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Deanne's avatar
Deanne
Member
12 years ago

Ways of coping

When I was diagnosed I had just spent 5 months losing a little weight and getting fit. I thought I was healthy but I was shocked to find out I had Stage 3 breast cancer. I coped with the lead up to surgery by continuing to walk 5 km everyday and as soon as I could I was back walking after my mastectomy and partial axillary clearance. I think this helped me mentally as well as physically. During chemo I continued to help my body cope, with good food (except for some odd cravings here and there!) and walking as much as possible (Docetaxel knocked me off my feet though). After radiation I started swimming as well as walking. I think it helped with the side effects of tamoxifen. My Pilates, yoga and swimming help me control early stage lymphoedema. It is 7 months since I finished radiotherapy and I felt a need to do something other than helping myself recover and reducing my chance of recurrence. So, when I saw a poster advertising Walk 4 Breast Cancer I thought this is it! 10 years ago a small group of 12 people decided to walk from Coolum to Noosa (20km) to raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer. Since then it has grown each year and it has now raised over $460 000 for Cancer Council Queensland to use to support women with Breast Cancer and also for research. This time last year I was walking 5 km before heading off to have my second FEC chemo. I was doing what I could to help myself. Tomorrow morning my daughter and I will walk 10 km (I'm only doing the half walk from Marcus Beach to Noosa) to help others who are facing diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. I also hope that with more money for research we can achieve the 'no deaths from breast cancer by 2030.' It helps me to cope with the thought of recurrence, to know that I am doing something, not just to keep myself as healthy as possible, but to work towards finding out more about how to stop this awful disease. Every step I take tomorrow will be another step towards reclaiming my life that breast cancer nearly took away. It can be hard to move on but I feel this is a way forward for me. Wishing you all the strength to cope with what you have in front of you right now and the hope that one day soon they will work out how to beat this disease for good. Take care. Deanne xxx

16 Replies

  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    12 years ago
    Yes I know how lucky I am with both my daughters, husband and parents giving wonderful support all the way. Mum has decided she wants to walk with us next year (she is very fit and only 65). So we will have 3 generations walking together next time! But my sister, brother and their families are very caught up in their own lives. Despite living close by (my sister just 5 mins away, my brother 30 mins) they rarely contact or visit and did not sponsor us in the walk, or even respond to the text we sent to everyone from the finish line. They were very busy on the day, but still! It has been hurtful at times but reading a post by Meg (positive3negative) on here about how we sometimes find that people distance themselves for all sorts of reasons when someone they know gets cancer, really helped me to let go of the expectation that they would be supportive. I don't know why they have not been able to be there for me but maybe things will change in time like they have for you. The really terrific thing that came out of doing the walk was that my husband, daughters and parents were able to feel the support of friends etc. It has been a tough time for them and it was great that people talked about this with them when sponsoring us for the walk. Enjoy the seven bridges walk, I hope your son and his fiancée join you too. Take care. Deanne xxx
  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    12 years ago
    It is amazing the difference I feel having experienced this. Seeing hundreds of people giving up their Saturday morning to walk (most of them the full 20 km) and having so many people donate (friends of my daughters, friends of my parents, work colleagues of my husbands, friends and family and even some people we do business with) really helped me to feel that people care and that together we will beat this disease. People are still donating and my total is up to $3140 now. It was amazing also to feel the support from people driving past us, people we walked past and even from the staff at the cafe where we went to have a coffee and recover! Some ladies got a free ride from the local bus company back to collect their car from Coolum, because the free bus was full! It was great to experience the generous and caring side of people. :) Deanne xxx
  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    12 years ago

    Congratulations, Deanne, to you and your lovely daughter.  You are both stars!  Feeling so proud of you - Michelle xxxx

  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    12 years ago
    I still feel really energetic again today and have found my motivation again. Feeling like my old self before BC. Have decided I need to do something physically challenging every so often to really boost my mood. My daughter said straight away that she is up for whatever I decide to do next! Better line something up before she changes her mind. Maybe walking up Mt Coolum? I haven't done that since I was in High School! :) Deanne xxx
  • Christine_Marie's avatar
    Christine_Marie
    Member
    12 years ago
    congratulations on your big walk.... Lovely photo of you & your daughter & I loved reading your post :) you are so positive & an inspiration to us all...you should be very proud of what you have achieved with yourself & with how much money you raised for the cancer council.... Take care Deanne.... Christine:) x
  • Bearteggie's avatar
    Bearteggie
    Member
    12 years ago

    Thanks Deanne,  You have definitely hit the nail on the head.  I thought I could start to get out and about but have had to ditch the bra and just wearing a cotton pijama top with my jeans.  Too sore for anything else.  Yes I am like you were desperate to feel good again.

    Thank you for your encouragement.

    Love

    Joy xx 

  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    Well done Deanne.What a gorgeous photo of you and your daughter.You should be so proud of yourselves,for raising that much money,and for doing the walk.xoxRobyn
  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    12 years ago
    Radiation takes some getting over. I knew that it could actually get worse after it finished but was really worried when it seemed to just be getting worse and worse. It was awful because here I was finally finished treatment but unable to wear a bra and get out of the house! I think in some ways the few weeks (about 4 I think) after radio finished were the worst of the whole thing. I just was desperate to start feeling better. Then all of a sudden I came good and even had enough energy to cook Christmas lunch for 10, 6 weeks later. It is hard to see past that fatigue but just rest as much as you can and you WILL start to feel better soon. Sending you a big but gentle hug! Keep in touch. Deanne xxxx
  • Bearteggie's avatar
    Bearteggie
    Member
    12 years ago

    Deanne you are fabulous and well done on doing the walk with your lovely daughter.  Thank you for updating us on how you got and what an awesome total you raised.  I really hope that I can join you next year.  Today I am so sore from radiation it is hard to think I will feel feel strong and fit like you this time next year.  Your are an inspiration.

    Love

    Joy xx

  • Bearteggie's avatar
    Bearteggie
    Member
    12 years ago

    Deanne you are fabulous and well done on doing the walk with your lovely daughter.  Thank you for updating us on how you got and what an awesome total you raised.  I really hope that I can join you next year.  Today I am so sore from radiation it is hard to think I will feel feel strong and fit like you this time next year.  Your are an inspiration.

    Love

    Joy xx