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Greetings to you all. I stumbled across this site the other night when wondering through the internet exploring bc sites. Which we know is not always a positive thing. I am 12 months out since finishing treatment and being a Triple negative hormone treatment was not necessary. The bc treatment was challenging ...I used to tell the nurses I had obviously signed up for every known side effect. I vomited for 10-14 days after every chemo. Was often dehydrated. i developed an infection in my port which had to be removed urgently. Serious infection requiring 2 weeks in hospital . Needed 4 blood transfusions.
Radiotherapy caused all the skin to deteriorate so badly that towards the end I had to lie on towels to soak up the blood during the treatment. Through it all I can say every doctor and nurse was so supportive and helpful.
I have recovered physically quite well although experience quite a bit of joint pain. I have also started putting on too much weight. During chemo I lost 20 kilos as I couldn't eat for nearly 3 months. Evidently this has triggered some sort of starvation circuit that means I start to feel really ill if I don't eat. I also comfort eat a bit too to be really honest. I hesitate to exercise with the joint pain . i really should get into swimming which I enjoy .
I am a teacher. I took twelve months leave while I was sick and have been back at work since May.My main struggle is with anxiety and fear of recurrence which I guess is fairly normal. The anxiety attacks are not too bad and are usually triggered by being alone in a confined space.( Which makes public toilets a night mare) . My family have been fanatastic. My daughter 19 has suffered a bit with depression since my diagnosis but has picked up. It messed up her Year 12 results though so that was a bit sad.So life goes on with its challenges and joys. i am thankful that each day is a new gift and that so far things are improving.
Hi Bev, great to hear from you. I've just read your story and it's amazing that you are so positive after all you've been through. It's very humbling to hear what a difficult experience with treatments some people have and yet get though it and come out fighting! I must admit after all my years as a breast nurse, yours is definitely amongst the most challenging! It's so wonderful to see you now looking for ways to conquer the remaining 'hangover' effects from it all! Writing down your story and sharing with others is a fantastic step to helping both yourself and others .. and just so wonderful that each day is bringing improvement.
It's so sad about your daughter's Yr 12 - it's such a trying time in their lives, isn't it. My eldest daughter was Yr12 this year but unfortunately had to wear a spine brace & have spinal surgery late last year which interfered so much with Yr11/12 that she just couldn't cope and dropped out. She enrolled in a TAFE course and (hopefully) is finding a different direction toward her future. How did you and your daughter manage with getting through that difficult time? I'd love to hear what helped you both (and no doubt the others in your family) with finding your feet again. Look forward so much to sharing more of your story as you've had such a rough time and yet speak so positively of valuing each day and looking to a better future.
There are some great stories in forum under 'Your Treatment Experiences' - 'Exercise after cancer treatments' to (hopefully) motivate. Would love to know how you go with anything you do try. Please let us know what works for you .. Keeping a blog using SWEE (as Cynthia suggested) would be really beneficial as well. Thanks for sharing .. look forward to hearing more ..
This post was edited by Glenys at December 30, 2011 8:59:13 PM WATime"
The Click Breast Care Nurse 
69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC. The journey continues..
35 YO MOTHER OF 2, HAPPILY MARRIED ...DIAGNOSED BC DEC 2011...RB MASTECTOMY..HER2 +,GRADE 2 TUMOURS,STAGE 3,14 NODES REMOVED, 1 NODE WAS NOT CLEAR,HAD 6 TREATMENTS OF CHEMO ,HAD RADIATION AND ATM GETTING HERCEPTIN INJECTIONS...
