Newbie - lots of questions

Sure am sorry, but we are a good place to join together and gain information, strength and support.  There are some amazing ladies here with SO much knowledge and we've all been there so BREATHE is the first thing and then just keep asking and reading the threads here and you'll be surprised at how much you can figure out in a short amount of time.

I know hearing the C word is scary as heck!  Please know that any delay may seem like a LOT but in reality you've had it for some time and it grows along with normal cells at the same rate and more than likely any time between now and your appointment will not change anything.  I had been spotting/bleeding since Nov. last yr and didn't go in til Feb. this year and didn't get diagnosis til April 4th due to appointment mix ups, scheduler errors and Dr. being gone on vacation etc. etc.  When I finally got to the gyn/onc I mentioned it because we were upset and they told me the same thing I am telling you.  I didn't have surgery until April 28th and didn't start chemo til June 3rd.

You will be going through a lot of thoughts and emotions- all perfectly normal- come here to VENT them- we are a safe place.  I wish I had found this group sooner- I didn't find it until after I was completely through treatment.  But I have a very supportive husband and he and I just talked and talked - mostly I did and he listened... lol  I also had one close girlfriend who listened and cried with me.  I think you are going to need your family's support and as much as you might not want to ruin their Christmas etc. etc. I think somehow everyone already thinks it's the worst anyway right?  The faster you can get that support around and under you the better you all will feel is my guess... of course you have the complication of the daughter's health - but she already knows about the problem and test, as you said, and people's mind can't help but jump to the 'what if' worst scenerio so she is already concerned- perhaps once you have time to process and get information from the other ladies you will be able to present things in a least stressful way??????

There is a search button at the top and you can put in things you'd like to search for like alternative treatments, supplements you mentioned etc. and there are threads here that you can read about all that.  I went to a Naturopath and we worked out a supplement, acupuncture, diet treatment plan- She specializes in oncology and I did as you are- googled til my brains got scrambled and I figured I needed help.  I was able to start "doing" something long before I ever got to the gyn/onc and that helped me to take some of my power back.  Whatever you do you will need to be certain to let everyone know as things can affect surgery, other drugs, etc. 

Lastly, I like you have been fighting depression etc. for many many years and the thought of being positive and having a fighting spirit etc. etc. seemed absolutely impossible to me.... I turned to my faith and prayed a lot, cried a lot, talked a lot and read things about being positive.  I ended up finding that as I prayed and did the next thing, the door would either open or another way would present and I'd go through that door.  I tried to stay in the day I was in- not to think too far ahead.  I began to hear the message everywhere that none of us knows how much time we have and that we need to be THANKFUL today for THIS DAY and look for each miracle and blessing in THIS DAY.  That thought took hold more and more and I looked through eyes that were changing- I saw the green grass, the trees, my fur babies, nature- all living and moving- I heard the music of the stream and the wind- I made time to walk and feel the sunshine on my face- I started to really be present in my life and not rush from thing to thing.  NO ONE can tell you when your time is up- only God can do that.  Someone on here said something like they don't see an expiration date stamped on the bottom of their foot ---so you LIVE the day you have.  You will find you are stronger than you can even yet imagine!!!!!  It's true!!!!  Enjoy the holidays and the family and be mindful of how truly special your life is.

LOL I'm like you- I could write a book when I get going... sorry if this was long and boring.  I know others will be along with great advice and probably a whole lot more on target.  We're here for you- nothing is too much to ask or to share (keeping in mind it is public info) Linking arms and walking with you and praying for you!  (((HUGS)))

Jacsma - First, welcome to our board. You have found the best place to get information and support in my opinion. Second, I'm glad that you found us and so sorry that you had to.  I know it feels like forever, but really 2 weeks out is reasonable.  You will find the waiting is the hardest part though. If you feel overwhelmed, please don't hesitate to ask your primary doctor for a mild anti-anxiety med. I don't take much of anything but I followed this advise to help me for the initial part of the journey. And, I'm glad I did! 

I think you will find that you are stronger than you think and you will find your way once you have a plan. As far as telling your family, that is a hard one for anyone to help you with. Every family has their own dynamics so what worked for me may be completely wrong for you. Go with your gut on this one!

There is a lot of very old information on the internet. So, be careful when doing your research. The old data will scare you to death. Also, many women have documented their experience on this board. I think you will find a lot of comfort in reading the posts here. I can't imagine going through this without all of the love and support and information given here.

It seems like they could tell you what kind of cancer you have based on the biopsy. They can't tell you the stage, but they should be able to tell you the grade.  Also, I can't offer up any advice on what to do for yourself in the meantime to make it better. I didn't change anything but other women did change their diets.  I am almost a year out from my last chemo treatment. And, my life is good. Take this a day at a time and try not to get too far ahead of yourself. There is life after this! Try to enjoy the holidays and get yourself ready for the next steps.

Please come back and let us know what you find out.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Pam, it's good that you've got orders to fill and crafts to make - focus on those things while you wait for that next appointment.

You may also want to ask your doctor for a copy of the pathology report from that biopsy. It should tell you what type of cancer they think it is. That will help guide your research - but beware, because just like everything else on the internet, there are many things you will read about your diagnosis that are outdated, unreliable or just plain fake.

I told my husband as soon as I got the original news but waited to tell my adult daughter until after my appointment with the gyn-onc since I knew that she would have a lot of questions and I wanted to have as much information as possible to be able to answer them.

For me, the fighting spirit really kicked-in once I started joining on-line support groups like this one. Seeing that there were others who had gone through what I was about to experience and who made it to the other side made me know - not wonder, not worry - but know that I could make it, too. And so will you. 

Wishing you peace and comfort, Kim

You will have many Christmases to enjoy it.  Take a breath, this won't be easy but you can do it.  Sorry you have to.join us, but I glad you found us.  This is a great place to be.  This will be my fourth Christmas that the big C has been part of.  I am on active,treatment and will be for the rest of my life, but I have many more good days than bad.  After four years, I am still here.  Working on your crafts will be a good way to spend time.  I worked for two,years teaching school and it was a lifesafer.  I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself or worry.  I was diagnosed two weeks before school started and I ended up telling my co-workers first out of neccesity.  I waited to tell my kids until I had more information.  My youngest daughter was a little upset that I had told people at work before them.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

Welcome to our board.  Its a wonderful place.  Waiting is hard  After i found out i had cancer I continued to work.  I had someone tell me that she would have quit and i  thought to myself and said that would be harder so keeping busy helped me.   I told mt family right off and thart helped too because i had the support as i waited.  May you find peace as you wait

Janae

i know this from my own worrying.  Sometimes our aches and pains truely turn out to have other reasons, but we jump to the cancer answer for everything.  The pain in my lower back turned out to be a SI joint problem,  the pain at the end of my,esophagus turned out to be gastritis,  the pain in my upper back turned out to be simply gas that Gas X fixed.  Don't be afraid to,ask your doctor, but don't waste your,precious time worrying until.you know you what it is.

Hus and prayers, Lou Ann