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gkidsnana
gkidsnana Member Posts: 24
edited January 2019 in Just Diagnosed

hello


just got the confirmation call today from the Dr. trying to stay positive while i wait for my appt to start my team for fighting this bump in my road. I'm not sure how to tell family and friends or when to tell them. i still have so much that is unknown as to what will be happening in the coming days and months. I am really hoping that i will be able to keep working at my volunteer job which i absolutely love but not sure i will be able to as I run with our ambulance. so if none of this makes sense but my thoughts and feelings are all over.

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  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited January 2019

    It can be hard to know what to say, when you have not yet had a chance to ask questions of the doctor. I basically reported my doctor's appointments and the information as it unfolded to my kids (21-31), but tried not to worry them unduly.

    Your doctor can help you understand yout diagnosis and proposed treatment, what the likely experience will be, and if you have a nurse navigator they are another resource for these questions. When you have more facts about your situation and have met with at least some of the team, you will be able to explain things to your loved ones more thoroughly. You can decide how much you want to share and with whom and there is no rush.

    Depending on the treatment you may be able to carry on with normal activities. When you see the team or get a navigator, ask them what to expect.

    Good luck!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2019

    gkidsnana, welcome to the BC.org Community, although we're sorry you find yourself with cause to join us.

    We know telling your family and closest friends that you've been diagnosed can be just as difficult as hearing the news from your doctor for the first time. For some tips for talking about breast cancer with your family and friends, take a look at the article Talking to Your Family and Friends About Breast Cancer from our main site. Hope this helps!

    Please keep us posted on how things are going, and use these forums for support and encouragement as you begin down this road.

    Best wishes,

    From the Mods

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2019

    Once your treatment plan is in place, you'll have a better idea. I have been down this road twice. I am a firefighter/paramedic, so I do understand your job concerns. PM me anytime. I took time off to recover from surgeries, but was able to work through chemo, radiation, etc, and I am back on the job. I did cut my hours back a bit during chemo due to fatigue.


    Hoping you have your plan in place soon.

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  • gkidsnana
    gkidsnana Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2019

    just got a call from my nurse navigator, appointments are set for Monday with surgeon and oncologist. Will have plenty of questions but will have to write them all down so I won’t forget.

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  • gkidsnana
    gkidsnana Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2019

    thank you for answering my question I do realize that it will now depend on how I feel so I can still work. I will be pming you at some point to talk but won’t do it until I have a plan in place and know what stage of cancer I have. Tho I do know they found cells in the 1 lymph node they biopsied.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2019

    gkidsnana,

    I'm sorry you had to join us. I waited to tell my family about my BC until I had a plan. Once you know your plan, you can also think about work and how you can integrate your treatment plan with your work life. I worked through chemo and radiation, but I was lucky that I could work three days a week at home. My boss also let me reduce some of my committee assignments.

    Glad to hear you have your appointments all set up! It sounds like your medical team is on top of your case.

    ((Hugs))

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  • Mncteach
    Mncteach Member Posts: 274
    edited January 2019

    I told my immediate family the day I got the diagnosis as well as some coworkers that knew I was having the biopsy. Each person deals with it in their own way and my boss who had BC as well didn’t tell anyone but husband for as long as possible.

    My nurse navigator has been wonderful as well as this forum!

    I am through surgery and starting chemo at the end of the month. Feel free to PM me at anytime!

    Melissa

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  • gkidsnana
    gkidsnana Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2019

    hello, told most of family tonight as had all day dr appointments and tests. Went and got a short haircut first time in 55 years I have had short hair but will be losing it soon enough as I start Chemo next week for 4 months followed by surgery with reconstruction to be decided by me at a later date. Will have to decide if I prefer to be flat or want some bumps. Getting my port on Wednesday and more scans and tests Thursday and Friday. Getting for sure CT, bone scan and ECG. Very bummed as Dr said no to my planned Vacation end of February into March and will discuss later our trip in April. I can work as much as I feel able to but must wear a 😷 when having Patient contact in Am

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  • Toyamjj
    Toyamjj Member Posts: 151
    edited January 2019

    I was just diagnosed this Tuesday, and still waiting for the entire path report to come back, our kids are 16 & 19 and I told my husband I didn't want to tell the kids until I had the all the details and knew what the medical plan was going to be. I figured the more I know before telling them the more confident they will be? I don't know if that makes any sense, my head is still clouded by the news myself. Taking it one day at time. Good luck!

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  • gkidsnana
    gkidsnana Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2019

    welcome to the site Toyamjj, sorry it has to be this tho I waited to tell family until I had a treatment plan which worked out best for me. good luck if you want to share you can go to your home page and put any or all the details of your diagnosis

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  • MBPooch
    MBPooch Member Posts: 229
    edited January 2019

    Toyamjj - I also waited until I had completed all tests and had a treatment plan in place. My girls were 16 and 13 and I knew they would worry themselves sick if I wasn't able to be as specific as I could with them. Hang in there!

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