Life after Breast Cancer

I hope you spend as much time as you need @Josephine66. Take your time with your family and hopefully they will spoil you horrendously. Big snuggle hug. xxx

Enjoy your break @Josephine66 .... on your own, I hope!   ;)     Oh dear, the booze definitely doesn't help with depression meds!   :(  

Take care - do what you have to do for YOUR health & sanity xxx

Thanks @arpie. My husband was great at the start of this journey but I think he's just got to a point where he's had enough. Time to focus on him because apparently I'm all fixed now. 

Yes 3 lots of meds but he's been struggling of late. Drinks too much which of course doesn't help. Haha thinks he knows it all too. Not sure when he got his degree in oncology and womens health!!

I could go on all day about his view on breast cancer and all connected but every woman on here is likely to storm our front door with pitchforks.

I've decided to get some respite. Living 2000 kms away from family and friends has been tough. So heading back home for a break and much needed TLC in Feb. Xx

@Josephine66  -  it is really tricky with a non sympathetic husband - mine is away with the fairies a lot of the time   :(     You have enough on your plate without that as well.   Is your husband on meds for his own mental condition?
 Are you able to see a physc or have a good friend who you can 'bend an ear' for some sympathy and/or advice?
 
You've been thru the mill over the last 15 months and most of us can relate to the aches & pains & weight gain etc.   I used to have a waist!!  Not now!   

You and me both - get off my fat arse xxx    Put up any vent here .... Have a chat with your Onc re the Letrozole - there are others available that 'should' have lesser side effects ..... all the best for your ongoing treatment xx

Early days for me as I navigate recovery. Diagnosed October 2017. Surgery x 2 followed by 6 months chemo and 5 weeks radiotherapy. Lymphedema and another surgery 5 weeks ago. Still trying to sort out hormone therapy. On and off Letrozole which I truly believe has triggered bone/joint pain and hot flashes. Haven't worked since diagnosis (physically not able) and have put on a lot of weight this past year. Feel like shit if I'm honest. 
I don't recognize the person I see in the mirror, none of my clothes fit and any pain I feel is invisible to those around me. 
Of course I know I'm lucky to be alive but it doesn't help when your husband thinks it's time you just got on with it and stop fussing.
He doesnt understand lymphedema and thinks pain killers and exercise fixes everything.
I'm at a crossroad now deciding whether or not to go back on Letrozole. Scared my side effects will get worse. I need to find a new job and lose some weight.

My story is not much different to most except my husband suffers from depression and possibly bipolar. Dealing with his crap as well has been exhausting.

Life after breast cancer for me is challenging but I know from life experience I can choose to change the path ahead.

I just got to get off my fat arse!

Twelve months have passed, very confused feelings throughout that time and still emotional and tired. (Not tired and emotional though, have stopped drinking altogether). Everybody wants me to be happy and enjoy my new post BC life ... I suppose that's reasonable but as I was just trying to explain to my son, here for Christmas, you just don't "get over it". I mentioned the theory that it's like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ... not sure if that's really so, but it makes it easier for others to understand. It's so great to hear from others who have come through much worse than I have and are so happy and optimistic. I admire you so much! Good luck to all for the festive season. 

I only finished treatment in October, worked all the way through, was pretty up beat through each treatment phase, but am feeling the most down I have felt throughout the whole 12 months of treatment, it's so much harder than I thought it would be. 

For me it is life with breast cancer.
Yesterday, I was given an award at the school end of year assembly for community service. I really enjoy my job.
This would never have happened at the very large public hospital I used to work in.

Diagnosed July 2017, hubby diagnosed with prostate cancer a month before so last year was a pretty crappy year. Between the two of us we kept part of the medical fraternity busy. After 2 lumpectomies and no chemo, no rads ( due to a trial i am part of) and one hubby with no prostate and dealing with ED we are travelling pretty well. Kept telling myself it will take time for things to calm down. @Sister is right about the mental impacts, they were the worst to have to deal with but having such a supportive group of family and friends around us got us through. Getting onto a exercise program through Ex-Med cancer was the best thing i did as it gave back the control i needed to have in my life which then kick started my husband to go to gym as well. Christmas this year is a much happier time than last year. We both got our one year all clear in October and i have finally got my cholesterol where it needs to be without medication, so proud of myself. Don't want to be on any other medication, have enough issues with AI side effects. Our eldest daughter has just bought her first home...so exciting and completely unexpected...our younger daughter and her partner are wanting to buy in the next 12 months. Life is good.

Just over 12 months for me.  And what a crappy 12 months that has mostly been - 2 surgeries, chemo and rads.  I couldn't work through treatment but went back a couple of months ago - probably too early but good to be thinking about something else.  Things are gradually getting better although I wouldn't say that I'm anywhere near back to what I was.  The cognitive and emotional impacts are what I didn't expect and have really gotten me down.