Forum Discussion
Get Connected Day!
This is the Get Connected post.
The purpose of the Get Connected post, is to provide a place where you can introduce yourself if you'd like to widen your connections.
What to do...
Comment to this post (use the comment form at the bottom of the page) with a short note about yourself and who you're looking to connect to. Easy!
If you see someone with experience similar to yours, who you'd like to connect to, then just click their username (in their post) and you will end up on their profile page. Then all you need to do is look on the left side of the page under their picture and you'll see an "add contact" link and follow the prompts.
Why connect to others?
One of the good things about connecting to others, is that all of their blog posts will show up on your homepage in a reading list. So if you haven't visited the site in a few days, you'll still see what everyone is up to!
Important note
Remember to check your own privacy settings on your "edit" page. There's no need to reveal anything personal or private, but if you want others to connect to you, you should make some of your My Profile settings "public" so others can find out a bit about you (eg. 'my story', 'about' me' and 'breast cancer experience').
If you're not sure what to do, you might like to read this post on how to change your privacy settings.
Have fun!
Di
(if you want to go back and browse the old 'get connected post' to find out a bit more about our members, you can find it here: http://www.bcna.org.au/network/groups/538/blog/4866).
62 Replies
Hi Merilla
Welcome, but in saying that I also want to say sorry that you had to join us. I too was diagnosed with Ductual Carcinoma about this time of year in 2007 and we all felt exactly as you do when you are told "you have cancer". It is that disbelief, shock that this is happening to me and also the unanswered questions that you have in your head.
Dont apologise for being dark, we have all been there and thankfully most of us come out the other side stronger and better than before. You have only had two days to get used to "it", so give yourself time and once you have a treatment plan things will become clearer.
It is good to ask us some questions that are on your mind, because as they say a problem shared is a problem halved..Are you having surgery? No doubt your surgeon will shed a little more light on what is ahead.
Feel free to read my story and know that I have been where you are now and It is not nice, but you will get through it. Someone on here said it before and I like it....Chin to the wind and we are all holding your hand for the next part of the journey.
Let us know how you get on with the surgeon.
Talk soon.
Tanya xx
Hi Merilla -- Welcome, I'm glad you found your way here! If you need help using the network, or finding contacts, just shout. :)
Hi,
I was diagnosed 2 days ago with Ductal carcinoma?? I was recommended to this site thankfully. I am going to see a surgeon tommorow so I am hoping things will look less cloudy then...feeling very overwhelmed, scared, unsure, nothing seems real at the moment. People keep telling me how strong I am but inside I feel terrified & not wanting to worry people with my real emotions.
Sorry to all I am not normally so dark..just so confused & sad at the moment but I know I wont stay in this place...thankfully, hopefully!
Hi,
I was diagnosed 2 days ago with Ductal carcinoma?? I was recommended to this site thankfully. I am going to see a surgeon tommorow so I am hoping things will look less cloudy then...feeling very overwhelmed, scared, unsure, nothing seems real at the moment. People keep telling me how strong I am but inside I feel terrified & not wanting to worry people with my real emotions.
Sorry to all I am not normally so dark..just so confused & sad at the moment but I know I wont stay in this place...thankfully, hopefully!
One feels twinges, pain and discomfort in the breast even without radiation. You have had surgery and your connective tissue has been scarred - it takes quite a while for things to settle down and even then - without proper exercises or treatment - many women experience problems with their shoulders and arms. From my own experience, one's emotions exacerbates it even more, as we become anxious about any twinges/pain experienced.
Hey you,
You are counting them down now girl. And just wanted to say thanks for letting us know how you are getting on.
Nice profile pic by the way, you are looking great!! I puffed up like a puffer fish from the steroids. Hope you are feeling OK.
Tanya
Wow Leanne
You have said it so well and summed up what these kind of forums/sites are all about.
Thankyou for your wonderful words.
Tanya
Hi Mary
Sorry that you have been dealing with this on your own. I found that even when I had great family support and wonderful friends, they still just did not "get it" and the only people that did "get it" were the women that had been on a similar journey to me.
Pull up a seat, grab a cuppa and tell us where you are in your journey and more importantly why you are struggling and I am guessing that we have all (or most of us) have been where you are.
Great that you have found us, and I only hope that you get something out of this friendship.
Take Care.
Tanya xx
Hi Mary and welcome to the network. Feel free to jump in when you're ready and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. If you haven't had a look at the 'help' page yet, then that's a good place to start. You can find it here: http://www.bcna.org.au/help. --Di
Hi - I was diagnosed in March/April this year and found this and another forum during the ensuing months. I then spent many hours browsing posts and replies. The amount of knowledge, sharing, support, empathy and love was amazing - even just reading others posts. Many times I have sat at my computer with tears streaming down my face - not always for me but for every other ladies journey!
I did become brave enough to post and ask a couple of questions and the replies came thick and fast.
The first post is always the hardest so you have taken the first leap - I have found that in these forums no question is ever dumb, no feelings are ever dismissed, permission to vent is always welcomed and collective ears have much wisdom. (the only thing we can't do is reach out and give a physical hug! :-)
I am happy to be added as a contact!
Bye
Leanne
