Here goes !!!

Hi Rhonda, I'm one of the Online Champions but have been away since you wrote in. I haven't had a chance to read all the replies you got but I'd like you to know I'm here for you if you want someone to chat to. I'll check out your profile...you look young. I was diagnosed 4 years ago and had just turned 38. I had a 1 year old and a 4 year old. Chat soon. Good luck...there's lots of support with BCNA! Lee. x

A big thank u to all of u who replied, and thank u for ur guidence and support, i did as u guys suggested i brought my mum aswell as my husband, and im glad i did, with all the history questions that were asked..But i thought i did really well to retain most of the info they gave me...

Hi Rhonda

You have gone into protection mode!! Only retain what you need to for now.... There is so much info out there perhaps too much. This is a great site to have a chat though. I was diagnosed in 2002-3 and even though a nurse found it hard to navigate through the terminology and treatments. luckily I had a great rapport with the docs and a friend who had travelled the path before me!! Hope all slows a little and you get a chance to draw breath. Hugs jo

Hi Rhonda

You have gone into protection mode!! Only retain what you need to for now.... There is so much info out there perhaps too much. This is a great site to have a chat though. I was diagnosed in 2002-3 and even though a nurse found it hard to navigate through the terminology and treatments. luckily I had a great rapport with the docs and a friend who had travelled the path before me!! Hope all slows a little and you get a chance to draw breath. Hugs jo

Hi Rhonda

I am four years since my diagnosis and sometimes I still have to pinch myself that cancer happening to me!!!!

what you feel like is how we all felt, its like they are all speaking another language!!  Try not to take it all in, just concentrate on one appointment at a time, one day and once you see your oncologist and have a treatment plan it will all seem a little clearer for you.

Feel free to come here and ask questions, even if it seems like a silly question, I am sure we have all thought the same thing, or been to shy to ask.

Take care, and it is normal to feel like you do, I couldnt even manage to ring and make an appointment cause my head was too foggy to take anything in. 

Tanya xx

Hi Rhonda,

How you're feeling is completely normal. I had a mastectomy in April, and I'm now half-way through chemo, and I *still* can't quite believe that it's all happening. However the treatments I've had (so far) haven't been as bad as I thought they would be. Hope it all goes well for you and that you find the network useful.

Cheers

Heather

Hi Rhonda,

How you're feeling is completely normal. I had a mastectomy in April, and I'm now half-way through chemo, and I *still* can't quite believe that it's all happening. However the treatments I've had (so far) haven't been as bad as I thought they would be. Hope it all goes well for you and that you find the network useful.

Cheers

Heather

Hi Rhonda,

It all happens so quickly doesn't it and you wake up in the morning wondering if it was just a bad dream.You look too young to have had to face breast cancer and I am so sorry for you and your family.I had a mastectomy last year and it takes awhile to adjust to your altered body.When you go to the oncologist tomorrow take someone with you as Leonie says.Get the doc. to write everything down for you.That way you can go over it when you get home - google it or ask us.You are on a very steep learning curve and will hear so many terms and drugs that your head will be spinning- write everything down.Leonie has summed it up nicely.We are here in cyberland anytime you need to talk.I hope tomorrow goes ok for you.

                                      Tonya xx

Hi Rhonda,  So sorry to hear that you have become a member of our club - like all of us we didn't sign up but here we are.  We say we are on a journey.  It sure is a roller coaster one.  So much to take in and think about.  Some people like to do heaps of research (that's me) and others just want to just know what they just need to know.  We are all different.  You will hear that statement so often on this site and we are all different.  We have similar BC diagnosis and similar treatment and we all handle it differently.  We are very complex creatures but once you start on this site you will see that we have one thing in common.  We all have the same emotions and feelings and care about each other.    I know how scared I was when I was re-diagnosed in December2010, how it affected my family.   Time is a great "healer" and once you know what treatment you are to have and the commencement of it  time goes very quickly.  I was terrified last time of radiation as it was something new to me.  This time I took it in my stride.  Then this time chemotherapy - boy was I scared.  For my first "time" I talked non-stop to distract myself.  Now in two days time I will have my last session - I'm not happy to line up but it is something that I have to do.  A lovely man who had been terribly disfigured by cancer on his face told me before I started chemo "Just remember chemo is only for a short time" - and it is.  You will be an expert on drugs, treatment etc by the time you have finished treatment.  This site is a wonderful place to gain information, vent your feelings and gain new friends who will offer support to you.  The waiting game is the hardest for us all but once you know what treatment and when it will commence you will feel so much better.  At least there will be a plan.  BC interrupts our lives however from my experience I can say that it also changes our lives for the better.  I live life to the fullest and enjoy every day that I feel well.  I have met some amazing people on my journey.  I wish you luck tomorrow.  It is always good to take someone with you when you see the professionals - two sets of ears might allow you to take home most of the information that is given.  Best wishes to you. XLeonie