I am new here.

One day at a time Debbie, one day at a time. I had similar dx and also neo adj chemo. Followed by rads and now tamoxifen. Last year was a definite blur--but this year is getting better--still have se's I never thought about over a year ago. My sister--a 3 year survivor--told me on the onset that her MO told her that she would feel like crap for about a year. And then it slowly gets  a little unfoggy. There is a lot of advice on this site search for threads that fit your DX, its not the place you would come to willingly but once here, you're welcomed with open arms!!! (((HUGS)))

Deb, I'm so sorry you're in this middle of this cruddy stuff.  Like Jennyboog, I try to stay away from stats.  I just posted on another thread about that.  Just try to live my life.  My diagnosis was a year ago in June.  I'm gradually getting back to a regular life.  I hate, hate, hate the term "new normal," but I don't know what else to call it.  I can't imagine my breast cancer experience will ever "be over."  Even if I live a long healthy lifei without recurrence, what has happened to me will be with me the whole way.  Which sounds more negative than I mean it, because I am getting back to a life, and it's a good life.  I think it would be really hard to be making a plan about how to do that in the middle of chemo - what an awful time that was for me - but physically things do get better after treatment is done.  Then you start moving foward with all the life stuff that goes on hold for a while during treatment.  I'm planning, seeking, but also trying to enjoy the moment, if that makes sense.

Three and half years out...chemo, surgery, rads and recon DONE! I'm only on an AI now, and that's just a little pill a day, very much in size like the synthroid I took for several years.



What happens is you fall into a routine and you get your life back a little at a time. The dr appts become more spaced out to suddenly you find yourself seeing your onc every six months instead of every week. Your energy level might not pick up for a while, but one day you'll get most of it back and that walk around the block feels good. You'll find yourself going from thinking about your cancer every day to not thinking about it for several days...or a blessed week! You have "bad hair days" again because your hair is back. Life goes on and the people around you help to drag you back into it.

Hi Debbie, and welcome. It's a journey and I try to take it one step at a time. I just finished my chemo on Monday. That's one step! I was so glad to get that one over with. I also see a bit of hair trying to make it's way back. My next step is surgery. You'll get there. Yes, it certainly does change the way you view things. it's hard to describe to someone that hasn't been in our shoes.



Hugs,



Diana

Hi Deb...sorry you had to join our little club, but glad you found us.  How do you do it?  Exactly what these ladies have said.  

One day at a time..and if that is too hard..one minute at a time.

 Come here often...we get it.  We get it and understand everything you are feeling.  Sometimes I would vent to my "non cancer" friends about hair loss, etc. and they would get that 'deer in the headlight' look.  

You can do this...and we are here with you.  Life comes back a little at a time.  But that is what it takes....time. 

Hi DGH- I struggled emotionally and physically a great deal since my diagnosis.  I am not a naturally positive person.  But, things are much better.  I "recognize" the woman I see in the mirror, I work, I laugh, I exercise, I even paint bathrooms (that's this weekend's job).  Let the feelings flow and keep as busy as your body can handle.  I don't think anyone ever stops thinking about BC.  But, after awhile it is no longer the center of your universe.  Hang in there !