life after chemo

I was 34 the first time I had breast cancer and my two girls were both in primary school. I had a lumpectomy, axiallary clearance, 6 months of chemo and 7 weeks of radiation. I found it very hard to not worry about it returning and ended up finding a great psychologist who got my head in order. He also recommended I learn meditation which has been an enormous help. When I went for my 9 year post cancer mammogram last year it was clear, but then I found a lump 4 months later which turned out to be a new cancer unrelated to the first one. If I had had a mastectomy the first time, I wouldn't have had to go through the chemo again last year. For this reason, I have chosen to have the other breast removed too and have a double reconstruction. I also had my ovaries removed, but I'm a lot older than you (45 this year) and I only did that because Ive had two very eostrogen positive tumors. Now I feel that I have done every thing I can to prevent a third cancer, but I also realize that this is something we don't have control over. I don't think about breast cancer very much; I just focus on being healthy and enjoying life. Attitude is a very healing force!! xx Jane

Hi Georgina, I'm so sorry to hear that you are dealing with breast cancer at such a young age. The fear of cancer returning affects all of us, and I doubt that there is one person on this site who doesn't worry that it might come back. I still do, even though I have completed 4 rounds of chemo. The only thing I had control over is whether or not it might return in one breast or the other, so I chose a mastectomy first, and once chemo was finished, I elected to have the other breast off as well. I have no regrets about this decision, and I have now completed reconstruction with implants. I am 20 years older than you, but my breasts were still important to me, but life is more important. As a mammogram failed to show up my invasive ductal cancer, I decided that I would struggle to trust another mammogram, so for me this decision helped to erase doubts, and now I have 2 new boobs, and am very happy with the path I have chosen. Good luck with all your treatments, and your reconstruction next month. Love Chris xx

Hi Georgina, I'm so sorry to hear that you are dealing with breast cancer at such a young age. The fear of cancer returning affects all of us, and I doubt that there is one person on this site who doesn't worry that it might come back. I still do, even though I have completed 4 rounds of chemo. The only thing I had control over is whether or not it might return in one breast or the other, so I chose a mastectomy first, and once chemo was finished, I elected to have the other breast off as well. I have no regrets about this decision, and I have now completed reconstruction with implants. I am 20 years older than you, but my breasts were still important to me, but life is more important. As a mammogram failed to show up my invasive ductal cancer, I decided that I would struggle to trust another mammogram, so for me this decision helped to erase doubts, and now I have 2 new boobs, and am very happy with the path I have chosen. Good luck with all your treatments, and your reconstruction next month. Love Chris xx