Dear Kristine,
I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis and completely understand your concerns and anxiety.
They are really valid and reasonable.
There are 4 quick things I can think of that may help you even right now.
1# Through your GP, they maybe able to link you to a Psychologist through Medicare. And telehealth maybe an option. It is 10 sessions per calendar year. 4-6 sessions at first. A review with a GP , and then a further 4 sessions maybe offered.
2# Ring the Cancer Council number now and see if they can essentially do an intake call with you and link you to services like counselling. There can be a small wait in the beginning. But you can take the steps now.
3# See if your Medical Oncology Clinic nurse or doctor can link you to a specific Breast Cancer organisation that can provide you with support you may need. These can be invaluable to be able to discuss and talk with nurses and professionally trained staff with experience in Breast Cancer. And you never know what services are available until you talk to someone. You may also be able to contact ones in Australia yourself and see what they can offer too.
4#Gather My Crew app. It is an app that maybe able to help you organise with family,friends,even colleagues that can help you with your son and yourself during your times that may be taxing or you are feeling ill. I was introduced to this app during my intake at my first chemotherapy appointment.
The best advice I can offer is to start saying “yes”, instead of the instinctive “no”, when people offer if they can help you. You don’t have to be incapacitated to say yes. Little jobs here and there can be tremendously helpful. And if you are a very independent person, see if services like grocery delivery will work for you. You can still be in control,but have it delivered right to you.
I can also tell you to write all your questions down and ask all of them to the people who will have the right answers, so you have the answers to your anxiety. And know that some answers will be offered in the beginning, but others will have to come with time. Everyone will have a slightly different experience to you and it can be hard to find someone who matches your every step or move that you will take.
You are not a burden ever. You are a person with needs. And that is completely normal.
I am an super organised person who wanted my surgery and then chemotherapy to be all organised before I started. From start to end. Many weeks at a time. But I found out, realistically that isn’t possible. Life will happen along the way and you will have to deal with it at the same time. I had so many questions. I still do. So I ask them. This is my first time navigating cancer and treatment. So I ask the people that I believe will know the answers to those specific questions. And I write then down next to my printed questions,so I won’t forget them when I leave my appointments.
But you can be practical and start planning what is possible to organise, well before your treatments begins. Like if friends or family can drive you to appointments or who can look after your child when you are at your appointments. Can you batch cook some meals and freeze them. Do you have a set up for paying your bills already? Do you have close friends who can and are open to talking to you during your chemotherapy, so someone knows you are okay? Just streamlining some of your daily or weekly processes into more efficient ones, can be very helpful when you have fatigue or a foggy mind.
You are not inadequate. Not at all. Overwhelmed, yes. But you are so much stronger then you realise and will continue to see that as you move forward with your treatment plan.
I wish you well going forward.
And ask any questions and if there are answers,hopefully someone can share them with you.
Milo01
