Forum Discussion

Sallietj's avatar
Sallietj
Member
12 years ago

What now? Life after treatment....

Hi Ladies, Well it's been a while since my last post, but lots has been going on. After being diagnosed on the 16th May 2013, I went straight into surgery for the removal of a 19mm lump. I was told I had Triple Negative Breast Cancer & yes I never even heard of it before then. I was then seeing another doctor and was told I would need 4 rounds of chemo starting in 2 weeks time. I was lucky enough to sneak in a quick getaway to Port Douglas with my wonderful husband before I started my treatment. My 1st round left me in hospital for 7 days with a infection in my body. Thought if this is what chemo about I'm not going to make it. Lucky for me the next 3 rounds were doable but each round just seemed to get tougher and tougher. Chemo finally finished at the end of August and I was allowed to have a few weeks to catch my breath before my Bilateral mastectomy on the 5th of October. In that time I had appointments with the genetic specialist for my results of bloods to see if I had a faulty gene. Much to my relief and my two daughters it was negative. We celebrated with some bubbles, but I must be honest I was just moving onto the next tasks that was given to me. I was having a Diep procedure & reconstruction with my plastic surgeon Hamish Farrow & my Breast surgeon Jane O'Brien at the Epworth in Melbourne. I really just moved through the days leading up to the 5th making sure I was organized with everything I need and empowering myself with any information I could get my hands on. I can honestly say I was stalking all you ladies every chance I got just to get any helpful hints. From taking your own pillow with you to buttons down the front of your nightie, your own coffee cup, iPad, iPhone, chargers, paw paw cream, Nivea face wipes, and mints for your mouth! Surgery was huge, but 13 hours later I was awake enough with Hamish saying that he was going home for dinner but if I need him, he was only a phone call away. Honestly our doctors are our hero's, I love them all to the moon and back. As it turned out our wonderful nurses had it all under control and between them and my gorgeous husband they found a rhythm that work for us all. Lots going on around you and you really are at there mercy. I was lucky enough to be losing 1 out of my 8 drainage tubes each day, and my PCA pump day 3. Physio was tough but the more I seemed to do my exercise the easier I seemed to be able to move around. Day 7 and I was heading home, battered and bruised cut from hip to hip, stomach binder and crop top. It was again nothing I didn't already expect and I again have this site to thank. More surgery was 18th December, 28th January and 1st April, I still have one more but I've decided to have a rest and catch my breath. I've had over 20 hours of general anesthetic and I feel like my brain is fried. Last surgery is booked for October and that will be little bit of liposuction and my nipples. I went back to work for a few hours a day a couple of days a week but I just could not seem to fined my Mojo, so I've was able to take 12 months leave without pay. Some days I feel guilty for not working and some days I just think there is no way I could do a full days work. - Is this normal? - What is normal after we travel down this breast cancer road? - Do you feel once your hair has grown back, you must be all better now? Would love some feedback on life after treatment and surgery. Thank you all heaps Sallie
mastectomy
side-effects
triple-negative-breast-cancer

2 Replies

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    12 years ago
    You have been through sooo much in the last year.So much surgery must take it's toll on you physically.The breast cancer journey is also a very emotional one.You need time to recover from all this so don't feel guilty for not working.When I got breast cancer a second time I decided to leave work and move house.That was a few years ago now and I've felt guilty now and again but mostly I have no regrets.I volunteer for BCNA and run a local breast cancer support group.I enjoy an art group each week and spend time with family and friends.I feel more content and am slowly gaining confidence in my health again.It took about 18mths for my hair to look like it used to before chemo.So I guess I felt more like "me" again.Just take this time for yourself- rest when you need to and do the things that bring you joy.You may find it helpful to join a bc support group in your area.I'm sure your mojo will come back eventually.You'll have 12 months to build your health and strength back up and you'll feel more confident.Sending hugs,Tonya xx
  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    12 years ago
    I'm glad that you have found this network a good source of info and support. I was diagnosed on 13th May 2013 and had a mastectomy on 16th May, then 18 weeks of chemo starting 3 weeks later. I then had 25 radiotherapy treatments and am now on tamoxifen. I think your 'new normal' depends on lots of individual circumstances. Age, family circumstances and financial situations can impact on this. I think that for all of us though life will never be quite the same as it was. My previous career (I was a director of a Kindergarten) involved me regularly working a 50 hour week. There were some weeks where I worked 60 hours. I had given this away to home school my daughter when we moved to a rural lifestyle but was just about to start the next phase of my life when I found out I had Stage 3 breast cancer. I finished active treatment almost 8 months ago. My hair is growing, my eyebrows and eyelashes are back. I have made changes to my diet and religiously exercise everyday. People tell me I look great but inside I'm fragile. There is no way I could return to full time teaching. I don't know whether it is menopause (chemo sent me into this at 47), tamoxifen or the physical and emotional toll that having breast cancer treatment took on me. I am fortunate that I had Trauma Insurance which paid out a lump sum when i was diagnosed, so financially I do not have any pressure. But I want to feel as though I am contributing something to the world. For now I have done this through trying to help other women on here. Last Saturday I took part in Walk 4 Breast Cancer with my daughter. We walked 10 km and raised just over $3000 for the Cancer Council. It felt good to do something to contribute to the fight against Breast Cancer in a broader way. Having Breast Cancer has changed my priorities. I'm still feeling my way but at least I feel like I'm moving forward. I find it hard to see too far into the future but am just continuing to take things one step at a time. Best wishes for your life after treatment. Take care. Deanne xxx