What health or lifestyle changes have you made since diagnosis

Deanne

You are so right @Pinkcloverss when you say the road to recovery is a long one. It is 6 years in May since my diagnosis and I have made a lot of changes to my lifestyle, but they have been very gradual. That one step at a time that gets you through treatment has continued through recovery and beyond with me.

The aim for me was to improve my quality of life. I improved my diet and started daily exercise (something I was never consistent with before bc). My daughter bought me an exercise diary and I now have 6 of them - one for each year since treatment. The variation and increase in exercise is so motivating to look back on. 

The biggest challenge though was to simplify my life so I could feel less stressed. I wanted to spend more time doing the things that make me feel good and give me energy. That has been challenging but so worthwhile. I am really happy with where I have got to so far. 

Take care and I hope you get through treatment and find a way to recover and enjoy life too. xxx

Romla

I think the first change I made was to realise my life was not over.This was helped initially by Cancer Council “Cancer Connect “ who found a delightful lady for me to talk to who was 10 years post bc.

From that I garnered the courage ,with gentle nudges from a couple of friends , to find a local bc support group - it was a revelation to see these women out an about in my community shopping , having coffee etc generally doing normal life.I also joined this blog and found wise counsel and kindness from fellow travellers on the bc journey.

I learnt on the blog and from the local support group of the free Encore hydrotherapy course run by the YWCA which I enjoyed later that year as well being provided weekly with a 1 hour seminar on topics like Lymphoedema, post mastectomy clothing , Otis foundation - I realised there was much help around for me if I sought it.

I started to gain confidence and commenced walking daily for an hour.It was winter when I started but did much to help me relax and have some me time away from a busy family.I also joined a local gentle exercise class which basically worked through every joint/ muscle in my body.My family was astonished as fitness had not been part of my health until then .It helped a lot with joint pain and stiffness from hormone therapy but mainly it helped psychologically in dealing with my diagnosis.

I found myself rejoining my former life with recurrence fear in the background rather than the foreground of my thoughts except for waiting for mammogram results during regular oncologist appointments that we call scanxiety.

Am not much of a pill fan.Apart from my daily hormone therapy (Letrozole) I take a Krill oil tablet as per suggestion of my oncologist.
I have 6 monthly Prolia injections as am osteoporotic and also take one vitamin D3 daily.

My diet - well I am inclined to have sweet tooth especially when stressed and that’s not changed as I have twin 18 year old boys. I am inclined to not eat much meat but that’s always been the case.Re alcohol never been keen as grew up with an alcoholic.

My basic message is to get back out there into life step by step. You may need to practice life a bit at the start as you have had your confidence badly knocked.Exercise helps with how you feel emotionally as does being with family and friends just doing life.There is much support around for us - take advantage of it .There are many of us in this boat - you are not alone - we get it and you can gain much including friendship by contributing on the blog.

Hope my ramblings help a bit . xo