Has anyone got any good tips on coping with the fear we must all feel inside? I am trying hard to stay positive, but knowing my tumour was very large and 5/13 lymph nodes were infected, I am terrified for the future. I had a lumpectomy, but the margins weren't clear, so they are going to start chemo first ( I see the oncologist on Monday) and after chemo they will do a mastectomy. If it had been a small lump and they had got it all I would feel more positive, but I can't shake off this terror inside. My scans were clear which I know is a positive, but if anyone else has been in a similar position with a good outcome I would love to hear from you.

Hi Jenny, When I got my first breast cancer diagnosis in 2003 I was a nervous wreck.I had to ask the chemist for an over the counter pill to help me sleep.I also took to the red wine in the evening-and I don't usually drink! I had lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation -all nodes were clear.Last year(7yrs on)it came back in the same breast,same spot would you believe -in the unlucky 8%. My body scans were clear so it shows that my cancer was"happy" to stay put in the breast for 7yrs and grow to 3cms! I have a work colleague who had b cancer and 4nodes positive 6years ago and she is 60yrs now, old working fulltime and fine. Your fear is of the unknown and lack of control.I find it helps when you can take a little control of your life .I read everything I could and prepared myself as best I could.Then you just have to hope for the best.Remind yourself that it's treatable if caught early and many women are living on.Cancer is no longer a death sentence,but more of an illness that you can be rid of or even live with.In the cancer world early breast cancer is the best one to have! Try to keep that perspective or you'll be down the gloom and doom road. luv Tonya xx

Hi Jenny I have to agree with what Kym says,I felt exactly as you are feeling,I was diagnosed in 2009 ,had a mastectomy,chemo..... I cried at the drop of a hat,and had emotions i never new existed,..I had a fantastic breast care nurse,and a phsyco-oncologist to talk my fears through,Take each day as it comes,they will all be different,but i found the worst thing was not being in control of the situation,and not knowing what the future holds.. I am 2 years down the track and i still have my days where i am overwhelmed,but they are getting less and do your best to keep your chin up. Everything you are feeling is normal. Take extra care of yourself,you are what matters right now. good luck Jenny feel free to stay in touch cheers Jean x

Thanks girls for all the advice. It is great to hear such positive stories from you. I try not to research too much for fear of reading something I don't want to read, but i am concentrating on getting my body fit and eating all the right foods etc. Another question I have is about work. What did you girls do? i don't know whether to take time off through all this or try to get back asap. Any thoughts?

It all depends on the type of work you do and how flexible your employer is. I took my sick leave plus some long service leave.That covered the chemo treatment. Personally,I just didn't want the added stress of not knowing whether I'd be ok or not.About 4wks after chemo ended I went back to work(part time).I felt it was important to get back to "normal".I like my job and work colleagues. I have a work friend who went through chemo and worked.She had an arrangement whereby she had 2wks off and 1wk on.I think she needed the money and didn't have alot of leave up her sleeve.She said it nearly killed her towards the end of treatment.She is a nurse and on her feet alot. Go with what feels right for you.But if you work,have a plan in place incase you are really crook. Tonya xx

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TonyaM
Member
15 years ago
Hi Jenny,

When I got my first breast cancer diagnosis in 2003 I was a nervous wreck.I had to ask the chemist for an over the counter pill to help me sleep.I also took to the red wine in the evening-and I don't usually drink! I had lumpectomy,full node clearance and radiation -all nodes were clear.Last year(7yrs on)it came back in the same breast,same spot would you believe -in the unlucky 8%. My body scans were clear so it shows that my cancer was"happy" to stay put in the breast for 7yrs and grow to 3cms! I have a work colleague who had b cancer and 4nodes positive 6years ago and she is 60yrs now, old working fulltime and fine. Your fear is of the unknown and lack of control.I find it helps when you can take a little control of your life .I read everything I could and prepared myself as best I could.Then you just have to hope for the best.Remind yourself that it's treatable if caught early and many women are living on.Cancer is no longer a death sentence,but more of an illness that you can be rid of or even live with.In the cancer world early breast cancer is the best one to have! Try to keep that perspective or you'll be down the gloom and doom road.

luv Tonya xx

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