Recently diagnosed

Hi Caroline and welcome to the group. Trying to keep your mind occupied with other thoughts is so hard but my best advice is Google is not your friend. Use your nurses and the phone number you have been given to contact them - they are amazing. Write down any questions and anxieties you have so you don't forget to ask anything in appointments. 

I turned into a puzzle queen and have sudoku, crossword and wordsearches all over the house to focus my brain on other things. 

Don't bottle anything up - it really helped me to talk to people about it. 

Macmillan are fabulous and there are brilliant people on here who can give you much better advice than me.

Whereabouts are you on your journey?

Hi sansa35c942,

Literally was diagnosed on the 17th march. So right at the start.havea scan on the 31 March. To see what stage the cancer is at and if it has spread. 

Going back to work on Friday so that will help keep me occupied.

Carolinesd

Bless your heart, all very new still. I found my lump in october 2025. Had a right side mastectomy just before Christmas and started chemo 3 weeks ago after the post op pathology showed it has spread to lymph nodes. I hated when people told me you're strong, you've got this. Most of the time I feel I have but I found it harder with people telling me that as I just wanted to curl up and not face the world. Like you I found solace in work but did end up taking time off before the op. I work across 2 schools and was paranoid closer to the time that I would pick up an infection and surgery would be delayed and I just wanted it out of my body so went into lockdown mode 2 weeks beforehand. I then picked up an infection after my first round of chemo and ended up back in hospital after trying to work through it and reading that others had. I found a happy medium for now in working from home and being the paperwork queen. 

• Do what is right for you and what works for you and what you feel comfortable with. I really hope you've got loads of support from friends and family. Telling people you love has always been the hardest part, especially when I was told in Jan post op that my cancer had already spread. Always here for you on your journey so please ask anything no matter how small or seemingly silly or big and scary. This community is here for you through every step. 
• Keeping everything crossed for your scan and sending love and hugs. Xxx

 I have started telling people but it has been especially hard telling family as my dad was diagnosed with cancer in 2025. I have started journaling my feelings which I found helpful as it also allows me to note questions down as I think of them. 

Sorry you find yourself here but you’ll get lots of support and information. I too found writing a journal very helpful, documenting how I was progressing in all ways. I used books, tv, films, jigsaws, puzzles to distract myself, focus on something else. I would get outside a lot, walking, sitting in garden etc which I found most beneficial. Before appointments write down anything you want to ask. Best of luck for your scan x

i watched a lot of cat and dog videos in the beginning and chatted here. there is going to be a lot of waiting, don't stop living because even before this we never know when

i found women here and other forums who had same diagnosis and read their words. like sansa says do not google. look to people here and the like for current advice and ideas because this cancer thing is changing fast, old methods ideas are changing quick.

Hi Flossie25,

Many thanks for the advice , I will certainly consider other ways to distract myself. I am going to also keep working whilst I can. But I don't think I am up to doing an online course  that was what I had previously been doing to combat boredom whilst in quiet periods when I was working.

Carolinesd 

Hi Djct

Thank you for the advice .I am trying to not Google things like you and sansa have both said I am writing my questions down to ask the specialists. I think my parents are also writing questions as well. I am going to try and keep working whilst I can. Work are being supportive which is good. My manager has given me the phone number of another manger who has had breast cancer and is willing to ask any questions I have.

My boss has also said that I need to put myself first and not make excuses about work. She has said that if I get appointments short notice to ring her straight away and she will change my schedule.

I teach and I’m not allowed to work for the whole 6 cycles of chemo

i know people who have worked through the whole thing, but be sure to take care of yourself