DONE AND DUSTED
I'm clear of cancer... how can anyone say that. I finished rads only 2 days ago, had a CT scan yesterday and today was told I'm cured. Arimidex for the next how many years and life goes on. But i...
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For me the end of active treatment was the hard bit as I was no longer too busy to think.I became very low and afraid - emotions I had kept in check for months to get thru it all. Tbh I felt my life was over . One day I rang the Cancer Council in despair and they arranged Cancer Connect for me - within 3 days a lovely Irish lady who had had my cancer some years ago rang me from Queensland and it was a turning point for me.I could hear the life in her voice and I knew it would be ok and my life had not ended.We talked for an hour and she rang back a month later to check how I was.It gave me enough of a boost to start looking outside of my self .
I joined this blog blog initially reading posts only but soon contributing and asking questions as I had support from many kind people who understood where I was at and didn’t judge or walk away.I stay on this blog to try and reciprocate a little of what others have done for me.
I joined a local support group - the best part of which for me is seeing these women out and about in my community living their lives - shopping , having a coffee etc. I also learned from one remarkable lady that a daily one hour walk would be very helpful to how I felt as well as my physical health and to this day I do so. Some days it is not easy as I too am on aromatase inhibitors and they cause joint pain but I find I can walk thru it .I really notice the difference if I occasionally miss a walk.
I also joined a gentle Stretch and Balance class I attend twice per week - many women do yoga or Pilates which is something my surgeon supports .
The YWCA runs an Encore program of hydrotherapy- 8 weeks for 2 hours per week and includes a weekly talk on topics of interest like the Otis foundation , lymphoedema treatment , breast reconstruction , bras and prostheses etc. NSW has an extensive program unlike other states. It also enabled me to meet other breast cancer people who were at varying stages in treatment.
My life is no longer dominated by my breast cancer and in fact it may have added a new dimension to my life which has not been entirely bad. I have met new people and learnt a lot.Life is still good in my opinion.
I joined this blog blog initially reading posts only but soon contributing and asking questions as I had support from many kind people who understood where I was at and didn’t judge or walk away.I stay on this blog to try and reciprocate a little of what others have done for me.
I joined a local support group - the best part of which for me is seeing these women out and about in my community living their lives - shopping , having a coffee etc. I also learned from one remarkable lady that a daily one hour walk would be very helpful to how I felt as well as my physical health and to this day I do so. Some days it is not easy as I too am on aromatase inhibitors and they cause joint pain but I find I can walk thru it .I really notice the difference if I occasionally miss a walk.
I also joined a gentle Stretch and Balance class I attend twice per week - many women do yoga or Pilates which is something my surgeon supports .
The YWCA runs an Encore program of hydrotherapy- 8 weeks for 2 hours per week and includes a weekly talk on topics of interest like the Otis foundation , lymphoedema treatment , breast reconstruction , bras and prostheses etc. NSW has an extensive program unlike other states. It also enabled me to meet other breast cancer people who were at varying stages in treatment.
My life is no longer dominated by my breast cancer and in fact it may have added a new dimension to my life which has not been entirely bad. I have met new people and learnt a lot.Life is still good in my opinion.