Advice/ Help Please??
Hi I need some advice please. I'm trying to help care for my sister. She is 36 and had a mastectomy last week, We are waiting for results to see if the lymph nodes have leaked or not. Since the operation she has been in alot of pain and can't do much around the house or drive or play with the kids which she is finding extremely frustrating. I have had a few chats with her and she said that if she could speak with someone who has been there it might be alot better for her. I can tell her all I know but it isn't good enough. She wants to speak with someone who has experience or is experiencing it. I have looked extensively for support groups/individuals in my area and have come up with nothing. I of course will continue to help her as much as I can and be there but sometimes it seems that it's not enough and I understand but I would greatly appreciate any advice or help anyone can give me. Is there anything more I can do? Better still is there anywhere I can to try and get her some support from women who have been through it or are going through it. She has no internet access so she can't even come onto this forum.
Please help!
Sorry it was so long.
Thanks so much for reading!
Ruka.
Comments
hi ruka, sorry your sister not feeling The best at moment.. i am 35 and was diagnosed 2 yr ago, had mastecomy and was in lymph nodes 6 of them. had 6 mth chemo and 6 week radio therapy.. on herceptin at moment. its an on going treatment as i have secondaries in my bone.. but its two years on and still going strong.. your sister will be grand, it will take time and she has to let it.. you are a great help to her,family support i found was my best help. they know me and were always there for me.. just being there for your sister is amazing. the pain will ge better, takes a few weeks, but does get better.. is she having any treament. also will take it out of her, but she will have good days and bad ones. i found i went out and enjoyed the good ones and slept through the bad ones.. just for record, there were more good ones.. i was on chemo and bald and still managed to arrange my weddding. married a year and loving it. beautiful 7r old daughter and husband that keep my spirits up.. planning holidays and things to do. give you somehing possitive to focus on.. take care. hope this is helpfull to you and your brave sister.. she will get stronger every day.. one day at a time..thats all you can do.. from siobhanc..
Thanks so much for sharing and explaining siobhanc!!
It helps me to understand better and feel more confident that I am helping in some way. She has 2 appointments with the doctors the end of this week so we are having fun with the kids this week. Do you happen to know of any support groups or anything that I can pass onto her to contact?
Thanks again!
Ruka.
HI ARE YOU FROM WATERFORD.. SHOULD TRY WATERFORD REGIONAL HOSPITAL , THEY HAVE SUPPORT GROUP IN THERE ONCOLOGY UNIT.. OR THEY WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO HELP YOU FIND ONE.. HOPE IT HELPS..ANY HOSPITAL WOULD HAVE INFO ON GROUP SUPPORT.. TAKE CARE
Hi Ruka,
If you let us know your location, a local support centre would be great for your sis.
Also, if you call the Irish Cancer Society they have a programme called 'Reach to Recovery' where they can put you in touch with someone who has been through it all already and is willing to talk and listen to someone else needing support.
Regards,
Flo.
Thank you everyone so so much this is a great help to me!! But mostly for my sister. My Location is in Waterford.
A very thoughtfull Lady let me know about the living with breast cancer confrence in dublin on Saturday week. I suggested it to my sister and she is looking forward to going. Also I got some suggestions about doing something nice with her. We went for some walks on the beach and to an animal farm with the kids. It was great!! We're planning on going to get our nails done sometime soon aswell.
I will pass on all of your advice to her, Thank you so so much once again it is really great to have any responses we have been fleeting around with no clue where to turn or who to ask. I'll let you know how we get on with all of your suggestions!!
Ruka!
hi ruka, sorry your sister not feeling The best at moment.. i am 35 and was diagnosed 2 yr ago, had mastecomy and was in lymph nodes 6 of them. had 6 mth chemo and 6 week radio therapy.. on herceptin at moment. its an on going treatment as i have secondaries in my bone.. but its two years on and still going strong.. your sister will be grand, it will take time and she has to let it.. you are a great help to her,family support i found was my best help. they know me and were always there for me.. just being there for your sister is amazing. the pain will ge better, takes a few weeks, but does get better.. is she having any treament. also will take it out of her, but she will have good days and bad ones. i found i went out and enjoyed the good ones and slept through the bad ones.. just for record, there were more good ones.. i was on chemo and bald and still managed to arrange my weddding. married a year and loving it. beautiful 7r old daughter and husband that keep my spirits up.. planning holidays and things to do. give you somehing possitive to focus on.. take care. hope this is helpfull to you and your brave sister.. she will get stronger every day.. one day at a time..thats all you can do.. from siobhanc..