Surviving Breast Cancer, Embracing Life

The following is an Editorial Resource from YourTotalHealth.

After Cancer

Are You Eating Better and Exercising?

I have made some changes along the way to my diet. I have incorporated more organic foods into our diet and tried to cut down on the amount of fat in our meals. I don't cook with any type of plastics and avoid drinking water out of plastic bottles when I can.

I also am buying more and more organic cleaning supplies. I have tried to make small changes here and there so as not to overwhelm myself with the cost or make myself crazy over it. I don't exercise regularly but try to do it sometimes. I gained a lot of weight since my diagnosis and have been trying to lose it lately. I hope to get on a regular exercise schedule in the coming weeks.
—cl-maggie3333

I've changed my diet by eating less fats and junk food and attempting to eat more fresh foods (less processed stuff), and I exercise regularly now. My sisters are doing the same, so my run-in was a wake-up call to everyone. I'm probably far healthier now than I've ever been.
—Cmkarla

5 Years Later! All Done [with] Meds Too!  

Well ladies, I am all finished with medication. I was on Tamoxifen for five years, and now nothing!

I feel really good about this. My husband and I went to see the oncologist for the last time and discussed taking more medication, but all in all there is no point. All the side effects, etc., outweigh [the small risk of recurrence]. We all agreed and that was that. Whoaaaaa!

I think we survivors will always have a little thing in the back of our heads about recurrence. But I choose to move on (like I have been), hoping and praying that I never have to utter this word again.

Anyway, just thought I'd share, especially to those women who are having a rough time on their drugs.
—gal_stephie

Do You Tell Potential Employers?

Do you tell potential employers that you've had cancer, or would you wait until hired and then mention it if it came up?
—Daizeedo

This is a great question. In my humble opinion, one should not tell a potential employer. Once you have the job, it may come up if doctors' appointments are necessary. But, really, it does not have any bearing on your job performance, unless you have some kind of issue caused by the cancer or treatment of it. I unfortunately know women who have lost their jobs after a diagnosis. Obviously, they were given different reasons for being let go, but it was pretty obvious in both cases that it was because of the medical expenses.

Are you struggling with this right now? Or just simply asking for curiosity sake?
—cl-maggie3333

With all the hoopla over employer-provided health insurance (and the costs), I'm now doubly worried about letting anyone know I've had cancer. I have no problems that would keep me from doing any particular job and my only checkups are now yearly. I worry that someone might find out and fire/not hire me because I could be a potential risk to raise premiums.
—Daizeedo

What's Next: 6 Years Later

• Will My Cancer Come Back?
• Protect Yourself from Recurrence
• Prevent Breast Cancer