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Clancy013's avatar
Clancy013
Member
13 years ago

If I Blink - From day 1 to 10

If I blink you could excuse me for thinking that I have just woken up from a quick cat nap. Instead it's been 10 days since I was diagnosed with a multi-focal ductal cancer in my left breast. In this time I have had a mastectomy of the left breast as well as the removal of all my lymph nodes on the left hand side. While in hospital my bone scans have indicated that the breast cancer has metastasised onto my bones in a number of locations. On a positive note my pathology results show good margins and only 1 of 22 lymph nodes came back positive with cancer - no radiation treatment required. Today is 1 week since my surgery and I have celebrated this with my first appointment with my Oncologist with chemo starting in 2 weeks. These are the facts which I have processed and tried to put into some logical milestones working towards the day I can say I'm in remission. For me this was the only objective from day 1 and at day 10 I am even more determined in hitting that R word! In the meantime I'm learning to be kind to myself and listening to my body as I go through this recovery period. In only these few days I have experienced the good and bad of what the mind is capable of doing and the impact it can have on the type of day you are having. I may not have control over the cancer at the moment (chemo will assist with that) but I do have control over what I think and feel - that is where I need my strength. I have always been a natural smiler and as I embark on this journey it will be my smile that I will make sure I don't forget to pack. Already by sharing my thoughts have helped me find my smile and help ease some of the post operative discomfort I'm experiencing tonight. Tomorrow is a new day with new hopes and opportunities. Goodnight everyone!

3 Replies

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Clancy,  your story sounds similar mine.  I was diagnosed with advanced Breast Cancer in 2005.  Secondary in the sacrum.  In 2010 some nodes in the mediastinum area (chest, not bones) and last week they have found a lesion on one of my ribs.  Seeing the radiationOncologist tomorrow to discuss the zapping for the rib.

    Keep on thinking the way you are.  If you ever feel low, you can come on here and chat and someone will reply, or just write it all down somewhere about how you feel etc, it really helps.

    I want to wish you all the best with your treatments.

    Take care.

     

    Tracey

  • chipmunk's avatar
    chipmunk
    Member
    13 years ago

    Welcome Clancy

    Good to hear that you have a great outlook... and that you are smiling through it all.

    When diagnosed, we all go through the emotions. But we all know that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. As I have told others, my counsellor told me that this "journey" as they call it, will be like a game of snakes and ladders. Days you will drop down the snake and other days you will move forward with the ladder. But the game will end at the finish line.

    So, thats what I keep telling myself... and with a smile on my face. This will end and I will be greatful.

    What chemo will you be treated with? And what treatment sessions will you be doing?

    Just do what you can do, and don't push yourself. You need to recover from each chemo.

    Keep on smiling my honey. And just know we are all here no matter what time of day.

    love Julie XX

  • such_is_life's avatar
    such_is_life
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi just wanted to say Hello and well done for what you have achieved so far, and being able to do it with a smile, you go girl xx