New to this

Dear Dida,

Your post is more than approriate. It is in these first stages of diagnosis of Superficial BC where we need the most help and support.

This is the BIG HURDLE, right NOW.

It is definitely a scary time and possibly you already know that your life is going to be changed forever. And, it's true, it will be changed. But, I'm assuming since your treatment is Mitomycin, then the Dr's are telling you that your Superficial BC is TREATABLE.

I've not talked much here about my personal deep funk after BC diagnosis. Those days in January 2006 were dark and the clouds were fast gathering around me. It seemed like every minute was hard. The funniest and oddest thing happened to bring me out of this mood. My brother called to chat and my Mother was telling him that I was sinking deep into my depressive feelings and he said to her, "Tell her to suck it up. She'll be allright."

This sounds like a harsh and uncompassionate remark, though it was very characteristic of him to say it. But somehow, it was just what I needed at that exact moment in time.

And when I heard those words, the very clouds seem to dissipate around my head, and the sun seemed to shine through. It was a very odd and poignant moment for me.

This is not what I am saying to you, but only my experience as I went through what your are going through now.

This phase will pass and going to work and going through the motions will help a lot right now. Work can sometimes save us.

We've lived through this and you will too. Also, we are here to help you.

Whew, this was a hard post for me too!

Your new friend,
Rosemary

Hi Kinga,
Nice to meet you yet sorry you are here. I think you are in the right place for medical and mental issues about bladder cancer.
Personally I have dealt with invasive bc so I am not knowledgeable about noninvasive. However I know how it feels to be diagnosed (dx'd). I had quite a time coming to terms with it - took a while. The folks here really helped.
You do sound like a very compassionate person to be able to do social work. I imagine you do it well
I am sure Rosemary or another who is getting similar treatment will respond soon. Best to you, God Bless, Holly

This is difficult for me to post. I tend to be quiet about things. My difficulty with having bladder cancer is the emotions. I am a social worker and every day I see people who are worse off than me. I find it very confusing to be a social worker and be ill. I am learning that I need to extend to myself the same acceptance and compassion that I extend to others. I am learning that feeling my own sadness or fears doesn't lessen my compassion for others. For my first chemo treatment (mitomycin) which was Wed. I didn't schedule any appointments with clients. I went home after my treatment and had a good cry with my husband. It seemed to me, to be the first step of a very long journey. A journey I don't want to be on. I went to work a little later that day and my co-workers are very supportive and remind always to be gentle with myself.

I know these posts tend to be medical so maybe this is not appropriate to post here. Maybe I should be on a mental health website. I don't really know. If it is not appropriate, you can remove it from the message board.