im out of hiding

Aim4th

What a year, I just have to know how all you ladies get through this life after treatments?? I just finished my year of herceptin, chemo, radiation, 4 surgerys, a very rare autoimmune disorder and now I am preparing for reconstruction surgery next week...followed by a hysterectomy in a few months. how do you live day to day and not stress about this crapy disease coming back.... it seems I take 1 step forward and 2 steps back, help with some advice...

lexislove

Hi Aimee,

I was diagnosed back in Sep 2007. I finished everything you have and will be having my reconstruction surgery on the 21st of this month.

Its been over 2 yrs and Im STILL dealing with the this BS disease in some way or another. After my sugery, I will then be discussing having the removal of my ovaries to help prevent this BS disease form resurfacing again.

Im sick of all the decisons. I do wish that my onc had a crystal ball to tell me what to do or not to do. I just want to finally be able to leave everything behind and really move foward. It does seem impossible at times doesnt it?

Good luck on your surgery.

everyminute

No secret. Just one foot in front of the other.  I try very hard to only focus on today - if I get too far ahead of myself, it makes me very nervous.  That being said I can now think a year or two out in advance.  I hope and pray for more but dont bother investing much time in anything too far out.  Makes me feel like I have no safety net.  But really, no one does and no one knows.

Aim4th

thanks ladies, i do try to live one day at a time and move FORWARD but the fear is always there... I have lived under a rock this whole year and chosen not to be involved with support groups, although I have read these threads through the whole process you all are so inspiring, and have helped me a great deal... thanks lexislove good luck to you on your surgery,

NancyD

Aimee,

I really think the secret is filling your life with meaningful things...people, activities, places. If there are any toxic people in your life, let them go—only hold on to the good ones. If there is something you found that gives you joy, do it as often as you can. If there's place you've always wanted to go, plan a trip. And in between, life just happens.

I'm coming up on my 2nd cancerversary, and I can hardly believe it's been that long. I'm having recon in three weeks, and that's what I'm focusing on now. After that. I'm doing some house/apartment shopping. In between, I go to work; I care for my family; I have good times with friends. And that's what life is all about.

susu1976

Aimee, February 13 will be one year since I was diagnosed.  I have had a bilateral mastectomy, and 3 subsequent surgeries due to infection, which resulted in the removal of my TE, and did 4 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere chemo which I finished in Aug.

YESTERDAY was the first time I attended a breast cancer support group.  It just felt like before now, I was too busy concentrating on the next step on my road to recovery and did not have time for a group.  Please give it a try.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.  There were women there who were recently diagnosed and some who are one or two years post-bc surgery and chemo.  It helps to talk about your fears and concerns.

I am definitely going back in two weeks.  I am considering it part of reclaiming myself and gaining some control in my life.  I am also going to start scrap booking again.  I have not been to a workshop in over a year and I'm looking forward to it.  Good luck to you!

KerryMac

Aimee - just want to welcome you along. Lots of good stuff said already.

For me I just take it day by day - I feel good today, I am pretty sure I will feel good tomorrow, and that is enough for now. None of us know what the future holds. I have moments of fear, sometimes I just read the wrong thing and get that ball of fear in my stomach. But generally I just don't think about it.

I think it takes a while to regroup, and restart your life which has been on hold for so many months. But just keep putting one foot in front of the other, spend time with positive people, and do things you enjoy.

Gitane

I'm just adding a hello here.  Everybody has the bases covered.  It takes time.  I can't emphasize that strongly enough.

NancyD

sunflowers...I saw it in a sarcastic greeting card and it made my day!

apple

aimee..

welcome.  I didn't join this forum until I was almost done with my treatments.  I didn't become involved for quite a while... i just couldn't think about it.. but this forum has been a godsend.. very helpful.

(i think you are doing the tango).

stick around - the friendships are worth a million

Aim4th

Thanks everyone you all are so amazing, it really means alot to know someone cares and knows what Im going through.. im definatly going to stick around and hope to make some wonderful friends