Hey @KatWat I've just caught up on this thread, we all absolutely know where you are at and how incredibly stressful it is. I think the key is as its overwhelming is to slow everything right down. My last diagnosis was Stage 2 also but grade 3 so I had to do chemo, no node involvement either ER+ only. Only your Oncologist can tell you after pathology results what your recommended treatment would be, I didnt have a choice in treatment nor do most people. So wait and see what is said. Its hard to know how you will go with Chemo, unfortunately I made all these plans how to work around it all but I was drug sensitive and ended up having to take a few months off work. I work in education so have an inbuilt income protection component with Vicsuper, not alot of Supers have this but its worth checking. I was Income protection for 2yrs from treatment which allowed me to work 3 days a week and receive up to 75% of my predisability wage of those 2 days, it was taxed heavily but it was better than nothing. Centrelink are USELESS!!
I was raising my 2 children alone at the time, so I know what you mean about finances. I had savings and over the long period I spent over $20,000 of my own money to survive. If you go public you'll have no out of pocket at all, I did radio public but chemo private. Really makes no difference care was the same.
So 1 step at a time and see what your direction is first, its so hard to not spin into the world of whatifs and try and plan without clarity...so hold tight. You will manage and you will get through it. Hugs Melinda xo
