Why are the nights so hard

Hi Paula, I agree with Marlee, sometimes medication can break that cycle of not sleeping when stressed out. I couldn't sleep for days on end before and after each appointment. After taking a gentle sleeping pill on a couple of occasions, I found myself better equipped to face the next appointment, treatment or challenge. This site is great in the wee hours and the after hours counselling support could be really helpful, but your body and your mind still need sleep to face the challenges ahead. Don't be afraid to ask your GP for help. Thinking of you, Tracey xX

I agree nights are the worst

Cobtact the cancer council, I have been put in touch with a psychologist - they can help

Don't discount medication at night too - there is safe things which can help you sleep. 

Sending you hugs xx

Hi Brenda, not a worry at all! I hope everything goes well today and that you have a really good weekend. Best wishes, Lisa

Thanks Lisa, that's the one I was meaning but I didn't have the link saved and my brain wasn't working properly. I'm a bit silly this morning and have the shakes, just about to go and have 2nd round of chemo. Will be fine but doesn't stop the belly butterflies.

 I would strongly suggest not googling your pathology report if you want to retain some sanity :)

Hi everyone, it's Lisa from the Policy Team. I just wanted to jump in and say that we would recommend not googling pathology, especially late at night, as the information can be confusing, out-of-date and also not relevant to your individual situation. You may like to have a look at our Pathology fact sheet, as it provides general information about what is commonly included in a pathology report, how pathology reports are used and definitions of key terms. Though, for information that is specific to your individual situation, it would be best to speak to your doctor.

Warm regards,
Lisa  

Hi Paula

You mentioned Breastscreen.

I was originally diagnosed through Breastscreen and they provided a Counsellor on the day of all tests before diagnosis.  The Counsellor also gave me the My Journey kit once diagnosed. 

Perhaps you could ring Breastscreen to speak with one of their counsellors to help put your thoughts into perspective and gather your questions ready for your appointment and ask for the My Journey kit if you don't already have it. 

Lack of sleep is not unusual as you come to grips with it all and waiting for appointments.

Don't get caught up in family and friend reactions as it is a lot for them to take in as well as.

Hope that helps and take care

Christine xx

Unfortunately I wouldn't hold my breath on the rest of the family staying in contact. I don't know why, if its my positive attitude so she'll be right or what but pretty much only parents keep in touch, not siblings, although interestingly friends and extended family like Aunties and cousins don't mind checking how you are. Its a strange thing where perhaps the closer family suddenly feels very mortal and if they ignore it and you it wont happen to them? I wonder if I suddenly died during treatment and they got the funeral notification in the mail for a funeral next week would they get the slap up the side of the head they need and have regrets they didn't bother staying in touch? Makes me so darned angry I better shut up and settle down or with my shakes I wont be able to type lol.

This forums great for a sounding board, sorry I have poached your thread to have my whine.

I have read this forum often at midnight or later so flick up a post or even pm members if you want keyboard contact. On face book I am Brenda Irwin with my pic and a stripy fish photo if you or anyone on this forum wishes to friend me. It's not unusual for me to be up till midnight chatting on there either. I'm not a big phone talker unless its my mum or dad most of the time.

If you want to decipher path reports, try googling pathology and then just some small part of the report. It might yield a piece by piece understanding, or you could stick it up on forum and we could compare it with ours and have an idea what it means? Even if you got the tests and they put it on a dvd you could screen shot it to your photo file and upload. My cancer was 2.5cm and looked for all the world like a gold fish.

Hi Paula,

I wanted to let you know that there is phone support available at night. I just had a chat with our member services team (who are amazing) and they gave me this information for you.

Griefline provides counseling support services free of charge to individuals and families.                                                                     

Contact Details:
12.00 noon and 3.00 a.m. seven days a week, 365 day a year.
Melbourne Metro only: (03) 9935 7444 (03) 9935 7444
National: 1300 845 745

~Ann-Marie x

Hi Paulan

Sorry that you had to join the site. I was diagnosed in January.

I have no trouble getting off to sleep but did find that if I woke up at 2 or 3 AM. Could not get back to sleep. It always seems worse when it's dark.

I have found this forum & different prayer chains that I am on are keeping me in a peaceful state & that I feel I am sleeping a lot better than I did when first diagnosed.

Maybe a phone call to the cancer council may know of a 24 hour support group.

Sending big hugs

Eileen