Where do I go now?

Onehalf
Onehalf Member Posts: 171
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

At the bottom of my postings, I have written....

"Breast Cancer is not a death sentence, just another path in life"

So I ask....I have had a Biopsy, Lumpectomy, Chemo, Radiation....

Where do I go now.....

I have had one follow up appointment with my Oncologist, and another one in four months.

Just finished with my Radiation Treatments, I was not given a follow up appointment on my last day, but I plan to call and inquire about this.

Have not seen my Surgeon since he gave me the Ok to go onto Chemo...

Now what.......

Since August of 2008 to now April of 2009 I have had some kind of Doctor appointment. Now I finish with Radiation.....and there is no place for me to go......

Even reading and posting on this web site....I all of sudden do not know what "group" I belong to.

I have posted in "Taxotere and Cytoxan", those days are now over...I have posted in "Hair, and No Hair" anything about hair.....well the hair is growing now, and is growing quick....so this site no longer meets my everyday needs..... I have had many chats and readings on the forum of "February Rads..." Since I began Radiation in February and just ended March 30th. I now feel like old news, to the new members...Make up and hints...well I never wore make up before, and my eyebrows only thinned out during Chemo and are now growing back(lucky me)...another site I don't belong.

Just where does one fit in when they are done with Chemo/Radiation or any other treatments...Done with so often doctor appointments....

Yet the thought of Breast Cancer is still strong on the mind.

I do believe that Breast Cancer is not a death sentence, just another path of life......yet I need to figure out where that path is going.

When I began on this journey....I had the same feelings I have now. When I found out about Breast Cancer....I also found out that there was many on the same journey as myself....And I posted and responded, to their writings...I made friends....Now we have all gone different ways.

So once again I am trying to figure out where I am going.....but I do know I am strong and I will find my way....I may just wonder around for a little while....

Denise/Onehalf

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Comments

  • Desny
    Desny Member Posts: 371
    edited April 2009

    Hi Denise,

    I am so glad that you posted this.  I think we all feel this way - What??  I am cut loose???!!

    No, stay with us and look around - you can lend a hand to the newbies who need support and

    your help with experience.  You can just take a less active support needed role and just make

    new friends. 

    I know I went through a period of time that "once the active treatment was finished", I had to get on with the rest of my life.  I just wasn't sure how to do that.  I found a way .... and so will you.

    Stay well, and enjoy!!!

    xoxo

    Shirley

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited April 2009

    There are some great humour threads, housework, escape...etc. Have fun with it. You get to keep in touch with those you've met and meet some new ones too. Occassionaly I'll post to a newbie site to give my wise experience of 3 1/2 months out. heheehehhee 

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  • mzmiller99
    mzmiller99 Member Posts: 894
    edited April 2009

    Denise - you and your Feb. rads sisters may want to keep your group together the way the Sept. rads group has done.  Since most of us went into hormonal treatment, we just shifted to that forum. 

     But, as far as that "set adrift" feeling after all of the constant contact with doctors...it is very normal to feel lost and alone.  It does get better.  And, actually, it's a relief to not be tied to that daily rads schedule.

    I felt so vunerable and medically fragile after all that treatment, and it was hard to believe no one felt they needed to see me anymore!  Every four months or so, I see someone.  Just had my first digital mammo since last spring!

    Geesh.  Everyone and their assistants were looking at my poor boob for months, and then, nothing!  I had to convince myself it was a good thing.  And, it is.

    Hugs,

    Susan

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited April 2009

    Join us on the Housework support threat.  We find more excuses that doing actual work, but sometime we do get at least one thing done per day.   

    I agree that you are first "newly diagnosed" and in the planning stage.  Then you are in chemo or pre surgery, surgery, post chemo, rad, post rads, etc.  Then it all ends.  Boom.  But may I suggest that you are still a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, mom, wife, and a child of God.    

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited April 2009

    My chemo group stayed together...now we have a private gmail group. When I come here, I go to the stage 3 board and when I started planning my reconstruction posted and read there.

    Just finishing active treatment....would be a good name of a new thread in moving beyond....why not post...Just finishing treatment....April 09   I bet you'll gather a group of shell shocked post chemo and rads survivors who are nervous about being...out there too.

    As time passes and hopefully you continue disease free it gets easier.

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  • Onehalf
    Onehalf Member Posts: 171
    edited April 2009

    Smile Thank You for the response and suggestions.

    I do know I'm not alone......just figuring where to go from here.

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  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited April 2009

    Hello Onehalf: 

    Wishing you well on your new found path

     I just took it one day at a time

    myself, lest it become too overwhelming

    You will feel better as more time passes

    Nicer weather is coming

    and being out in nature helps

    immensely

    Namaste

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  • Onehalf
    Onehalf Member Posts: 171
    edited April 2009

    Sierra_

    I think that is why I have gotten as far as I have with this Breast Cancer beast.....I am a take it one day at a time person.....throughout this whole process I never really got worked up or went off the deep end.

    When I first found out I had Breast Cancer....I laid on my bed and cried for about 20 minutes.....then something came over me and I asked myself "what in the he## are you  doing?, This is not going to change anything!" I then got up and took each day one by one.

    Today I do feel better, but I got to you....the days right after my last treatment (of Radiation, everything else has already been done) I was thinking Wow! now what....You go to Raidiation everday for 6 weeks....then boom! All of sudden nothing.

    Work keeps me busy ( it did while I was in treatments) I am a Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten teacher...I've done this for 20 years....I love it, and I joke that I get paid to play.

    Then when I get home I have (a husband and ) two miniature poodles that keep me busy...they are my empty nest syndrome as my two children are now young adults.

    Thank You for your encouragement,

    Denise

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  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited April 2009

    Hi Denise:

    I felt the same

    in fact, took a big dip down

    when all Tx were finished

    several yrs back now.. :))

    Your poodles sound a delight

    o/t  what shades are they?

    I have a fat cat and could not be without her

    Crying is good for us and cleansing I believe

    so, if you feel like doing it, then do it

    Have a Happy Easter, Denise!

    Hugs, Sierra

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