If Only I'd Known...

Hi there

Look, I'm not going to lie, it's not pleasant but the fact is that you will get through it. I am at the end after doing this for nearly 14 months. Take it one day at a time and keep telling yourself that it is short term pain for long term gain. Tell your oncologist every single side effect as there is heaps they can do to reduce the effects.  You will need support and you will need help, so don't be afraid to ask. And definitely keep in contact on here. There have been days that the ladies on here are the only reason I was able to get through. And remember that none of us would have taken this road if we had a choice. You are stronger than you know. Karen xox

Hi, I had a lumpectomy to remove 18mm invasive cancer and sentinel node biopsy on 5 May followed by further surgery today to remove a further 37mm of DCIS.  Each time I see the surgeon to get pathology results something changes.  Good news after first surgery - not in nodes...phew, but found out HER2 positive so chemo and herceptin required.  Now, again, a further waiting game to see if there are clear margins after DCIS.  All I can suggest is to read the literature given - My journey Kit, plus another great book recommend within My journey kit 'Breast Cancer - Taking Control'.  Most importantly - exercise.  There was a pilates DVD included in a kit sent with a bra after surgery - did you receive that?  I do it daily.  Also walk, move as much as possible - the endorphins make you feel more positive.

I've also started a spreadsheet...it started with medical costs, then I started logging hours of work (I work remotely when I feel up to it, work did not request this - I do this as it makes me feel useful), exercise completed (walks/meditation, pilates), then countries I've visited, countries I want to visit, things I'm grateful for - even out of negatives something that I can be grateful for, calendar of appointments, plus separate tab of contact I've had from family, friends and work colleagues.  The more I've added, the more I do - the better I feel.  Also keeps the mind active and helps you to remember things when you feel foggy.

I'm also attending a fantastic support group that runs for 6 weeks - finishing next week, where up to 20 patients going through different stages of treatment from diagnosis to surgery to chemo/radio.  There have been guest speakers from medical oncologists on chemo, radiologists on radiotherapy and phsyio for lymphodema.  Ask your hospital what support groups are available in your area.

Thinking of you xo

Hi Freakingout,

I had a lumpectomy, followed by the right breast removal, then chemo. No it's not pleasant but ride with it, I was lucky that my biggest fear didn't happen & that was nausea/vomiting so I coped better with the side effects. I kept a diary, I lay on the lounge with my eyes closed & drank milky drinks like banana smoothies and eggflips. I knew when the worst would hit & when it would start to settle but the one thing I wasn't prepared for is the pain. I'd never heard of being in such pain especially in the legs & feet. I was on my own so dependant on friends as then I had a hyster due to it being estrogen based cancer & then 5 weeks radiation where I've made friends I keep in touch with.

Take care & try not to freak out too much, if you don't feel sick make sure you can get up each day, get dressed if you can & lie in the loungeroom where you're more likely to drink or eat if you can. Lying in bed won't get you better quickly so drag yourself to the lounge & lie there. This is a short time in your life & count down how many you have to go, you might recover between sessions to the point where you can even go out.

Wishing you all the best & if friends want to help then let them.

Take care x

Good Morning,

Reading your post I so remember when I was told my treatment path, I think I freaked out too. No way did I want chemo, but alas its the path I travelled down. I found this site invaluable, I vented and got much needed advice and just reading others posts seemed to give me strength that I wasn't alone.

Keep on posting, we are all here to provide support.

Sending you hugs

Donna

I would like to thank all of you wonderful people for your kind thoughts and advise. Its people like you who help people like me get through all this. I wish all of you all the very best with your treatments. I feel better today about things, and tomorrow will be better again. Positive thinking. Once again, thank you to all. Big hugs xxx

Hi there beautiful,

I've just read your post and all the lovely comments from others with tears streaming down my face.  You've come to the right place for support and venting.  I feel sorry for my husband having to put up with my labile emotions and I too feel frustrated that I'm on this journey.  It's great to talk to friends too and have a few laughs, but as they've reminded me, they haven't been through this and really can't relate.  So, my friends are a great source of belly laughs, hugs, work gossip and distractions.  As one commented earlier, to be either laughing or crying is so true.   

I'm 4 weeks post diagnosis, with 3 surgeries in that time, resulting in a mastectomy (which I'm still coming to terms with). Earlier lump excisions weren't successful and, as they say, 'moving goalposts' can make coping extra difficult. I came home from hospital on Friday and due to see my surgeon for the removal of drain and pathology results next Thursday.  After that, I know I'll have chemo.

I know it must be extremely frustrating for you with the delay of the chemo due to wound breakdown. It is important for everything to be nicely healed before you start.  As hard as it is, try to use the time to recover, rest, do nice things for yourself, exercise.

Thanks for coming on line to freak out, because you've made me aware that I'm not the only one!  I've found the support and advice from the women here to be just amazing.

Big hug

Karen xx

Hi freaking out is normal, I still remember how I felt when I was going through treatment. It has now been over 12 months and I'm starting to have milestones, like having my first mamogram and finishing herceptin.

When I was diagnosed it was a shock but thought ok this is doable, mine kept changing and getting more and more difficult. Somehow you cope one day at a time and alot of laughter, I beleive if I'm laughing I'm not crying. ( i did alot of both) Today I'm still standing and trying to get back to some sort of normal Take carexxxxxx

Don't freak out too much.  You will find an inner strength you didn't know you had and you will cope with what is yet to come.  I hope that the rest of your treatment goes more smoothly and that the bumps are smaller.  I have recently moved onto hormone therapy after surgery, chemo and radiation.  I have found laughter truly is the best medicine.  Try not to stress about chemo.  Easier to say than to do I know.  I used my time at chemo to read, keep a diary, annoy all my friends with silly texts and sleep - yes, I nearly always fell asleep.  Keep in touch.  Someone will have an answer to your questions. Sending you a big hug.  Maureen

Hi, I can understand what a hard time you are having, it's such a rollercoaster. I had a lumpectomy in Oct 2013 followed by chemo, radiation and now hormone therapy. I was devastated when I learnt I would be having chemo, so scared. Chemo can be a hard gig, but it's improved a lot over the years and they have plenty of medication to help you through. I am now just over a year post treatment and doing well. You will get through this, it can be very bumpy but you can do it. Take one day at a time, don't look too far ahead, it will just seem more daunting. Stay in touch with the network, there is always someone on here who can help. All the best with your treatment, sending big cyber hugs to you,

Hazel xx

Hi,

I completely understand how you feel. I too was diagnosed earlier this year. Not only is it a struggle to come to terms with yourself that you have this crap disease but it's hard not to feel so bad for our loved ones who have to watch us go through it. And you're right, all those emotions come to the surface and it changes daily. I think given your treatment has been post-poned wouldn't help. I was so desperate to start chemo too. To get it underway, sooner you start, sooner you finish type thing. How do I cope??? I don't know.  I keep busy,  I make little plans for myself as treats, I think of others so much worse off, I am so much more thankful for my life now. And I had a girlfriend with breast cancer at 32 about 8 years ago so somehow it wasn't as much of a shock and maybe that enabled me to accept it more quickly. I'm probably not much help. You will get through this, and you are stronger than you know. Soon you will start chemo and begin to really tick some more boxes and feel like you're getting more in control of yourself again. And most importantly,  it is completely ok to feel all the things you describe just try not to bottle it all up inside. Lots of love Shellie