Completed Treatment now what

sanbar8771

Ugh..I am 34 years old. I was diagnosed with IDS, Stage II, brca2-variant, and 2 positive nodes breast cancer.  I have already completed my chemo, am on monthly Zoladex shot and tamoxifian. I decided to have my breasts removed so I can have a peace of mind that the cancer will not come back.  I am currently in the middle of reconstruction. 

As of right now, I am pretty freaked out. Is there anyone out there with the same or similar diagnosis that has been cancer free for more than a year?  I am working out and eating only organic foods and no alcohol. I feel so lost. I am so afraid the cancer will come back.

EstherMSKCC

Dear Sanbar,

It's good to hear that you've completed treatment, but I'm sorry that you are having a hard time coping as a "survivor". As an employee of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NY I am aware of the physical, emotional, psychological, and social issues many patients face following treatment. There are a number of resources available to help people experiencing "survivorship" issues.

The National Cancer Insitute is a good place to start - here is a link to several articles about life after cancer treatment that you may find useful: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/survivorship

The American Cancer Society's information on survivors' needs and interests is also worth a look: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/HOME/srv/srv_0.asp

Memorial Sloan-Kettering's site also has a number of articles you might be interested in reading, including one on developing effective coping strategies: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/92631.cfm and http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/92025.cfm

We also have an electronic newsletter for survivors written by survivors called "Bridges", which you might be interested in reading/subscribing to. The newsletter offers a forum where patients and their families can share stories of inspiration and hope, as well as the challenges that accompany the cancer survivor's journey. Here's the link: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/86252.cfm

You might also check with your treatment center to see if they have support groups or counseling services for people with your type of cancer.

In addition, the American Cancer Society provides guidance on finding support programs and services in your area: http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/index

Livestrong may also be of help finding one-on-one support: http://www.livestrong.org/Get-Help/Get-One-On-One-Support

Another excellent resource is Cancer Care. They offer free on-line support groups and individual counseling. CancerCare social workers can also guide patients and family members to counseling and support groups in their own communities. You can reach them through these links: http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/counseling.php and http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/supportgroups.php

I hope this information is helpful and wish you the best of luck in getting the support you need. -Esther

BarbaraA

Sanbar, Esther gave great resources. I find comfort here at BCO, sharing my frustrations and fears with other members, since we are all in this together. Feel free to post a rant or questions and the sisters (and brothers) will help.

CarolMB

Hi there, I finished my treatments on Mar 22/11. Had 6 chemo's and 16 radiations/4boosts. I thought I would feel wonderful after it was all over but now I am lost as what to do next.  Physically I am doing great but mentally I am doing horrible.  I am going to a Moving Forward After Breast Cancer(Celebrating the End of Treatment) session tomorrow, so I am hoping to get some help there. I am also restricting my diet. I have omitted dairy, meat and sugar. But I don't know if that will help either. 

CarolMB

sanbar8771

CarolMB...have you found yourself throwing things away or buying new items? I am not a shopaholic but I have an overwhelming urge to buy new things. I went and bought all new furniture for the house...even traded in my old car for a new one the other day. Now I want a Dog.  I am throwing away everything and trying to change items in my life.  I also feel like I need to hurry on everything. I don't have any patience to wait for anything. Maybe deep down...way deep down inside I feel like the cancer is going to come back. I am very positive.... workout all the time, but I just can't get that thought out of my mind. So I feel like I need to shop and "do" things while I feel good. Sorry to vent like a crazy person, I just feel so bipolar. Thx for listening.

Megadotz

I joined a Looking  Forward support group run by ChemoCare and found it to be very helpful.  They have a face to face group in the DC area.

 I had been warned by several survivors that completing active care can be one of the most stressful periods in the breast cancer journey.  We go from having a program of  treatments and  appointments with an army looking after us to  "See you in six months".  We're suddenly working without a net.

 It''s a scary feeling.  The support group helped a bunch.  I was also in contact with 2 cousins with BC - one a seven year survivor, the other diagnosed 3 months after I was. 

As one cousin said, It's the most supportive sisterhood no one ever wanted to join.

lago

I had my last chemo Jan 18th. Still doing Herceptin (and can't wait till I'm done). I'm doing Anastrozole for 5 years. My exchange is on the 27th.

You technically you are still being treated by doing tamoxifen. Hormone therapy had done wonders for us hormone positive.

Others have given you really good advice. I figure it this way, why would you think you wouldn't be cancer free? You know the odds are in your favor given all the aggressive treatment. Stage IIB has really good odds in our favor. I'm looking at a glass that's almost full even though some one had taken a few sips

mdg

I am now entering the same phase.  I have my last chemo tomorrow.  I am a big exerciser and have changed my diet completely and lifestyle too just in case it helps.   I have been so busy with treatment I just keep putting the thought of  BC coming back out of my mind.  I can't keep just "putting it out of my mind" forever.  I am going to look for a counselor to help me.  I don't know how to fit all o this in as I am going back to work in a few weeks too and have a family.  I know I need to take care of me, but there are so many hours in the day.  I keep hoping I will settle on some type of "new normal" but have a feeling I will still be taking xanax.....