One Year Later

Notbuyingit

one year ago I was holed up in the bedroom recovering from my Mastectomy - just beginning my journey through "cancer treatment"

tonight i was at the dock fishing with my husband - loving the beautiful summer night.

I still have some things to deal with but for the most part i am out of the dark

how do you feel, ladies? one year out....

Holeinone

notbuyingit, 

I am also one year out. I had a lumpectomy a year ago, 7/22/13....

I looked at your dx, we are similar. Scary, stage 3, lobular. I wish I did not have to take the Arimidex, hate the SE. But, I will say, I am active, playing lots of golf, hiking a little. I have a big trip planned for the end of August.

I wish I felt out of the dark. I still have that impending gloom hovering over me. I definitely have an constant fear of mets. Everyone, family & friends think I am almost 100% of my  old self. I tell anyone, if asked " how I am doing", that I sleep like a teenager. It's true. Time will mend my fear. ( I hope )

Sounds like you have a great attitude, and are putting this nightmare behind you. I find it interesting how we all are different, react different to the chemo, radiation, healing emotionally. My therapy is working in my flower beds. I am playing in numerous golf tournaments this summer. It is healing, makes you concentrate.

Oncearunneralwaysarunner

I too am one year out! This time last year I was recovering from my first chemo treatment as I had neo-adjuvant chemo. I'm still on Herceptin until October but things are starting to get back to "normal". 

I'm back at work on a gradual basis and I think that the hardest part about this Is that you are not going back to the environment you left. Things evolve during the time you are away so it's a new dynamic. Just one of the many things that form part of the new normal.

On the positive side of things, I'm enjoying this summer and the fact that I'm awake to do things with my daughter and husband. We have really been enjoying playing in the back yard with the new play house. Also, I'm so happy to be increasing my running milage. I did my longest run since starting treatment on Sunday and my milage is only going to increase from here

I still have some dark days but they are getting fewer and farther between.

Notbuyingit

Wonderful to hear!! I think physical activity has a lot to do with feeling well again - maybe even better (physically anyway) than before!

my husband would love it if i golfed i have gone a few times but have a fear of hitting the ground so i hold back - sooooo it takes me quite a while to get to the hole lol

i have never been a runner - bad knees (a replacement) - but i am starting to swim again & lovin it!

we will be forever changed, physically & mentally, but i think what we do from here forward will have more meaning - life is for living & for playing the hand we were dealt the best we can.

CindyAlexander

It's my 1 year Anniversary today of my "Big BoobOff" - although they weren't exactly big.  I had A's and now I have beautiful upgraded accessories and don't need to wear a bra  I have been very emotional, reliving some of the moments of the first part of the journey and the fear starts to creep back in.   But when I am completely present, I am healthier physically and emotionally than I was before the journey began. I'm back to my career, back to a better exercise routine, and more committed to my marriage, family, and life- and I have PURPOSE.  I have a new clarity.   The "but" creeps in- I'm not gonna lie.  But I hear that the nagging in the pit of the tummy before each check up/ blood draw eases over time.   Congrats to all of you who have celebrated this momentous occasion! XO CA

Notbuyingit

Congrats! Cindy!  "Don't look back - you're not going there!!"

M0mmyof3

1 yr ago today at this time I was just waking up in the Recovery room after my surgery. Hard to believe that the time since the surgery seemed to go by in what seems to be the blink of an eye. Still have my bad days but the good ones outweigh them by far!

Notbuyingit

Congrats on your one year!! it is amazing how fast the memory fades when it was so all-consuming while we were in it...and it seemed like forever. 

i used to make a joke & tell my husband the cure to any disease seems to be "quit smoking, eat right & exercise" well, guess what? it sure does help & all of those things are completely in our control! 

here's to happy, healthier lives for all of us!

M0mmyof3

In the targeted therapy phase still but it flies by fast. Happy to have the more difficult phase done though. I take each part of the fight against this crud as a different phase!