A Cup-One no longer two.

Thank you for your selflessness Annie! But you can be angry too! Cancer is crap! As I had multifocal cancer-two types there is always the possiblity of having to deal with reoccurance especially as one type has around 15% chance in other side. As you have experienced there is a need to be optomistic yet realistic when it comes to cancer. Thank you for your concern. It IS a big op-I am only beginning to realise that! And I have been overdoing it cooking washing a little so are really sore now. It's my right side and I'm right handed which is tiring. Hope you are resting wellx

Thank you for your selflessness Annie! But you can be angry too! Cancer is crap! As I had multifocal cancer-two types there is always the possiblity of having to deal with reoccurance especially as one type has around 15% chance in other side. As you have experienced there is a need to be optomistic yet realistic when it comes to cancer. Thank you for your concern. It IS a big op-I am only beginning to realise that! And I have been overdoing it cooking washing a little so are really sore now. It's my right side and I'm right handed which is tiring. Hope you are resting wellx

That is great news i am so happy for you.What a relief and you dont lose your hair!!!Yay!

Again i am so happy for you i can stop worrying now.Dont ever feel what you are going through is any less than another,we all have differant diagnosis challenges and paths to go through.

Take it easy till your body gets over the surgery its a big opp.

Congrats Annie xx

I have hestitated in responding as my prognosis is great and feel concerned for the feelings of those whose path is more challenging. However my decision to have surgery for a mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy has in my circumstance saved me from having to go though radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Obviously I will have to take medication to deal with my hormones. I have also asked the nurses and doctors to let me remove the tape and dressings. I have told them that everything felt so out of my control that I would like to just remove them myself to have some sense of independence and they were very willing to wait for me. Which was less painful for me also. Although sore from not resting enough, I believe my overall health and recovery will be faster and better as a result of a mastectomy without reconstruction and would like for more women to know how valid it is from the perspective of physical health and future welbeing in the battle against breast cancer. Annie so hope you are doing ok.

Thankyou.Im not strong you just have to do what you have to do.Whats the alternative? I have a new man in my life and we got married last october halfway through treatment.He has been great though he works away which can sometimes pose a challenge.

Sorry you dont have the support but you will be amaxed at who will be by your side.I was amazed by the caring people trying to help it truley is a blessing.

I was glad i didnt opt for reconstruction either i couldnt handle multiple surgeries and more scars.It takes ages to get used to looking in the mirror.I still get shocked sometimes and it was so long ago.I think the worst was when i lost my hair.I used to have long hair.When i had to shave it i realised this was real and i couldnt hide the cancer anymore.

If you get a chance do the look good feel good program.It was a real help and a lot of fun .Hope your journey goes well for you xx

Thankyou.Im not strong you just have to do what you have to do.Whats the alternative? I have a new man in my life and we got married last october halfway through treatment.He has been great though he works away which can sometimes pose a challenge.

Sorry you dont have the support but you will be amaxed at who will be by your side.I was amazed by the caring people trying to help it truley is a blessing.

I was glad i didnt opt for reconstruction either i couldnt handle multiple surgeries and more scars.It takes ages to get used to looking in the mirror.I still get shocked sometimes and it was so long ago.I think the worst was when i lost my hair.I used to have long hair.When i had to shave it i realised this was real and i couldnt hide the cancer anymore.

If you get a chance do the look good feel good program.It was a real help and a lot of fun .Hope your journey goes well for you xx

Hi, I am so glad you didnt need further surgery and they got it all.Thats one step in a positive outcome.Once you have your treatment plan at least you have something to focus on.

Yes pre cancer everything i did was in order to please everyone else.How that changes and im not that same push over girl anymore.Ive learnt to say no.And i have been humbled in order to ask for help.Though i dont need help now im a lot stronger mentally than i have been before.Just my body lets me down now.Im only 41 but cant do what i used to do.Fitness is going to take a long time to get back.If ever!!!

You will be amazed at how much support you get .My Mum who is like my best friend, my 10 year old son and my sister who lived near where i had treatment were always there with me.

