Terrified of what lies ahead!
Hi, I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Thursday the 8th November. My eldest child finishes school this year and we were meant to be heading off to Europe on the 28th November for the trip of a lif...
Forum Discussion
@CathyMac - so sorry to see you here & to read of the upheavals your diagnosis has caused to your travel plans ..... my lumps were found this time last year tho i wasn't actually diagnosed until early January - and I just kept myself as busy as I could doing things I loved most (kayak fishing & ukulele playing - I lead the local group) and it worked a treat. One of my uke ladies is coming with me next week to Port Macq for my 12 month ultrasound/mammogram (90 mins from where I live, being rural.)
There has already been some brilliant advice imparted above - and if you aren't able to get someone to go to appointments with you & take notes - just ask if you can record the appointment on your phone - as it really IS difficult to remember everything that was said.
Do you have private Health Cover? That can often get the surgery done earlier - but ask about the Gap Fees ..... they can be savage (i.e. not covered by Private Health Cover.) Many go Public & don't have much of a wait either - tho I went private for the surgery cos it wanted it done 'then & there' but public for the radiation, as I'd calmed down by then. LOL If I had to choose again, I think I would go public.
Save your trip for after your active treatment ...... I had booked a holiday to Norfolk Island that was just after I'd finished my radiation treatment as my 'Pat on the head - You've done it' Reward - and I loved it.
All the best with the scans next week .... you'll have a better 'treatment plan' after you see the surgeon ....
I used to love visiting Canberra as I had a very good buddy living there, but now she is down the south coast, so got an excuse to go down there now!!
take care, deep breaths, keep doing what you love doing - just keep busy. You can do this - and if you have ANY question at all (no matter how silly you may think it) just whack it up here & it will be answered by those who have gone before you xxx
There has already been some brilliant advice imparted above - and if you aren't able to get someone to go to appointments with you & take notes - just ask if you can record the appointment on your phone - as it really IS difficult to remember everything that was said.
Do you have private Health Cover? That can often get the surgery done earlier - but ask about the Gap Fees ..... they can be savage (i.e. not covered by Private Health Cover.) Many go Public & don't have much of a wait either - tho I went private for the surgery cos it wanted it done 'then & there' but public for the radiation, as I'd calmed down by then. LOL If I had to choose again, I think I would go public.
Save your trip for after your active treatment ...... I had booked a holiday to Norfolk Island that was just after I'd finished my radiation treatment as my 'Pat on the head - You've done it' Reward - and I loved it.
All the best with the scans next week .... you'll have a better 'treatment plan' after you see the surgeon ....
I used to love visiting Canberra as I had a very good buddy living there, but now she is down the south coast, so got an excuse to go down there now!!
take care, deep breaths, keep doing what you love doing - just keep busy. You can do this - and if you have ANY question at all (no matter how silly you may think it) just whack it up here & it will be answered by those who have gone before you xxx