydney & Radiation in Port Mac. Some hospitals have subsidised accommodation for yourself & family members - maybe ask your Breast Care Nurse about that .... or go online & sign up for it ....
https://www.iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au/
Take care, and all the best with your ECG on Mon & chemo on Tues ..... take some warm gear, as it is cooling down now - you should be fine inside, but may start to feel the cold a bit more after treatments. xx
You'll still be in a bit of shock, I would imagine & are now on the 'conveyor belt' of treatment, surgery & more treatment, which will keep you incredibly busy over the next 6 months or so .....
This bloody disease actually mucks with your BRAIN even more than your body, I reckon. If you find yourself a bit overwhelmed & not coping too well, your GP or your Cancer Centre should be able to put you onto a psychologist or counsellor who can give you 'coping mechanisms' .... We also have a help line that you can contact Mon-Fri 1800 500 258
A well known cancer psychologist, Charlotte Tottman has put together 2 lots of podcasts about how breast cancer impacts your life - she was actually diagnosed with Breast Cancer herself in the last few years, and was surprised that it impacted her WAY MORE than she thought it would .... and these podcasts follow HER journey ....
Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don’t Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman and the 2nd one:
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/bcna-resources/podcasts/charlotte-tottman-podcast-series/
I didn't have chemo, but I nursed my husband thru 2 lots ... I went with him for all his treatments - some people may like to be on their own .... the staff are brilliant - and so caring. Not everyone gets nasty side effects - so keep a journal nearby to write down anything you think they should be aware of - as they should be able to minimise many of the side effects. Drinking lots of water after each session helps 'wash it' out of your system .... Sometimes your appetite can be affected - so just eat whatever you fancy! Small serves, more often, can be better for you than 3 set meals ...
Jump onto this thread & read up a bit about the forum - what to take to hospital etc .... we have lots of 'off topic' stuff you can jump onto (pets, gardens, art & craft etc ....) There are also some 'tick sheets' you can print off (down the bottom) where you 'self assess' between appointments - just take them with you xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
I see that you are Central Coast - do you have to travel to any of your Appointments? If you have to go to Sydney or Newcastle, you should be able to claim for some fuel and accommodation costs - we have a private group for people who live in regional, rural and remote areas ..... where we try to keep up with ongoing changes in policy. I am Mid North Coast. .... and had my surgery in Sydney & Radiation in Port Mac. Some hospitals have subsidised accommodation for yourself & family members - maybe ask your Breast Care Nurse about that .... or go online & sign up for it ....
https://www.iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au/
Take care, and all the best with your ECG on Mon & chemo on Tues ..... take some warm gear, as it is cooling down now - you should be fine inside, but may start to feel the cold a bit more after treatments. xx