Forum Discussion
Hi again and just an opportunity to say thanks.
It’s been many months since I last visited this forum. It’s great to see so many familiar names, and catch up on stories.
In January last year I was standing on board a sinking ship - literally!
When my breast surgeon phoned to tell me my biopsies were positive for lobular Breast Cancer, I was standing on the replica deck of The Titanic. It was a school holiday activity with my youngest son and his friend.
It couldn’t have been a more appropriate place to get the news.
Fast forward to today, and it’s been a tumultuous year and a half to say the least, with many highs and many lows.
We celebrated my brother’s wedding, my youngest son’s bar mitzvah, my eldest son’s graduation and his successful application for a graduate program with an incredible international company. We welcomed my eldest daughter back from an overseas exchange program and enjoyed a fabulous two-week family holiday in Japan. We also welcomed a beautiful new puppy into our family.
We struggled with my elderly dad being in and out of hospital, and mourned his passing in January this year as well as the passing of three other elderly members of our family. My father-in-law fell and broke his hip. Our community felt the terrible loss of three young women - two who were friends of mine, to cancer, and one who I knew as a colleague, who lost her long battle with depression. My place of work recruited a new executive manager who made my life at work (after 17 years of loving my job every day) a misery for the nine months it took until she left and we returned to normal.
And alongside all of that, I endured a double mastectomy, six months of chemo, seven weeks of radiation, and failed air-expanders.
But in all honesty, my journey so far has been incredibly fortunate. I was so so lucky to sail through surgery and treatment, being able to work and function normally throughout it all. This forum was an absolute godsend in so many ways and I will never take for granted all the patient, supportive advice I gained from the many generous contributors and the friends I’ve gained along the way.
Now I’m finding it a little more challenging as I struggle to lose the weight I put on, wait impatiently for my hair to grow, deal with the effects of letrozole, and contemplate recovery from DIEP reconstruction, which is coming up in just five days.
So I’m really just taking an opportunity to say a huge thank you. I honestly couldn’t have made it through, without this forum and I’m now in a much better place to be able to give back. I’m looking forward to sharing this next journey in the ‘choosing breast reconstruction group’ in the hope that I can help others contemplating the same thing.
Bring on the FOOBS!! Truthfully after a year and a half of being flat-chested I’m wondering if I’ll have to adjust my balance! 😂😂
And about that Titanic story? Well, when you walk into the exhibition you get a ticket on which there’s the story of one of the passengers, written on the back. When you get to the end of the exhibition you can look on a board to discover the ‘fate’ of your passenger.
Mine survived ❤️
In January last year I was standing on board a sinking ship - literally!
When my breast surgeon phoned to tell me my biopsies were positive for lobular Breast Cancer, I was standing on the replica deck of The Titanic. It was a school holiday activity with my youngest son and his friend.
It couldn’t have been a more appropriate place to get the news.
Fast forward to today, and it’s been a tumultuous year and a half to say the least, with many highs and many lows.
We celebrated my brother’s wedding, my youngest son’s bar mitzvah, my eldest son’s graduation and his successful application for a graduate program with an incredible international company. We welcomed my eldest daughter back from an overseas exchange program and enjoyed a fabulous two-week family holiday in Japan. We also welcomed a beautiful new puppy into our family.
We struggled with my elderly dad being in and out of hospital, and mourned his passing in January this year as well as the passing of three other elderly members of our family. My father-in-law fell and broke his hip. Our community felt the terrible loss of three young women - two who were friends of mine, to cancer, and one who I knew as a colleague, who lost her long battle with depression. My place of work recruited a new executive manager who made my life at work (after 17 years of loving my job every day) a misery for the nine months it took until she left and we returned to normal.
And alongside all of that, I endured a double mastectomy, six months of chemo, seven weeks of radiation, and failed air-expanders.
But in all honesty, my journey so far has been incredibly fortunate. I was so so lucky to sail through surgery and treatment, being able to work and function normally throughout it all. This forum was an absolute godsend in so many ways and I will never take for granted all the patient, supportive advice I gained from the many generous contributors and the friends I’ve gained along the way.
