Topic: Newbie, Single, Lot to Get Off Chest ..... NO pun intended....

Mai!  I'm so glad you've found us!  It's a shame you didn't find this site sooner, but I'm so glad you're here now and felt comfortable unloading the heavy burden you've been carrying all alone.  It's just so crystal clear that you need someone to talk to, and that's something we've all found here, and you will, too.

I'm also going to send you a Private Message -- it's a private email system we have here -- with my phone number.   Click on the Private Message icon when it lights up.   

You sound like one strong lady!  You've done an amazing job with little or no support, but we're here now to help you finish this fight, and you're going to be fine!   (((Hugs)))     Deanna

Mai

Sorry you had to be here but welcome! You have come to a very supportive place with lovely woman here who will help you thru this with any questions you have, If you call the american cancer society they will give you any support you need including sending some one to your home who has gone thru this themselves, when i first was dx i didnt want to call ACS but finaaly i did they have wigs and prosthesis, hats they also do a look good feel good class with free make-up but more importantly they will give you love and support and lots of hugs when you most need it, i hope this helps- god bless you

angel hugs

debbie

Deanna, Marsha, 2New, Erika and all, thank you SO much for reaching out to me!  I had a hard time sleeping last night only because of my exitement that I found all of you and for the first time in a long time did not feel alone, so THANK YOU!!  I'm officially now addicted to this site, and will be spending more time on here, unfortunately it will only be in the evenings when I can.  I couldn't wait to get on here this AM but am now off to work .... I could stay on here all day!  I have laughed already, and cried, but more importantly found a group of women who I truly admire, and who I know understand.  I hate that we are all here, and why we are here, but I can see how important it is to have support. Marsha you are my neighbor!!  How awesome is that?  I do believe in God's will, and know he is not punishing me... I don't completely understand, but I try so hard to focus on all the blessings I've already received, like this site and you gals.  I'll be in touch soon and thank you again, I am so grateful.

Have a wonderful day!

Mai, I just wanted to reach out and offer whatever support I can.  I'm in the Twin Cities, office in Roseville.  That's not that close to Elk River, but please feel free to be in touch with me.  I haven't experienced exactly the same things you have, but suffice to say I hit the emotional bottom of my life earlier this year after my lumpectomy.  I tried everything - talk therapy, accupuncture, guided imagery, drugs.  Through various means, I pulled myself out of that pit, and I'm in the process of weaning off my antidepressant.

I know you said that it's far to a support group, but I really encourage you to attend a session.  It can be so comforting and reassuring just to sit and talk with other women who GET what you're going through.  I found some that might be close to you:

http://www.mncancerresources.org/Monticello_Big_Lake_Hospital.html

http://www.mncancerresources.org/Breast_Cancer_Support_Fairview_Lakes.html

http://www.mncancerresources.org/Mercy_Hospital_Cancer_Resource_Center_Breast_Cancer_Support_Group.html

Please try to attend one somewhere.  I never thought of myself as a support group person, but I went and am so glad I did.  We're all here to be supportive.  Please take care and let us know how you're doing.

xoxo

Mai, do stay positive.  Rads will be over soon enough.  I had some funky blistering and peeling towards the end.  I also got pretty tired, but then I started feeling more energetic the last week or so of rads.  And there's no reason to assume you'll have a bad time on Tamoxifen.  I read all the horror stories, too.  But I've been on it since July, and other than about half a day of mild tingling in my hands, I've had zero SEs.  As for the antidepressant, I was on Lexapro, which definitely helped.

I sent you a PM with my phone number.  I'd love to chat and commiserate.....that's what we're here for!

Mai - just have to chime in and say that I agree wholeheartedly with Deanna - when you do meet another person that you enjoy spending time with, it will most certainly be a REAL man, one who appreciates all you've been through, and values each and every one of your tremendous qualities.  And I have two boys also, (albeit much younger than yours) and I tell mine all the time that I need their hugs (and I really don't give a fig if I'm interrupting their video games :) ).  I believe that as they see us moving through the bc journey, it will help make them better sons, husbands, and fathers - real men in their own right.  Just a thought - there will be plenty of good to come out of our situations. :{{more hugs to you}}

Erika

Thanks Nancy,

I already am doing so much better since joining this site!  It's an amazing feeling to connect with women who know exactly how you feel and what you're going through, for me it makes all the difference in the world.  I just wish I would have found this sooner!  

Can I ask though, why you think you went into a "slump" after your exchange?  I would think that would have made things better?  Just curious.

Thanks for the hugs, right back at cha!

Diane (Mai)

Hi Mai - just thought I'd pop in & see how you're doing? Hope at least some things have settled down for you, and that you're feeling like yourself again.

All the best,

E