Hi Ladies, In need od a pep talk. Been very emotional this week just wondering if its back. You all know the feeling. I get these expanders out in March so they are at 500mls each and heavy and hard. But my breathing feels laboured and have a niggling cough. Also hay fever symptoms for months so hoping its nothing more. What is the benefit of getting it checked. If its spread do I really want to know. Are there benegits of finding it early? 3 little girls need me so Im not coping with these thoughts.

I initially felt quite out of breath when I exercised with my reconstruction and was scared as I did have some heart failure from chemo. (All good now). What I worked out was when I was doing things my chest muscles were going tight and with the implants I just felt short of breath. Once I figured out what it was I'd take a big breath and just drop my shoulders saying relax...and bingo no tightness. It takes time and even after changeover it takes time. I'm 8 months from changeover and only now does it feel relaxed over the implant. I have to massage it too...as per surgeon.Now think about what your heads going to do if you don't get checked out. You will just lay awake, worry all day and become teary and it will just suck the joy out of life. See a Dr. Get the check. And if all good...big sigh of relief. If not...there is still so much that can be done. We get it. I've had pelvic scans. Spinal CTs and most recently a dental OPG. Before all of them even though I knew it was a) a virul bug b) arthritis and c) a bloody dental abscess...the fact that they weren't text book presentations scared the hell out of me. Who would think one would be happy they have a dental abscess and gladly have a tooth pulled? . But...just for a moment when I had weird jaw pain that 2 dentists were puzzled over ...was I terrified it was brain mets causing neuropathy or a bone met in my jaw. Happy to say all is well with me. But the fear is just below the surface. Tell the Dr what you are worried about. The Drs I have seen have been absolutely compassionate about my fear and very very thorough and not dismissive at all. X

@Shorelle Most likely it hasn't. I've had to do some back reading but I believe you have an estrogen responsive cancer since you are on Tamoxifen. Is that correct?What are the benefits of knowing?Well changing treatment paths for a start.Even if it has returned there is treatment. My sister had advanced metasteses. She lived to see her children marry and even met some of her grandies. It wasn't an easy life but it was filled with love and joy. It was worth having the treatment to stabilise the mets. Not knowing and just worrying will just make you miserable. What if it hasn't spread and you spend years just being fearful. At least by knowing you can be doing something to improve your health and giving yourself your best shot . Kath x

I went to my app and dr thinks its just asthma or sinus so no xray. Im still concerned but trying to forget about it for now. He recommended a counselor (surprise surprise). Xxxxxx

HI shorelle when I was about 2 years out from diagnosis, I was very withdrawn and began seeing a psychologist under a mental health plan (anyone who has had cancer is eligible for one) ... I have to say it has been such a wonderful experience ... we don't just talk cancer and my fears we discuss everyday stuff also she helps me to manage my anxiety about my boys with autism and what if I have recurrence.... (I am divorced they have no contact with their dad as we left domestic violence a long time ago) As mothers we often struggle with the what ifs.... Its okay to say I need help with my thoughts and fears... sometimes it is much easier to do that with a counsellor or psychologist than with those closest to us. Do you have any local support groups for Breast Cancer ? I found that also helped me to realise that there are lots of ladies who go on to survive BC for many years to come.... I have a lunch this week for a lady who is having her 40th anniversary since diagnosis, she's had no recurrence in all that time isn't that awesome. Hugs soldiercrab

hi @Shorelle Lets do a pep talk .... pull those big girl panties up and get in and get it checked out the sooner the better you do know that .... Now come here and have a cuddle and a bit of a sook.... sending you energy to be brave and go and see the GP or Onco etc and get whatever needs to be done to rule our recurrenceI dont have the experience of the expanders but I know @primek has that experience so I know she and others will respond regarding those..... Breathing could be laboured because you are anemia or have Asthma, the niggling cough could be reflux people dont realise it can cause just a cough..... it might be simple things like some nexium for the reflux some ventolin for the breathing or it might be something else only way to know is to get it checked...But you know you need to get it checked out... Yes you want to know there are benefits to finding it early, because the sooner you know if it is a recurrence then the sooner they can treat it and give you a long life, I know women who have had mets for 10+ years now ..... Please go and get it checked those 3 little girls need their mum to look after herself so she is here to look after them.... big hugs soldierCrab

Loosing it today | BCNA Online Network

23 Replies

Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
The expanders are stretching your pectoral muscles. I didn't like that one bit and I felt like I was getting squeezed. Trying to avoid the sensation had me taking quite shallow breaths. I was not a happy camper.
You still need to get it checked out. Marg
lrb_03
Member
8 years ago
If you're concerned, get it checked out. Go to your GP for starters. I've become a frequent flier with my GP, from someone who rarely went! It's normal to get worried at times, but if it's interfering with your ability to function, maybe some counselling would help.
I don't know for sure, but I would think that if it is spread, early diagnosis would help.
Again, talk to someone, maybe even the BCNA helpline, or a cancer council counsellor.
Take care, Lyn
SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago
hi @Shorelle

Lets do a pep talk .... pull those big girl panties up and get in and get it checked out the sooner the better you do know that ....
Now come here and have a cuddle and a bit of a sook.... sending you energy to be brave and go and see the GP or Onco etc and get whatever needs to be done to rule our recurrence

I dont have the experience of the expanders but I know @primek has that experience so I know she and others will respond regarding those.....

Breathing could be laboured because you are anemia or have Asthma, the niggling cough could be reflux people dont realise it can cause just a cough..... it might be simple things like some nexium for the reflux some ventolin for the breathing or it might be something else only way to know is to get it checked...

But you know you need to get it checked out...

Yes you want to know there are benefits to finding it early, because the sooner you know if it is a recurrence then the sooner they can treat it and give you a long life, I know women who have had mets for 10+ years now .....

Please go and get it checked those 3 little girls need their mum to look after herself so she is here to look after them....

big hugs
soldierCrab

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Loosing it today

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