Relationship damage from cancer
Has anyone experienced significant damage to their relationship from a cancer diagnosis? My partner has stayed by my side and supported me throughout my treatment, but now that I'm coming out the other end into survivorship, instead of bringing us closer together, we are in a very bad place. He resents me because he has lost a year of his life due to my diagnosis and treatment. He has a lot of anger towards me and has been pushing me away for months, and it's causing me a lot of pain and extra stress which isn't good for me. Pushing me away is his defense mechanism because he is scared he will lose me, but it feels as though has already written me off. We both very much love each other, but we aren't in a good place and I'm so hurt that he is blaming me for something that was out of my control instead of being grateful that he didn't lose me. I feel so alone and like I have to hide my fear and emotions from him because he cannot handle it. Has anyone been in a similar position and come back from it?
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 @breastcancerbanterNeuropathy
I would really like to connect with someone who has been on a similar journey. I was diagnosed with TNBC in April 2024 . Had chemotherapy, lumpectomy and 3 weeks of radiation. The Neuropathy began as I finished chemo and has not improved. I find it difficult to use my hands and to walk. I find it difficult to explain to friends and family that I cannot cut up vegetables or turn pages or pick up anything small. I feel quite isolated as I'm unable to drive any more or ride my bike which I relied on for exercise. The loss of of independence is just awful. Thank goodness for my precious husband who I now rely on. I am 73 and just need to know that I'm not alone in this terrible journey.
Happy Halloween Y'All
Hi all. Just thought I'd pop in and celebrate with everyone that today is my 8 yrs NED anniversary. Wow, where did the time go? This time 8 years ago I was where a lot of the newly diagnosed people are at the moment. A limbo land of fog and unknowing. In hospital after surgery with a million things running through my brain about what the next year was going to be like with recovery from surgery, chemo and radiation. I feel for you I really do. Still gives me the cold shivers thinking about it. For those just starting on the rollercoaster, one breath at a time, and just keep going one foot in front of the other. Eventually, you'll come fly out of the fog and into the sunshine, You've got this, and you'll find a strength inside you never thought you had—although you probably won't realize it for a while. You also learn that you have a very low tolerance for bullshit, peoples whinging and worrying about the small stuff. :D Look for those moments of brilliance in the every day. I've never really celebrated as such each year but this time I decided to have an 8yr/Halloween party. Plus I love a good costume party so why not. I'm off to make ghosts and creepy stuff. Oh and Witches brew cocktails! Love to all. xoxox
Completing Hormone Therapy
I was wondering what others experiences have been completing hormone therapy for early breast cancer? I have another year of tamoxifen to go and wondering what to expect in terms of follow up once it is completed. I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction. I haven't had chemo or radiotherapy.
10 years on - Survivor
It’s been such a long time since I’ve been on this chat and tonight I’m wanting to celebrate a milestone for me and give others hope- chemotherapy is definitely a great part of why I’m still here 10 years down the track from my diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer but it takes away so much too. I was shattered to lose my hair but when I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes I was mortified. Thankfully hair and eyelashes grow back, eyebrows too but not the same. Today I put my trust in an amazing process and an incredible lady and I got my eyebrows tattooed- for me this was a big thing and my final F U Cancer moment!!! So if anyone is feeling the same as I did after recovering from the ravages of chemo and you’re wanting to take back your confidence I highly recommend this!!! For those of you currently undergoing treatment there is hope and life after cancer treatment and I wish everyone all the best. If you’re in Adelaide consider reaching out to: the brow ink by Sarah 🥰
Breast Cancer Recurrence Prevention - An Illustrative Tutorial - Oster Oncology
A very interesting tutorial on reducing the chances of recurrence thru the use of surgery, chemo, Rads, Tabs and natural 'evidence based' factors such as sleep, diet & vitamins .. (I am a bit concerned that it indicates a 30% chance of recurrence if no other treatment is undertaken, which of course was the decision made by your medical team after considering ALL the options - ie double mastectomy and no chemo, rads or tabs vs 20-30% for those who've had the added treatment ....) In all reality - they really just DON'T KNOW why any of us (particularly early stage, successful surgery & no node involvement) go on to develop Mets ... and more of the research $$ from donations needs to go into this area - maybe this is an area that @BCNA can advocate more for .... trying to identify the reason/factors that turns the tissue/bones into Mets! The researchers would need to go back over the original tissue pathology & compare it with the Mets biopsy to see WHAT HAS CHANGED & WHY! Just remember - we ALL need to be very vigilant of any persistent aches & pains that hang around for more than a couple of weeks-1 month ..... My mantra is and always will be: IF IN DOUBT, GET CHECKED OUT! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijpDZa7V5mQ He has video tutorials on other types of cancer too .... https://www.youtube.com/@osteroncology6776
I made it to the 5 year mark. Please help me avoid my period!
Hello all you amazing ladies, (Long one, will summarise quickly - Need help with shutting off my period safely somehow.) I was here ages ago when I was still very much in the deep end of treatment and recovery. I've been through a billion different stages of psychological/physical/emotional/traumatic evolution since then, and long story short, my oncology team have discharged me after being in remission for 5 years. YEEEAAAHHH I DID THAT! <3 B) Where I'm at currently is this: my Zoladex is over. My Anastrazole will be tapered off over the next two weeks and then that will be over too. I got my goddamn period for the first time in about 4.5 YEARS yesterday! And my reaction is utter fear and anger. I associate menstruation with the bane of my existence: Migraines. When I went into treatment and subsequent early menopause, my periods totally stopped, and so did my migraines. I thought I was DONE with that bullshit :'( It was the only vague benefit of enduring the hell of treatment. I am now desperate to find a way to stop having my periods and hopefully stop the migraines that go along with them. IF ANYBODY out there has had experience with starting any birth control pill that stopped their periods after surviving an ER+ breast cancer, or have any experience with managing to safely stop their periods for any reason after ER+ BC, please share with me! I've tried to ask my GP for what I can do to keep myself in menopause and she said basically "You're stuck with the periods because you can't mess with your oestrogen on the Pill". Nobody understands my panic about getting periods again! I am hoping some women out there have also had the same fear and aversion to getting them back after treatment-induced menopause reversed itself. What do you do when having periods every month also equals being dysfunctional with migraines and severe depression? What do you do when you thought you could cope with menopause and your body has adapted and then you're back in a state of total anxiety about your body sabotaging you again? Love to hear any thoughts you have. H xo
