New to blogging, new to breast cancer

Hi Leanne - I was 41, with two children aged 5 & 3 when diagnosed in June last year with inflammatory breast cancer. Things looked very grim as it is the worst of the worst sort of BC to get - a 30% survival rate. I have been lucky though and I'm through chemo, rads and surgery and we think the cancer has completely gone (three cheers for herceptin the miracle drug). In the end none of the treatment was as bad as I thought it was going to be and I worked through the entire time. Based on my experience my advice is:1. don't quit your job or take extended leave if you don't have to, you'll probably be fine to work most of the time and it beats sitting around thinking about it. 2. Get a good wig, no one that doesn't know will know and it beats talking about it all the time. 3. Get knowledgeable and understand your treatment - if something sounds wrong question it and get a second opinion. The first surgeon I had said I needed a radical mastectomy with only the choice of reconstruction at least a year down the track, the second suggested a skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (much different and better outcome). 4: Read Lance Armstrong's book, "it's Not About The Bike", don't worry about all the latest controversy- his cancer fight is educational & inspirational. Best wishes and good luck, I hope everything works out for you. Anna.