Awaiting Biopsy but know it's cancer

sbelizabeth

Upheld, I'm sorry you're in the club, but glad you found your way to us here. BCO has supported me through everything, and the women and men here are heroes to me.

This part of your rodeo is tough, because you're learning a new language--fast--and trying to plan ahead without any past experience to know how to do it. We have all been there, one way or another. You'll figure it out. Just keep getting up in the morning, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and before you know it, you'll be on the other side of it.

I'm a nurse, and I work at an administrative job--statistics, policies, review, teaching, stuff like that. I worked full time through the whole rodeo and it was SO GOOD for me to not just sit around at home thinking about breast cancer. I took days off here and there to fit what I needed and my boss was completely great. I got chemo on a Wednesday and felt fine. Thursday I felt fine too, but I took the day off to sleep in and ride my bike as a reward for being a good girl and taking my medicine. "Chemo Friday" I felt like my head was full of cotton and like I had the flu, but without the cough and fever--tired and achy. By Saturday I was feeling better, Sunday I went to church and felt fine, and Monday I was back at work. I was never nauseated, and never wrung-out exhausted, although some women are. I think exercise helped a lot.

Please come here often, ask whatever questions you want, and give us the blessing of helping you through this. Gentle hugs.

Edited to add: I absolutely echo everything ClaireinAZ says about how others in your life--family, friends, acquaintances--react to the news that you're being treated for breast cancer. Some are amazing, others are insensitive and clueless. Upheld, you need to develop a strong ability to protect yourself emotionally during this time, and it's not your job to soothe and reassure anyone. YOU are the center of the circle. No one gets to dump emotional garbage toward the center. No "my aunt died of breast cancer," no "you poor baby," no "how awful you lost your hair." Nope. Learn to change the subject or walk away.

Anonymous

Well-said, sbelizabeth; wise words : >) . Would that SB stand for Santa Barbara, by any chance?

sbelizabeth

Hi, ClaireinAZ! No, it stands for "strong, brave, elizabeth." When I was a little girl I named my doll Elizabeth because I thought it was the most beautiful, queenly name ever, and only wonderfully special girls could be named Elizabeth. I actually live in Ventura County, between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. I do get up to Santa Barbara for business sometimes, and wow...what a beautiful place!

Anonymous

SbElizabeth, I chose my screen name ( I love your story behind your name choice) because Claire means "light". I always felt like for me that the sun had so much power to heal me. I suffer a little from SAD and crave sun most days.

My daughter just moved from Santa Barbara where she lived and worked for two years. Her very best friend (and rather like a daughter to me) lives in Ventura, a few blocks from the beach. I know that area from Ventura 101 to Santa Barbara--Morro Bay pretty well. It's good to have an ocean to sit by and get some good energy from.

Claire in AZ

Kicks

Claireinaz - I agree the sun is very healing. I fight SAD also - have for years. May I ask what you do to 'handle' it? I take 5,000 IUs daily year round an double it during late fall, winter, early spring. I so use my light box.

I was stationed in AZ back in the '70's at Ft. Huachuca.

Anonymous

Hi Kicks, I try to get out for 30 min every day the sun shines--I have a dog that has to be walked every day, so I get out and run with her or walk her. Regular exercise which I do a lot of helps. Luckily I live in AZ--No. AZ has less sun than the middle-southern part of the state since we are at elevation (7000 feet, with snow and more precip overall), but we have more sun than most of the rest of the country even with our weather.

I don't take any particular supplement for SAD, but I do use both theanine and 5-HTP which are mood enhancers since I suffer from some depression and anxiety (since I was a teen). I used to have a full-spectrum light but stopped using it. I found that my combo of both cardio and weights and hot yoga really alleviates any need for anything more. But I can't help but feel a bit of sadness on June 21 and then feel a "lightening " (no pun intended) on Dec. 21. It's a psychological thing that I use in dark Dec, Jan and Feb to help myself understand the sun is really giving us more light even though it doesn't feel like it.

I lived in Tucson for a year and have visited Sierra Vista, my husband is retired Army!

Claire

sbelizabeth

Upheld, how are you doing today? You are in my prayers this morning. A gentle California hug coming your way.

sbelizabeth

I like this article:

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/07/opinion/la...

and illustration for supporting an individual and their family who are going through a tough time...like breast cancer treatment. There should be no expectations that the person in the center of the circle should comfort or soothe anyone further away from the center. Comfort in. Dump out.

Anonymous

SbElizabeth, this is a great illustration and tells it like it is. Upheld, I hope you're doing okay today; thinking of you.

Claire in AZ