Survivorship struggles
Hi community, I'm not even too sure what I want to say or ask to be honest. It's just all feeling a bit heavy at the moment. I'm having a morning (yet another) where I've logged on to work from home but I'm struggling to focus and concentrate. (thanks Tamoxifen, lack of sleep, anxiety 🙄). Also, breast cancer awareness month is feeling like a bit much - especially following doing a fund raiser in the office yesterday. Plus last night I had a talk with my partner about what medical menopause is doing to my body and sex drive (he was supportive but a bit bewildered). Add to that over the last couple of weeks I've fallen off the wagon a bit with my diet and exercise, so that's affecting how I'm feeling. (Going back to gym this afternoon for weights and yoga - yay me). Anyway, I guess I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything it means to be living in survivor-land. Don't get me wrong, I'm so grateful to be here and able to "find a new normal". It's just a lot. Some days it's really a lot. Thanks. Any words of wisdom or support? Maybe this will help someone else feeling the same way to feel less alone, too.78ViewsSign in to react to this post8Comments
Recurrence?
My social media post is flooded, at present, with stories of women who are, or have recently, come through a second or third battle with cancer. It's a bit overwhelming! 7 months out from diagnosis of small, early, invasive BC, and 6 weeks post end of my treatment, I'd really appreciate a "hands up" from any lovely ladies who were diagnose and treated in their 50s or early 60s who are 5-10 years post without a recurrence or new cancer. Thanks, Lovelies.ViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsPost-treatment Tired and can't afford to be
Hi there, I am a 60 year old who has had a pretty-easy, early-invasive BC journey: Small, ER+, PR+, HER-; Lumpectomy with clear margins; 2 lymph nodes taken but uninvolved; Axillar seroma drained; 15 fractions of RT; Maybe some early lymphodema in breast, Letrozole from diagnosis through RT but then told I would not benefit much from it (0.6% benefit in reduced recurrence rates) and discontinued it due to side effects. I am 4 months post-surgery and 6 weeks post-RT, and have been off Letrazole for a month or more. I am back at clerical work (work from home) full-time now, after working back up gradually, and I am stuffed! I can barely get out of bed in the morning, and if I can stay upright in my seat and keep my brain focussed, by the end of the day I am completely useless. Rad Onc says the fatigue should not be RT related at this point. Now I feel like I should be able to just "snap out of it" but that's totally beyond me and I just want to cry and sleep. (For transparency, I should maybe admit (& remember for my own benefit) that since my initial biopsy my husband and I have organised a son's engagement party, done a road trip and purchased a home 1500 km away, organised renovations and done 2 more trips to keep tabs on the works, watched 2nd son sworn in as a cop, and seen no. 1 son marry. Maybe that's part of the fatigue ...along with the panic over working full-time, decluttering/downsizing, packing and moving in 3 months.) Maybe my problem is actually a dose of insanity...? 🤪 Can anyone with a similar, "straightforward" BC journey share whether their "normal" returned and how long it took? Thanks for "listening".ViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Bayside Melbourne
Hi everyone, Just diagnosed sadly. It's a little lump so this whole situation should just end up a another campfire story. Hopefully. My family has never experienced anything to do with the big C word. It's very foreign to any of us and I was just wondering if there is any one base I'd Melbourne who was experiencing the same thing? If so it would be really nice to meet up for a coffee or something and just chat about what's to come next. Love and hope, Sim xViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Tamoxifen and Blood Thinners
Hi there, Wondering is anyone else had situation like mine. I had lumpectomy, chemo and radiation 6 years ago for BC in left breast and since then I have been on Tamoxifen (full 6 years now out of recommended 10 years). Few months ago I had blood cloth (DVT) in my left leg (this all came after I took my teenager daughter to a concert and had to stand for over 5h), although I had problem with varicose veins after my pregnancies before the BC diagnosis and still have some aching veins on my legs. I was put on blood thinners and have been taking them for 4 months now (1 Eliquis tablet 5mg twice a day). I had a review with vascular specialist the other day and he advised I can stop blood thinners since I have been on them for 4 months and my cloth cleared a while ago anyway. After seeing