Hi Milo01,   I am really sorry you are going through this. It sounds incredibly intense, frightening, and exhausting, and it makes so much sense that you are feeling overwhelmed right. Many others in this online community have shared how some cycles can hit much harder than others, and that deep fear and doubt can come with it.   We are here with you, and if it would help to talk things through, you can call the Cancer Council on 13 11 20 and speak to one of our health professionals about the range of services available to support you. Warm regards, Adriana ... View more

Hi Milo01, Thank you for sharing so openly. What you are describing is something many people experience after treatment. When the intensity of appointments and chemotherapy eases, there can be more space for the mind to process everything, and it is very common for anxiety to show up in this way. It also makes a lot of sense that you would want to protect yourself from ever going through this again. Your mind is trying to keep you safe, even if it feels exhausting and overwhelming at times. Please know that you do not have to navigate those experiences alone. You can call the Cancer Council on 13 11 20 and speak to one of our health professionals to talk about the range of services available to support you.   Take Care and warm regards, Adriana ... View more

Hi @LynnG Thank you so much for reaching out to the community. It is great to hear you are doing well with your treatment since your diagnosis. Connecting with others at a similar place in their cancer journey can be really valuable in helping navigate your experience.    Cancer Council offers a Metastatic Breast Cancer Telephone Support Group that may be a great support option for you if you are an Australia resident. The group is a place where you can speak to others on the metastatic/advanced cancer journey.  If you give the team a call on 13 11 20 they will be able to talk to you about the group further to see if it is a match for you.    All the best, Miranda  CCNSW ... View more

Hi @Milo01    I wanted to say a big thank you for your courage and vulnerability sharing your hair loss journey. Sharing the realness of your ongoing experience with the community will give others hope and help them to feel less alone. It's wonderful news also that your hair is beginning to grow back.  For those of you who have also experienced hair loss after treatment, what helped you?   Take care Miranda CCNSW ... View more

Dear Cindi54, So I had my Medical Oncology appointment and have been given the news that my treatment has been successful and they will now be putting me under surveillance. So no more hospital for 3 months. My specific terminology is “Cured”. So good news and a relief after nearly 5 whole months, day after day, being unwell and going from one thing to the next continuously. My brain honestly doesn’t know what to do but wants to have a big sleep. I was honestly so anxious and afraid to go to that appointment. I expected to be told something different, as that has been my pattern in life. But the Oncologist told me to start living my life again. And honestly, that felt so good. Although I don’t remember how to do that. My body is also wrecked,so I still have to recuperate.   But I can reflect and be grateful that this is my outcome. I know others aren’t that fortunate.   My hair is finally starting to regrow on my body, but not my head. Three days ago, my eyelids were bare and now, the hair is back and growing so fast. I blinked and it was back. So many places it was all gone, there is now some regrowth there and that is giving me so much hope. Something I haven’t felt mentally for such a long time. It is something I don’t know if I can fully trust is real yet.   There is obviously more in front of me in the future. This isn’t the end, even if it is the end of my treatment for this cancer, at this time in my life. You just never know what the future holds. But just hope for the best.   But for now,it is good news. And I will take that today. Thank you so much for asking, for caring and for supporting. Let’s still stay in touch.   Milo01 ... View more

Hi @Milo01    Thanks so much for the update on your progress. It's fantastic news that you have found a new dietician and that are managing to eat more food now. Sometimes it is just a perspective shift that can change things, in this case the switch to food being primary and the nutritional drinks being supplementary at this stage of your journey. Sounds like you are trying different things to see what works and listening to your body. Pasta for now sounds great. It can be such a challenge to think and make decisions through the brain fog - keep taking it one day at a time. I'm sure the extra drinks you have will happily sit in your cupboard as supplementary back up for now as you work through increasing your food intake as a priority.     Keep going and stay strong, Miranda  CCNSW ... View more

Hi @Cindi54 and @Di57    It's so wonderful to see the support you're giving each other during your treatment journey's. That's exactly what this community is all about, sharing the ups and downs of what is an extremely tough, challenging and often dark journey. Knowing you're not alone in it all can provide moments of light when you need it most.    I hope your recovery from surgery goes well Dianne.    If you ever have any questions or feel you might like to explore possible support options, remember you can call 13 11 20 and talk to one of our health professionals.    Stay strong Miranda CCNSW ... View more

Thanks Julie for your kind words. Yes it is overwhelming and a sense of homelessness comes over me every now and then. I don't think I can cry any more and trying to look for positives in my life. I guess the best thing is I  still wake up each day and have to take full advantage of that. I have started a bucket list which has helped and gives me something to look forward to. Apart from that chemo starts on Wednesday so hopefully my body will accept this and do its best to destroy the cancer. Anyway justvwanted to say thanks for your message and  keep strong you got this  💪  ... View more

Hi @moxi    I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It is such a devastating shock to receive news as huge as this. Facing the enormity of the treatment decisions can be overwhelming and I can hear that you have faced these with resilience, bravery and strength. Here is a resource that may be of help for you during this time. Please also know that you can reach out to our health professionals on 13 11 20 to discuss everything you are navigating and explore the support that is available to you.     Take care Miranda ... View more

Hi @Emma1    Thank you for sharing your experience with your diagnosis.  It's such a shock and trauma to receive a cancer diagnosis. I know many have found it helpful to talk about it and sharing your experience with others is another great way to feel less alone in the journey.    Please know that you can call our information and support line and speak to a health professional at Cancer Council on 13 11 20. Here also is a helpful fact sheet on emotions and cancer.   Stay strong Miranda ... View more