I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer following a routing mammogram in July this year, I had surgery (twice) and my lymph nodes were clear and I did not need chemotherapy, I had 5 sessions of Radiotherapy and the thing is I have not been ill but people seem to think I should be, they ask me how I am and how I am 'in myself' - I am fine! Honestly! Why do they expect me to be a gibbering wreck in the corner? Thats not me! My outlook is that the cancer was found, its been removed and treatment to prevent recurrence done with ongoing medication to reduce the risk further. I have recovered well from the surgery, I am so grateful it was found and treated, I have been a bit emotional as thats only natural but I am not in bits. All I want now is to get back to my normal life doing all that makes me happy in my retirement and put all this behind me, I do not want pitying or wrapping in cotton wool. I have been very lucky and I cannot praise the Breast Clinic and all those involved enough but I am still me, I am not crushed by this - so does that make me abnormal? Am i missing something? Will it all hit me later perhaps? Of course I am worried that it may come back but I am not going to obsess about it. I have many interests and activities and more than anything its annoyed me that some of them have had to stop for a while - like swimming and volunteering - but I look forwards to getting back to doing it all. Another thing that gets on my nerves is being told by some people how lucky I am not to have needed a mastectomy - is that the measure of breast cancer then? I have an altered breast shape and scars and its still cancer and all that goes with that, its just the treatment that varies and I know that I am lucky and I am so grateful it was found but don't demean my journey by saying I am lucky. I love life, I am very happy in my pursuits in my retirement and intend to continue for as long as I can. I am happy to be where I am and I just want to move on now. Rant over! :)
Hi SueJam and welcome to our little corner of the community.
You have explained the mindset you have in place for you to move on with life….. sounds good to me.
Well meaning people will say the most stupid things, often not based on having walked the walk.
I have lived with and been treated for a rare incurable Lymphoma for over 24 years. Most people don't understand blood cancers and do tend to say stupid things like “but why did they not cut it out?”
The most important thing for moving on with life…… even me with an incurable cancer that could kick off at any time is to not let our cancer journey and the stuff that is thrown at us to define how we live….. we define how we live.
Yes there may be triggers come along that may trip you up but I see these as steppingstone for moving forward as we learn from these experiences.
You may find it helpful to make a cuppa and have a look at this great paper After Treatment Finishes - Then What? by Dr Peter Harvey as it highlights the post treatment milestones.
Do get back to me as I am always around to chat.
As a family we became Teflon coated to all the noise that would come our way and developed the ability to challenge misconceptions face in - people don’t like being challenged when they are wrong but it was our way of navigating the very challenging journey we were all n - you can see my story through the link below.
