Poll: What's the one piece of advice you'd give to someone newly diagnosed with breast cancer?

moderators
moderators Posts: 9,647
edited September 12 in Just Diagnosed
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Getting diagnosed with breast cancer can be scary. If you had a chance to share with a newbie one piece of advice to get them through, what would it be? Choose from the options below or add your own in the discussion to give new folks a sense of calm and understanding.

Poll: What's the one piece of advice you'd give to someone newly diagnosed with breast cancer? 9 votes

Gather information to learn as much as you can about your diagnosis and treatment options
22%
dafnegit067zeeeezeeee1 2 votes
Find support from people who understand what you’re going through.
33%
fifi67labender29argon 3 votes
Take your time: Give yourself space to adjust — and remember to breathe.
33%
lacombattantemrskirbycocoa1 3 votes
Keep honest and ongoing communication with your healthcare providers.
11%
nwarren79 1 vote
Practice self-compassion and remember healing isn’t just physical.
0%
Allow friends, family, or community members to support you in big or small ways.
0%
Document feelings, questions, or milestones to help you process your journey.
0%
Stay calm and try not to catastrophize.
0%
Let our your emotions - cry and scream if you need to.
0%
Other (share in the discussion below!)
0%
Tagged:

Comments

  • peg_mckee
    peg_mckee Posts: 1
    edited September 12

    Especially in the beginning, my advice is don't tell anyone. Keep it strictly to yourself until you're ready to deal with other people's fears of cancer. However, I also recommend joining an online cancer support group, if you can. Just don't talk to people who don't already know what it's like to have cancer. Also once you tell someone you have cancer, they'll always ask you about it. If you don't want to cope with this, don't tell them in the first place. (PS—of course, tell your medical folks everything!)

  • cocoa1
    cocoa1 Posts: 1
    Take your time: Give yourself space to adjust — and remember to breathe.

    Take your time to adjust. It’s extremely frightening at first. Take one step at a time, and BREATHE.

  • argon
    argon Posts: 1
    Find support from people who understand what you’re going through.

    I found that most of anything having a navigator that called every week after treatment helped tremendously. It was a moment where I could get answers and suggestions since she had gone through a similar type of cancer and obviously was very well trained. The most important part for me was to find resources to help my body deal with treatment the best way with treatment which it was provided at a suggested cancer support center - acupuncture, massage, all focused on helping with treatment and post treatment effects. The navigator was suggested by my care providers and it is part of an organization called https://bcrc.org In any case I will say talking to a person that went through it and another professional that worked in another place (NYC) helped to understand. Money was a big stressor! From day one. So having some help from a list of links where to apply for help was excellent (provided by navigator) .

  • nimblewarrior
    nimblewarrior Posts: 1

    You can’t know what’s coming around the bend! Stay in the present moment and focus on what you can control - good nutrition, quality sleep, exercise (even when you’re tired), lower stress levels with breath work and meditation, and get your support network engaged. Know that you will be stronger, braver and wiser than you’ve ever been. Treat yourself like a queen and don’t be the hero. Take good care of yourself.

  • suesmall
    suesmall Posts: 1

    Stay positive

    Think the good thoughts

    Keep enjoying the little things

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