Going through treatment and working
Hi Everyone, I am 44 and was diagnosed in August 2017 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (3.3cm). My surgeon recommended lumpectomy which I did but we did find during surgery that it was positive in t...
Forum Discussion
Wow, I’m not sure how I feel after reading all these comments. I’d always seen myself as so strong and capable and my return to work plans sounded just like yours but, after my first treatment, I’m not sure I can do what I’d planned.
I was diagnosed late Nov with a 4cm mass in my breast and the sentinel node biopsy showed one cancerous node. I had a lumpectomy and bilateral reduction just before Xmas and can still be quite sore at times. My first chemo was Tuesday (it’s now sun morning) and this is the most I’ve been able to write (or think) since then.
I was queasy and tired pretty much straightaway. Thursday morning I took my daughter to her first day of school and had a cup of tea with friends but went more downhill after that. I’ve been sleeping a lot and trying to keep fluids up but there’s been so much emotional exhaustion as well. I thought I’d be able to read or binge watch or whatever but there just often is nothing i feel up to. I don’t want to sleep all day but I do want the day to pass. I don’t want to be alone but I don’t want anyone around.
I feel very lucky (even if it doesn’t show) for the incredible support I have — husband, kid, in laws, friends. We’ve had meals dropped off, lots of checking in and endless messages. My work has been amazing, giving me all the time off I need.
I thought I’d be back at work tomorrow and do two weeks on, one off after chemo, but I’m worrying now that I won’t be able to do it and then I feel like there’s something wrong me because everyone else who’s already got so much less help can do it. I’ve got three more rounds like this before 12 weekly cycles of something else (then radiation then tablets). Suddenly this road feels a lot longer and harder than it did before.
Sorry for self-pity but this isn’t how I thought things would go.
I was diagnosed late Nov with a 4cm mass in my breast and the sentinel node biopsy showed one cancerous node. I had a lumpectomy and bilateral reduction just before Xmas and can still be quite sore at times. My first chemo was Tuesday (it’s now sun morning) and this is the most I’ve been able to write (or think) since then.
I was queasy and tired pretty much straightaway. Thursday morning I took my daughter to her first day of school and had a cup of tea with friends but went more downhill after that. I’ve been sleeping a lot and trying to keep fluids up but there’s been so much emotional exhaustion as well. I thought I’d be able to read or binge watch or whatever but there just often is nothing i feel up to. I don’t want to sleep all day but I do want the day to pass. I don’t want to be alone but I don’t want anyone around.
I feel very lucky (even if it doesn’t show) for the incredible support I have — husband, kid, in laws, friends. We’ve had meals dropped off, lots of checking in and endless messages. My work has been amazing, giving me all the time off I need.
I thought I’d be back at work tomorrow and do two weeks on, one off after chemo, but I’m worrying now that I won’t be able to do it and then I feel like there’s something wrong me because everyone else who’s already got so much less help can do it. I’ve got three more rounds like this before 12 weekly cycles of something else (then radiation then tablets). Suddenly this road feels a lot longer and harder than it did before.
Sorry for self-pity but this isn’t how I thought things would go.