This is good advice! In early stage of DX, i only told several close friends and immediate family and a handful of trusted colleagues. After several weeks I had to tell a small circle of people at work because it was obvious that something was going on. Each time I saw a new friend whom I felt comfortable sharing with I would also let them know, but I didn’t share on social until after my treatment plan was finalized (about 2 months in) and I’d had my first surgery. Keeping everyone updated took time and energy, but the support and encouragement I received was well worth it.

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

It sounds like you approached your situation with a lot of thoughtfulness and care. Sharing your journey with those you trust and when you felt comfortable was a great strategy. It's important to prioritize your well-being and choose how, when, and with whom to share your experiences. It's heartening to hear that the support and encouragement you received were so meaningful. Thank you for sharing your approach with the Yerbba community. Take care.

I only told 2 persons in my family (mum & elder sister), it was 2 days before my Lumpectomy. My sister response was hatred because i bring this disease into the family, also she disregard my illness because it's stage 2, and I will still live longer than her. She forbaded me from telling my about my treatments progress. Now i distance myself from them, driving myself to work & treatments. At least I'm very strong minded & independent. I can take care of myself & looking to an early retirement from work to live a life as I always desired. Cheers!

@yerbba

7 ай бұрын

We're truly sorry to hear about the difficult situation you're facing with your family. It's incredibly disheartening to encounter such a lack of support during a challenging time. Your strength and independence are truly admirable. It's clear that you're determined to take control of your own well-being. Thank you for watching and sharing your experience.

I told my mom about my diagnosis and she died of a stroke two days later. It took two months of further tests and it drove me and my siblings crazy, all this waiting for test results and gradual information about further steps. I wish I could have 100% clarity about the treatment plan before I told my family, especially my mom. What I have learned from all this is it's important to be mindful of family and close friends because they might take the news harder than even us BC patients. It's also difficult to be mindful of others in this situation because one is overwhelmed with own emotions, planning, medical info from doctors, own research and we think others will be just understanding, but they're not. They have their own worries and emotions and actions we know nothing about.

@KateShaw2

8 ай бұрын

I’m so sorry about your mom.

@juaquiene7726

8 ай бұрын

Just comment. May I please add my sympathies & condolences about your Mom passing away like she did. That was terrible. To lose her at a time that you needed her most. Sadly, we've no idea how sick someone can actually be. But they don't show that. & you certainly wouldn't know either. I'll pray for you! Be strong & take care!!

@justcomment8516

8 ай бұрын

@@KateShaw2 thank you!

@justcomment8516

8 ай бұрын

@@juaquiene7726 thank you!

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Yerbba community. We're truly sorry to hear about the difficult and complex situation you've been through. Your insight is deeply valuable. Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis involves not only managing your own emotions and medical information but also considering the impact it may have on your loved ones. It's a reminder of the depth of understanding and empathy needed during such a trying period.

My daughter is 7, I’m 35 and just diagnosed AND pregnant. My hubby and I decided to tell my daughter that “mommy is sick, and needs surgery, but everything will be OK. In fact, you’ll actually get to be Mommy’s doctor after, making sure she eats and gets strong!” When she’s older, she’ll put the piece of the puzzle together and figure out I was fighting cancer. Idk if it’s the “right” thing to do, but it’s working good so far. Best wishes to everyone ❤🎉

@yerbba

7 ай бұрын

Your approach of explaining the situation to your daughter sounds thoughtful and caring. It's important to navigate such conversations in a way that feels right for your family. Wishing you strength and positivity as you go through this journey. Thank you for watching.

I was diagnosed in July this year. I have 9 siblings and two adult sons. I live in the UK. I had to tell my son’s first and I wanted to do it face to face but circumstances did not allow. I initially told them when I found the lump, been to my GP and was wait for the hospital appointment. I made sure to put across how positive I was and not jumping the gun before getting the diagnosis. Both my sons insisted on coming to my very appointment with the Breast Care Clinic. When the diagnosis was confirmed, it was found early and the prognosis was good, I decided then to share with my siblings via an email because we all lived in different parts of the country. I was able to explain everything calmly and precisely and was also able to put across how positive I was feeling. This helped me and when I had conversations with individual siblings they shared my positive outlook. I hope my personal experience is helpful to someone else.

@yerbba

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your experiences with the Yerbba community. It's truly inspiring how you maintained a positive outlook and effectively communicated with your loved ones. Your strength and approach to handling the situation are commendable. Wishing you continued strength and positivity on your journey.

I say be very cautious when you decide to tell others... I thought family would be my safe place... not so much because I have lived more than a year despite having a port in my chest going for infusion every three weeks - they tell everyone that I am making it up... so know I live with cancer & the people I thought would be my biggest support system have left me alone to fight to live everyday.

@justcomment8516

8 ай бұрын

Absolutely agree that things might not go as we think they would! I didn't get the support I needed from my family either. My sister was trying to control me and treat me like a little clueless child (I'm 5 years older) and consulting her friends who had it in another country to enlighten me, while I talked to my doctors. She also started drinking to excess. Her and my brother wanted to know all the details all the time while being unprepared for their volume and complexity, and were completely lost trying to take it all in and forgetting most of it, so I had to explain the same things several times. It was driving me nuts and made everything more difficult for me. Gradually, I stopped sharing details because it was too much for them. Now I only share if there's anything special about my treatment and finally feel good about dealing with it and having control of my life on my own.

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

This sounds so hard. People can both disappoint us and surprise us. Please take care of yourself.

Thank you, Dr. Griggs, for your persistent caring advice.

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Good advice.

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Yerbba appreciates you!

Your explanations about potential reactions of others was especially helpful. to us Thank you so much.

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching. We are so glad you found this video helpful!

