Seven months ago Sunday...

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lanagraves
lanagraves Member Posts: 596
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

...my world was shattered. I was happier and healthier (or so I thought) than I had been in years. I had a new job with some old friends and a promising future. Then I went for a check-up with my OB/GYN. Some lumpiness...probably fibrocystic, but let's get a baseline mammogram to be sure (not old enough for regular screening). BAM...mammogram, phone calls, ultrasound, biopsies, surgery, and back home within a week. I completed chemo, and, today, almost seven months later, I had my last radiation treatment. It's officially over...no, wait, there is that little nagging rib issue that keeps showing up on x-rays. Gotta wait another month for a PET scan. Oh, and just now, I had the strangest new pain in the back of my shoulder...is it there too? I was looking forward to getting back to normal, whatever that is. Maybe this is my new normal. Maybe I will always be waiting for the other shoe to drop. In the meantime, I had sushi with friends for lunch to celebrate what I choose to believe will be my last radiation treatment forever.

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  • KSteve
    KSteve Member Posts: 486
    edited September 2012

    Lanagraves - I understand exactly what you mean.  But I wanted to share my recent revelation.  I was diagnosed almost exactly two years ago.  This past weekend I made vacation plans for end of May 2013 to celebrate my daughter's college graduation at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica!  After I got done with the reservations, it hit me.  I'm finally not waiting for the other shoe to drop.  I'm confident that I'll be happy and healthy and ready to go get my tan on!  That's not to say that those little pains here and tweaks there don't get my mind wandering.  I think that's only natural and part of our new normal.  Good luck with your PET.  I just had an MRI with and without contrast of my head because of some headaches I've been suffering with this summer.  The scan confirmed that no mets are in that head of mine, probably just allergies.  What a relief.  Anyway, I understand where you're coming from.  Congrats  on finishing radiation. Yay! 

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  • MaxineO
    MaxineO Member Posts: 555
    edited September 2012

    Yeah, it's the new normal. Every ache and pain gives pause.  But a lot of that fades with time.

    Congratulations on being through treatment, that is a huge milestone on your way to the rest of your life!  Yay for you!

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  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited September 2012

    Lana, Congrats on finishing rads!!! It was one year ago for me. While we are on chemo, rads and even months out of it, it's quite common ( at least my experience) to have aches and pains here and there almost all the time. I remember my shoulder pain, leg pain, neck pain, rib pain and knee pain which is still there, though a lot milder. It really takes time even with waight, complexion, hair texture to come back. But the hardest, I presume for everyone, is the mental state out of all we have been through. That probably takes longer. Give yourself THE time. Detoxing food and juices and walking helped me lots. Now when I have ache somewhere in my body, I take light teaspoon of Epsom salt in a bottle of water for a few days and it really helps. Only a few months ago I couldn't do without my afternoon nap, but I can go with none now, still very energetic by the end of the day. Of course I know the other shoe may drop any time, but it may never, so I choose to think about it when it happens and choose to enjoy life meanwhile!!!

    KSteve, so happy for the clear MRI results. Congratulations!!!!

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2012

    I'm actually relieved to hear you mention that yoiu had rib pain, Karina. I can't seem to keep myself from freaking out over this issue. I know it's just going to take time to get back to a place where I don't have come apart every time I get a headache.

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