Surviving Breast Cancer, Embracing Life

The following is an Editorial Resource from YourTotalHealth.

More Treatment Stories

Just looked at my mastectomy for the first time 

This morning I was finally able to take a shower after two weeks. I had a mastectomy two Fridays ago (along with the start of reconstruction and the installation of a medi port) and got the clearance to shower two days ago. I didn't mean to look at my left area where I had the mastectomy, but I forgot, and looked at it. Resulting in a bit of an emotional meltdown.

It was just too much for me to see this today. Added to all that, I have made an appointment with my hair dresser to cut my hair tomorrow so that I can donate it to Locks of Love, BEFORE it falls out with the chemo. I start the TAC cocktail on Wednesday.

You know what, just typing this makes me feel a bit better ... I think that if I heard your stories, maybe that would help too. I also really need to hear from ladies like me, under 40 (I hit the big 40 next month), that are in the early stages of all this. The other day I attended a Looks Good Feels Good workshop sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Great program, but all of the other ladies were older than me by 25-30 years and were on the other side of this whole experience (i.e. hair growing back, done with chemo, etc.).

… I have a wonderful family and friend support system, but no one is going through what I am going through. Anyone care to chime in to this discussion. I could really use the support this morning—and whenever.
—craftermomof2

I am 38, I have three kids, age 16, 10 and 8. I found a lump in my breast in May, went for the biopsy, where they also biopsied a lymph node, was told by the doctor she was sure it was nothing, and was called on my wedding anniversary to be told both tests were positive!

I have had chemo first, have two treatments left, and then have surgery and will have one year of Herceptin. The chemo hasn’t been half as bad as I thought it would be. I seem to have one really rough day per treatment, the other days are doable, and about a week before my next treatment, I’ve bounced back—oh, and I go every two weeks. Emotionally, I’ve found once I started treatment, found out all my options, and got started, it got easier. Sure I have my rough moments and dark days, but overall I am very optimistic. The chemo is working, there have been so many advances made in breast cancer in just the last few years, and many new treatments that weren't available before. You will be surprised at how strong you are! Hang in there! Even during chemo I haven’t missed too many of my kids activities, and our lives overall haven’t changed too much.
—lauralexirobbiezach

Treatment is over, now what? 

Sometimes survivors find it very difficult to finish treatment for cancer. Even though there are so many adverse side effects from most cancer treatments, it is sometimes difficult to leave this chapter behind. It is so hard because some of us are afraid that without constant treatment, the cancer may come back. Others have gotten so accustomed to going the hospital and seeing the nurses and other survivors, that they feel like they are lost without that bond or that extra helping hand to get us through yet another issue.

After treatment was finished for me, I found it particularly difficult because it seemed like I was all alone. I had so many people coming in and out of my house that I had gotten used to someone always being there to help me. Even though I longed for a "normal" life, I found myself feeling abandoned by my friends and family. So many people had come out of the woodwork to support me and help me during treatment but once treatment was over it was almost as if they thought that I no longer needed assistance. I actually think that after the treatment was over, that I needed my friends and family more.

I am finally past this stage and am feeling really good about my life and the direction it is headed. But, there were a few months when I felt very alone and scared. I found that in those moments, other survivors were the only ones that could understand me. I have many friends that are cancer survivors now and they really help to get me through days that other people don't find hard at all.
—cl-maggie3333

My sister had her first radiation treatment yesterday and starts chemo today. I told my sister-in-law who wanted to help her, but didn't know how, that in about three weeks people will forget to call or come over, or want to help, and she will need the comfort or help of others. I guess people get on with their lives, and forget that you might need help, as they think you are doing fine. Well, we both know that emotionally and physically, it takes a long time to get back to "normal." (Whatever that is. "Normal" seems to change, doesn't it?)

Every time I have to deal with a new problem and treatment, it takes a while to come recover from it, and I usually don't recover 100 percent, so I'm always dealing with what "normal" will be for me after that. You know, some days are good; some, not so good. I agree it’s hard when you don't see the supportive doctors, nurses, etc. that you are used to and who have been so helpful. I told my sis that I feel like the chemo nurses are almost like family sometimes. When I go for appointments, I have to pop in and say hi to them, etc. even though I only go in for infusions once every eight weeks for infusions now, as I'm on pill chemo. When you've seen them every week or every three weeks or every day, etc, it’s strange to not have their support, isn't it?

I think with this disease we do need a constant support for some time... and it’s really hard for others to understand. You are right that survivors understand this a bit better.
—joyoptomist

What's Next: After Cancer

• Lifestyle Changes
• 6 Years Later
• Will My Cancer Come Back?