Breast cancer for the second time: making it an adventure.

Tinkerhell

There are so many threads looking for support and experience with breast cancer.   I have it for the second time (Triple-neg, 5 years between, stage 3, planned mastectomy.)  

 The first time I had it I treated it like any other medical procedure with a certiain outcome. I just toughed it out and pretended things were ok.  

I don't think I was honest with myself about the potentially deadly nature of cancer.  Depression ensued, although I didn't admit it.  

 This time, my husband, daughters, and I have approached it  very differently.  We've taken a 'fuck-you' approach to the cancer, celebrated with roller coasters and rock and roll and turned the whole experience into an adventure.  

We've been outwardly flippant about the diagnosis, but only because we really accept the seriousness of it.  My husband has been a model for support and love.  (He has blogged the whole thing here at creekmoreworld.com)

Our approach isn't for everyone, we know that.  But I've gotten feedback from so many people (suffering from BC and other cancers) that they like our approach.  If it helps someone somehow on these boards, that would be fabulous.

I'm at the end of my chemo now, and am preparing for a double mastectomy, mono LD flap reconstruction. 

zap

Hi Tinkerhell (love that name):

Just took some time to read your husband's blog and I loved it.  I am a very visual person so the pictures really added so much for me.  You sound like a a very cool and fun family.  I think your approach in dealing with this is great.  I really wish you and your family well.  I am most impressed with your dancing during chemo I was more the couch woman (with the 'oh, woe is me' attitude). Your way sounds more "warrior" like!  I like your spunk. Good luck!

speech529

Hello, Tinkerhell....great name.  So very sorry you are dealing with this horrid BC again.  I applaud your attitude, keep it up!!   I LOVE your husband's blog....it's a labor of love.  Your photo at your chemo treatment was very emotional for me.  I am so sorry you are going through this again. 

soulswithin

Tinkerhell, love your name also. Hats off to your husband, [except ours, lol]. Cool blog, and the photos do show us that life goes on in spite of the damn treatments. We do bounce in and out of reality don't we? Thnx for showing the intense emotional rollercoaster for the families and patient. I wish you all the best in this bizarre unreal world.

I so agree with how desparate we are to slip away with blinders on, [especially with the first feelings of getting all the surgeries over with and wanting normalcy, asap .] Then finding you have to do the chemo, jerks you back to the reality we had tried to block out of our minds. Take care, rant all you want, play all you want. You guys are doing it right. Our kids are also thrown into out time warp, and as much as we don't want them to suffer, participation may be a stress reducer for all.