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Is it normal to feel normal after being diagnosed with breast cancer?

Sylvia66
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Hi. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March after noticing a lump with a dimple below it on the very innermost edge of my right breast. Not picked up by a recent mammogram because of where it was. I had a lumpectomy and 3 lymph nodes removed for biopsy 5 weeks ago. 2 of the 3 lymph nodes showed cancer, so last week I had the rest of the lymph nodes under my right arm removed. I now have a drain inserted (which is painful when I move to stand, and especially painful when I wake up in the morning) Other than that I feel completely normal and have done from day 1 which some of my friends don't understand. I sometimes worry more about not being worried than the fact I have cancer! Or am I just numb and acting on autopilot?

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    Good for you and long may it continue. You cannot change what is, only change how you react to it.. The most dangerous thing can be  in a lot of cases is not the medical condition but the stress created around it, and the most successful outcomes are from those who just crack on going forward and do not look back.

    You ask is it normal to feel normal?, not in the majority of cases l suspect, but it is most definitely a bonus that works on your side towards a successful outcome.

    In my case being ten years on with full recovery from stage four cancer with spread, l am in no doubt that l attribute this to a positive outlook and refusal to allow my mind to be dragged into a relentless quagmire of self doubt, so don't question it, embrace it and get on with life and be thankful you are one of the lucky one's,

    best wishes for that recovery, 

                                                   David

  • Offline in reply to gruntifen

    Thank you for your reply. I guess what I'm really worried about is that this might end up hitting my like a train further down the road. I do have a PMA in everyday life, so I'm hoping this feeling continues. My eldest sister referred to it as 'the big C' recently and I immediately corrected her, saying it's a little c. I refuse to allow it any significance or importance.

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