Time to process

Hi JenD.

It's quite a shock, especially a few days or weeks after the diagnosis, with all the scans of the body to check if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Once you start the treatment, including surgery, the shock will turn into a desire to go through the treatment. I received a similar diagnosis: Hormone-positive, Her2-negative, grade 3, BUT stage 3, as I had 14 lymph nodes involved and removed together with an 8 cm lump in the second surgery to remove margins. I managed with the lumpectomy and kept my breast as the lump was very close to the armpit. Anyway, I started chemo after I will have radiation and hormone blockers therapy. For the same reason, to prevent the cancer from recurrence. I would never have imagined that I would have so much strength to deal with this unexpected experience. Probably I got that from many women going through the same or similar journey.

Like Katie46, I have not had too many bad side effects from chemo, as they are managed by anti-nausea medication. I also take Somac for heartburn, and for constipation, I manage with senna tea. I try to eat well and prioritize myself. I stopped working immediately as I had 6 months of sick leave and Long service leave. However, I am going back to work from home after AC rounds. Once you have a schedule of your appointments and know what side effects you may have and how to manage them, you may feel too that some work would bring normality to this not really normal situation. Although I have support from family and friends, from the beginning, I took control of my situation by getting informed through BCNA and this network highly recommended by my medical team. I work well with McGrath nurses and my medical team.

All the best with your treatment, and we are here for each other.