Radiation decision
Hello everyone, I was diagnosed 5 months ago with stage 3 triple positive (er+, pr+, and Her2+). I was told I needed the full package deal - surgery, 6 months chemo, radiation, Herceptin for 1 year...
Forum Discussion
Hi @micaela
I am quite certain I have never experienced grief over cancer. Initial shock yes, as there was no cancer in my family but it seemed that if other people can get it, then why not me? I think I have been in tears (very briefly) about three times and once was when I accidentally singed my wig! People react in different ways. I didn’t particularly like losing one breast - who does? - but I certainly felt no need to mourn the loss or keep a photograph, although I can understand that others may feel very differently. I did see a counsellor for a short time - my issue wasn’t about cancer but whether some persistent side effects of treatment meant I should be changing how I lived. She was great - no I didn’t have to change anything, but I might want to consider my hectic schedule and think about how I spent my time. Cancer pushed me to consider my own mortality - something I had cheerfully ignored for nearly 70 years! Nothing dramatic changed, but gradually I became much clearer, even happier than before. It was about a year after diagnosis that I took on new work challenges (but a four day week), planned more travel and made time for more recreational activity. In a sense, batty to wait for cancer to prompt some deep thinking, but better late than never. No one in their right mind wants cancer, but dealing with it can be a positive thing. Best wishes.
I am quite certain I have never experienced grief over cancer. Initial shock yes, as there was no cancer in my family but it seemed that if other people can get it, then why not me? I think I have been in tears (very briefly) about three times and once was when I accidentally singed my wig! People react in different ways. I didn’t particularly like losing one breast - who does? - but I certainly felt no need to mourn the loss or keep a photograph, although I can understand that others may feel very differently. I did see a counsellor for a short time - my issue wasn’t about cancer but whether some persistent side effects of treatment meant I should be changing how I lived. She was great - no I didn’t have to change anything, but I might want to consider my hectic schedule and think about how I spent my time. Cancer pushed me to consider my own mortality - something I had cheerfully ignored for nearly 70 years! Nothing dramatic changed, but gradually I became much clearer, even happier than before. It was about a year after diagnosis that I took on new work challenges (but a four day week), planned more travel and made time for more recreational activity. In a sense, batty to wait for cancer to prompt some deep thinking, but better late than never. No one in their right mind wants cancer, but dealing with it can be a positive thing. Best wishes.