Stage II Forum

Hi All: I'm getting a little concerned.

You can see I am a stage 2 grade 2 cancer and I've had a DMX with T/E's (waiting for exchange) and my oncotype was 19 and mammoprint 'low risk'. I'm currently taking 20mg Tamoxifen for 5 yrs. I didn't need chemo or rads.

I have this feeling of dread like I'm going to have a recurrence...I drink a glass of wine with dinner and also dring organic milk so I keep thinking I need to give up both of these. I've already switched all my creams and shampoo to non paraben. 

 My recurrence rate is 12% based on my stats.

Am I going nuts...or will this all settle down in my mind in time?

Any advice on how to handle this?

Thanks for listening

Jan

Claire:

Thanks for  answering.  I do exercise (almost daily at the gym) but I'm also gaining wait from Tamoxifen..I need to settle down I know.

I agree, everthing in moderation and I need to really add alot more fruit.  Winter fruit is terrible-can't wait til farmers market opens here in March.

I am appreciative and I know I should be more positive, which I usually am...just having a down day and reading too much, I guess.

Thanks!Jan

One more thought Jan.  Are you doing weight training?  Because we need to keep our muscle tone primo.

I do a weights/crunches routine every week day.  Something to check into. - Claire

Jan: I agree, the worry is always in the back of my mind.  Tamox gives me anxiety which makes me worry all the more.  It can be a vicious cycle and if you give into it you can make yourself crazy.  I just try to make me think of something else.

grannydukes:  Congrats on getting through this!

I don't know if we are just not so chatty on this thread or what the problem is.  I'm sure there are other Stage II gals out there who would like to join us as well.  If you run into them on other threads, invite them in!

Thanks for your replies Ladies:  I'm glad to know its normal to have these feelings!

God Bless

Jan

Granny - as time goes on you will find a new normal life.  You have just finished treatments and sometimes there is a small let down - when we are in treatment we know we are actively killing the cancer.  Once treatments stops we think "geez...no longer actively killing it so is it going to come back?"

I finished my treatments Sept 2009.  I am in a new place now with my life.  Yes, the nagging thoughts of reoccurence sets in here and there but not on a daily basis.  I still have major anxiety issues related to the cancer and scans and other things that never gave me anxiety attacks before.  I know I will never be the same person again but I am getting to a place where I am finding peace within myself but it took a LONG TIME for that to come.

I lost all of 2009 due to treatments.  2010 wasn't much better because I was dealing with 7 fractures (2 different accidents).  I am hoping 2011 is going to be better. 

I just had a follow up mammogram - yes it was very upsetting.  The orders from the doctor was to get a diagnostic mammo on the right breast (my cancer was on the left side) and an ultrasound on the left breast as I still have swelling in my left arm from breaking it in 3 places.  Well I go in and they will only do a screening on the right breast!  Now they are telling me to get back ASAP for a left breast mammo.  I meet with my orthopedic surgeon next week and I will see if he recommends I do that now or wait longer. 

A year ago I would have been in a total panic.  I will say that when I went for my mammo I went into a full blown anxiety attack.  I have been told that as years go by, it does get better.

Hang in there Granny!  We're all proud of you for finishing your treatments.  I understand how you feel about the letdown after all is done.  I went through the same thing.  Some days I still do and I finished rads in July of 2010.  Give yourself time to recover and heal emotionally too. 

Yeahhhh!! good news for you. I am so happy to hear you're close to the end.  You'll need to celebrate!

I am 14 months into this....the A type personality doesnt help much either.Im tryin tho.I think the rage is the hardest part to get rid of....i do meditation,exercise and read self help books....nothing helps the anger and the rage.some days are worst then others.It seems like i fly off the handle in a second.It used to take me a lot longer.the gift that keeps giving.bc sure does suk.

im tryin to figure who and what im angry at.hmmmmmm lets see.im angry at this beast of a disease.im angry that there is a cure but its all about $$$$$$$.im angry 7 drs told me to go on prempro and now its linked to bc.Im angry that the #10 dr in America did all the wrong things to me and required 2 additional surgeries.Im angry that my friends 40 yr.old daughter just died from pancreatic cancer.Im very angry that my SIL is in a coma and my brother has pneumonia and i cannot go to the hospital to see either one of them because my immune system is compromised.i could go on and on...imagine if i didnt meditate or do exercise...thanks for asking and letting me get this off my chest.

grannydukes,

You are going through so much anguish as well as anger.  I hope your meditation eventually leads you to a place of equanimity. 

My arms are around you now.  ((((HUGS))))

Grannydukes ~ Congrats on being done, and be kind to yourself you have a lot going on in your life.  (((HUGS))) 

Bevin ~ I would call the gynocologist.  I went into chemopause - no period for a year, then got 3 heavy ones and now it has been gone for 3 months again.  But going 6 years and now getting one seems odd.  Good luck and keep us posted.

I will say Stage 2 girls, that being 1 year post treatment the anxiety does go to the back of your mind somewhat.  There are days I don't think about it and other days I am anxious.  But I know that it is truly out of my hands, I am behind the wheel but not driving this car'  so I try to be as healthy as I can, exercise, swallow my tamoxifen and Live LIFE !

Have a great day girls.

Alicia

Welcome Braveheart.