Excellent video! Thank you for all the tips! My dilemma is being able to tell my close group of friends at one time.... Eleven of us will be going on a long weekend getaway together in November. I've known each of them for over thirty years and trust and love them each. They will my support system, even more than my family.... When is the right time to share with them my diagnosis?.... The day we arrive, the day we leave or after the trip via Zoom a few weeks before my surgery or can you'll help suggest another way? Thank you'll in advance for your suggestions.

@justcomment8516

8 ай бұрын

That's a tough one! If you tell them just before you leave they might get upset that you didn't tell them just when you arrived. If you tell them later via Zoom, they might ask how long have you known and get upset that you didn't tell them earlier when you were all together. I'd say the best time to tell them would be in person when you just arrive for the getaway weekend. This might change the collective mood a bit, but you would get a chance to gain support and understanding in the beginning, you will have time to talk about everything, and they will appreciate you didn't keep it secret from them.

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to write. From what you're describing, it seems like you're holding something heavy. You'll probably feel so relieved once you've told them. It may help to tell a couple of people before you are with the whole group so they can help corrugate any anxiety in the room (whether in person or by Zoom). Wishing you the best. Come back and let us know how it went.

Hi, doctor, happy blessed to have you on the channel, doctor i have nipple secretion on both breasts they are mild, they come only when i squeeze them, I have this problem from 6 years Iam 48 years old i have done mmamogram, twice, which they told their is water cysts mildly which is nothing to worry about. I still have my menstruation going on, I m little worried, may I get your suggestion please, 🙏🙏

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

It's understandable that you would be worried. Without being part of your care team, it is hard for us to weigh in on your symptoms. Anything symmetric is less concerning than when it is on one side only, and the fact that the nipple discharge is clear is also helpful. Wishing you the best.

I spoke to one person about it,a male friend who was really good but apart from him I went through the rest on my own.Through experience please don't go through things the way I done as it's not healthy.I'm coming up for my yearly mammogram after going through right breast lumpectomy and I am absolutely terrified.I am not looking forward to it at all.

@juaquiene7726

8 ай бұрын

Denise, like you. I'm approaching my first post diagnosis / surgery / Chemo/ Radiation . Mammogram. Am nervous and in dread too. Foolishly set myself up with my thinking that I'd be totally done with it all. Then you come to find. We have to continue taking toxic drugs ( hormonal therapies ) & all to frequent scans & tests. I have nobody to blame for that but myself. So if there is comfort in it. Know your not alone in being nervous & afraid!

@denisemain1028

8 ай бұрын

@@juaquiene7726 Thankyou for your reply,much appreciated.I'm not looking forward to it at all but it has to be.I wasn't going to go for my mammogram last year,thankfully my friend basically dragged me into his car and took me to the hospital.Goodness knows what would have happened if he hadn't done that.I wish you all the best,let me know how things go please,I will do the same xx

@juaquiene7726

8 ай бұрын

@@denisemain1028 Thank-,you Denise. I certainly will. Mine is salted for the 20th of this month. So soon enough. Last year I didn't have insurance at the time I discovered this lump. That I thought was an infected ingrown hair. I actually got in touch with a state funded organization that covered women's mammograms & biopsies. I owe them so much and was so grateful for their help. I really spread the word. Let women know. There's people to turn to. So a fellow friend was the one who said you need to get your mammogram. I feel like. You probably have your story on that. As I can't think of many men who would even think much on the subject of breast cancer & our yearly scans. Glad he talked you into going Denise. Bless him for being a good friend who cared. & Had a premonition about you!

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

We're really sorry to hear that you're feeling this way. It's completely normal to feel anxious about a mammogram, especially after what you've been through. Consider sharing your fears with your healthcare team beforehand so they can provide extra support and understanding during the procedure. Remember, you're not alone in this, and it's okay to ask for help

Los all the friends

@justcomment8516

8 ай бұрын

I hear you! While it may be hard to lose touch with friends, it's not necessarily a bad thing. This could be your chance to turn the page and start fresh and find new friends who might fit your new circumstances better. I found myself in this situation too and am using this opportunity to lose some people who were not contributing to my life anymore, with no drama, hard talks or conflicts. A bit over a year after my diagnosis I'm a completely different person with a new mindset and interests. I want new people in my life, who is the right fit to this new me. It's exciting, liberating and inspiring. Hope this helps)))

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

Losing friends can be an incredibly painful experience especially during a challenging time like this. Remember, you are not alone. There are communities and support networks available that understand and care. It may be helpful to seek out local or online support groups where you can connect with others who are going through similar experiences. Take care of yourself.

@HL-qv3yd

8 ай бұрын

​@@justcomment8516thank you ❤

@HL-qv3yd

8 ай бұрын

​@@yerbbathank you Dr Griggs x

I am a 3 year survivor and still haven’t told my son. I don’t want him to worry

@justcomment8516

8 ай бұрын

My mom had BC in 2020 and kept it secret from us "children" so we don't worry and went through surgery and treatment completely alone. Told us only one year later and we were sad, furious and felt betrayed that she kept something like this from us. We would have liked to be there for her to support her and talk about things that really matter. From then onwards we agreed that we won't keep secrets from each other and will communicate openly about things. Now that she's gone and I'm a 1-year survivor myself, I know how important it is for closest family to know. It's not for them to worry, but to learn and make own conclusions for own lives.

@jinx6444

8 ай бұрын

@@justcomment8516 Thank you for

@yerbba

8 ай бұрын

It's completely understandable that you want to protect your son from unnecessary worry. It may make sense at some point to have an open and honest conversation with him. Reassure him of your well-being and let him know that you're here to answer any questions he may have. He is likely more able to handle the facts than you think. Of course, only you know your son.

@meahdahlgren5875

7 ай бұрын

​@@justcomment8516right ❤