I'm curable but..
I've been diagnosed with breast cancer on 5/6/15. I've been to see a surgeon and I meet with an oncologist next week and also have 2 scans, so a full week. I don't feel scared or worried, all I think...
Forum Discussion
Hi Caza,
Wow, you have a lot going on. This is my first time back to this site for about a year, I think. I thought I'd pop in and have a look around, and I saw your post. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to tell your family that you also have breast cancer, and how frustrating it must be, when you really want to be there 100% to support your daughter-in-law. It is very important that you give yourself permission to give attention to yourself - we are useless to others if we don't take care of ourselves first. You also need support, so it is great you have come to this site, which helped me so much when I was diagnosed 2 years ago. I have no idea what sort of person you are, but for me, I came across a book just before I started chemo by Rachel Naomi Remen called Kitchen Table Wisdom http://www.rachelremen.com/books/ It was like a balm. I downloaded it onto my kindle and it traveled with me throughout my chemo and surgeries. I still pull it out and read it when I need to centre myself again.
A close friend of mine, a mum with 4 children in our little community, died of breast cancer just as I was having my first round of chemo. What I learnt from this was that people are very generous and that there is enough love from friends and family for everyone who is sick and requires support. At first I was hesitant to talk about my breast cancer too much as I didn't want to take the spotlight away from my friend, who was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer nearly 3 years before. I felt guilty that I might be trying to claim some of that attention, but that soon disappeared....there is enough love to go around. During my friend's last few weeks of life, she was one of the most amazing helps as she texted me support and encouragement for commencing chemo, helping me to overcome my fear, and also giving me a lot of practical advice. In hindsight, I think it probably helped her too, to know that she had something to offer me even though she was so sick and her days were numbered.
I wish you all the best for your visit to the oncologist and your various scans this coming week. And I wish your family all the best also at this very stressful time for you all.
Ngaire