New to this forum

Hi Jet64,

I had stage 1-2 breast cancer and had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed nearly four months ago. I recently finished my radiotherapy and have now been told I am clear, which is great.

I am so sorry to learn of your circumstances and appreciate they are somewhat different to mine. I’m not sure how it works in Thailand, but do hope you have a good medical team behind you. 

You have made the first big step by finding the Macmillan site, perhaps you would be able to contact them ring them from Thailand 001-44-0808 808 0000, they are superbly helpful and give you lots of great info and may be able to help with finding help in Thailand. Please also get a good support structure in place, family, friends, good work colleagues, I’ve lived on my own for nigh on forty years, but realised you can’t do this on your own. I also go for a short walk every day (British weather permitting) and do a daily diary, this is mega helpful, as it gets everything off your chest and out of your system. It is important during the day to keep yourself occupied, hobbies, interests etc., it stops you from dwelling on what is going on. You may also find it beneficial to listen to a meditation podcast, they really help you to relax especially when you are trying to get to sleep. I use one called ‘Go Gently’ by Christine Elizabeth Smith, it does a lot for me. Whatever you do, do not visit Dr Google as there is so much conflicting information, your head will spin and it will stress you out, listen to your medical team and you get great support on here.

I know it’s hard sometimes, but try and keep as positive as you possibly can, have positive people around you and dump the negativity, above all, be kind to yourself - I promise you, you will get through this. You are never alone and can always come and chat to us shower in here.

Take care and big hugs.xxx

Hi there

i hope your chemo goes well tomorrow. You will soon have ticked 2 off 

Hi Jet64  - I’m also stage 3, grade 3 breast cancer & got my first appt with oncologist Monday to find out what kind of chemo I’ll be having. How have you found the first treatment?

before my diagnosis we were actively looking at moving to Thailand (digital nomad visa + I have family out there). Do you mind me asking how you have found cancer treatment in TH? My Google searches are not coming up with so much on this topic 

One of the most important decisions I made was who to tell and who not to tell. Choosing not to tell people who I knew would want to discuss everything in great detail meant that I could talk about other things when we met. It was a chance to escape into a world where cancer defined me. 

My partner came with me to radiotherapy sessions. I was glad of that, for so many reasons, one of which was that I avoided listening to people who seemed to want to describe in detail the horrors they’d encountered. It might seem selfish but, at this time, you’re the important one so concentrate on yourself. 

good luck 

Thanks for information especially about the podcast will listen to this for sure. I’m extremely lucky with friends here as your friends become your family living an expat life, they have set up a WhatsApp group so I can ask for things if needed when my hubby is away working for weeks at a time, Diary tip is also a good idea which I’ll start as I’ve noticed I’m a little forgetful at the moment ha ha, Nurses are being super helpful here but they never have an answer if you ask a question, they have to run everything past the doctor which I find frustrating but it’s just the way they are taught here.  So all in all I’m finding the experience pretty good as I was scared initially having this done here, but after having my second round Friday night then flying back to my island yesterday I’ve woken up feeling very normal today which is much better than the first time around, thank you for your helpful advice 

Hello

I’ve only just had my second session of chemo but finding the treatment here good so far, obviously I’m paying for ai as no NHS in Thailand, I do have medical insurance since living here and have a deductible in that, which has kicked in so know I just sign for everything so a weight off my mind.  The downside is they do not give chemo on the island I live so I have to fly and stay overnight every time I have the chemo.

All went well thanks and I’m back home feeling good, even going out for Sunday lunch today 

You’re  so very welcome Jet64, please come and chat here anytime.

We’re all in this together

Thanks, this is interesting to hear. I’ve long thought vitamin D or lack thereof here in UK contributes to more ailments in later life so still very much looking to move to a hot country! I can imagine that’s a pain having to travel to that extent for your chemo but sounds like they are taking great care of you