I was diagnosed with cancer two weeks ago. When I first got the call from the specialist. I was shocked and cried. My daughter was home and came to comfort me. I wanted to crawl into my cave and just be alone. She went away and later I saw that she had been crying. I had a light bulb moment. This was not just about me. It would affect every one that I was in contact with. My family, friends, colleagues and past colleagues who had already lost a friend to cancer. Time for me to forget the pity party or invite others to join me.

they will be your best upports aside from this site. there are many on this journey with us and most want to help us through. so glad I have the support of family and friends - it has helped mr through with sharing the tears and laughter. good luck Marg xx

Thanks Deanne. I will keep this in mind. It has been such a shock and whirlwind of appointments and surgery. I need to make sure that she is checking in with the support available.

Thanks for your message. The thing I am finding hardest is that they all want to help and I don't know how to let them. I don't even know what I need yet.

Hi Debbie, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I just recently had surgery(2nd May) and was diagnosed around 28th March. It's not easy and no amount of words can help ease the pain and fear. It's actually harder on family and friends around you as they don't know what to do or say either. They feel totally helpless. I found that you have to be your own medicine and not rely too much on other people whether they be family or friends. If you keep positive and believe that you will be the winner in this then it makes it so much easier to cope. I wish you lots of luck on this journey and always remember that you are not alone. There are plenty, not only on this network, but outside in the real world too that are going through the same thing as you. Also remember that we are all unique and cope in many different ways, but someone somewhere is going through the exact same thing as yourself. All the best and please keep smiling. xx

It's not just about me | BCNA Online Network

11 Replies

Debbie_Cowie
Member
12 years ago
I am still waiting for the oncologists to contact me.

Wishing you all the best too
Yamo
Member
12 years ago
Mine was considered stage 1. I had a lumpectomy and a sentinol node removed with clear margins around the tumor and nodes were clear. It's good that your nodes are clear too. I'm waiting to see the radiologist to start radiation. The medical oncologist has prescribed tamoxifen and I've already starting taking the tablets. Did they say that you may need chemo? They'll get in touch in a week or too. Wishing you all the best. xx
Debbie_Cowie
Member
12 years ago
Same stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. I have had a mastectomy of the left breast and sentinel nodes removed a week ago. There was more cancer in the breast but nothing in the nodes. Waiting for the oncologists medical and radiography to contact me to find our next steps. Have you started radiation? How did it go?
Yamo
Member
12 years ago
Hi Debbie, Do you know what stage or what you are having done? How was it detected? Mine was early stage invasive ductal carcinoma with grade 2 tumor. I don't need to have chemo only radiation and hormone tablets( tamoxifen).
Debbie_Cowie
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Jamo for your kind words. i am a couple of weeks behind you. Tell me how you are going.
margiemoo
Member
12 years ago
I guess you need hugs - some practical stuff is meals for when you are not well enough to cook for yourself and family, someone to go with to support groups if you want to. as long as they are there for you - you might have to let them know what you need as time goes on. they will be waiting for your signal. and sometimes they will wonder if they can ask questions or if your sick of talking about it.

lots of hugs

Marg xx
Yamo
Member
12 years ago
Hi Debbie,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I just recently had surgery(2nd May) and was diagnosed around 28th March.

It's not easy and no amount of words can help ease the pain and fear. It's actually harder on family and friends around you as they don't know what to do or say either. They feel totally helpless. I found that you have to be your own medicine and not rely too much on other people whether they be family or friends. If you keep positive and believe that you will be the winner in this then it makes it so much easier to cope.

I wish you lots of luck on this journey and always remember that you are not alone. There are plenty, not only on this network, but outside in the real world too that are going through the same thing as you. Also remember that we are all unique and cope in many different ways, but someone somewhere is going through the exact same thing as yourself.

All the best and please keep smiling. xx
Debbie_Cowie
Member
12 years ago
Thanks for your message. The thing I am finding hardest is that they all want to help and I don't know how to let them. I don't even know what I need yet.
Debbie_Cowie
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Deanne. I will keep this in mind. It has been such a shock and whirlwind of appointments and surgery. I need to make sure that she is checking in with the support available.