New diagnosis.

Hi Huntress,

So sorry that you find yourself posting here, but welcome.  This is a club we’d all prefer not to join, but you will find support here, day or night.

I’m almost 10 months in now, and the one thing I’ve learned, is not to assume anything.  Treatment appears to change, depending on many things, test results, tolerance to Chemo (or other cancer drugs), but your team will do the very best for you, of that I am sure. 

At the start of this I was given many information print outs, pages and pages, on all sorts of topics.  For example, ‘What do your results mean?’ or ‘What is Letrozole?’, until I was demented with it all.  

So, to save my sanity, (and possibly, that of my nearest and dearest), I decided that I would only read what was relevant for the next meeting/treatment.  So, for example, I only read up about radiotherapy and its effects, once I had met the team at the Royal Marsden, and had dates for treatment.  

My only other suggestion would be to ‘avoid Dr Google’.  Like my lovey oncologist said, ‘if I could cure you with apple cider vinegar and coffee enemas, don’t you think I would?’

With my best regards,

Pollyanna x

Thanks so much for your advice- I'm typically a planner so my natural inclination is to read everything there is to know but I have found myself holding back and waiting to be given the next bit of information and I think that has really helped as there are so many variables! I've deliberately kept the info I'm giving out to friends and family quite top level, and haven't gone into specifics of my diagnosis as I don't want them doing their own research and I think I'll stick with that approach. thanks again for replying. best wishes x

I went massively into "business mode" when I was first diagnosed 8 months ago and this approach failed miserably! Along the way I've found a hybrid of pro-activity and going with the flow seems to work best.

I think being aware of the support that is available plus finding out where quality information from reliable sources can be obtained are the most important things I would recommend to anyone in the early days and, as you've found your way here, it seems like you're already doing that. 

And if you're ever struggling, I'd always say talk to someone. I can't tell you how much a call to the helpline or my breast care nurse has helped me get the day back when I've been spiralling.

Wishing you all the very best as you await your oncology appointment. x