I confess that this is new to me. When I was first diagnosed I did not want to talk to anyone about the cancer. I felt strong and positive. I now find that as time goes on, I am not working and spending a lot of time on my own (which in principle I don't mind) that my resolve is slipping.
My mastectomy was on my right hand side and I am right handed. I am really worried that there will be long term effects from having the lymph node clearance which is booked for next Thursday, 20th November. I already have some nerve damage from the first operation but at least this is not dibilitating and may get better with time.
I would agree that although I did not feel very well prior to surgery, breathless, severe fatigue and general mailise, I am also not looking forward to the thought of chemo therapy one bit. As other writers say, it seems that the surgery is the (comparatively) easy bit and that the preventions/cures are worse. I just hope that I can go on to live a happy and healthy life for the next 40 years and that it will all be worth it.
I take great strength in knowing that there are others out there who are going through the same, and unfortunately worse. I look forward to hearng from you.....
Love and light to all
FormerMember
I had a left side mastectomy with a sentinal node/sample undertaken on 2 Oct, the surgeon wanted to do a clearance but agreed to the sample, of the 5 they took 1 was cancerous so I need to make a decision later. Have just started chemo E-CMF. Like you the I was more worried about my lymph nodes. But I have recovered well from my op, it doesn't look that pretty but I has no real pain and my arm is 95% back to normal.
Keep positive when you can and if you have a bad day, thats fine too. I have found this site really helpful and have made a couple of good buddies. I am sure you will too. As Ruth says there are lots of women on this site and out in the world who have been treated and are fine and we have to hold on to this thought. PM me if you want to talk.
Hi Anne - and well done on the first part of your journey. When any of us are first diagnosed with cancer; we all go through a myriad of feelings Not wanting to talk at the start of diagnosis is perfectly normal, in fact any number of feelings and thoughts that you will be going through are probably exactly the same as the majority of people on this site have All our resolves slip from time to time - we ARE human after all and humans as well as having great stores of strengths, also have our frailties. We all have our own strories to tell of our experiences with chemotherapy, some sailed through it, others had a few problems. Try to find out from your medical team what combination of chemotherapy you will be receiving, and from there they can explain what side effects there may be - but REMEMBER, they have drugs with which to battle any of these side effects, so try not to worry about that too much, ok. Talk to the medical team or ask to speak with one of the cancer care nurses, who are really wonderful souces of information which they are perfectly willing to share and talk with you about.
I don't have the same type of cancer as you, but that shouldn't stop us from holding out a hand and offerring wee soothing words, should it? Keep us posted on all your progress. Now on this site you will find that you are NOT alone, hold on tight, with love kate xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I was in the park one day a few months ago, and struck up a conversation with a woman with a nice Rhodesian Ridgeback dog. She looked absolutely fine to me, and she was. She told me she had had breast cancer and had recovered. There's another girl I see with bright red hair. Pillarbox red, honestly. Her lurcher is nice too, but plain white. She has had breast cancer too and recovered. It happens all the time. OK, it is grisly at the time, and I can't promise you a trouble free chemotherapy, but you have a very good chance of recovery and a normal life afterwards.
Keep posting, and the experts who have had breast cancer will comfort you and cheer you through it all. I know nothing, I had bowel cancer and recovered from that. Your chances are good. Look forward to a recovery, while being prepared for the odd setback or two and you will be fine.
I am like you right handed and have had a right sided mastectomy. I also had 10 lymph nodes removed and was wartned of the risk of lymphoma which did worry me. However, to date my arm has been fine. I recovered from the op very quickly and felt on top of the wolrd, just bored to tears. I had my first chemo on the 4th and apart from feeling more tired than usual it hasn't been too bad. I've managed to go out most days but have made sure i have had lots of rest. One problem I have had is that sleeping through the night is difficult, and normally I can sleep for England. I agree that the prevention is worse than the op, but hey, we need to get through it and I'm sure we will do. Just remember there are lotsof us here in the same boat, and there are always people to look to for help and support.
