Recovery 1 year on

Hi ,

You aren’t alone in feeling like this I can assure you.

You have been through so much please try to give yourself a break.

I finished treatment at the end of June, after 9 months. Single Mastectomy, node clearance, chemo and rads, just on Letrozole now.

Everybody says I look so well. They are well meaning I know but everyone thinks once your treatment is over that you fine, but it’s just not the case and I think so many ppl struggle more after treatment with on going side effects than whilst on it.

You sound like you are doing all the rights things. 

Wishing you lots of luck with your onward journey x

 hi minipixie

 you are definitely not alone in how you are feeling, I could  have been writing what you have said , I am 3 years on  , pain  in my heel makes walking painful  aches and pains all over making my mind work overtime. I have faulty gene and have had bilateral mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy and ovary removal. 

I am working full time  in a competitive environment and we are just going through a merger so need to  use all my strength to cover up how i am feeling so as not to show any weakness for others to exploit. 

 I also gained 10kgs during treatment and rejoined slimming world in april  one stone off to date  however so much harder now then pre cancer to drop the weight despite eating on plan and doing exercise ( something i  never did before  breast cancer)

You have done the right thing by coming on here , lots of lovely people who understand how you are feeling    I know i take strength from knowing its not me that is weak but that all these things are a consequence of treatment .  Equally  a lot of people have also commented that things do get easier as time progresses and i do hope thats the case for you

Hiya,

It was 3 years ago this week that I had my mx, (only just realised!!) , I then went on to have chemo and radiotherapy. I am now back teaching full time, It is hard and I do sometimes feel a lot older than I think I should do - I am 46. I am on letrozole for the next 8 years. I do get tired quite easily, but I don't know if this is post chemo, or because I am menopausal ( I also had my ovaries removed), or because of the letrozole or if it is because teaching is such a blooming hard job!! But I am enjoying life again and hopefully it will get better for you too. I feel like I am a stronger person for what I have been through. 

Cwtches,

Gay xxx

2 years on and an ex head from primary. Just saying this so you see I get it in part. I was retired throughout this poop so I take my hat off to those of you who have young families and have needed to work.

What I would say is seek emotional/ mental support. There are many support groups and counselling that would be very beneficial . It’s the afterwards when sometimes strong people need the support

I think there are many ways to access the support; here, your BC nurse, Maggies Centres (google it) or if you are in a teaching union they will have support. I used mine when as a head I had a ffffffffffffff awful time and I use the ideas now

Stay here as well. Report in on your thread. Look at other threads and the after cancer thread. Meet up with people who have been there

Above all STOP beating yourself up. It’s a strong thing to ask for support 

Sustaining hugs 

Leolady56

Thank you to all of you that have replied, definitely made me cry, but good tears, as it was nice to know people were being supportive. I've stuck with the gym, feeling a difference with fitness levels, with some days just doing it and some days just giving myself a break lol. 

Got told its a year before they can do my surgery so instead of hanging onto my ideal plan and getting upset I've adjusted the plan, not saying its completely easy or I'm so happy but trying. 

Also realised that mindset makes a huge difference to how I feel, so I am trying so hard to be what I used to be, no complaining, faking  it until I make it lol.

Got referred to the living well afterwards support team so hopefully this will give me the boost needed.

I appreciate you all so very much xxx

Re weight gain.  Get yourself tested for diabetes.  If it’s diabetic your body will not be dealing with insulin properly so you can gain weight due to that.  I was diagnosed a year after being treated for breast cancer and I believe stress brought it on.  I now try to control blood sugar by controlling my carbs.  All carbs turn to sugar so I don’t care about sugar content of anything only carb content.  I allow myself two slices of Morrison’s high protein bread which is half the carbs of normal whole meal.    Limit veg grown below ground, limit beans and pulses big eat fat .  I lost weight and still need to lose more but I’ve kept it stable and stopped gaining. 

Hi Minipixie,

i finished my FEC-T chemo in March and I’m still having herceptin. I’m 42 and I’ve had my ovaries removed recently. To be honest, I think that chemo killed them off, but I’m definitely in menopause now. I know I’m slightly overweight and that menopause can cause weight gain in some people, so I’ve been trying to lose weight. Like you, I’ve been going to the gym as much as possible. I read an article recently by Michael Moseley and there is evidence (although limited), that having a good overnight fast in a study reduced the risk of recurrence. I’ve found that if I eat a fairly early supper and then don’t eat breakfast, I can quite easily get a fairly decent fast in without having to buy special ‘diet foods.’ I just eat fairly healthily the rest of the time (give or take the odd piece of Christmas cake!). I’m definitely dropping weight steadily. 

I think thers a lot of different weight loss options and you could give them a go and see what works for you.

Take care,

Sarah x