nedd to talk

Hi Lee, I'm so pleased you have joined with us in this thread.  There are so many people who are in the same situation as you and Natalie.  After you receive your diagnosis and have faced the surgeon, life seems so full of uncertanties.  That's wher this site can help because there will be someone to help with advice and just to chat.

You mentioned that the nurses weren't able to answer your questions.  Did you receive your "My Journey" kit at all?  If not you can order one on site - they are free and contain a wealth of knowledge that will help you.  There is also a dvd that you can watch with your husband/partner (it covers the situations and questions that they need to understand).

What ages are your children?  Give them as much information as you think they can absorb - keep it simple if they are littlies ... mummy had a lump in her breast which was making her sick so the doctor operated on it.... that's all they need to know at this stage.  If they ar older, give them more information (boys and girls alike) and try to answer their questions as they ask them.  Try not to fob them off with "you're too young to understand". When your wound has healed, and if they ask to see it then let them.

I must say that this is my own opinion, others may not agree.  I was showing my daughter and grand daughter my healed scar when I was visiting and my three year old great granddaughter wanted to know what we were looking at.  Her mum said it was ok, so I showed her and told her much the same as what I said before .... she promptly stroked it and kissed it better - she wasn't frightened at all. (naturally we three grownups had a cry, but she was fine)

I can't advise you re the chemo and work as I was fortunate in not needing it as my cancer was contained in the one breast and hadn't travelled anywhere else in my body.  I believe that chemo and radiology affects people in different ways.  There are others on line who will be able to share their experiences with you.

Both of you take care of yourselves .... let us know how you are getting on with your treatment etc

Cheers .... Shirl xx