Lobular breast cancer
This discussion was created from comments split from: Newly diagnosed and need support.
Forum Discussion
Dear @mg2
4 years ago I too had lobular breast cancer - 12mm tumour deep in the chest wall.I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy - 2 nodes removed micro metastasis. Followed up with 16 days radiotherapy on my left breast.I have been on Letrozole now for 3 and a half years - bit difficult at start but things settled after 3 months or so partly helped by a daily one hour walk.
I basically shutdown to get thru it all helped also by feeling cocooned with kindness by all staff involved in my treatment.Once it finished I was terrified that my life was over. People saw me looking the same but I was not the same I had lost confidence.
Luckily for me I rang the Cancer Council who arranged Cancer Connect with a woman who had had my type of cancer and treatment years beforehand. We spoke for an hour and the lilt in her voice and reassurance lifted me out of the darkness a little. A couple of friends who knew I was struggling but had not had breast cancer put out feelers for what help was available in our community. They told me about a local breast cancer group and “Look good Feel better” program - thru these I met others and learnt more about what was available to help me including the YWCA hydrotherapy course of 6 weeks ( not sure if run atm due to covid),
In my opinion and experience it is important to reach out even if it is hard - you have started that process by joining the blog as I did.There is so much support out therefor us in the community and thru it I gradually learned that life does go on.You have no idea how uplifting it was to know there were others in the community like me - I recall being excited to see them out grocery shopping or having a coffee -they were still enjoying life and I realised I might too.
Yes each time I have my mammogram and oncology I still get anxious but generally life is pretty good.Btw we all get that and we call it scanxiety.The blog was a very important part of my recovery as someone was all ways there 24/7 to talk to. I don’t come on daily anymore as I don’t need it as much but hope on every now and then to see if I can help someone like you to repay the debt I owe to this community that helped me through.
Finally, I found a daily one hour walk very important for my mental and physical well being.Exercise is not my favourite thing so my daughter put my favourite music and some e audio books on my phone which made it more tolerable.Re hormone therapy - it’s sometimes not easy because of tendon/ muscle issues caused by it but it is do- able and the best shot available to prevent recurrence so I stay on it but I just try to avoid things that could cause injuries. I have had tennis elbow precipitated by scrubbing tile grout with a toothbrush , plantar fasciitis by walking daily for an hour plus on concrete in inappropriate footwear and now bursitis in the shoulder after tripping delivering washing upstairs.I still do the first two but scrubbing in stages and wearing good sneakers - the latter well ...guess I need to get my adult kids to come collect.
I hope I and the others have reassured you that gradually your confidence will return and that there are things you can do in the meantime to help that. Looking outwards will require practice initially but eventually it will become normal as it once was.Life is good .
4 years ago I too had lobular breast cancer - 12mm tumour deep in the chest wall.I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy - 2 nodes removed micro metastasis. Followed up with 16 days radiotherapy on my left breast.I have been on Letrozole now for 3 and a half years - bit difficult at start but things settled after 3 months or so partly helped by a daily one hour walk.
I basically shutdown to get thru it all helped also by feeling cocooned with kindness by all staff involved in my treatment.Once it finished I was terrified that my life was over. People saw me looking the same but I was not the same I had lost confidence.
Luckily for me I rang the Cancer Council who arranged Cancer Connect with a woman who had had my type of cancer and treatment years beforehand. We spoke for an hour and the lilt in her voice and reassurance lifted me out of the darkness a little. A couple of friends who knew I was struggling but had not had breast cancer put out feelers for what help was available in our community. They told me about a local breast cancer group and “Look good Feel better” program - thru these I met others and learnt more about what was available to help me including the YWCA hydrotherapy course of 6 weeks ( not sure if run atm due to covid),
In my opinion and experience it is important to reach out even if it is hard - you have started that process by joining the blog as I did.There is so much support out therefor us in the community and thru it I gradually learned that life does go on.You have no idea how uplifting it was to know there were others in the community like me - I recall being excited to see them out grocery shopping or having a coffee -they were still enjoying life and I realised I might too.
Yes each time I have my mammogram and oncology I still get anxious but generally life is pretty good.Btw we all get that and we call it scanxiety.The blog was a very important part of my recovery as someone was all ways there 24/7 to talk to. I don’t come on daily anymore as I don’t need it as much but hope on every now and then to see if I can help someone like you to repay the debt I owe to this community that helped me through.
Finally, I found a daily one hour walk very important for my mental and physical well being.Exercise is not my favourite thing so my daughter put my favourite music and some e audio books on my phone which made it more tolerable.Re hormone therapy - it’s sometimes not easy because of tendon/ muscle issues caused by it but it is do- able and the best shot available to prevent recurrence so I stay on it but I just try to avoid things that could cause injuries. I have had tennis elbow precipitated by scrubbing tile grout with a toothbrush , plantar fasciitis by walking daily for an hour plus on concrete in inappropriate footwear and now bursitis in the shoulder after tripping delivering washing upstairs.I still do the first two but scrubbing in stages and wearing good sneakers - the latter well ...guess I need to get my adult kids to come collect.
I hope I and the others have reassured you that gradually your confidence will return and that there are things you can do in the meantime to help that. Looking outwards will require practice initially but eventually it will become normal as it once was.Life is good .