Hi, today it is exactly one year since my bc diagnosis and I am a little reflective. What a ride it had been. I still remember clearly the phone call and shock, terror, nervousness, sadness etc with that news. What took place after that news was a roller-coaster ride of treatments with physical and mental and emotional impacts. In the last 12 months I have had 2 surgeries, 4 months of chemo and a month of radium and now pills. It was tough for sure but I made it through.I think I am very fortunate as I didn't have too many side effects or set backs. I was fatigued for sure and pretty emotional at times. I did my exercise which I think contributed enormously to my well being. I am grateful to my husband and son for their support. I had a couple of good friends and family too. I am grateful for the doctors and the skill and knowledge. I am also grateful for the support I received here on bcna. I would have been lost without this group at times, especially in those wee hours of the morning. Thank you!Today I feel strong. I am proud of myself for getting through this. I am grateful for my resilience and determination and courage. While I never wanted to join this group, I have made good friends and I have grown and healed in many ways. BC has given me a different life and view of the world and I am thankful for that. I have much to look forward to including various road trips, fun times with friends and family, my walks in national parks and the beach, my exercise and just everyday life. I am also going to be a first time grandmother later this year which is super exciting. I love babies.There is light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for reading my story and being there for me.

Fantastic news @Cath62!! I remember when you joined. It was just after me 🙂. So glad to read that you’ve come through this stronger and that you acknowledge your strength and resilience. It’s very important. Good on you, it’s been tough, but you used it in a positive way. It certainly makes us grow. To a cancer free future 🥂🎉💟💟💟

Im new here and Im so glad I read this post!! Thank you for posting something that gives me hope! I was diagnosed this past March (2022) and have had a lumpectomy and a mastectomy followed by 25 Radiotherapy treatments. Im now dealing with the burns that RT caused. I will have to start hormone therapy sometime soon and all the possible side effects are a bit scary but I know that I may not get them all...or many of them. Im going to celebrate in March 2023 because I know I will get through this. I am thankful for many things that have happened as a result of my diagnosis, but I still wish it didn't happen.

Hi @cath,Fantastic. Great that you are feeling strong and positive. Its one heck of a journey.Hugs x

Well done @Cath62. As you say, we need more stories of good lives beyond diagnosis. It’s not possible for everyone and while treatment is stilla bit of a sledgehammer to crack a walnut, it’s getting better all the time. Like you, I have a few side effects but I’m also conscious that things happen besides cancer, and none of us can predict what unforeseen medical issue might arise in the future - COVID-19 being the obvious example!

Totally agree with @Afraser i was totally freaked out by the idea of radiotherapy ( not to mention mastectomy) but I asked my radiation oncologist “ what would you do if it was you” and she said she’d get it .The urge to live is too strong for me not to have done it ( I was not suggested to have chemo).The potential side effects of all the treatments are well documented but the alternative ( death) was not very palatable either.No one said this stuff was easy.

One Year since the diagnosis feeling strong and well

Julez1958
Member
3 years ago
Hi @Ozhulagal
Like you I had mastectomy , radiotherapy and then have been on hormone therapy for 18 months.
It will be my 2 year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis at the end of August and I intend to celebrate.
Its also important to celebrate the good things we have whilst acknowledging the grief we will always feel ( it dies lessen as time goes by) at the loss of our previously bullet proof selves .
Take care and congratulations 🎉🎉
Ozhulagal
Member
3 years ago
Im new here and Im so glad I read this post!! Thank you for posting something that gives me hope! I was diagnosed this past March (2022) and have had a lumpectomy and a mastectomy followed by 25 Radiotherapy treatments. Im now dealing with the burns that RT caused. I will have to start hormone therapy sometime soon and all the possible side effects are a bit scary but I know that I may not get them all...or many of them. Im going to celebrate in March 2023 because I know I will get through this. I am thankful for many things that have happened as a result of my diagnosis, but I still wish it didn't happen.
arpie
Member
3 years ago
@AZ79 Try not to too far ahead of yourself .... it will give you the heebie geebies .... Your team will take you thru all your options and hopefully explain it all to you as well. Don't use Dr Google either, as the info is often out of date or not relevant to your own diagnosis. xx

Definitely tell your Onc if you are taking any over the counter medications or natural therapies, as some can affect the efficacy of a lot of prescription drugs.

