hi, well i guess that diagnosis came out of nowhere!, so very sorry that you have had to join our circle of friends as i call it,i am nearly three years since i was diagnosed with stage 4 Advanced breast cancer, which had gone into my liver and spine,you must be feeling very overwhelmed at the moment, which is only natural,can i make some suggestions? if you do not already have a mcgrath breast care nurse please jump on to the mcgrath web site and see if there is one in your area, also if you are not working, your gp can work out a helath management plan for you, this will give you free access to a range of health practioners in your area, as well, the bcna also have a fantastic program at the moment they have the services of two psychologists who specialize in dealing with women who have secondary breast cancer,its a free service, you dont have to leave home, just call the 1800 number for bcna and they will arange everything for you, you have the phone call in the comfort and privacy of your own home and i am actually having a phone call tomorrow with the lady i have been speaking with for several months now, she is compassionate and really understands where i am at and everything i am going through,also the nsw cancer council has a telephone support group for women who have been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer its a free support twice a month again in the privacy of your home, they call you and you join in with other ladies all over australia and we talk about anything and everything, just call the 131120 number and they will put you in the right direction,you will also find this on line forum a great way to meet new friends in the breast cancer world and we ALL know what you are going through, you have a lot to absorb at the moment, and all of the above may not be for you at the moment, but please keep it in mind, you need to be gentle on yourself, and take care of yourself, your oncology team will be able to answer any questions you have or you can put those questions here and someone may be able to help, this is a great place to have a "spit" if you want we dont mind, we have all done it, im having a pyjama day today,and sitting here working my way through a packet of maltesers!!! i dont do that very often but somedays you just have to!!! i hope family and close friends are being supportive and that sometimes means just a hug or how are you as, they really dont know what to say when something like this comes along, so unfortunately you will have to be a patient with them, which is very hard when you are the one who has just had this devastating news, you may find some people will step back and some people will STEP up, if help is offered take it, it has taken me a very long time to be able to accept any help, but i do now, i have the community nurse come and give me my monthly injections, so i dont have to go to the doctors surgery, a blessing when i dont always feel especially well and when my body is low due to the chemo i am on at the moment, i also have accepted an hour and a half of housework help, once a fortnight from the community health people at our local hospital, im sorry if this sounds like a lot of information for you BUT there is help out there for you, if you could just find out about a McGrath Breast Care Nurse thats the best piece of advice I can give you, I wish i could call in and give you a big hug and have a cuppa with you but I live in country SA so i just have to send lots of cyber hugs and know that we are always here for you, so, please TAKE a DEEP BREATH, and know that someone is always here to have a chat with you,
wendy 55
