Not sure how to do this ....

carefullycautious

Dont forget to look at the life insurance attached to you mortgage. I have friends whos mortgages were fully paid off due to this diagnosis.

At least it will be one financial worry over to allow you to fight this awful illness.

Big hugs also coming your way, im sure there are people out there that would willingly help you with child care or even transporting you to hospital. The league of friends at hospital usually have volunteer drivers so make use of this service.

As others have said macmillan nurses are a mine of information and support ask you GP to refer you.


Take care of yourself

Sneezy

I would reiterate asking Macmillan for some advice - they are amazing.

I wish you a speedy recovery

x

mhagster

Again,I would echo getting in touch with MacMillan ,they also have a website with a forum ,where you might get advice.

Do you have a local Cancer Care group? They will probably have a volunteer driver programme who will take you to your hospital appointments & would also be able to give you practical advice.

There should be a cancer care nurse at your appointments who will be there to support you, listen to you & help you.

I wish you well .

DUKE

Hi poly1, sorry to hear your news. I was diagnosed with the same just over 2 years ago so I understand what you're going through. Ring Macmillan & see if they can help. If you're entitled to any benefits such as DLA they'll fill in the form for you. They'll come out & see if you need anything. Also they arranged a taxi for me to take me to have my radio every single day. I don't know what I'd've done without them as they were marvelous! Good luck - it's a long hard slog but you'll do it!

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/HowWeCanHelp.aspx

Errata

re transport. If you live some distance away from your treatment centre and you have nobody who can transort you to and from your radiotherapy treatment sessions hospital car transport may be arranged for you. Your breast cancer nurse will know if it's available and make arrangements for it to be booked.

Kimso

Hi poly
Just a quick post 'cos I'm off to bed soon! I was diagnosed last March (got results on the Thursday and started chemo on the Tuesday - 11 days before my 37th birthday). Know how you feel; a mixture of fear, shock, numbness, trying to pretend it's not happening, anger and then acceptance.

Tenovus are very good re: benefits as are MacMillan, your breast cancer nurse will also have access to lots of info.

With regard to radiotherapy - compared to chemo, it's a piece of p1ss - the longest time is the waiting as they always seem to run late - but you're actually only in the room for about 10 minutes max. The longest appointment is the planning one where they take measurements, photos etc. I don't see why you can't take your kids, the 13 year old can sit with the 4 year old in the waiting area....or you could ask for the last appointment of the day (5.30 pm where I am) so the kids can be looked after by your partner. Also, it might be good for the 13 year old to see the room and the machine, as she's probably building everything up in her mind and worrying that the hospital are hurting you.

I was sh1tting myself before my surgery, the anaesthetist held my hand 'cos I confided that I was really scared. Honestly, the whole thing was a lot less painfull than I thought. Same with the radio, was sure it'd hurt but it didn't. Bit sore and tired by session 15 and very glad when session 20 came!

Also, if you're having surgery in July - it's likely that you won't start radio until September as your skin needs to have healed beforehand and that takes 4-6 weeks.

The most important tip I can give you? Don't be afraid to feel what you feel, make time for yourself, talk honestly about what YOU need and tell people that you need help, otherwise, they'll assume everything is okay.

You CAN get through this - just look at it as a series of hurdles - FIRST I'll get through chemo, THEN surgery, THEN radio. THEN what comes after - but that's a new chapter.

Okay, well, if that's what I call a 'quick' email...
Take care, PM me if you want to 'talk' or ask any questions. Love Kim x

MatyMoo

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

Lisa Lynch is a young lady that has gone through this and her blog (& book) make excellent reading.

http://alrighttit.blogspot.com/

westy23

Sorry to hear your news,but thought i would just post that my wife at the age of 44 was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and had 2 lots of surgery followed by chemo and radiotherapy.
That was eleven years ago and she is still fit and well and still nagging me.
Its a long old road with all the treatment but it does finish eventually.

VjbMusher

Hi,
Sorry to hear what you're going through. Someone I know was recently diagnosed with cancer. Has anyone here ever heard about vitamin B17 found in apricot kernels? I found this online....

http://www.naturalnews.com/027088_cancer_laetrile_health.html
I don't know too much about it yet as I've only started looking into this but I'm hoping it will be of some help.

Wishing you all the best

Flyboy152

You should be entitled to various benefits (as may be the case now, things might change once this government introduces even more cuts ), with that qualification comes assistance in other areas as well. You might find it useful to get in touch with social services, they can organise care for your children, when you are attending the treatment centre and for when you are recovering. Local authority run holiday clubs/play schemes should also be free if you are on ESA/IS/JSA. You can also arrange free transport to and from hospital. As has already been suggested, Macmillan Cancer Support has a vast experience in your situation and only too glad to help.