Need some coping skills while I wait
Hello everyone!
I just found out today that I have a 3cm tumor in my left breast 😓 Before I got this news, I was in a strong state of denial that any of this was even real, and it didn't weigh on me too much previously! But as of today, finding this out has made reality sink in quite suddenly and it all became very real to me now. Realising that oh goodness, this is actually happening… 😳 And I am only 30 years old!
I have a really optimistic spirit, so it takes a lot to get me down. I usually conquer all my trials and challenges with positivity! But I am still human nonetheless, so I am having a difficult time coping with this one. Quite frankly, this lump was first discovered and examined while I was in the midst of getting treated for a new heart condition that I just found out about in the ER last month 😅 Didn't know what the lump was yet at the time, nor how big it was.
So it's quite a lot to get diagnosed with this surprise heart condition I had no clue about, and a surprise tumor on top of it all going on at the same time.
That being said, this is kind of the straw that broke the camels back for me, and I am very emotional now 😔
This is a really new experience that I'm uneducated on, and not something I ever expected I'd be going through at this age! I need a little help with advice on some coping strategies? I want to remain optimistic while I am waiting. Though, there is a strong history of breast cancer throughout all the women in my mom's side of the family. So I think it would be healthy for me to also remain realistic as well.
Last thing: I assume now would be a good time to start educating myself a bit more, and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on where to start in a way that wouldn't be too overwhelming!
Thank you for listening 💛
~Christina
Comments
-
Sending big hugs @christina94anne. We know the beginning can be so overwhelming, and scary, especially at such a young age. Please know, we've all got your back and we'll be here to help you all along the way. Just let us know what questions you have, and what we can help with, and we'll do our best!
For some inspiring messages from those who have been there, check this out:
And, here is a good place to start educating yourself about what you're dealing with and what's ahead:
We also offer our weekly In Treatment Virtual Meetups on Zoom to get more support — we encourage you to sign up for one — or both — of our groups!
We hope this helps and that you can find a little encouragement and hope here. We're all here for you!
—The Mods
0 -
@christina94anne for simple coping strategies to start with, I found journaling super helpful to start. A place to let my feelings be expressed in the daytime, and then in the evening, I write down 3 good things from the day I’m grateful for before bed! Ending each day with gratitude ( I actually bought a separate gratitude journal) reminded me that life is good, and not all cancer all the time. My second coping strategy was reading for inspiration and guidance, here are my 3 top books “Radical Remission” , “You Can Conquer Cancer”, and “your live in your hands”. These gave me hope, and direction for things in my life I could control…like my mind etc… lol. Sending hugs !
0
