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Hopes_and_Dream's avatar
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
8 years ago

Where has the year gone!

i was diagnosed with breast cancer one year ago today, 10.30am 20 July 2016.  My appointment with Breastscreen Southport was for 10.00 and by the time I was eventually called in at 10.30 I thought they would find my husband and I passed out on the floor from nerves!  Thank goodness the doctor just said "I'm not going to bear around the bush, you have breast cancer"

I know there are other ladies on this forum who were also diagnosed on July 20. Its funny to think they were also going through the same feelings but at the time I thought I was the only one who knew what that moment felt like.

Out of the blue our lives are thrown upside down and we enter a chaos of specialists, tests and information.  Soooo much information on things none of us ever wanted to hear about!

12 months on I've been doing the "this time last year" thing.  I'm surprised how much it has been on my mind.  Breastscreen callback 12/7 (day after my birthday), core biopsy 13/7, diagnosis 20/7.  Just the mastectomy anniversary on 1/8 to go and my year is done.

All of us are forever changed by having breast cancer but despite the trauma to our bodies, I would like to think we become better people. No one can go through this without becoming stronger and more empathetic.

 I'm comfortable with my choices and decisions along the way, the only thing I would change is to join this forum as soon as I was diagnosed! I didn't find you all until 6 weeks post op.  What you do for each other and the newly diagnosed is truly wonderful. I don't think there would be another support group like this.

I'm going to keep on remembering my BC anniversaries, it's a celebration of how far I have  come and still have to travel.

So a big congratulations to the other ladies who join me on July 20. I'm sure like me your day is filled with mixed emotions.  And for everyone who is passing milestones no matter how big or small.   Jane xx

  • Hopes_and_Dream's avatar
    Hopes_and_Dream
    Member
    8 years ago
    So true @iserbrown!  I didn't expect the first anniversary to hit me as hard as it did.  And you are right, anniversaries are not for dwelling, but remembering, reflecting, learning, sharing and moving on .... to the next one!! :)
    Congratulations to you @EarthWalkerLisha. We think we are alone in our feelings on a certain day but sadly so many other women are going through something similar at the same time. Here's to this time next year!! :)
    Jane xx

  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Hopes_and_Dreams and @EarthWalkerLisha - what a milestone.  Take a  little time to reflect but don't dwell as it is an experience that we here on the forum understand and will you along to a good outcome - cancer free! 

    Take care both of you xx
  • EarthWalkerLish's avatar
    EarthWalkerLish
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Hopes_and_Dreams I was reflecting a lot today too! Just over a year ago I too was diagnosed, and this time last year I was feeling the radioactive glow in my breast after 4 injections of radioactive dye prior to surgery to locate the sentinal nodes. It is amazing to look back and see what we have been through in the past year.  The anxieties, physical pain we endure during testing and surgeries then preventative therapies.  Our bodies (and minds) have been through so much. We can only learn and grow from our experiences.

    Congratulations on getting through this past year, your words are so true. Onward and upwards for us.
    Lishaxx
  • Hopes_and_Dream's avatar
    Hopes_and_Dream
    Member
    8 years ago
    Congratulations on the arrival of your new grandson @Afraser! Definitely a day to be remembered:)  how wonderful you have 5 years coming up soon. That is such a milestone to celebrate!
    Thankyou @Molly001, sometimes it's good for the soul to write our feelings down. Hope you are doing well.
    What wonderful news your ovaries are clear @fairydust and having them removed will give you a bit more peace of mind and we all know that is everything!  
    Jane xx

  • fairydust's avatar
    fairydust
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Hopes and dreams I am only a little way ahead. I was diagnosed late April 2016 and have only just finished treatment 3months ago. Today I learnt that after further scans I do not have ovarian cancer all clear. My ovaries will be taken out as I have the bracken 2 gene.
    It is hard to relax and say well thats all finished with. Its not. Glad we are both still here and will enjoy many more years to come. My gratitude to all the medical staff that made this happen is beyond measure.

  • Molly001's avatar
    Molly001
    Member
    8 years ago
    Congratulations @Hopes_and_Dreams. What a lovely reflection you have written. Here's to many more milestones for all network members.
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    8 years ago
    Congratulations to everyone with an anniversary today - the anniversary I think is a happy thing for most, even if the reason for it was not. If all goes well, I will mark 5 years in October, but I too have a special reason for remembering 20 July. My second grandson was born today. Many things to be grateful for.