Now I’m finding it a little more challenging as I struggle to lose the weight I put on, wait impatiently for my hair to grow, deal with the effects of letrozole, and contemplate recovery from DIEP reconstruction, which is coming up in just five days.
So I’m really just taking an opportunity to say a huge thank you. I honestly couldn’t have made it through, without this forum and I’m now in a much better place to be able to give back. I’m looking forward to sharing this next journey in the ‘choosing breast reconstruction group’ in the hope that I can help others contemplating the same thing.
Bring on the FOOBS!! Truthfully after a year and a half of being flat-chested I’m wondering if I’ll have to adjust my balance! 😂😂
And about that Titanic story? Well, when you walk into the exhibition you get a ticket on which there’s the story of one of the passengers, written on the back. When you get to the end of the exhibition you can look on a board to discover the ‘fate’ of your passenger.
Mine survived ❤️
21 Replies
- @Eastmum Your message is a lovely one, its funny how life doesn't stop for your diagnosis, we have two starting the HSC next week! Your last line about your character surviving put a lump in my throat.
Thanks for the puppy photos everyone too, my dog has been a great part of my exercise programme, she's always ready for a walk! And unconditional love never did anyone harm! x - Thanks for your wise words. I must dig my baby gate out.......
Im feeling so much better about the pup. We lost our old boy last year..I’ve been waiting such a long time time for this pup! #stupidbreastcancer - Hi @Caz1 No it wasn't an infection. Some dogs like Labs, retrievers and bull mastiffs are known for being a bit nippy when teething. There's nothing you can do but I guess its a bit like babies when they are starting to grow and everything goes in the mouth. It only lasts for a few months. I have a few dog toys Maggie can chew on and loves and then once they are about 4 months old you can get a some of the chewy straps she can spend an hour chewing. It is good to have a time out area for when their enthusiasm gets a bit much. ( I still get really tired from the treatment ) so I find it essential. ( mine was an old playpen. ) But I have no regrets what so ever and you can't beat a good old puppy snuggle they are just the best.
- Kitkatb she is adorable! What’s her name? o:) Thanks for your words of encouragement, they are exactly what I need to hear! Was the biting a problem with infection?
- Hi @Caz1 I had the same dilemma as you. We lost our Bull Mastiff literally just after I was diagnosed last year. We have always had a dog in the family and hubby wanted another bull mastiff and because he is away a lot for work I had second thoughts. Especially with the size and how powerful they are. Fast forward to now and I have a snoozing 5 month old Bull Mastiff snoring at my side ( Yep she snuck up on the sofa ) I have no regrets at all and she makes my day. ( bit hard going through month 3 and 4 with the lunging and nippy stage but she is now over that ) All the best and hope you get just as much enjoyment.
- Adorable!
- Ooooh thanks!
we visited on Sunday, here’s a preview..it’s a golden retriever. Four weeks old. - Tap the far right icon above the box you're writing in, and then choose a file (photo) from your library. Can't wait to see this pup! K xox
- Hi Eastmum!
thanks so much for that. :) My 3 kids are all 20+ also. They know how much I want this so I’m hoping they just melt and get on board once pup arrives. My onco, our other dogs vet, my breast nurses , husband and friends totally think I should go ahead with it,so this gives me hope I can do it. I know puppies can be hard work but they also give a lot of joy and love, and I’m thinking this will be just what the doctor ordered for us all.... ;)
Harley is divine. What a gorgeous schmoozy little face!!!!! <3
BTW totally agree this forum is a bloody godsend!
ps how do I post a photo?! - @Eastmum Firstly, wishing you love & strength for your surgery in a couple of days.
I loved reading your story. All that you have endured over the past year & you have come through smiling & positive. Thats what we like to hear. It is hard sometimes but things can always be worse & we just have to try to stay strong & get some sort of perspective in all of this.I believe you will continue to go from strength to strength as you have a great outlook & so much support from all of us. Keep in touch 7 let us know how the surgery goes. Love & hugs xx
