This is all new to me....help!

Hi Emma

Welcome to a club that you may not have wanted to join but that being said it is probably one incredible resource for you as you work through the maze of what's next. Keep coming back here to chat, read, vent or whatever, there really are some amazing ladies here.

My diagnosis was about a month before you and like you I have stage 2, grade 3 early breast cancer with a 2cm tumour removed during a mastectomy. I also had 4 lymph nodes with extracapsular extension involved. Tomorrow I have my first chemo session and although scared stiff, it is good to know what the plan for the next few months and that it is starting. Must admit that I've lost a few days along the way between tests, scans and results, etc.!!

I would second the take each day/step at a time advice and also add that it might even be good to take some you time and do whatever takes your fancy.

I ride with the emotions - it is shitty and calling it like it is or as it feels each day helps.

Take care, Dette xxx

 hi emma,  how can u think straight after getting the diagnosis. yes you do go numb with disbelief. " how will i get through this? "  " will i still be alive in 6 months?" " how will i face people with no hair? " ( infact mine thinned and i did not lose it completely) this went through my head. etc

i am glad you have support from your family, husband, friends. 

 take it day by day.. was advice i got early on. it seemed to make sense.

you go  through lots of emotions.get information and make informed choice based on it and advice from health professionals, but also listen to your own body.

 i had stage two, early breast cancer.

 i had a (R) lumpectomy,axillary clearance, radiation and chemo in 1998,

 and a (L) lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy and radiation in 2003.

i was 42, and am now 55.

my children were 10 and 14. they  are now 27 and 23.

good luck with it all.  OOXX

 

 hi emma,  how can u think straight after getting the diagnosis. yes you do go numb with disbelief. " how will i get through this? "  " will i still be alive in 6 months?" " how will i face people with no hair? " ( infact mine thinned and i did not lose it completely) this went through my head. etc

i am glad you have support from your family, husband, friends. 

 take it day by day.. was advice i got early on. it seemed to make sense.

you go  through lots of emotions.get information and make informed choice based on it and advice from health professionals, but also listen to your own body.

 i had stage two, early breast cancer.

 i had a (R) lumpectomy,axillary clearance, radiation and chemo in 1998,

 and a (L) lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy and radiation in 2003.

i was 42, and am now 55.

my children were 10 and 14. they  are now 27 and 23.

good luck with it all.  OOXX

 

A very big thank you to the ladies who have responded (so far) - it is wonderful knowing that I am not alone.  I am having a pretty good day (have been distracted for most of it which is nice) and a friend just dropped around dinner and dessert :)

I was wondering if anyone has any feedback / reviews about the Gawler Retreat in Victoria (Yarra Valley).  A colleague of my husband has recommended it when his wife was battling breast cancer.  We are definitely going to give it a go although are unsure if we should do it before or after Chemo - any recommendations?  So much to think about but trying not to let this consume me if you know what I mean.

I feel really lucky to have your support on here :) xx

Hi Emma,

I too was diagnosed with aggressive cancer (grade 3) coming up 7 years ago this year.  I am totally hearing you in what you are saying about the emotional distress that you are having right now.

I know the feeling about being here to see your children grow up (my boys were 5 months old and 3 at the time of my diagnosis) and the fear of it returning again down the track, but from my own personal experience I just want to say to you to just take day by day at the moment, and have faith in your professional medical team that you have because they are going to advise you what is going to be the best way to treat you.  Try not to put pressure on yourself with any expectations because right now it has to be all about you and I'm sure your family and friends are going to rally around you and give you all the support you need, as well as people in this on line network.

Emma hang in there darl and try and stay as positive as you can between now and Thursday............. and try to not think too much about it . 

I will be thinking of you over the next few days.

Happy to share my personal experience with you at any time.

Tracy xo

 

 

emma you need to stay postive and strong to get through this and you will with the love and support from youre family it will be  trying time but remember that ever day is a new one, lt will be my if yera in the 16 july since this happened to me , l   have a loving supportive hubby and teenage 19 17 15 year olds,it hit us

all really hard. l stayed focues on getting better after op and had support from my aunty {both my parents have passed away }she came and lived with us for several week during after op this helped agreat deal,  you need to make sure you ask questions if not sure and believe me even the silly questions are real questions, ask to speak to a social worker at the hospital and see if they heve this book for young children about cancer it explains it nicely to them,

if youre offered any help take it , 

 l found that at my appointments dr chemo radation etc alwaly take someone they are second ears , and if not sure ask again,

you take care and stay postive , take one day at atime xxx

robyn please feel free to ask  anything will be hear for you

So sorry to read that another lovely young woman like yourself has to go through this dreadful journey.Leonie and I have been around twice on this ride. My first bout was 8yrs ago whenI had a lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation.It came back in the same breast last year so had a mastectomy and chemo.I've just passed my one year now but I still feel like a ticking time bomb as you described.Last time it took me about 2yrs to feel confident so what you are feeling now is quite normal.Waiting for path results does your head in.Try any distraction and  a glass of red helps(but not with ur painkillers).In the cancer world I am considered lucky because my lymph nodes were all clear.This is what we all hope for.It is such a frightening time for you but your husband and family will love and support you.You'll get through it cos you have to and we are here whenever you need to talk or vent.

                                                  Tonya xx