Well peeps. In three days I will finish radiation and enter survivorship. The bold strong young lady you all met in February has changed significantly. Still strong but wow what a hard 6 months it's been.Having hormone positive BC so young has challenged me physically and mentally more than I was ever prepared for, even being in the business. I will continue Zoladex and commence AI soon, so hoping I can tolerate it. Also considering starting Venalfaxine for the flushes, they're getting a bit too much now and don't seem to be going anywhere!Any tips/past experiences on what you did after acute treatment ended are welcome :)We have a trip to Bali in the works probably mid October, I'm so unsure when to return to work. Perhaps after that, other part of me thinks f*** it take the whole rest of the year off.

@youngdogmum I think the strong young lady that joined this crappy club 7 months ago is now wearing a superwoman cape after what you have been through both mentally and physically. You have remained so strong and supportive to so many others - you are very wise beyond your years. I was fortunate to not have needed chemo or rads after my mastectomy just straight onto the hot flush bus with tamoxifen so have no advice for you on what to do after your treatment ends. Maybe after your holiday returning to work may help you resume a normal life again - albeit a new normal, is part-time an option until the new year? Good luck this week with your final rads treatments then it’s time for you to rest and recover xxxJulie

Hi @youngdogmum. I am probably not the best person to ask. My experience of 'survivorship' has been pretty shit. I have copped a lot of AI side effects, am having a difficult menopause, and the depression that commenced during treatment has not lifted.So, with that in mind, my advice to you would be to take the rest of the year off and focus on rebuilding your strength and fitness, and take some time to gently heal your spirit. Be very kind to yourself. BC doesn't finished with your last treatment. Take a holiday, treat yourself, explore something new, reconnect with something old. 50% of people diagnosed with BC will develop depression and most of those will be diagnosed in two years after active treatment.Time and self-care. K xox

Listen to your own instincts. If a small voice is telling you to take more time off, then it is worth listening to. My small voice said 'try and keep everything as normal as possible' - it was good advice for me and I was lucky enough to be able to follow it. A week off after surgery then back to work. Might have been awful advice for someone else. Holidays are a great time to think about longer term plans and possible changes - I made some of mine about 12 months after diagnosis and they were good moves. Cancer has really no redeeming virtues but going through treatment is a sharp reminder that what doesn't kill you makes you strong. You are still you, but tested,tempered and stronger. Best wishes.

Well done, @youngdogmum - BIG pat on the head - tho be prepared for some 'emotion' on your final Rads Day - it caught me totally by surprise! They had been a continuous part of my life for 4 weeks - and I blubbed big time on my final session!! NOT a flattering look, I can assure you, as I was face down & couldn't move a muscle to wipe my dripping nose!! LOLYep - it is always a tough 6 months - a whirlwind of emotions of diagnosis & what is happening, the procedures & outcomes - which comes from the overall experience of having BC.Just be aware that you will continue to 'cook' for some weeks after Rads has finished - so it is VERY important to keep all the lotions & potions up to the affected areas. Slowly, they will become 'less warm'! With Spring in the air - make sure you wear 'sun safe tops' - so that the Sun's rays can't burn the affected areas (which may also include your lower neck, depending on the angle of your treatment.) You may experience tiredness/lethargy in the following weeks - I didn't - but many do. Be kind to yourself - looking at taking an extended break after your active treatment ends, is a great idea, if you can. I went on a nice holiday to Norfolk Island as my 'reward' for getting thru all the active treatment!! Jump onto the Otis Website & see what 'holidays' may be available thru them over the next 4-6 months. These are 'holiday homes' that people only use now & then during the year (usually holidays) and they generously make them available to BC survivors for a free 'break'! I had one in April, at Thredbo! It was terrific - and you can take family or friends with you as well! So maybe look at late Nov/early Dec or even January/Feb - so you have another nice break to look forward to after your Bali Trip! (Make sure you cover up there!!)Keep yourself busy in doing things you love doing - it will take your mind off everything else!!! All the best with your AI, which will probably start within the month ...... fingers crossed you don't get the side effects that some of us get - I am on my 3rd AI now ........ Take care xxxx

Congratulations.I went back to work around 8 weeks after chemo. I waited until I felt ready and then I returned at half time and gradually increased over 6 months. I took a holiday about 8 months after treatment as I fekt ready to do thus. Just listen to yourself. I've never fully reclaimed my vitality and have stopped trying presently as it just exhausts me if I overdo it.

About to enter survivorship | BCNA Online Network

13 Replies

primek
Member
7 years ago
Congratulations.
I went back to work around 8 weeks after chemo. I waited until I felt ready and then I returned at half time and gradually increased over 6 months. I took a holiday about 8 months after treatment as I fekt ready to do thus. Just listen to yourself. I've never fully reclaimed my vitality and have stopped trying presently as it just exhausts me if I overdo it.
arpie
Member
7 years ago
Well done, @youngdogmum - BIG pat on the head - tho be prepared for some 'emotion' on your final Rads Day - it caught me totally by surprise! They had been a continuous part of my life for 4 weeks - and I blubbed big time on my final session!! NOT a flattering look, I can assure you, as I was face down & couldn't move a muscle to wipe my dripping nose!! LOL

Yep - it is always a tough 6 months - a whirlwind of emotions of diagnosis & what is happening, the procedures & outcomes - which comes from the overall experience of having BC.

Just be aware that you will continue to 'cook' for some weeks after Rads has finished - so it is VERY important to keep all the lotions & potions up to the affected areas. Slowly, they will become 'less warm'! With Spring in the air - make sure you wear 'sun safe tops' - so that the Sun's rays can't burn the affected areas (which may also include your lower neck, depending on the angle of your treatment.)

You may experience tiredness/lethargy in the following weeks - I didn't - but many do. Be kind to yourself - looking at taking an extended break after your active treatment ends, is a great idea, if you can. I went on a nice holiday to Norfolk Island as my 'reward' for getting thru all the active treatment!! Jump onto the Otis Website & see what 'holidays' may be available thru them over the next 4-6 months. These are 'holiday homes' that people only use now & then during the year (usually holidays) and they generously make them available to BC survivors for a free 'break'! I had one in April, at Thredbo! It was terrific - and you can take family or friends with you as well! So maybe look at late Nov/early Dec or even January/Feb - so you have another nice break to look forward to after your Bali Trip! (Make sure you cover up there!!)

Keep yourself busy in doing things you love doing - it will take your mind off everything else!!! All the best with your AI, which will probably start within the month ...... fingers crossed you don't get the side effects that some of us get - I am on my 3rd AI now ........

Take care xxxx
JulieVT11
Member
7 years ago
@youngdogmum I think the strong young lady that joined this crappy club 7 months ago is now wearing a superwoman cape after what you have been through both mentally and physically. You have remained so strong and supportive to so many others - you are very wise beyond your years. I was fortunate to not have needed chemo or rads after my mastectomy just straight onto the hot flush bus with tamoxifen so have no advice for you on what to do after your treatment ends. Maybe after your holiday returning to work may help you resume a normal life again - albeit a new normal, is part-time an option until the new year? Good luck this week with your final rads treatments then it’s time for you to rest and recover xxxJulie

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