What now? Life after treatment....

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