Feeling anxious

Hi All,

I found out this week I am finally being discharged from my oncologist which I know is a positive but I feel a bit anxious about the future and the what if 'cancer returns'.

In Nov 2014 At 37 years old I was diagnosed with advanced stages inflammatory breast cancer at 21 weeks pregnant.  I have been on autopilot for the last 2 years completeing 8 rounds of chemo (5 whilst pregnant) 3 after.  Radiotherapy, year of herceptin injections, left mastectomy and total lympth node clearance and as a precaution I opted to remove the right breast.  

My darling daughter was born three weeks early and was completly heatlthy considering want her tiny body had to endure.

I have had corrective surgery to what the medics call a 'dog ear' which was unsuccessful so awaiting further surgery to the breast area and awaiting for surgery to remove my ovaries and tubes as a prevention.  I have no desire for reconstruction surgery until I know that I remain clear of this horrible disease.  At present receiving zoladex injections to stop ovary function which is putting me through early menopause!!!! Its only now coming to the end of my journey that I am feeling the after effects of everything I have went through and my body is suffering from side effects from drugs.  I feel people think I should be getting back to 'normal' but dont understand that Im lost in my feelings and im still trying to cope with ongoing treatments and accept all the changes to me mentally and physically.

  • Wow not sure I have any words of advice but I just wanted to comment that I am blown away by what you have been through and wish to just say so. In terms of support are you able to access support via any of the local cancer support organisation s ? I am just a week into chemotherapy for stomach cancer with a operation planned in for February.
  • Hello Babygirl, welcome to the forum.  I can only echo abc's comment - wow!  By golly, you have been through it, whilst being pregnant and having your lovely baby at the same time -  you have my admiration.  You have been through so much it's no wonder your feelings are all over the place, and of course the early menopause is not helping either.  Rest assured that most of us on here do understand that it takes time to adjust, and for the after effects of treatment to diminish, so if you ever need to talk there is always someone on here to lend a sympathetic ear.  (If people tell you that you should be getting back to normal just let them read some of the posts on here, darling, might make them think again!)

    I wish you luck for your forthcoming surgery, please let us know how you get on, meanwhile take care of yourself and your beautiful daughter.

    God bless, Hazel xx

     

     

  • Hi abc, just want to wish you good luck with your chemo, and your op in Feb. 

    Take care, Hazel xx

    PS. Like your avatar, a good outlook to have!

  • Thanks for that I am gearing up for round 2 on the 7th December. Whilst the forum is useful it also puts your own situation in perspective when you read many of the posts. If anything I'm just amazed that there is not more of a public outcry as to why so many people are getting cancer something is not right. 

    I also think considering people get shock of diagnosis then start treatment quickly , the whole medication hospital visit regime, telling people, thinking about your possible death, lack of sleep, thinking about finances etc it's a lot to deal with in say 8 weeks I think we forget how strong we have to be.

    At the moment I'm ok just on hair watch as I can tell it feels different even after just over a week and I have not had time to see wig lady yet. 

    Angela 

  • Nice to hear from you Nicky

  • Ah, yes, the hair!  I have had 3 rounds of 6 chemos over the last 20 or so years, hair just got very thin with the first and third, but lost it all with the second, which was a much stronger brew!   Actually I felt quite liberated, just bunged on the wig each morning instead of having to fiddle about with my own, always wayward, hair!  I found that a minor problem, to be honest, as I never take very kindly to chemo unfortunately, makes me quite ill.  

    Hope you find a nice wig to see you through!  (I still have mine, just in case, it's sitting on a stand on top of my wardrobe with a hat on and sometimes gives visitors a bit of a start, looks at first like someone poking their head through the top!)

    Take care and good luck.

    Hazel xx

     

  • Thank you so much for your kind words. My thoughts are with u also and wish u well through your treatment and surgery. Thinking back to the day I was diagnosed I remember speaking to my husband and said I don't want to see people crying and worrying I just want to think positive and just count down the weeks until my last treatment. Keep smiling and remain upbeat and positive you'll be surprised how strong we become. Sending love and hugs x
  • Hi hazel,

     

    thank you you for taking the time to message me it means a lot to know I have people I can speak to.  I'll keep u posted on my upcoming operations.  X