Step by step - it's a year!

This week marks a year since I finished the 'active' stage of treatment (mastectomy, chemo and radio). A year of tamoxifen. Yesterday I had a phone interview as part of a research project looking at outcomes after a diagnosis of BC. Coming up to Christmas I am also thinking back to last year attending work, family and friends Xmas parties in my turban, uncomfortable in a bra with my radiated skin. I am not going to say that my life is completely normal or wonderful in every way but compared to last year I have to be happy with progress! Running through the schedule of treatment with the researcher I realise how fortunate I have been. No delays in accessing treatment, treatment that was only 20 minutes drive away, trauma insurance that meant no financial worries, terrific support from medical staff, family and friends. Nevertheless, there were hard times (being told that it was definitely cancer, that it was bigger than the mammogram showed and that it had spread to 5 lymph nodes, 3 of them extensively). There was an infection and a hospital stay after Chemo 4 and that feeling of isolation during 18 weeks of chemo. But along the way I learnt that I could make things better or worse just by how I thought about it. I have never thought that loosing a breast or my hair meant that I could not still feel good about myself. I did not think that I was 'sick' and chose to eat well and exercise throughout my treatment. I chose to be open about what was happening with others and found that the support I got from most people was wonderful. When I had my 'moments' I had fantastic support from my husband and daughters and from my 'new friends' on this network. I knew that tamoxifen was going to make a 30% difference to my chance of recurrence so I chose to put aside my anxiety and be very thankful that this drug could make such a difference for people like me. After 12 months on it I think the side effects (occasional mild hot flushes, a few aches and pains) do not prevent me from enjoying an active life (and being active helps minimize the side effects). So my life is different to how it might have been if I had not got BC but that was not a choice I could make. I think we all deserve to feel as good as possible every single day even during treatment. For me that means choosing to think positively, doing what I enjoy, reflecting on how fortunate I am and celebrating the achievements along the way. Wishing the best day possible for all of you today. Take care and be proud of yourself because just taking that next step is a move in the right direction. Deanne xxx