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 lifetime which had been in the planning for 2 years and now I face the biggest challenge of my life and I'm absolutely terrified. My anxiety levels are through the roof and I can't sleep. I feel totally consumed by this cancer diagnosis. I saw my GP yesterday who is trying to get me into see my surgeon ASAP but I have to wait until Monday until I'll know some more. How do I get through the weekend and the weeks ahead?

Hi @CathyMac,im typing this while I lay on the couch recovering from my lumpectomy and node removal yesterday. I am only 50 and was quite surprised to discover I had breast cancer on 24/10/18. The worst weeks are the ones when you don’t know what you’re dealing with and what the future holds, but it gets easier. I’m still waiting for pathology results and this will determine my path. While it’s probably not for everyone, I’ve found that being open and sharing my diagnosis with my work colleagues, friends and family to be the best decision I’ve made to date. The outpouring of support and kindness has lifted my spirits and made me feel very cherished. I’ve also had people tell me about their cancer and discussed their treatments which has helped me a lot. I wish you well, stay positive and take it a day at a time. Tracey.

You can do this Cathy, you’ve got this you are a strong person with a loving family surrounding you.This is the start of becoming healthy.Excercise, throw yourself into some housework or gardening to take your mind of things.Meditation is really good, listen to some relaxation music and concentrate on your breath.Spoil yourself and get a relaxation massage.❤️Sending big hugs your way xx

As others have said @CathyMac try focusing on the fact that you are taking control and acting - getting that cancer out of your body. At the hospital where I had my surgery, they had small balconies off each room with the doors firmly locked. I can remember joking (or trying) to my surgeon that it was really so we couldn't escape while we were waiting to be taken down to surgery. I was positive but very anxious - it's normal and if you can be given something for the anxiety, take it. When the anaesthetist was putting the drugs in one arm ready for surgery, my surgeon was holding the other to reassure me (apparently, it's normal practice for him).You will get through this.

You were lucky @Sister to have such a wonderful surgeon. In the 3 surgeries I had this year I never saw my surgeon once in the theatre. I saw everyone else though and they were awesome. Maybe he was having a quick coffee before he started. ( I can't believe how many people are actually in the theatre. ) I still remember for the first surgery though the surgeon registrar who was helping rubbed my arm and looked right at me and said everything will be fine and they would look after me. I never saw him again until after my last surgery the following day as he had pulled the short straw in the weekend to check on patients and I told him I had remembered him and what effect his kindness had on me that first time. ( they usually only hear the complaints) Isn't it funny small gestures make a huge difference when we are at our most vulnerable.@CathyMac You will get through this. I can honestly say my mastectomy surgery was not as bad as I thought it would be as I had little pain albeit with the help of some great drugs LOl. But totally doable. ( I didn't have reconstruction ) Al the best and big Hugs. <3

Thank you lovelies❤️ for all your reassuring words. I'm terrified but determined. It's been the year from hell for me and the trip was my light at the end of the tunnel but it now seems I was not challenged enough. I just want this cancer out of my body and I hate every day that I know it's still part of me.

Terrified of what lies ahead! | BCNA Online Network

138 Replies

arpie
Member
7 years ago
WHat a GORGEOUS pic @CathyMac ... what a spunk!!

Make sure you get some lovely pics with him on the night!! ;)
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@CathyMac Adorable!
CathyMac
Member
7 years ago
Hi lovely people, I'm still struggling with my anxiety and I'm just feeling so worn out. I did manage to get my job application in, but it'll be a huge leap of faith for them to employ now with my breast cancer diagnosis and who knows at what stage I will be at if it goes to interview. Sigh! Anyway got to be in to win it! I'm still trying to post a photo of my sons pink formal attire. Thank you for the instructions @Giovanna_BCNA I'm normally not too technically challenged but for some reason I'm not succeeding.
arpie
Member
7 years ago
@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
BroniD
Member
7 years ago
I'm feeling the same, the waiting seems to be the hard part. I'm hoping to have my pathology results back in a day or two so we can then plan. I'm also at work but my mind can't focus. I'll be thinking of you x
CathyMac
Member
7 years ago
I'm sitting at work today trying to pull a job application together. I was acting in a role for 18 months and it was finally advertised 1 hour after my cancer diagnosis last week. My ability to focus on things like this is out the window,
I finally have a little bit of clarity around what will happen. I am having full pelvis, abdo and chest scans next Tuesday and then nuclear medicine bone scan and my appointment with my surgeon is on the 23rd November. Time seems to be going so slowly now and I'm having lots of trouble keeping the anxiety that i am feeling at bay. Feeling absolutely exhausted by it all. Thanks for listening
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Same for me. Each in their own way. Amazing.
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Don't underestimate the support your kids can give you. Mine were 15, 12 & 11 when I was diagnosed last year. I had the week to see Christmas concerts and my daughter's primary school graduation and the following week was in hospital having the first surgery - home for Christmas Day and reliant on the kids to cook Chrissy dinner. They've had wobbles during the year (as have I) but they've been brilliant.
Giovanna_BCNA
Member
7 years ago
Hello @CathyMac
Welcome to the online forum. Sorry to hear of your breast cancer diagnosis. You have been provided with some wonderful information and support from our online community members. I have attached a link below which explains how to post photos, looking forward to seeing one soon!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/84335#Comment_84335
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Right back at you @CathyMac. I'll take all the love I can get! And yes, pink suit to Formal? AWESOME! K xox

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Terrified of what lies ahead!

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