Late effects of treatment..... finally got BETTER!!

Claire_in_Seattle · June 2013

I am posting this topic, because not one I have seen before, and one I am just starting to appreciate. A couple of surprises for me this year:

My hair is getting really thick again and growing like a weed. I keep accusing my hairdressing of putting "fertilizer" on it, but I think it has finally COMPLETELY recovered. It was fine before, but I am thrilled.
I have been able to take my fitness level to a lifetime personal best. This includes adding running into the mix of exercise I do.

I am coming up on 4 years out from diagnosis, so ~3 years following active treatment. I am taking anastrazole and have exercised throughout this period, but I did have a nasty ankle injury cycling a couple of years ago. So finally mostly recovered. I have not changed my diet along the way. I do eat more than my share of fruits and vegetables, but also dairy, regular bread, and meat. I don't think I need as much protein now though as a couple of years ago.

Running has improved my balance, and also helped me grip better with my feet, which means I am FINALLY to wear my open-backed summer shoes again. Woo hoo!!!

So I was wondering who else has had some GOOD surprises a few years out from treatment?

I think it's important to understand that recovery doesn't happen all at once. I was fine at 98% there, which is how I would describe myself last year. But this is even better news. So just had to share, and thought especially important for those just finishing active treatment.

It really does get better......and for me this means I can now do sustained cycling @15 mph on the flats. This is huge.

So would love to hear similar stories about the GOOD surprises. Because I don't think I am the only one this has happened to. - Claire

Moderators · June 2013

Wonderful post Claire, and a great idea to focus on some GOOD surprises! We'll be looking forward to seeing how this thread develops!

--Your Mods

ladyboss1997 · June 2013

Great post, Claire. I will join you. I am two years from diagnosis (1year/7 months from end of treatment). My hair has also grown back thick and beautiful. My skin is soft and supple. I am back to exercising (weight lifting and mountain bike riding) like before diagnosis. My greatest GOOD is that I don't take anything for granted anymore. I take advantage of time I can spend with my family, husband, and girlfriends. I'm not afraid to spend money or spoil myself. I really LOVE my job and the prople I work with. And I am thankful to God every day for being able to put two feet on the ground and get out of bed.

LuvLuLu · June 2013

Hi Claire,

I'm coming up on my one year mastectomy / Tram flap and (God bless) feel great.

My hair is gross, though! Frizzy and BIG but if I cut it it just gets stupid looking and more pouffy. I want to do a Keratin straightening again but that's supposed to be bad. My hair was great when I did that though.

I just turned 60 and am in the best shape ever. I've been running since I was 25 years old with no serious injuries so I guess I'm doing something right. Of course, I can't compete with my 25 year old self (when my PR for a 10K was 41 minutes) but I'm ok with that! My running times the past year were very slow, but I guess there was a good reason for that and guess what?? They're picking up again. I also lift weights 4x/week and do yoga 2x/week. (That's in a "perfect" week, LOL) AND in the past couple of years I started horseback riding lessons, because I feel you're never too old and that was always a dream of mine!!!

My diet is good - not perfect, but I feel everything in moderation is a good thing. My bone density is excellent and I just had an appointment with my primary care doctor this morning and all my numbers (cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, etc etc) couldn't be better. Again, thank God!

I think attitude and the support and love of family and friends goes a long way.

Thanks for the positive thoughts, Claire. Ladyboss, your post is beautiful.

Stay strong, friends!

fd1 · June 2013

I'm a year and a half from diagnosis and I'll second the thick hair! I can't believe it and I hope that it stays like that.

The other positive change that I notice is that now I'm three months since my last radiation, my fatigue is reducing and on good days I have way more energy than I did pre-diagnosis. I think having a tumor in you drains a lot of energy!

On top of the physical changes, my mental state is just so much better now too. I do things that make me happy and don't do things that don't. It takes courage to do that sometimes and I have it now.

