Here Goes
Hello. My name is Jenny and I live on the NSW/Vic Border. I have gone to post in here a couple of times but backed out. Denial maybe? On Wednesday I was officially given the diagnosis of BC. I hav...
Forum Discussion
Hi Jenny. So sorry you've had to join us here. I was a 'lurker' too, and I was much further down the track than you are when I finally joined. It is has been amazingly helpful for me, warm and supportive, and with quite a few laughs as well!
The beginning is the absolute pits. You sound like you know what to do. Breathe, take it one day, one hour, one step at a time. Meditation, talking to your counsellor - both these things have helped me. I was diagnosed with BC at the beginning of last December, and with (long standing) anxiety & depression in January. It's the latter which has caused me the most grief as I've moved through my cancer treatment (I get the shakes something chronic sometimes). In addition to the cancer that is! You might be ahead of the eight ball on this front, use the skills you've learned It's easy to say but harder to do, but try not to cross the bridges until you come to them.
Once your treatment is plan is set, and then underway, it gets easier. Humans have a great capacity to get used to things, to normalise them. Yes, your life is all about cancer now and it is SO tedious in so many respects, but what to do? It is what it is, and our generally excellent medical system is going to do its best for you. Your breast surgeon will take the lead in co-ordinating your care, referring you to an oncologist. They will guide you through your treatment. Your breastcare nurse will hold your hand, connect with her asap. If you don't gel with her, get another. They can be invaluable.
Definitely tell your surgeon about the rod. Don't spend the next ten days wondering what you missed at the last appointment. Your surgeon will understand that you found it difficult to take in. Give them a phone call and ask if they can answer some questions. They might be happy to do so via email, or prefer you to come in for an appointment. If you get no joy, ask your breastcare nurse; she should be able to sort it out for you. Don't torture yourself with not knowing unnecessarily.
The beauty of this forum is you don't have to pretend here! I have six people in my house, inc four kids, that I have to put on a 'face' for, and being able to rant/vent/sob here has been a lifesaver. We've got you Jenny, we'll hold your hand. Hang in there. Kate xox
PS Well done on the weight loss! Don't give up on that front. My efforts to lose weight through cancer treatment have been successful and thinking about it was sometimes the only thing that distracted me from BC. Absurd, but true!
The beginning is the absolute pits. You sound like you know what to do. Breathe, take it one day, one hour, one step at a time. Meditation, talking to your counsellor - both these things have helped me. I was diagnosed with BC at the beginning of last December, and with (long standing) anxiety & depression in January. It's the latter which has caused me the most grief as I've moved through my cancer treatment (I get the shakes something chronic sometimes). In addition to the cancer that is! You might be ahead of the eight ball on this front, use the skills you've learned It's easy to say but harder to do, but try not to cross the bridges until you come to them.
Once your treatment is plan is set, and then underway, it gets easier. Humans have a great capacity to get used to things, to normalise them. Yes, your life is all about cancer now and it is SO tedious in so many respects, but what to do? It is what it is, and our generally excellent medical system is going to do its best for you. Your breast surgeon will take the lead in co-ordinating your care, referring you to an oncologist. They will guide you through your treatment. Your breastcare nurse will hold your hand, connect with her asap. If you don't gel with her, get another. They can be invaluable.
Definitely tell your surgeon about the rod. Don't spend the next ten days wondering what you missed at the last appointment. Your surgeon will understand that you found it difficult to take in. Give them a phone call and ask if they can answer some questions. They might be happy to do so via email, or prefer you to come in for an appointment. If you get no joy, ask your breastcare nurse; she should be able to sort it out for you. Don't torture yourself with not knowing unnecessarily.
The beauty of this forum is you don't have to pretend here! I have six people in my house, inc four kids, that I have to put on a 'face' for, and being able to rant/vent/sob here has been a lifesaver. We've got you Jenny, we'll hold your hand. Hang in there. Kate xox
PS Well done on the weight loss! Don't give up on that front. My efforts to lose weight through cancer treatment have been successful and thinking about it was sometimes the only thing that distracted me from BC. Absurd, but true!