Even simple things like Fish Oil Capsules can thin your blood .... and high levels of some vitamins can prevent absorption of other vitamins or meds ....

Taking high levels of Vit A,D,E & K can actually cause liver damage, as they are stored in the body (unlike water soluble Vitamins B & C which are excreted in your urine, even if you take excessive amounts.)
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/vitamins-common-misconceptions

No-one really 'wants' to do chemo or radiation - but if it increases your chances of survival beyond 5-10 years+ beyond your surgery .... you need to weigh up the pros & cons - so talk to your Onc, get another opinion if you need it ...

The idea is to throw as much as you can at it, early - to give you quality of life later on. Otherwise, further down the line, you could be asking 'what if I'd done the chemo?' 'What if I'd done the radiation?'

take care, and all the best for your next team meeting. Make sure you have a friend there for emotional & physical support - even record the meeting so you can go back over it later one.
Cath62
Member
3 years ago
@AZ79, I am all for incorporating some natural therapies but check what is compatible with chemo or meds first with your oncologist. I am now nearly 2 yrs post diagnosis and doing well. I terms of long term side effects I get tired still but I am almost 60 and I have a busy life. My toe nails suffered a bit from chemo but that's about it now.

I would not go natural only. There are a few miraculous storys of this but it is rare. Western medicine works, chemo and radium work combined with surgeries and hormone therapies.

The thing is you can be cured using chemo and radium. It works. Success rates are high too. Try mediation as it helps with the stress and walking us great as it drinking water. I drank liver cleaning juices through chemo eg beetroot, apple, carrot, ginger. I ate well, vegetables, fish, meat once a week, fruit. They are the natural things you can do during treatment.

If you feel you should just do chemo and radium just do it. It may well save your life. Also you want to know you have done everything you can to recover from this that you can. Best wishes
Julez1958
Member
3 years ago
Totally agree with @Afraser
i was totally freaked out by the idea of radiotherapy ( not to mention mastectomy) but I asked my radiation oncologist “ what would you do if it was you” and she said she’d get it .
The urge to live is too strong for me not to have done it ( I was not suggested to have chemo).
The potential side effects of all the treatments are well documented but the alternative ( death) was not very palatable either.
No one said this stuff was easy.
Afraser
Member
3 years ago
@AZ79
If non-toxic treatments had a reliable and replicable rate of success, we’d all be doing it. Unfortunately they don’t. As for natural, well, the taxane group of chemotherapies are sourced from trees! One day, we’ll have less invasive treatments, every year we get better and better options. But right now we still have to face some difficult treatment. It can be hard but it’s doable. Trust your feelings and do it. Best wishes.
AZ79
Member
3 years ago

Cath62 said:

Thank you @Mazbeth and @Julez1958. I wanted to put something up to mark my 1 year anniversary and I know all shitty cancer moments i had, but life is life and it goes on and we do as well. It's good to be happy and at peace. I do have some long term side effects for sure but my focus is not those. My focus is living my best life.

Can I please check what long term side effects you have?
I’ve had my surgeries and now waiting for my treatment plan and I’m a bit terrified. I don’t want to go for chemo and radiation, I’d rather to everything naturally, with alternative non toxic treatments. But I also feel like I should just do it. :(
Afraser
Member
4 years ago
Well done @Cath62. As you say, we need more stories of good lives beyond diagnosis. It’s not possible for everyone and while treatment is still
a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a walnut, it’s getting better all the time. Like you, I have a few side effects but I’m also conscious that things happen besides cancer, and none of us can predict what unforeseen medical issue might arise in the future - COVID-19 being the obvious example!
Cath62
Member
4 years ago
I am pleased @Potter_21. I remember those first terrifying first weeks. I cried for 2 weeks really and then it was surgery, 3 weeks later chemo etcetera. No time to breathe but just push on. There was alot of processing and I had to make changes to how I manage life especially stress and I have done that. I am not perfect but I am happy with myself and who I am. I wish you all the best with your treat
Potter_21
Member
4 years ago
Thanks Cath62! I needed to hear that atm. I am 4 weeks newly diagnosed, had surgery and waiting for treatment plan. I have so many worries and apprehensions but hearing your story gives me hope! Thank you! 🙏❤️