Male Breast Cancer
Hi All, I feel a little out of place here, and yet it feels like the right place to be chatting. Its very unusual in men but I was diagnosed with what I now know was a stage two breast cancer on Christmas eve last year. I've since been through 6 months of chemo, mastectomy and axillary clearance and am 5 days into a 25 day radiotherapy course. My oncologist tells me my prognosis is quite good really, she showed me a prognosis tool called "Predict Breast" that says 10 year survival rate for a cancer of my type and size is 90%. I have to say though that the biggest challenge for me so far has been in my head. The fear of recurrence is so persistent. Does anyone have any good tips for coping mechanisms? Thanks Danny
Finding Happiness In The New Normal
I'm in the process of rebuilding my life after BC. My internal and external life. The oncologist says the physical recovery from chemo will take about a year. I'm at the three month mark from the bilateral mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction and feel more or less physically recovered though my belly is still quite tight. I've completed an oncology exercise physiology course which was brilliant. Run by Eastern Health in Melbourne, it was an hour of exercise, specifically tailored for me by an exercise physiologist after an assessment. Each exercise session was followed by an hour of education. That was wide and varied, including Tai Chi, sleep advice, an hour with a hospital pharmacist to ask about your meds, a session on fatigue, Feldenkrais and art therapy. Two sessions a week for seven weeks. The price for ALL of this was $10. Our public health system is incredible. So I feel like I've made a good start in regaining my strength, and I'm looking forward to gaining back more when I begin the ExMed programme in September. And walking more as the weather becomes more conducive! Setting aside the ongoing issue of adjusting to the side effects of a decade on an AI, that's the physical, but what about the mental? The hard bit. It sure is a rollercoaster. And very much a work in progress. Up and down, mood swings, anxiety, hopelessness, sudden joy in the lttle things, pointlessness, fear of recurrence, life with sensationless foobs, frustration, etc etc etc. When I was having chemo I kept a list on my phone of things I'd like to do when I was 'better'. The oft repeated advice to be kind to yourself, and put yourself first more often, rings in my ears. I'm taking it to heart and bit by bit I'm constructing a new normal (not overly fond of that phrase) which contains more for me, and less servitude to the family. Because you know, you could get run over by a bus tomorrow. Or get cancer... So now I hang the expense and buy fresh flowers each week. They make me happy when I look at them. I'm extending my kitchen skills. I don't want to die without knowing how to make good pastry and a cumquat marmalade. I'm doing a preserves & fermentation class later this year! I'm giving back by saying yes to every advocacy opportunity I'm offered. The biggest one in a way is the institution of a monthly day trip. I love to travel. It feeds my soul and makes me happier than anything. Travel doesn't have to be overseas or far away, it just has to be somewhere new. My husband works 50 - 60 hours a week outside the home, often interstate. Come the weekend all he wants is to be at home. Currently I work the same hours in the home. And come the weekend I want to be anywhere else BUT at home! For 19 years I've put his needs above mine on this front but no more. Once a month I'm leaving the house, the laundry, the tidying, the cooking, the cleaning, the music practice, the homework, the catering all behind and heading off to explore my home state. Up to roughly a two hour driving radius, a trip with the aim of exploring, being diverted, a good walk, a rummage in an op shop, a local sight or anything else that might take my fancy. This took a bit of persuading for my beloved to take on board. But he got there and we've had two fantastic day trips so far. The second was today. We went to Wonthaggi and Cape Paterson, two places I'd never been before. Sometimes I'll go on my own, sometimes with my husband and sometimes I'll use the opportunity to have some one on one time with the kids. Useful when you've got four of them I think. Today we took my 12yo nephew, wrenching him from his beloved computer. Initially reluctant and resentful he had a lovely day. We also took the big dog who adored our exploration of the kangaroo filled wetlands between the desalination plant and the wind farm, not to mention the tennis ball throwing on the beach. We came home with some Bitossi from a fantastic vintage market, a delicious bottle of local pinot gris, award winning lamb and mint sausages and a new red leather collar for the dog! I've done over 15,000 steps, had a delicious cup of coffee, ate fish and chips, learned some stuff I didn't know and seen a whole new part of the world. Which is all a very long winded way of saying what are you doing, or planning to do, to find some happiness in your new normal? Spotted today on the back of the door to the ladies loo in the Cape Paterson Tavern: Happy dog at the beach:
Cancer Council Enrich Program
Hi lovelies, I know that previously we have had posts about the YWCA Encore program, helping those who have suffered breast cancer to exercise and be healthy using set physical exercises both on land and in an aquatic setting. Just thought that I would post for those that have not heard of the Enrich program which is run by the Cancer Council. I have completed both (was going to them at the same time) and find that both are fantastic to aid in getting moving and giving nutrition tips. The Enrich program does not have an aquatic element it is all done in the meeting room. Like the Encore program it is free and is held in various areas, although Enrich is open to anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis. Here is the link to the site should anyone wish to join. ENRICHing Survivorship program ENRICHing Survivorship is facilitated by an exercise physiologist/ physiotherapist, dietitian, yoga instructor and volunteers to restore your physical and emotional wellbeing after cancer treatment. The program runs one day per week for 8 weeks and each session is 2 hours. To view our upcoming programs, click the link below To find out more, contact us on 1300 360 541 or email enrich@nswcc.org.au https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/enrich/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Survivorship%20News%20February%202018&utm_content=Survivorship%20News%20February%202018+CID_9f74529931ca870957618cfe24035139&utm_source=EDM_CM_survivorship&utm_term=here
Thankfulness
I just wanted to share my thankfulness with you and offer a word of encouragement. Last week was my 2 years "remission" mark for which I am very thankful. In that time I've had numerous surgeries, including breast reconstruction, chemo and am now on aromatase inhibitors for at least 5 years. It's certainly a road with many ups and downs, joys and griefs, and a community where amazing friendships are formed. After getting that clearance, I spent a lovely few days in the NSW Snowy Mountains with my darling hubby, and managed to walk to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko. I felt so emotional at the top - reflecting on the gift of health and life. It was also the achievement of a personal challenge - aromatase inhibitors cause me quite a bit of joint stiffness and pain, so I wasn't sure that I'd actually make it. I made sure I took my BCNA cap with me as a tribute to all those who struggle with the daily challenges of bc. I wanted to encourage those who are having a crappy time at the moment - it does pass, and you can continue on with wonderful things in life. They may be a bit different to things you did before, but life does that - it changes and shapes us and offers us new opportunities. Lots of love, Alison xx
