Mrs - What happens after breast cancer treatment finishes?

Hi, I am posting for the first time, I have stage 3 breast cancer and am in my 5th out of 6th chemo. I will then have radiotherapy and tamoxifen hormone therapy after. I am looking for long term info...what happens after treatment, how are you monitored, what's the prognosis? Any info from survivors?

Thanks

  • Hello love,

    where abouts are you? As health care will differ from region to region. I'm lucky, I live in Shropshire and being taken care of beautifully, I've finished chemo and radiotherapy and still need an injection every 3 weeks for at least 6 months. You will probably find follow up appointments plopping through your letter box on a regular basis for the time being. Are you happy with the way your treatment is being handled? 

    Of course the big one will be the mammogram after being diagnosed ( mine will be in January 2020) I'm already bricking it! 

    I for one like being closely monitored, I'm not sure how I'm going to feel once it's yearly mammograms only.....I've just bought a book about how to move on......my centre also does a moving on course....I hope you have a good centre too....xx

  • Hi, I'm in Lancashire...cancer never showed up in mammograms so I'm wondering what other  screening they may use

  • What's the book called? Think I'm gonna struggle with life after treatment, people think you're cured but I'm terrified of it coming back!!!

  • Hi,

     the book is called.....living well beyond breast cancer by Marisa c Weiss and Ellen Weiss...

     

    did you get an ultra sound? I think we will all worry about reoccurrence, every ache and pain has me panicking.....xx

  • Please God you are doing well. 

    Since finishing my year of treatment (mastectomy with chemo cycles before and after), I've been having excellent one-to-one therapy once a week (over the internet because of Covid rules) provided by Olive Tree Cancer Support (a charity based at Crawley Hospital's Olive Tree Hospice and accredited by Macmillan), which was recommended by my medical oncologist. They offer various therapies, but having read their description of the hypnotherapy they offer ( www.olivetreecancersupport.org.uk/.../hypnotherapy ), I asked for that. It is excellent and has been transforming my life. I would never have considered hypnotherapy before, but I was so frazzled that I needed help. The therapy is given by a highly-qualified professional and it teaches you how to self-hypnotize so that you can have a time of self-hypnosis every day and so that you can continue once you have had the number of sessions they offer you. The therapist works with who you are, including with whatever your religion/ faith is or with no religion/ faith. I thank God every day for this help. (By the way, it's free, but I send the charity a donation when I can.)