Second diagnosis. Three years clear :)

I did my first diagnosis treatment at Cairns Private hospital. I was initially on a regeime call TAC (this was 5 years ago). Anyway at first treatment had severe allergic reaction to Taxotere. As I was in a regional hospital without any oncologist on site (my oncologist flew up from Brisbane once a month) they immediately changed me to FEC. I DID 6 cycles of that and I hated it. It messed with my head lots! I then went to Townsville for 6 weeks of radiation (there was none in Cairns back then). When I had my recurrence 18 mths on my lovely oncologist said I needed the Taxotere. I was like...the drug that nearly killed me!!! Anyway he flew me to Brisbane where every 3 weeks I had Taxotere and another drug (can't remember off the top of my head but can drag out if you need to know) at the Wesley hospital. They were fantastic. Dosed me up with phenergan the first time and I was fine. Every other time just had a claratyne pill and was fine. Physically it was harder than FEC bone aches etc, but mentally I was so much better. Lifestyle changes...I now meditate daily...ok well mainly I daydream! But I do sit still and try and breath and clear my mind. Before my reconstruction my blood counts were not good and my surgery kept getting cancelled. I tried and still do to be as fit as I could. My knees are not great and neither is my back, so I struggle a bit, but make sure I walk at least 4 times a week. I also do about 20mins of core strengthening exercises daily post op as I had a tram reconstruction. I also bought a slow press juicer and am a big fan of juicing. With the slow pressed ones you can make 3 days worth at a time. Daily I drink a green juice and a carrot and apple concoction with a few other things thrown in. Each morning I have a fresh lemon water ( takes 30 secs to squeeze half a lemon). Just this week have started to add apple cider vinegar. I try to eat a well balanced diet with salads for lunch and don't drink very much alcohol. Wow typing that it seems a lot. It's not really when you get in a routine. I wake up, make the lemon drink, shower then a quick meditation. I wasn't as fanatical after my first diagnosis, but when you have a second one you sit up and take notice!!! I am not a complete fanatic, if I miss a walk it's not the end of the world, and I have unhealthy stuff from time to time, I guess I am trying to just be as healthy as I can in a way that fits my lifestyle. My sister said its me investing in myself and so it's worth it. If I go out with my friends or family I will have a wine. I just don't go overboard. My friends actually laugh and say they can't believe I got cancer...I was always the healthy one! They are not being mean, we are great friends who pay out on each other I thought I was really healthy, but yeah as you can see I made a few subtle changes. Don't panic and feel you have to do all this at once. If you do, you will just stop. Just slowly make a few changes. Maybe wait until you are through all your treatment. I met a lovely lady at the Kim Walters Choices center in Brisbane. She was 23 years on from a triple negative diagnosis. I try and not focus in the triple neg stuff too much. I remind myself that if we can get to 5 years we have a better survival rate. Triple neg responds well to chemo. Yes I had a recurrence, but it was 3 years ago, I got through treatment again and I am doing well. I hope this helps you. Paula xxxxx