Your results came back ‘positive’? Nothing can properly describe that sinking feeling of disbelief. Reactions vary. You might become the hero, sympathising with the doctor who shares the news with you, or an emotional-overdrive human being – bursting into tears before his/her sentence is completed! The more aggressive type will immediately seek a second, third, forth opinion. I say – you go girl! ALL reactions are ‘normal’. Even if the first 24hours is a complete grey blur…

Next is our most apprehensive noun - FEAR. This little word strikes even the fiercest Joan of Arc amongst us. Self-pity (yes you may) and tears are something people around you can deal with, but fear? In the beginning, YOU can’t even word your fears. Fear is this ‘thing’ that takes hold of your whole being. It varies from shortness of breath (not due to fitness status), sweaty palms (no algebra exam), butterflies (not true love), the shakes (you’re innocent), nightmares (are you going mad?), and then (my personal favourite) – confusion of thoughts, laced with supreme memory loss. But, as they say – ‘this too shall pass’. And it DOES. It’s time to become a 21st century girl and do your homework!

Education is your fiercest tool. Ask questions. This is an alien invasion, and you have the right to be a slight underachiever concerning this subject. What’s your ‘grading’, what’s your prognosis, and what is plan B concerning fighting this? Ask for case histories. Why is the bright pink chemo better than the light yellow one? Get the names! Why not only radiation? Why both? Know your tumour size - to the millimetre. What does ‘metastasize’ mean?? (That is when this little ‘ET’ in your body decides to wonder off, and visit other organs.) Your mind might be in a boggle, and your memory at a minus, so - write down your questions, or you might only end up asking your oncologist: ‘Who made your beautiful curtains?’ Here’s some info:

GRADING: 1- The cancer got caught in the early stages. Removal of tumor/s will be done surgically - and often only 6monthly check-ups are neccessary for 5 years.
2- After surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy could be neccessary for a year or less.
3- First surgery, and then chemo, hormone and/or radiotherapy. Your treatment might take longer than a year.
4- This is the more serious stage of cancer. Heavier dosages of therapy will be needed, and utmost care is critical.

Always remember that your oncologist will do his/her utmost in giving you the best treatment for your disease. All cancers vary - and therefor the treatments too. When comparing your treatment to someone else's, make notes of your queries, and ask your oncologist about them. There will always be a simple explanation for the difference.

And always – chin up!!