Just when I thought I was normal again!!!

Hi there

This is the first time I have posted anything here howevor I have been reading comments for 3 years .

My diagnosis was in january 2010 at age 43. I was diagnosed with locally advanced early breast cancer and so started my journey.

I did not cry when diagnosed but recall being very angry at this thing that had taken over my breast and threatened to take over my life. I was very keen to start treatment and never looked at it as a hassle because every treatment was a step closer to health again.

I had 4 rounds of AC chemo, fortnightly then a right mastectomy and auxillary disection, then 4 rounds of Taxol fortnightly, 5 weeks of radiation, i year or Herception and am now on Tamoxifan and Zoladex injections and will continue this until i decide to have my ovaries removed - Im struggling with that decision for some reason.

I went through all the usual side effects with the chemo and the Herceptin and if I am honest I think there are still some side effects hanging around.

My main side effects now are joint pain, headaches tiredness and a bit of nausea every now and again from the zoladex/tamoxifan but dont evcen tart me on the hot flushes and the night sweats. I cannot wait for winter as I am always hot - sometimes it feels like Im running a huge fever because the slightest activity and i am dripping wet - I have a fan on my desk at work and my power bills from the air con are enormous due to my hotties as i affectionately call them.

I have leg pain also but mainly at night when they get twitchy as do my feet but in winter i find a hot water bottle on my feet helps this - this time of year i am just miserable with the heat. I should not use the word miserable as i have never alllowed myself to be miserable about my diagnosis in fact there atimes when my breast cancer has been a blessing as it has changed my life in so many ways. I now dont work as hard as i used to, i enjoy the little things in life and dont worry about the crappy things so much - life is too short and i intend to live a very long time and enjoy every minute. There are times when i am tired and dont feel so well and i have some body issues now but i try not to dwell on these or over think anything. I keep away from google and surround myself with positive people only.

I am loving life again - not 100% well yet but loving life and will do so at all costs.

I garden and hurt myself and i do other stuff around my house and hurt myself (muscle shortening from mastctomy) but as they say use it or lose it and nothing will stop me doing what i love to do. I am currently sanding and painting the exterior weatherboards of my house - very hard work but am loving sweating my way through it haha.

We woman are so strong and so resiliant that if Cancer thinks it can keep us down it better think again.

I have so enjoyed and been so inspired by the strong beautiful women on this site.

Bless you all

xoxoxoxox

Hi Yasmin im 2 years since diagnosis.I was on Taxol chemo as well.I have all of your symptoms as well.Ive had to cut back my work.I tried patches for the pain but only relieved it for a little while.I feel like such a whinger but i thought this would be getting better by now.They have just put me on a drug holiday to see if its the hormone therapy drug creating the problem.

Ive been off it for 5 days but not much improvement yet,Ive done a lot of research and there are a lot of women who had taxol and have the same problem.Some last about a year some are permanent.Im so scared that is me.Omg im 42 and sometimes feel 82.I cant imagine this is how it will be for ever.Noone warned me this may happen.

Sorry i havnt got good news in reply to your blog.

cheers Annie xx