New Diagnosis - feeling overwhelmed

@Newbie26

I am so sorry you find yourself here, the place none of us wanted to come to.  Now you are here know you are not alone and your feelings are all natural.  Believe me you will now be on one heck of an emotional rollercoaster of a ride. 

Please also know that the treatment these days is improving all the time.  I know your world will seem very strange and you will worry and panic and have no idea where life is taking you ...... all this is natural.

Once you get a treatment plan - then life will start to feel more stable, I won't say settle down as you'll be going from one appointment to another - your rollercoaster ride will of started.

Most of us have struggled with sleep during the course of our journeys, so much so a thread was started called 'AWAKE' - this is the main 'go to' page as we all nip in and out of there all the time - they are a lovely bunch of 'fruit loops' - some just starting treatment, some like you waiting for a plan, others that are towards end of treatment and then the fruit loops that have completed treatments and just hang around trying to offer help - as they were helped at the beginning of their journey.

I will attach a link to the 'AWAKE' thread - come in and met everyone - most of all try hard not to stress or worry 'anything going around in you head' you can type in the thread and between us we can help lift you back up.

You might benefit from the Mindful App's (I can't think of the right name) they do breathing exercises for a minute or two - which sometimes gets you through a bed episode, also, for going to sleep there are certain types of relaxation tips that might help you.

Please consider, the treatments are so advanced now, once you get your treatment plan you will feel more settled - slow down and take a breath - this is the worst part - the waiting can be the hardest part.

Here is the link to the awake thread.....

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/breast-cancer-forum/f/general/128753/awake/1956162

Thank you for this WhatHappened. You are right, the waiting is so so hard. I feel as though once I know the extent I can deal with it and whatever treatment plan the doctors come up with. I just want to get started. My doctors appointment has just been moved back two weeks until after Christmas as my doctor is away :( I will definitely head over to the AWAKE forum. I also love the picture and quote - I know how true this is, I just need my brain to listen. Thanks again for taking the time to reply x

Hi, sorry you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I too suffered with localised back pain.  The pain got worse after being diagnosed with cancer.  Some mornings I roll out of bed on my knees.  The stress and anxiety of the diagnosis tensed all my muscles and my back went into spasms.  A year on I had a ct scan and it showed up degenerative changes in my spine at multiple levels.  Take one day at a time and you will get there.  Treatment for breast cancer has improved greatly.  Hope this helps to reassure you. 

Hi,

Sorry you need to be here. It is a roller coaster ride of emotions. I also got more bad news each visit, but it did mean that when I  had surgery, I had the right surgery to remove all the cancer (multiple lumps and 3 positive lymph nodes), rather than needing a second surgery. I'd had something found on an MRI of my knee and hurt my ribs having the breast MRI, so was also convinced it had spread, but thankfully, I'm told the PET was clear. I think it's a natural response to think everything is related.

Sleep was something I'd struggled with for a while, but needed some tablets from my doctor to help. I also visited the Maggies center attached to the hospital where I'm getting treatment. It helped to talk to someone about how I was feeling and seeing what other support was out there. The hospital also have a macmillan space with lots of information - maybe yours does too.