My story
You think it will never happen to you, until it does.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 20 July 2016.
I'm 35 and married for less than 2 years. My husband and I had only recently started try...
Forum Discussion
YLY
Thank you! For your brutally honest and open post. I totally understand and agree with everything you said. I want to say to you...absolutely every emotion you feel is NORMAL. I was 43 my FIRST diagnosis, I was 6 months out of my marriage and moved with my children who were 12 & 14, just getting on my feet and dealing with the sudden loss of my Mum only 18 months prior. I had lumpectomy, radiation and Tamoxifen for 4yrs, with no support and worked through it all. Last year at 47 I had a recurrence, lumpectomy AGAIN as it came back in the scar of the previous, 4.5 months of Chemo and now on Arimidex.
YLY - I can honestly say, in all that time, Ive seen the depths of hell, there were moments I wanted to give up through treatment as was so incredibly ill. I am now 9 months post chemo, and working part time but its come crashing down again, and I need to stop and put me first again! I so understand the whole friend thing, its true!!! they are sympathetic but they get back on with their lives and they really dont have any idea the depths of this. Whats worse is I found I had to try and explain to people...I dont anymore. Its not helpful, the journey is tough enough without having to justify why youre not this active, bubbly person anymore..its because youre trying to make sense of it, and just trying to get through it.
I am now facing a Mastectomy because I had a recurrence in the coming months, the journey hasnt ended but I am Cancer Free and surgery will be the last of it. In all this time Ive found nothing that has helped...not really. A Psychologist I would say YES YES!!! so so important and recommend!!! it will be your saving grace!
Strangely too Im seeing a Kinesiologist, who would have thought??!!! she has done more for me than anyone else in terms of my side effects and my mental state. Amazing!!!
I also did an 8 week rehab course at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne, it was FANTASTIC!!! A team of professionals, we dealt with everything and I did a personalised strength training program with it. I felt in control again!
I will Share too we had a Dietician talk to us...she said to my surprise! There are NO foods that link to Breast Cancer...the only perspective they have is to eat a balanced diet..that is it! Any studies done are minority studies only. They say no sugar only due to obesity. So eat what YOU want to eat that makes you feel good and healthy, thats the key.
I look back and wonder how the hell I got through it, but I did, and I send you strength and love to find the smallest victory everyday, to put YOU above everything else and everyone and HONOR you. I refuse to let this define me...I am strong..I am Woman..who screams, cries, laughs and dreams.
Keep us posted on how you are going, take comfort in you are not alone and every feeling you have is validated!!! dont ever apologize to anyone.
Hugs
Melinda xoxo
Thank you! For your brutally honest and open post. I totally understand and agree with everything you said. I want to say to you...absolutely every emotion you feel is NORMAL. I was 43 my FIRST diagnosis, I was 6 months out of my marriage and moved with my children who were 12 & 14, just getting on my feet and dealing with the sudden loss of my Mum only 18 months prior. I had lumpectomy, radiation and Tamoxifen for 4yrs, with no support and worked through it all. Last year at 47 I had a recurrence, lumpectomy AGAIN as it came back in the scar of the previous, 4.5 months of Chemo and now on Arimidex.
YLY - I can honestly say, in all that time, Ive seen the depths of hell, there were moments I wanted to give up through treatment as was so incredibly ill. I am now 9 months post chemo, and working part time but its come crashing down again, and I need to stop and put me first again! I so understand the whole friend thing, its true!!! they are sympathetic but they get back on with their lives and they really dont have any idea the depths of this. Whats worse is I found I had to try and explain to people...I dont anymore. Its not helpful, the journey is tough enough without having to justify why youre not this active, bubbly person anymore..its because youre trying to make sense of it, and just trying to get through it.
I am now facing a Mastectomy because I had a recurrence in the coming months, the journey hasnt ended but I am Cancer Free and surgery will be the last of it. In all this time Ive found nothing that has helped...not really. A Psychologist I would say YES YES!!! so so important and recommend!!! it will be your saving grace!
Strangely too Im seeing a Kinesiologist, who would have thought??!!! she has done more for me than anyone else in terms of my side effects and my mental state. Amazing!!!
I also did an 8 week rehab course at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne, it was FANTASTIC!!! A team of professionals, we dealt with everything and I did a personalised strength training program with it. I felt in control again!
I will Share too we had a Dietician talk to us...she said to my surprise! There are NO foods that link to Breast Cancer...the only perspective they have is to eat a balanced diet..that is it! Any studies done are minority studies only. They say no sugar only due to obesity. So eat what YOU want to eat that makes you feel good and healthy, thats the key.
I look back and wonder how the hell I got through it, but I did, and I send you strength and love to find the smallest victory everyday, to put YOU above everything else and everyone and HONOR you. I refuse to let this define me...I am strong..I am Woman..who screams, cries, laughs and dreams.
Keep us posted on how you are going, take comfort in you are not alone and every feeling you have is validated!!! dont ever apologize to anyone.
Hugs
Melinda xoxo