telling people

I remember this feeling. It was only a few weeks ago for me. In the beginning it wasn't the news that I had cancer, it was telling other people the news that was the most stressful.

It was always followed by an onslaught of questions I didn't know the answers to, by emotions I didn't expect or have the practice to handle, and at one point a friend walked though my front door and fell apart. She broke into tears and cried on me and I had to comfort her because I have cancer. I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it. 

Just all that question answering really built up a stress wall for me. I've found that keeping a blog updated, just with enough information to satisfy the crowd has really helped. It's so much better being able to reply with a URL instead of repeating myself to 6+ people.

The Am I going to wake up, is this a nightmare stage fell away for me before two weeks hit. I notice you hit this place up on the 13th - diagnosis day? It'll be surreal for a while, it helps to stay organized in the madness and focus on single things. One appointment, one blood test, it makes it a lot easier than 12 appointments this month and losing your dang mind. Sorry if you're already all over that and it's come off as condescending - I'd rather mention it and help now than risk your getting lost and overwhelmed, which is so horribly easy to do. After I was diagnosed I found it really comforting to have everything in front of me on screen - still do - so if you'd like it, I keep myself organised with this.

Did you order your BCNA My Journey Kit yet? It's a free resource and is really good with helping you out in these first few weeks - I'm still finding it great to consult on new things that pop up.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.