The “journey” begins.
I was diagnosed with grade 2 IDC ER & PR + Her2- on 19/12. I am 50 years old, married with three teenagers at home, two homeschoolers, one working. I work as a nurse for NDIS. Getting the diagnosi...
Forum Discussion
So sorry to see you join our select little group @MrsMorrisey and @Sliv
Re Telling others - I initially told my nearest & dearest first, and then only after surgery & active treatment, I advised others - otherwise you are just repeating yourself over & over & until you get your pathology back, you really won't KNOW your game plan.
I let them know that I'd do an email every week or two to fill them in on what was happening - so I didn't have to keep repeating myself, which only kept upsetting ME as much as anything else! Some of my extended family members didn't find out for a year ....
Some members open a 'private Facebook Page' or a personal blog, and invite important friends & family to join for updates .... it also ends up being like a diary too .... a day by day narrative of your BC Journey.
It's a good idea to cook up some meals in advance and freeze them, so you have food 'ready to go' after your surgery. If family or friends offer to bring some meals, mow the lawn or do ANYTHING for you - say YES! We 'like' to be independent - but this is a win/win situation for both you and your family/friends. It could even be walking the dog or picking the kids up from school/activities.
Jump onto this thread & it covers a lot of other areas on the forum - including 'other topics' like your pets, gardens, art & craft & other stuff you may like to check out. We even have some laughs! We NEED to laugh!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
We have a 'Christian Group' that you may like to join .... click on 'Groups' in the Blue Banner above - and the 5th one down is the Christian Group.
Re diet & cancer - there is SO much rubbish out there about BC being caused from what you eat .... if you have a normal healthy diet - you should be fine. Your Medical team may include a dietitian - or you can ask to see one. It is always advised to not drink too much alcohol -
You may find that some friends/family just don't know how to react or what to say - so they do NOTHING. It is as if they've 'dropped' you, and can be upsetting. Try not to take it personally .... you may be surprised who will 'step up to the plate' and who will 'disappear'. It is what it is ..... you will make new friends, and some old friends - you may not see them again! Sadly, that happens. Personally, I've made fantastic friends with some BCNA members & we natter away in the background, via Personal Messages.
Your time frame from discovery to surgery is actually quite prompt for this time of year - I went private for my surgery (to have it done as soon as possible) then all my Onc/Rad Onc is on Public & it has been a very smooth journey. ....
Your surgery date is the 6th anniversary of my own! Things always move a bit slower over the Xmas Break. You also have confidence in your surgeon, which is great. Make haste slowly afterwards.
Take plenty of Deep breaths - take each day as it comes and do NOT try to do things too early after your surgery (eg cleaning etc) as this can actually set your recovery back. It takes a bit of time for things to settle down, for nerves to reattach .... so little stabbing pains around the surgery site may occur.
Have you been assigned a Breast Care Nurse yet? Your surgeon may have her own BC Nurse - or if you are in a public hospital, you may be introduced to a McGrath Nurse. They are your 'go to' person for initial questions and answers (apart from us!)
take care, and wishing you all the best
Re Telling others - I initially told my nearest & dearest first, and then only after surgery & active treatment, I advised others - otherwise you are just repeating yourself over & over & until you get your pathology back, you really won't KNOW your game plan.
I let them know that I'd do an email every week or two to fill them in on what was happening - so I didn't have to keep repeating myself, which only kept upsetting ME as much as anything else! Some of my extended family members didn't find out for a year ....
Some members open a 'private Facebook Page' or a personal blog, and invite important friends & family to join for updates .... it also ends up being like a diary too .... a day by day narrative of your BC Journey.
It's a good idea to cook up some meals in advance and freeze them, so you have food 'ready to go' after your surgery. If family or friends offer to bring some meals, mow the lawn or do ANYTHING for you - say YES! We 'like' to be independent - but this is a win/win situation for both you and your family/friends. It could even be walking the dog or picking the kids up from school/activities.
Jump onto this thread & it covers a lot of other areas on the forum - including 'other topics' like your pets, gardens, art & craft & other stuff you may like to check out. We even have some laughs! We NEED to laugh!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
We have a 'Christian Group' that you may like to join .... click on 'Groups' in the Blue Banner above - and the 5th one down is the Christian Group.
Re diet & cancer - there is SO much rubbish out there about BC being caused from what you eat .... if you have a normal healthy diet - you should be fine. Your Medical team may include a dietitian - or you can ask to see one. It is always advised to not drink too much alcohol -
You may find that some friends/family just don't know how to react or what to say - so they do NOTHING. It is as if they've 'dropped' you, and can be upsetting. Try not to take it personally .... you may be surprised who will 'step up to the plate' and who will 'disappear'. It is what it is ..... you will make new friends, and some old friends - you may not see them again! Sadly, that happens. Personally, I've made fantastic friends with some BCNA members & we natter away in the background, via Personal Messages.
Your time frame from discovery to surgery is actually quite prompt for this time of year - I went private for my surgery (to have it done as soon as possible) then all my Onc/Rad Onc is on Public & it has been a very smooth journey. ....
Your surgery date is the 6th anniversary of my own! Things always move a bit slower over the Xmas Break. You also have confidence in your surgeon, which is great. Make haste slowly afterwards.
Take plenty of Deep breaths - take each day as it comes and do NOT try to do things too early after your surgery (eg cleaning etc) as this can actually set your recovery back. It takes a bit of time for things to settle down, for nerves to reattach .... so little stabbing pains around the surgery site may occur.
Have you been assigned a Breast Care Nurse yet? Your surgeon may have her own BC Nurse - or if you are in a public hospital, you may be introduced to a McGrath Nurse. They are your 'go to' person for initial questions and answers (apart from us!)
take care, and wishing you all the best