Life after breast cancer

I began breast cancer treatment in February 2013, chemo and radiotherapy, and now Tamoxifen. During the next few years I was very positive and carried on with most things, returning to work full-time working with young people  I was almost in denial, and thought this is an illness I will fight and get on with life.  I never allowed myself to actually sit down and think about it.  I always put on a brave face, and people would say how well I was doing.  Some would say this is the best way, and good on you.  It is only now after 2 1/2 years I have actually thought about what I went through, and am now able to talk about it to other people.  I would never have written on an internet site about it, but it actually helps me to come to terms with things.  I am lucky and feel quite well now.  But feel guilty that sometimes I feel quite down in the dumps.

I now feel a weight has been lifted being able to write this.

Has anyone else felt like this?

  • Hi Puddles,

    I am a bit further down the line as I was diagnosed six and a half years ago. I never though I would join a forum like this at that time, not that I have anything against forums,but it just wasnt whi I used to be. But I have changed so much during the past few years and am now doing things I would never have done. So not quite your experiance but just thought I would write to you about it.

    Take care, best wishes to you, Brian

  • Hi puddles,

    Im new to this forum and only  had the bad news just over 2wk, i found the forum whilst researching cancer and joined to read what problems and treatment other people are having /what worked for them, what problems they had ect ect.

    i found it helpful in helping me come to terms with what ive got as i think the sooner you can come to terms with it then n only then can you start dealing with it and get into a possitive mood to fight it and its helped me understand a little more in what to expect when i have my surgery and with radiotherapy that will follow and side effects i could get and how to deal with them b4 they become a problem!

    Some people may find it sad to do what i and lots of other people on here have done but when you get told by the doctors what you have you do forget a lot if its not wrote down and even then you will think of something else you could/should have asked!!! Thats where a site like this helps!

    You may not allways get as many replys as you expected as ive found but the links on here have allways taken me to the infomation that i was looking for, Also even tho i havent used the Ask the nurse link in sure they help n give usefull advice a do the members, And who better to tel you than peoplr that have got or had the same aas you! and they speak in laymans terms

    I think its good what you did in going back to work and living life as normal!!! not need to feel guilty! i wish i could and hopefully after treatment i will as far as possible as im going to fight it n win ;) good luck and enjoy reading/research  Andy.

  • Yeh know how you feel, same diagnosed sept 2013 chemo 6months , mastectomy left breast , radiopherapys , herceptin 12 months , there it was gone , every one telling me how well I looked , how brave I was , gone back to normal life , just started to think now wow what was all that about , feeling quite well , bjust starting to feel in my body my age nearly 54 and the thought I've had my life saved could of died I don't still know how I feel . 

  • First time on forum, I felt the same...had the same treatment and same reaction. However, every so often I feel a sharp pain in my affected breast. The doctor says thats normal. at the moment Ive got small headache.. does anyone knows if its connected.  I finished my treatment a year ago, but sometimes feel light headed and my legs feel week. The same symptons as when I was having chemo.

     

  • I had a sharp pain in my affected breast too, and told the Oncologist, who said it is probably down to the radiotherapy.  I have felt quite dizzy and tired during the past two years, but I put this down to the Tamoxifen.  I always write a list to discuss with the Oncologist .  I am now more aware of my body and any ache or pain worries me, I think this is normal under the circumstances.  I think it is always good to talk to your doctor about this, as they can put your mind at rest.  My doctor is very good and understands.  I have better about this the last 6 months.

    Take care - please do not hesitate to ask more questions.

  • Hi i was disgnosed in july 2012, iv gone to hell and back, none of the treatment liked me iv put on 8.5 stone and im so insecure now its driving me mad. I to have just plodded on but im finding it harder and harder

  •  

    Hi Puddles and friends ....    please read 'After The Treatment Finishes, Then What?' by Dr Peter Harvey. You will find it online and I think it will really help you.  Much love x

  • Have you talked to the doctor about how you feel?  When I was feeling low a year ago, I talked to the doctor and he offered me various ways to help.  I joined a slimming group 12 months ago and lost 2 1/2 stone.  It is hard, but I am determined  to come through it.  I wonder whether this is a process we have to go through to come out the other end?

    Hope this helps a bit?  

     

    Take Care of youself and be kind to yourself,

     

  •  

    Sorry - only had time for a quick post yesterday and realised that it probably sounds like a book that I have recommended you read by Dr Harvey which would be rather off-putting. It is in fact just a 3-4 page copy of his talk he gave at a conference so will only take 5mins to read.  Many on the forum have read it and are blown away by his insight into life after cancer - it really is uplifting to read and makes sense of why you are feeling the way you do.  After treatment is a scary time and takes a long while to come to terms with. I wish you all the best x

  • Thank for the information, I will read the book.  I hope you are well at the moment.