Feeling anxious need some positive stories
Hi All, I don’t know where to start with this one. Am 38 with 2 small boys. Was diagnosed last Feb opted for double mastectomy, then had 4 Ac then 12 taxol then 6 weeks of rads. My cancer was oestro...
Forum Discussion
Since my diagnosis I have met quite a few women who have reached the 20+ year mark. One lady was diagnosed at 27 while pregnant. She was one of the first women to have chemo while pregnant. That ‘baby’ is now 23 and both he and his Mum are very healthy. Another lady diagnosed while in her early 30’s is also 23 years down the track with no recurrence. A family friend diagnosed 25 years ago has never looked back despite a very poor prognosis at the time. At the BCNA summit last year I sat next to a lady who is 30 years cancer free.
I myself had 6cm of ductal carcinoma (hormone positive) and 5 positive nodes (one with 7mm tumor). No clear margin between cancer and chest wall despite a mastectomy. Almost 5 years later I have just had another oncologist checkup and all is well. I too have had my ovaries removed since treatment.
It is tough to find a way forward and to live well with that possibility of recurrence a very real one. My way is to accept that it is a possibility but to tell myself that I have done all that is medically recommended. To further help my mindset I live a healthy, active lifestyle as I believe (backed up by my oncologist) that this can make a difference. Then I tell myself there is no point to giving it too much more of my thinking time.
I think it is normal for us to have moments of ‘what if’ but if those feelings are taking over then talking to a professional can be very helpful. Cancer has taken up enough of our life during active treatment, sometimes we need some support to put it behind us - where it belongs. We all have a lot of living to get on with. Wishing you all the best with your ovary surgery. I am sure it will get easier once that is out of the way. Thinking back I was all over the place emotionally before getting mine out too! Take care. Deanne xxx
I myself had 6cm of ductal carcinoma (hormone positive) and 5 positive nodes (one with 7mm tumor). No clear margin between cancer and chest wall despite a mastectomy. Almost 5 years later I have just had another oncologist checkup and all is well. I too have had my ovaries removed since treatment.
It is tough to find a way forward and to live well with that possibility of recurrence a very real one. My way is to accept that it is a possibility but to tell myself that I have done all that is medically recommended. To further help my mindset I live a healthy, active lifestyle as I believe (backed up by my oncologist) that this can make a difference. Then I tell myself there is no point to giving it too much more of my thinking time.
I think it is normal for us to have moments of ‘what if’ but if those feelings are taking over then talking to a professional can be very helpful. Cancer has taken up enough of our life during active treatment, sometimes we need some support to put it behind us - where it belongs. We all have a lot of living to get on with. Wishing you all the best with your ovary surgery. I am sure it will get easier once that is out of the way. Thinking back I was all over the place emotionally before getting mine out too! Take care. Deanne xxx