Claire_in_Seattle · June 2013

I admit that I need haircolor to keep it looking the way I want it to look. The wonderful thing is that we have choices about these things. I found the period from 6 months out to 2 years out not fun hair-wise. Then it settled down and I LOVE it now. My skin was great throughout.

Just did an AM coffee meeting, and yes I DID have a slice of rhubarb crumble.

fd....it took a full six months from radiation for me to get most of my energy back. Or perhaps it was that nasty rainstorm that had me chilled to the bone. I still remember that December group ride when I had to go fast to keep my core temperature up! I am at a totally different place with stamina now, but the six month point was a big one for me. It was just in time for skiing season.

I have more courage now too. Part of this is being where I might as well "go for it" or it won't happen in my life. The other thing I am doing is saying "no" to a lot more thankless situations. This includes rides that just aren't fun. Why do those when so many I enjoy???

Just realize I need a list of things to get done for this year. I am usually better at this. The big one is on the calendar......visit back to Vermont, and some hiking. So many other possibilities. But those will wait until after I get to Portland. - Claire

ruthbru · June 2013

Good suprises:

1. I really appreciate the 'little' things; lilacs in the spring, playing croquet in the backyard with the family, coffee with friends etc.

2. Annoying things that used to upset me a lot, don't anymore. I am grateful that those annoying things are the worst things I have to complain about!

3. I am doing more things on my 'Some day I'd like to.....' list.

4. I am more brave about trying new things and have had some great experiences because of it.

5. I am religious about exercise, watching my weight etc. so am really in better shape than I was going in.

6. As far as medical care goes; I know how to do my own research, keep track of my records, and ask questions, questions and more questions.

7. I have a cute, short haircut and color that I never, ever would have chosen if I hadn't been trapped in a room full of wigs, waiting to be fitted for one of them.

8. I have made some great friends on these boards from all over the world & have had the privilege of getting together with several of them. It is always like getting together with long lost sisters, and we have so much fun! Our paths would have never crossed without this common experience.

9. I have been able to help other friends and acquaintances, who have been diagnosed after me, navigate through their own treatments. And, since I've 'been there, done that', I can reassure them that they CAN make it through, come out on the other side and be really, really OK.

Momine · June 2013

I am 2 years out, and I am 10 kilos thinner than before DX, 15 kilos if you count from the freaky weight gain just prior to DX. After a year in the gym, I am probably in the best shape I have ever been as an adult.

Cancer also brought me short hair for the first time, ever, in my entire life. Prior to cancer I had very long hair always. I could never get a hair dresser to cut it, and I was afraid to anyway. A really nice surprise is that short hair suits me and I absolutely love not being in constant pain, not spending long painful hours trying to untangle it and all the rest of it.

My brains are back. People talk about chemo fog, but I had definite "cancer fog." Once I came out of the chemo haze, I could think and concentrate again, for the first time in about 5-6 years.

I had an ooph as part of treatment, but in the process the surgeon discovered that I had massive scar tissue and all my organs glued together and glued to my abdominal wall from a botched C-section 20 years prior. It had caused me chronic pain and I had a bulge on my stomach which kept me from wearing nice clothes, swimming etc. He cleaned it all up, so the pain is gone and I can wear nice clothes again.

It took a cancer DX, but I have become much, much better at setting limits and looking after myself.

AnnieLane · June 2013

As a relative newbie, 7 weeks out from last chemo, 1 week of rads left, and just having started arimidex, I appreciate this thread - very encouraging! Thanks Claire and everyone else!

indenial · June 2013

I love this thread! I'm only 2 weeks out from last chemo and it is so encouraging to reaed this!

pupmom · June 2013

LuLu, so happy you are doing better! YAAAAAY!

I was also wondering why Keratin straightening is bad.

pupmom · June 2013

I've been doing so much better also! Best thing was when I went off Effexor and didn't crash and burn. I do believe there is quality life after cancer!

Late effects of treatment..... finally got BETTER!!

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