Relationships and sex

Hi Tina and Cinnamon,  I agree with you that it would be nice to have a relationship forum and yes, it would need to include sex since that is a major change that comes with BC. I am VERY lucky in that I have a wonderful husband who had been extremely patient and understanding throughout this journey so far, but still...our sex life went from fabulous to challanging at times.  I have read a few good books including "Intimacy after Cancer" and bought him "Breast Cancer Husband" which was helpful to him.  I also have seen a Doctor of Sexual Health who has been very empowering.  I was 41 when diagnosed. Now at 43 I have gone through instant menapause due to an oophorectamy and Hormone therapy.  It really challanged my system!  There is help but a relationship thread would be nice.  Its nice to know you are not alone too.  My friends are all healthy and young and to talk to them about sexual disfunction is a little awkeward.  They already feel pitty for me (which I cant stand) and I certainly dont want them to feel it for my Husband too!  Thanks for starting this thread.  Cinnamon, good luck with your mx today. I hope you have a quick recovery.

Hey there, thanks for mentioning the mojo thread.  I have referred to it quite a bit in the past and have gotten a lot of useful info from it.  No, I am not blushing...BC took whatever modisty I had.  I realized quickly that for the best QOL I had to throw modesty to the wayside and ask direct and somtimes embarrasing questions...doctors dont seem address sexual side effects.  We have to be our own advocates.  What I was hoping for though is a thread that included all aspects of a relationship.  Yes, sex is extremely important and affected by BC and should be included, but so are many other things.  I have two young children ages 9 and 11 ( 6 and 9 at time of diagnosis), and a very active husband.  I used to be right there along side of them but now I find it hard to keep up.  Surgery, Chemo, and hormone therapy seems to have Zapped my energy. It drives me crazy!  My husband also has to deal with all the changes not only in my body but in my life.  I have changed a lot.  Most changes are to give myself the best possible chances of  a healthy life and to try and prevent recurrence but they are still big changes.  They include my diet, exercise, sleep, and so much more. I would do anything to see my children grow up so I have made adjustments to so many aspects of my lifestyle.  I used to love my drinks and we would have so much fun together.  Now, I lack the energy to be out too late and the Hormone Therapy makes me feel aweful if I try to have a cocktail.  There have been so many adjustments both in and out of the bedroom.  He has been so supportive and filled with love but I know it cant be easy on him.  I would love to have someone to discuss similar problems with.  With that said, I do think the mojo thread is a great resource for sex. Also, I dont think the moderators care about how detailed a thread gets when it comes to discussing this. They know it is a true issue for women with cancer and is extremely underaddressed by professionals.  Since my cancer journey began my sex life has gone from awesome, to non-existant, to painful, to nice.  Nice is great...but its not awesome!!!  I plan to get back there somehow .  My love and respect for my husband has grown.  I always new he loved me but the sacrifices he made for me during treatment was more than I could have hoped for.  Still, I know its been hard on him and deep down I think he misses the carefree me.  I miss the carefree me!  If there is anyone else out there that feels similar I would love to know!