Are you a breast cancer survivor who happens to be childless?
I have been a member of this online network since 2014, just after my diagnosis. At a recent breast cancer seminar at a city near where I live, something hit me like it hasn't in all this time, the subject of survivors who happen to be childless. I thought to myself, "Noone talks about this. Why?" This has led me to do my research, as you do, I found this demographic of women are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It is explained this way, you are at a lower risk of diagnosis if you have children. Interesting I thought, Nuns are at a higher risk of breast cancer and ovarian, not that I am a Nun but an interesting statistic that gets me thinking. Which brings me to why I am posting. I am putting it out there in a courageous way to see if there is another like me. Courageous because for 30 years after my extensive efforts to go forth and multiply I walked away childless. The one thing I learned was to keep it to yourself as I found there were lots of people willing to give you their advice, just like they do with breast cancer 'cures', an emotive issue is best kept to yourself for your own emotional survival. I am running a personal survey just to see if there are other women within this network who are in the same boat as me. Does anyone else feel a little left out when sitting in a seminar and not to be included in the discussions? I tell ya, there is a real sense of alienation, but culturally we are told to, 'just get over it', which is fine and life for me has been fulfilling in spite of it all. My GP doesn't know of another single patient like me which isn't very encouraging in finding my tribe, my mother always said I am different when all you want to do is be like everyone else. So please step forward if you are like me or if you know someone who has a similar story. I feel it is a subject that needs discussion and inclusion because in society we, the childless women are 1 in 5, by choice or by circumstance. Cheers Janet
New to BCNA
Hi. I was diagnosed with bc in January. Ive had a single mastectomy and have round 4 of dose dense chemo on wednesday. I'm 37 and have no family history. I have 2 sons 13 and 14 and dont know anyone who has been through this, let alone anyone around my age going through this. I'm not usually a blog/forum type person but with a long journey still ahead, its getting lonely so I thought I'd try reaching out on here :). Im in adelaide and look forward to meeting some new people i can relate to and talk to. X
Bittersweet!
Hello warrior friends, I need to vent! Today my eldest left our nest in Canberra bound for Sydney and i just can't stop crying. Bloody f...ed up cancer😡 I so want to be with him today to help him unpack and set up his new home but instead I'm at home feeling like crap after chemo number 2 on Monday and only 14 to go☹️F...ed up cancer took away our beautiful 9 week holiday we were meant to have in Dec/Jan as a family before he embarked on uni and it just keeps taking. The house just feels so empty without him! All my friends have been amazing but they just don't get the really crappy added dimension of dealing with breast cancer on top of it Today I feel totally broken! Thanks for listening ❤️
How to help my toddler understand?
Hello, I was recently diagnosed, just before Christmas. I've had my first chemo and already ended up in hospital with an infection, which I'm pretty sure i picked up from my son. Which brings me to my main question; I would love to hear from mummies of young children. He is 1.5 years old and was devastated when he visited me in hospital today. He cried all the way home saying 'please mummy come home', it has totally broken my heart. I work from home, so we are together all the time, but he's not a particularly clingy kid normally. I know these little ones are resilient and adaptable but maybe I'm not so much! I don't know how to help him understand, he undertands a lot but I'm not sure how much to tell him, is he too young for that kind of information? if anyone has some advice I would love so much to hear it. I'm feeling pretty miserable being stuck in hospital knowing that he's at home asking where I am. I'm about to spend my 2nd night here which is the longest I've ever been away from him and I may need to stay a few days more.
For the kiddies
Hi Everyone.... Well I have had a lot happening....surgeries etc....and now I have finally had my bi lateral mastectomy and am healing as well as can be expected.....So I have started to get back into my art... I have become involved in a not for profit organisation that goes about preparing "smile boxes" for sick, needy or just because families....Information is given regarding what makes each member of the family nominated and things are donated accordingly to make up a complete smile box. Once gathered together, it is presented to the recipient/family.....I just love that i am able to provide a little sunshine into someones life. Most of the items I have done are for the children that are sick with either cancer :( or some other illness....but the Alice in wonderland saying was for a Mum, she only has months to live and is the Mum of Hunter who is 4 and I did a name plaque for his new room at Grandmas......Lili is a 2 year old who has spent way to much of her short life in hospital..... You can see more of my art at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.375244245968585.1073741843.239373832888961&;type=1&l=a795145d0d
Support for young people aged 14 to 22!
Hi all, If you have children aged between 14 and 22, you might be interested in a program run by CanTeen called ‘TRUCE: A support program for young people who have a parent with cancer’. The Truce program aims to help young people cope better with having a parent or caregiver with cancer, and they are looking for young people to participate. Truce is part of a research study looking to develop ways to help manage distress and meet the needs of young people who have a parent with cancer. Who can take part? Young people are eligible to take part in the Truce program if they: are aged between 14 and 22 have a parent/caregiver who has been diagnosed with cancer within the last 5 years What is involved? The young person will be invited to attend 7 face-to-face weekly sessions, where they will learn ways to manage difficult thoughts and feelings and get more out of life. A parent or caregiver is invited to participate in one session of the program with the young person, however this is not compulsory. Where and when? Sessions will be held weekly at CanTeen's different division offices, starting the first week of February in Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. Groups are planned for other locations around Australia later in the year. We will keep you updated when we hear about new groups starting. Where do I find more information? For more information or to sign up, visit www.truce.org.au. If you have any additional questions, please contact Adam Wright on 1800 234 007 or at truce@canteen.org.au. Best wishes, Lisa
Gratitude, Love and Living - Day 6
Day 6 - On the 30th November 1993 at 12.25pm My husband and I welcomed our beautiful baby son into the world. Today he turns 22. So today is easy, a post about Doug xoxoxoxox Day 6 - Gratitude, Love and Living All rolled into one Today is my beautiful son's birthday. Today he turns 22 years young. I am grateful that I have him I love him with all my heart and would give my life willingly to save his I am living each day so very lucky to be sharing his life. He has grown into a wonderful, caring and thoughtful young man and I love him almost beyond words and cannot imagine my world without him. Happy Birthday to you. May there be many, many more.
Things that make you smile
Thing that make you smile. I was minding my 3 yr grandson the other day. He wanted to play snap. After he gave me a handful of cards, I said thank you very much. He politely told me that I had beautiful manners, but sometimes you can say please. It is those precious moments that make life worth living. Wishing you all some special moments that make you smile. Wendy h 67
