"You have breast cancer"

Hi Ness,

Big hugs coming your way. I too was diagnosed on a Friday 13th, but I received the news way back in February! I'm 40 with two young daughters, but I think the thing I have struggled with the most through my treatment has been the hot flushes and weight gain and early menopause (I had Grade 2 DCIS, hormone positive, HERC2 -, and required L mastectomy, 6 months chemo, 6 weeks radio, and am now on Tamoxifen). We have so much information available to us, and really great care up here on the Coast. These first few weeks and months are such a roller coaster of emotions until you lock in your treatment plan and gain a greater understanding of what is ahead.

For me, the early menopause hit a bit through my chemo (about 2 months in I think), with the hot flushes getting stronger quite quickly. They are definitely the thing I struggle with the most, but over the 5 months I have had them so far, I have found that exercise is prob the thing that is helping me to deal with them the best! So your daily walks are a really good thing. Plus if you are better than I was with motivation, then try to continue any exercise levels so you limit any increase in weight that might come with treatment (I added 8 kgs to my frame that I am now struggling to lose!).

I too live up here at the Sunshine Coast, near the beach. We have a wonderful support network that you might want to come and access at Bloomhill (Buderim). I'll try and work out how to email you in case you want to meet up.

I'm thinking of you Ness. 

Cheers, 

Bec xoxoxo