vascular specialist I saw my oncologist few days later and they advised that if I continue being on Tamoxifen I need to take blood thinners as I have higher chance of blood clothing while on Tamoxifen and since I already had instance with blood clot I should take blood thinners for the next few years until I finish with Tamoxifen. I also had my usual monthly appointment with my chiropractor who advised that I shouldn't be on Eliquis blood thinner for longer than 6 months as I will have higher chance of aneurysm. I am getting really anxious about taking all this medication especially blood thinner (which by the way comes with lot of side effects like higher risk of bleeding, internal bleeding, liver problems if taken for prolonged periods of time., etc). Wondering did anyone else has been in similar situation and how did they go? Especially if you had to be on strong blood thinner like Eliquis (as it is not aspirin type of blood thinner). I feel like taking Eliquis would give me another issues but at the same I am scared of not taking it given I had a blood clot (pretty long one in one of the varicose veins in my lover leg which was connected to deep vein). Thanks NinicaViewsSign in to react to this postComments
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Being flat chested :(
I have had my prothesis in ,firstly my right breast for 25 years, and then my left breast for 20 years . I so want to take them out. They have been in there a long time. And have helped me feel like I still have my breasts. But I want to remove them forever.I feel that having the prothesis in for such a long time is not healthy..... But I don't want to be flat chested. I know I should be proud to be a woman without breast. I know breasts do not determine who I am. I have watched shows about being flat chested. I really don't think I can do it. I love feeling like a woman and looking like a woman. Yes, I can get bra implants etc. Fake breasts. But I just can't be forever flat.....It's so confusing my head. Is there anyone else out there who feels the same ?ViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Instagram Fam?!
Hi all :) I was just wondering if anyone else is sharing their Breast Cancer journey over on Instagram? I set up a page recently as I want to spread awareness about the realities of treatment & survivorship. I didn't quite have it in me as I went through the first part of my treatment (2 x surgeries, chemo & rads) to share as I went, but now i'm in the next phase (Ribociclib for 3 years + Zoladronic Acid 6 monthly + a bunch of other meds from side effects) I am starting to share more & recount my experiences. It's been lovely to connect with others as well. If anyone would like to follow you can find me at @breastcancerbanterViewsSign in to react to this postCommentsSo confused, scared and teary
Hi all, I was just diagnosed yesterday with DCIS intermediate grade 2 and told to get off my HRT patches immediately. I have 3 areas in the one breast so I think i will need a masectomy. I have been contacted by Peter Mac in Melbourne regarding my referral and just waiting on confirmation of my appointment date. My brain is saying if I had to have cancer this is the one to get but my emotions are being ridiculous, so teary inside but cool and calm on the outside trying to support everyone else. If I do need a masectomy i want to have reconstruction surgery on the same day with a small implant but Im so worried as 6 months ago I was let go at work due to business downsizing and ive really struggled to find another job, my mum has just passed away and any savings I had have helped with the funeral etc so basically I am seriously going through hardship and only just paying my rent on my job seeker payment. I am so scared that I will find out going through this process there are some unexpected charges that arent included, all the sites say peter mac is free and I am bulk billing but Im so scared that my health is going to held back due to financial stress. Has anyone had this process done at peter mac, chose the medicare bulk billing option and was their reconstruction covered? Sorry Im really rambling here but its so much easier to type this to a stranger than someone I know. xxxxxViewsSign in to react to this postComments
Grief & emotions
Hi all, I'm 14 mths since my diagnosis of de nova metastatic breast cancer. I thought i was doing quite well coping with it all, but the last few weeks have really been a struggle. I am done with having cancer now, I want my hair back & my old life back. I am just realising the impact of living with this for the rest of my life. I am still working, exercising, having counselling, but it still seems all too much sometimes.ViewsSign in to react to this postComments
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