And Shae - even when you DO tell your friends .... keep in mind that some won't know WHAT to say .... so they say nothing. And that really does hurt. Sadly, some won't even acknowledge that you are even ill. 😪
As Tri mentioned - emails are an easy way of keeping family & friends informed on your progress - and means you don't have to repeat everything time & again on the phone, which can be upsetting xx I did that with my own treatment & also my husband's.
You may also be surprised at who DOES actually 'step up to the plate' and offer support and assistance (it may be in the way of meals that you can freeze, so that if you aren't up to cooking, you can just grab one) or driving you to appointments .... walking the dog, picking up the kids from school, hanging out the washing (as arm movement may be/usually is restricted after surgery) ... it can be a range of 'small things' that can just lighten the burden if/when you aren't feeling well.
Some people almost think a BC diagnosis may even be 'catchy' - so they stay away, too. Others think that after you've had your surgery, you are 'recovered' already & expect you to be the same person as before your diagnosis .... but we all know that it isn't 'so' .... Some of the ongoing treatment can affect your body - and we all know that just the diagnosis alone, mucks with your brain xx
Sadly, you may even lose some friends along the way - but you will also make new, wonderful friends, who will be supportive of you, long term. Many of us have found 'real friendships' amongst the group here - with many meeting up in person! I actually met up with a close buddy from here in June & we had a wonderful week together in WA. Our prior get-together was in Darwin in 2019 ... not long before Covid hit our shores .... so it was a long wait between 'outings'! But it was brilliant!
My suggestion is to just keep on doing what you LOVE doing, for as long as you can, depending on your treatment - and then get back to it whenever you can, afterwards!!!
It will help to maintain some sort of 'normalcy' during & after your treatment.
Wishing you all the best xx