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Melsie97's avatar
Melsie97
Member
9 years ago

Always Worried

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 HER 2+ Breast Cancer with 17/18 Lymph Node positive on my 40th Birthday in October. I have since had a Total Mastectomy and Axillary Dissection. I have undergone 4 cycles of AC and am currently about to have my 3rd cycle of Taxol with Herceptin every 3 weeks. I have 2 beautiful boys aged 11 and 9 who are scared they are going to lose their mum. How do I keep my constant fears of the cancer spreading? So far all CT's and Bone Scans have come back clear. Thanks

15 Replies

  • Thankyou ladies. We have been open and honest with our boys from the beginning and told them we always will be. I've told them I plan to be here for a while. 
    I'm trying not to let it dominate my thoughts but as Primek said nights are the worst. I'll definitely look into the Cancer Council counselling. I'm hoping once treatment is over and we get back to a new 'norm' it will alleviate the anxiety.
  • @Melsie97 I just wanted to send a massive HUG!!!! and let you know you are so not alone!!! Super super normal to feel that way and worry and as others have said, in the midst of treatment its front and foremost in your mind! My first diagnosis in 2011 my daughter was 13 and my Son 11 and I was only 6 months out of my marriage and into a new place and getting my life together as a single parent. My Radiologist at the time told me to sit down and talk to my kids, obviously on their level, however he said dont with hold, that communication is so vital. I remember before I did that my son was in tears, he just lost his Dad so to speak, he lost his home and was petrified he was going to lose me. I remember hugging him and saying you know what "THis is really crappy whats happening!, but NO I'm not going anywhere, its going to be tough for a while but thats all" It was the hardest few months of my life alone with no support as my Mum passed 2009 and there were days I wanted to crawl in the corner and give up but I didn't. I think if anything back then I taught my kids you never give up, you never give in and I never did. OF course I went through a tougher time 2015 with a recurrence but they were older and even came to chemo with me! AMAZING KIDS!!! Everyone will say, it never goes away that fear...but honestly??? I refuse to let that dominate my here and now and miss out on what I have in my life right now. Thats how I cope I think with the fear of it. Big hugs xoxoxo Melinda 
  • I spent many nights fearful of spread. Although my boys are teenagers and young men they still really need my guidance and love. Once through the chemo part and just on herceptin I started to feel hope and imagined a life beyond treatment. My niece who developed breast cancer at 31...with 10 + lymph nodes had the ACT-H ...on the clinical trials for Herceptin. 14 years on she remains cancer free. This gives me such hope that I will too. It will get bettet. Kath x
  • I had similar treatment nearly 5 years ago and as socoda says, your fears are very natural. Young children too are fearful of what is out of the ordinary, and they may find they relax a bit after the active part of treatment is over (as will you). One thing you can be sure of is that anxiety (yours or your family's) won't help anything. A good counsellor can help you focus on reducing your fears but may also have some good advice about helping your sons through this period too. 
  • Hi Melsie97, I think that the fear of the cancer spreading is a natural reaction and something that we all can relate to and have all experienced. I was diagnosed May last year and must admit that I do think about the cancer spreading but not on a regular basis. I think with your diagnosis still being fairly recent (I'm sure it mustn't seem like it) and the fact that you are still dealing with treatment,  your concerns are totally normal particularly as you have your 2 beautifuls to consider as well. I think if you are feeling or start to feel that you are totally consumed by your fears then perhaps some counselling might help. Cancer Council 131120 have a telephone service that could assist and may help to allay your fears or at least minimise them. Wishing you all the best with this. Xx Cath