Life After Breast Cancer Survivor Story

I'd love to do dragon boat racing but it's too far away (as is everything) and just can't add anything more to what I have to do.  Maybe one day...

Mmmm...dragon boat racing.
I drove 30km.  there and back every Sunday morning  for months, to start dragon boat racing, a number of years ago. I was given one turn in the boat,  even though I told the organisers that I  had had breast cancer. They must have not heard me because I was asked if I  was supporting someone with breast cancer. Not a good experience.

Oh boy I remember how that felt for 5 years till I tried dragon boat paddling and re discovered “me” became strong (inside and out).  This discovery is not unique to me either so would highly recommend finding a Dragons Abreast Australia team via their website and give it a go..

I don't put a lot on my blog these days but I'm going to post this if, for no other reason, than that I want to remember what it said.

Me too exactly @"Michele B"! I really do feel like I'm lying sometimes, having to say 'good thanks'. And it's awkward with people you like and know truly care. But then if you tell the truth you sound like a massive whinger!

I think the thing is we have to get over the term 'recovery'. It suggests a return to how it was before. We all know that it will never be how it was before. This is the new normal. I'm desperately trying to get my head round that. Living with 24 hour a day pain, perpetual tiredness, grief... That is my existence for now, but within that I have better days and worse days. So when it's a better day I suppose I must embrace that, and say 'good thanks'. It's a different frame of reference eh?

Hope you get a good rest tonight. K xox

What a read...wouldn't it be lovely for everyone who tells us how lucky we are that we are 'over it all' could read this article. I always feel such a whinger if I'm honest and say im feeling very ordinary. Nobody understands unless tney have walked this path too!

@Mjheke Oh Michelle, it's just such a shitfight isn't it? I'm so sorry you've had such a rough time. I took a month off after my BMX & recon before I started on Letrozole. Give yourself a breather. Ask your oncologist how long you can wait before you start taking it.

With my chance of developing another breast cancer at 27% (pre-mastectomy, but there's always a bit of tissue left behind), and that was before I found out about the CHEK2 gene mutation, and my tumour being highly ER positive, I don't feel I have a choice in taking it.

Please remember that some people take it with no problems at all, and for many the side effects settle down after six months. Fingers crossed. K xox

Hi @Mjheke

The problems with AIs that people talk about here are very real and they need to be seriously considered. However people have a range of experiences. I have been on letrozole for almost 6 years and have no aches, pains, stiffness or flushes. I do have vaginal dryness, at least triggered by letrozole but alleviated by a pretty small dose of oestrogen cream. The latter also needs to be read (both occurrence and treatment) in the light of my age (now 73). I have always been an advocate of trying something if recommended in your particular case and seeing how you go. You can always stop. No-ones can force you to take any medication and whatever the problems, the balancing up of the possible benefits and the known side effects is personal and particular. I hope you do feel much better, very soon. 

I am seeing the medical oncologist tomorrow to talk hormone therapy. AI as I am post menopausal. I have had terrible menopausal symptoms anyway, and I am concerned at the quality of life with AI’s many of you talk about. I will have lots of questions about my overall risk of return of BC or a new BC and wonder if anyone has chosen quality of life over taking medication. I have been told by my surgeon that I will be encouraged to take them as my cancer was 💯 ER positive. I also have LCIS which I am told overall increases my chance of a new or return of my BC. 

I have had a rough 3 months post surgery with seroma x 3 drained, infection and now severe burns post radiation. I have pretty much been in pain since surgery and was looking forward to feeling better, but worry this won’t ever happen!! 

Michelle x

The attitude is just too blithe. Kudos to my GP who took herself off to do a two week course in BC survivorship. She has so many women coming through her doors with the same problems, and identified that she didn't know enough about it.