Well, there's that then, meta-what?

 All the very best you and family  <3
thoughts prayers take care
Thanks for sharing
I feel like with neuro diverse it helps to know facts and frame things within a context of all known possibilities rather than ambiguity..but I have struggled with the not knowing the most...the idea that just accepting ...sometimes eg I find out next step or result and it's just a relief on it being a result rather than the waiting....and the what is it is almost secondary delayed taking in ..i feel the disconnect with the facts..um what was that..oh its been found where and oh chemo..and the actual stuff in meaning often process later...the scenario you shared must be incredibly distressing and I'm sorry you were going through this.. and even the not knowing here what happens with people's stories I might not be able to stay as will worry...but I do pray and it helps me in the unknowns..for my family also..on where to from here..It is really heartening to see the support and empathy in this space. Take care and I will probably edit this a third or fourth time not sure. .one day at a time I'm advised..easy to say to myself sometimes harder to do but  wishing you and your son the very best ❤️

@rosehaven I totally get everything you are saying! Its so hard being a single parent and especially through diagnosis and even more challenging in your circumstances. I work in an Autism Specific School in Melbourne and Ive had the pleasure of working with all degrees, and lots of non-verbal! I love my job!!! I love these kids! and have worked extensively with parents over the years and who are equally beautiful! I think it will help once he hits school, well I have found with students coming into our specific school. Rapport is No. 1 and establishing communication, we work with Pecs' picture exchange. I think alot of people are well meaning, but do not get it at all, when it comes to Autism. I really feel once he's in School and you start that journey and working with the Teacher, you'll feel very supported and who too can indicate the level in which he comprehends and understands. They also have OT's, Speech therapists all on referral within the school, and its great because every child is different and requires different things. The other major factor we work with is behaviours, due to an inability to communicate or self regulate it causes frustration and challenging behaviours. 

Keep us all posted as your tests go, and your path is clear and anything we can help with...OMG Humour is everything! I think we can all agree there!! 

Hugs Melinda. xo

@rosehaven
 oh how I get this ... I know you'll get that too, without feeling sorry for me, which some people do, which I don't need. Sympathy is fine, empathy is better, a sense if humour is priceless.
I turned up to chemo in Onesies  I made people laugh because without humour we parents of ASD kids would go insane. 
I had an early night ..... 
Feel free to inbox me. :D hugs and laughter 

@"Soldier Crab", because of the NDIS roll out, I don't have access to respite, the providers have all folded, amalgamated, and must use my son's NDIS payments to give him "community access" which is one of his funding goals but is not covered by his funding. F if I know why. I've asked for an urgent review which means I'll probably be contacted by the end of January next year. Mean time, Central Coast Commonwealth Care Link Emergency Service has been a "grateful" send, and been able to find support workers to take my son to school and O/T on as little as 12 hours notice so I have been able to get further tests completed.
 I haven't yet had a chance to talk to his O/T about how to explain what's happening, to my son, nor to ask her how much she thinks he gets it. Because he's completely no language spoken or signed, there is a disconnect between what we say/do and his cognition level. Just another thing to work on before everyone closes down over Christmas. It's good to know someone else understands what I'm saying because I had no luck explaining it to my oncologist, she did (however) offer me the psychology services for children of parents with cancer. I don't know if that will help. Kinda concerned introducing my son to another new person in a hospital setting will only make him more anxious and really not up to having to change sheets every day for a week, nor cleaning puddles out of the carpet. I love my son, but there really is only so much pee I can deal with in a week. I know you'll get that too, without feeling sorry for me, which some people do, which I don't need. Sympathy is fine, empathy is better, a sense if humour is priceless.
12:30am, awake again, not able to settle, so it was really great to read your post. I reckon we'll chat often.
Cheers beautiful woman.

PS meant to say I am a single parent also :D 

Hi Rosehaven, I have 2 boys with Autism... so I understand the extra stress of explaining things to him.  Do you already access respite services for him because of the Autism? if so get in touch with your case worker they will help with what extra helps you could access. My boys were older but I kept it to the KISS way of doing things keep it simple stupid.... as @socoda
 said  just telling him simply that you are unwell might be all he is able to cope with.  Take it One day at a time... 
hugs and energy to help you navigate this path. 

Hi Rosehaven, what a terrible shock for you, with so much to process in such a short time.  I hope that some of the great suggestions made above are of help to you as you navigate your way through this.

My children were 8yrs and 13yrs at the time I was diagnosed and there were a few things that helped me ; 1) Letting the schools know and communicating with them throughout my treatment - they were able to keep an eye on both children and help them out when they were struggling and both school communities were generally supportive with meals, hampers etc. 2) The Cancer Council's booklet; Talking to Kids about Cancer was an excellent guide and helped us to work out what to say at their individual levels. Hopefully your breast care nurse will also be able to point you in the direction of local support services as there are organisations that can often help with a lot of the little things that might need doing, or to access respite services for you or your son. Sending hugs, Jane xx

Hi Rosehaven, So sorry that you find yourself on the forum under these circumstances. As for your son, I don't know his level of functionality but does he need to know the intricacies  or just that mum is not well and what he can do to help you? Do you have a network at home that you can call on for assistance that your son feels comfortable with and that will give you time out if you are not feeling 100%? It's such a hard situation for you but we are here to try and help you as much as we can.  Xx Cath

Hi Rosehaven - just to let you know we are all here on the forum to help you through where we can.  Meta-what along with a lot of other terminologies that we come to learn and specialists that you didn't know existed.  Wishing you all the best with treatment and the support network through here reading posts and joining groups will help you!  Have you got a breast care nurse as she will be your go to between your medical team and her. 
Take care and sending you a virtual hug, you will get through this
from Christine xx