Just checking in....

[Barbara-Aschner]

Hello! I just wanted to say Hello to everyone on this Community. I have been a member for a few months. I have been living with Metastatic breast cancer for 8 1/2 months now and I am finally feeling a bit more human these days, even though I am on Eribulon/Halaven chemotherapy, two weeks on, one week off. I am learning how to live this new life and am glad that there is this Community to share stories/information with others with metastatic cancer.

I have found that tapping into my spiritual side has really helped me to come to terms with my diagnosis. I find that mindfulness meditation helps me to stay in the moment and not be so afraid of my future. I also meet with a Stephen minister once a week and have been seeing a therapist. I have been attending a Methodist church and am connecting to the God of my understanding.

SHARE put me in touch with another metastatic woman for one-on-one support, which really helped me to speak to someone that was thriving with the disease and she offered me many valuable suggestions.

I've also called in to their telephone support group, which is very helpful to hear what other women are doing about synonyms and how to interpret new research, etc.

I have also called into their support line just to talk to someone with metastatic breast cancer. They helped me to calm down when I was a basket-case and other support such as better understanding clinical trials.

I am very grateful that this Community is available and I look forward to hearing stories from others.

Stay strong and value each and every day! My prayers go out to you!

Barbara

[Kats2]

Hi Barbara,

What nice things you say about this group and the services that are available. I feel exactly the same way! I've also been matched with someone from this site whose subtype and breast cancer is the same as mine. It 's really helped me to know that someone else is out there who has the same diagnosis as me.

I too am getting more spiritual. I'm attending church services more than I have before. It seems that my priorities have changed quite a bit, for the better I must add.

Yes, I still get anxious. Dealing with the unknown is not comfortable. But reading others' stories and trying to help out by replying with any small bit of advice I can offer, makes me feel better. And hearing others' advice when I ask a question also helps me a lot. It's a two-way street..... helping each other out as we deal with treatments, doctors, and day to day living, worries, and concerns that we have. We're not alone!

I say "Thank you Share" for all the services that you provide and the wonderful forum here that I'm part of. It's nice to feel that I belong! Kats2

[Barbara-Aschner in reply to Kats2]

Very well said, Kats2! It is so important to have connections to people that understand where we are coming from and it is nice to feel as if we belong!

[Joan37]

Barbara, I'm very glad that you posted and to hear that you're taking care of yourself, not only physically but spiritually as well. Our diagnosis is hard to come to terms with. I find that short-term goals also help me, such as looking forward to a grandson's graduation from kindergarten in June. Or Easter and a family gathering. The start of spring. There are many things that we can look forward to. Sending you many big hugs! Joan

[Barbara-Aschner in reply to Joan37]

Joan, I like your suggestion of short-term goals. Some of mine are: visit with my brother this weekend, that lives out of state; girl's weekend in May at a rustic cabin in the woods. And, of course, the arrival of spring flowers!

I try to remember to practice a gratitude list by using the alphabet. For example, A, is for air to breathe, B, is for birds that sing; C, for cards from loving friends, etc. Whatever comes to mind for each of the letters of the alphabet. Gratitude can replace anxiety and fear. For me, sometimes it is not just facing my diagnosis one day at a time, but one minute at a time. I try to develop tools to keep me hopeful and happy to have another new day!

Sending big hugs to you too, Joan!

[Halfpint2 in reply to Barbara-Aschner]

Wonderful advice. Thank you.