DCIS & Emotions

Dear Spring Tulip -

You are a bit ahead of me - I am due for surgery next Wed 24th. I have been on Letrozole for 6 months - diagnosed in Aug. I have been basically managing -  but once the pre-op came, consent forms and Covid test planned; I feel like I am falling apart. Not sure why. Like you I have great support family/friends and I feel for them because they can't help me - and I can't seem to explain why I am upset now. They keep saying 'you are being so strong' - and inside I am saying 'No I'm not'. Emotions are funny things. I try meditation etc.. but those tears come out at the most random times. This experience changes you in a small way; brings out thoughts and feelings that can be odd. Maybe it will be more understandable when we can look back and see it from a future prospective.Keep letting those feelings out and I think we have to accept there will be bad and good days. Always free to exchange thoughts. Hang in there, it will get better. x  

Hi,

I was diagnosed in October following a routine mammogram.  Lumpectomy and Lymph node clearance  followed in November and I have just had my 5th Radiotherapy session.  10 more to go.

It has all been such a blur, and I am thankful now that I kept a journal from the outset, so when I get a little down and overwhelmed, I look back at the journey I have been on  and realise how far I have come.

I was initially prescribed 8 sessions of Chemo, but my oncologist asked if I would take part in the Optima trial, which is basically researching a test (Prosigna ) which is carried out on the  type of cancer that I had to ascertain if chemo is beneficial.  The results of my test came back that Chemo was not necessary so I have continued treatment of : hormone therapy, zoledronic acid bone infusion (every 6 months) and radiotherapy.  Even as I write this now, I feel like I am having an out of body experience or writing a fiction novel, because I still find it hard to believe that I have been on this journey!

I suppose my advice to you would be to keep a journal and at the end of each entry, make sure there is a positive reflection or action for you. |Today my positive reflection is going to be that at last I have made my first contribution to this site after weeks and weeks of just reading other posts, of which have been a great source of comfort.

Very best of luck to you and I take my hat off to you for continuing to work through all of this! I am not ashamed to admit that I have welcomed the sick note from my surgeon and when, on presenting it to me in November , I said '3 months!, I won't be off that long'....just ordered another one from my GP........ Not for my physical but for my emotional and mental wellbeing - I really couldn't cope with concentrating on anything other than my recovery at the moment.

Take care,

Totally agree. I’m all smiles and laughs for a meeting and then instantly ‘off’ and feeling drained afterwards. But my positivity is genuine! Maybe when focused on work it’s a (welcome) distraction. I’m doing what I can to be in the best shape/health (oh the irony) ahead of radiotherapy - homemade green juices, loads of veggies and water, zero caffeine and yoga - with of course a sprinkling of savoury treats to keep me going :). I slept for Britain after my surgery - just let yourself heal. The shoulder exercises are really important though. Please let us know how your surgery goes? Will be thinking of you xx

Brilliant! And I’m grateful it was my post you responded to :) I did the same - spent hours solidly reading through threads. I found it weirdly reassuring. And hey, you’ve had it tougher than me, so take it easy on yourself. You’ve made it through and like you, I’m going to be off work throughout my radiotherapy plus a couple of weeks after. I returned too early after surgery and I’m not going to make that mistake again. The mental and emotional drain we feel is too real and erratic. I’ve read other posts about journaling and I’m a list maker, so might give it a go. You’ll be finishing radiotherapy almost as I’m starting. I hope it’s all going well for you. Will your hormone therapy and acid bone infusion continue? Thinking of you and thanks again for sharing xx

Hi Spring TUlip!

Well I'm nearly there, 2 more sessions to go. Can't believe where the time has gone.  The team at Brighton Hospital have been amazing, always cheerful no matter what time my appointment was (either 8 am or 5.54 pm!)  Anyway, thought I would drop by to say good luck and hopefully you're well on the way with treatment.  Just to say drink, drink, drink plenty of water.  After my 6th session I was on my knees with tiredness and my husband literally had to drag me out of bed a couple of times.  When I mentioned this, they told me to increase my fluid intake (I already had upped it a little) and after a couple of days drinking at least 3 litres of water, I felt much better and revived.  Good luck and keep well xx