I had to travel 3 hours each way for surgeries chemo and had to be away from home for 6 weeks to do radiation.I would drive down for chemo and mum would drive back.

You also meet people doing the same treatment each week.Their is a bond that forms.These people you trade stories with how each of you are coping.They become a positve in your little world.It makes it easier that you are not doing this alone.I actualy used to look forward to seeing them and i still keep in contact with a couple.

The nurses are the most beautiful people in the whole world.They are there for every step of the journey.They help to make you feel comfortable ,find you support services if needed , answer all your doubts and become very close to you.

You will be fine there is good days and bad.Yor mind is the hardest to train its amazing how much your body can withstand.Cancer gets all consuming in your head.I found i had to research it and read about it as much as i could.Im still quite consumed with cancer in my head im not sure if that will ever go away.Dont try to hide your thoughts and feelings i found honesty with myself and those around me was the only way i could deal with it.I wanted to punch people that would say "just stay positive". I was positive but i couldnt be every second of the day when the pain or nausea set it.But you are given so many medications to help you along the way.

 there is a lot of positives along the way and a lot of negatives.Just remember this is about you and you have to do the best you can to get through it.Its a hard journey ahead but you can do it!!!!!

Thinking of you Annie x

Hi, I am so glad you didnt need further surgery and they got it all.Thats one step in a positive outcome.Once you have your treatment plan at least you have something to focus on.

Yes pre cancer everything i did was in order to please everyone else.How that changes and im not that same push over girl anymore.Ive learnt to say no.And i have been humbled in order to ask for help.Though i dont need help now im a lot stronger mentally than i have been before.Just my body lets me down now.Im only 41 but cant do what i used to do.Fitness is going to take a long time to get back.If ever!!!

You will be amazed at how much support you get .My Mum who is like my best friend, my 10 year old son and my sister who lived near where i had treatment were always there with me.

I had to travel 3 hours each way for surgeries chemo and had to be away from home for 6 weeks to do radiation.I would drive down for chemo and mum would drive back.

You also meet people doing the same treatment each week.Their is a bond that forms.These people you trade stories with how each of you are coping.They become a positve in your little world.It makes it easier that you are not doing this alone.I actualy used to look forward to seeing them and i still keep in contact with a couple.

The nurses are the most beautiful people in the whole world.They are there for every step of the journey.They help to make you feel comfortable ,find you support services if needed , answer all your doubts and become very close to you.

You will be fine there is good days and bad.Yor mind is the hardest to train its amazing how much your body can withstand.Cancer gets all consuming in your head.I found i had to research it and read about it as much as i could.Im still quite consumed with cancer in my head im not sure if that will ever go away.Dont try to hide your thoughts and feelings i found honesty with myself and those around me was the only way i could deal with it.I wanted to punch people that would say "just stay positive". I was positive but i couldnt be every second of the day when the pain or nausea set it.But you are given so many medications to help you along the way.

 there is a lot of positives along the way and a lot of negatives.Just remember this is about you and you have to do the best you can to get through it.Its a hard journey ahead but you can do it!!!!!

Thinking of you Annie x

Hi Annie Thanks for keeping in contact. I got great results- well from my perspective they were- no further surgery need as they got it all& it is oestrogen based? Came home with drip Friday. Had drip removed when I had it checked at hospital yesterday. Have no night sweats so am sleeping better than I have for over two years. Pain managable. Husband&Friends have been amazing. Even a small argument with hubby seemed to have purpose and meaning! I really hate being unable to do things but am forcing myself to let others help. Shed a few tears after showering but that was more from exhaustion than sadness. I still feel like me- even with one breast. So am extremely pleased with the choice of no reconstruction! I am trying not to think of the wait to hear what the treatment will be. Cancer turns everything upside down&inside out..Do you ever feel like you were too well behaved and too polite& nice before your world was gate-crashed by cancer? Who supports you through all of your treatments?

How are you feeling today? did you get results?