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Life after cancer

Kiera123
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Hi all, I'm sat here just pondering about my past year full of appointments treatments and compassion. I have completed surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma grade3. I am now out here not entirely  on my own but supported by friends and family to begin the journey of rebuilding my life to try and get back what has been put on hold for the past year.

I think about what I've been through and what might lay ahead sometimes with lots of apprehension. What I can say is no matter what I think or feel my future will not change. I can worry everyday what lays ahead but in years to come if nothing changes I will have wasted time worrying therefore I have decided that I am going to live my life the way I feel appropriate and in a way I enjoy and at the end of the day what happens if anything in the future I will deal with it then.

 

I cannot go through the rest of my life worrying if the cancer will come back as it might never happen. I have 7 beautiful grandchildren whom  I intend to enjoy and if I am unfortunate enough to have it reoccurs then so be it I can't do anything about that.

I am so fortunate to have an amazing family I love dearly and many good friends that I just want to spend every minute enjoying what they offer.

I am so disappointed in the support for life after cancer that I realise if I don't pick myself up and get on with it no one is going to lead me by the hand to do it!

so for all you beautiful people out there that have been deemed cancer free or been given time please enjoy everyday,every minute because we cannot change what our future holds! 
 

life after cancer may be difficult but we can make it as fulfilling as we chose.

If anyone can provide information on how they have rebuilt their life after cancer please post!
 

best wishes to all that have completed their treatment and draw the best from what's left of life for those not so lucky xxxx

  • Offline in reply to SST

    I was diagnosed with breast cancer may 2021, it was devastating, chemo started  late June same year, i had surgery then radiotherapy afterwards. My major support was God, I had support also from my family members and church. Having people around to support one is very important. I thank God I am now cancer free and intend to enjoy my life to the full. Guys how have you handled lymphodema please?

     

  • Offline in reply to Gemmaclare

    Hi Gemma hope your doing ok. It's a bit if a tough road and rollercoaster at times but we get there in the end.

    I too am a nurse and actually worked in oncology but as I've said previously I don't think this always helped. I suffered quite badly  with anxiety in the beginning but that was because I didn't have much confidence in the nurses treating me, too blaze for my liking.

    Anyway I changed  hospital and got through it much better.

    I had GSF injections and took Clarytin the antihistamine daily and I never got any bone pain at all, I also took 2 paracetamol after taking my temp to make sure I was ok half an hour before I gave myself the injection then I jumped into bed, never had any problems. Just be aware though everybody reacts different to any medication we are all unique and can react differently as I'm sure you know.

    I had a bone scan but didn't need any calcium supplements so not everybody needs them.

    I hope your journey runs as smooth as it can and it's all over very soon for you hun.

    Take care, here if I can help xxxx

  • Offline in reply to Kiera123

    Hi Kiera

    Thanks for replying and sharing all the info.

    My calcium was low on my pre chemo bloods this week so I've started a calcium and vit D supplement. 

    I asked about the antihistamine and my oncologist kindly prescribed one for me to take for 7 days from the day of gcfs injection. Hoping it works , at least just a bit.  Leg pain was tolerable last time but I also had a horrible throbing across my upper back and ribs sternum last time. Give it a go.

    Sorry to hear your nursing care was up to scratch when you started,  but have been very frustrating. Glad to hear you were able to move service provider and found a better team..

    I had a bit of a shocking nurse for my chemo pre assessment. She just kept telling me she didn't usually work on pre assessment, her order of info was all over the place and repetitive and at times I found very insensitive in delivery. I made a small complaint in my feedback and luckily I've not seen her since.

     

    It's lovely to hear from people out the other side. I feel on the brink of an eternity at the minute . Trying to take each stage of treatment at a time, and at the minute just going day by day. I miss work but am having a lovely time with my boys.  I feel less stressed with them not having the demands of work to juggle. Didn't realise how stressed I was with working probably until I stopped. I worked in children's safeguarding team and banked on a local paeds ward too. 

     

    Hope you have a lovely weekend lined up

    Much love 

    Gem

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