Am I to hopeful ?
I was recently diagnosed with TN. I just found out today that I will start chemo on March 2nd. I'm so scared. It's such a helpless feeling to not know how your body will react. But I am still very hopeful this all works & constantly imagine my family & I after this having fun & me getting back into great shape. Am I being to hopeful? Am I not being realistic? Can you get through this & come out the other side and be healthy, fit & full of life?
Comments
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I am not triple negative, but I do believe that we can get through this and still have good lives. We can come out of this and get back our fitness and some of our health. You will come out on the other side changed in some way most likely, not just physically but mentally as well. Everyone is different, but you will find out things about yourself and others. Your outlook about life in general may change. The way you look at things may change.
So, YES, it is great to be optimistic because there are a great number of women that get through to NED and stay there. No matter, what happens, keep your optimism, but allow yourself to be changed for the better!
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Oh honey, not only are you NOT being too hopeful, but if I was in your place, and I was just a few months ago, I would EXPECT for life to be better than before treatment! It does take a long time to heal- give yourself a year or so, but you will be fine. I am getting ready to run a half marathon, I rock climb, I snowboard etc. I have more energy than I did when I was infected with cancer and didn't know it. Yup. You will be fine.
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When you have a BC diagnosis so often hope heads out of the window. But you have no reason not to feel hopeful, and whilst time can seem to pass so slowly, it will pass and your life will return to your new normal and as littleblueflowers says, it can even be better.
I got though chemo by making sure I respected and took the side effect drugs. (Amend, Zofran) My only nausea was when I stooped one of these, Zofran, early - didnt do that again! Also - the company and help from friends and family was invaluable. I had my sister and also a number of friends come to stay for a week at a time from the UK (I'm an British expat living in California)
Channel offers of help to tasks which you want and feel comfortable with. That way you will keep some control in a time when you don't feel you can control much. I had a lovely neighbour who cooked for us most weeks - so helpful on those chemo days. Others gave lifts to my sone when I was unable. Head over to the chemo boards where there will be lots of practical advice and support from others going through the same.
Also - you can still do normal things through chemo - I even went on a small ski holiday just before my last dose of AC. Whilst I was never very fit before, and I did rest every other day, I was able to have a couple of days on the slopes and had a brilliant time with family.
I am now 2 1/2 years from diagnosis, thought chemo, surgery, radiation and reconstruction. Now back to normal and loving that my hair is back!
You can do this!
Sarah
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azrescue,
You have every reason to be hopeful. TNBC typically responds quite well to chemotherapy. It's important to take care of yourself during treatment. Stick to your treatment schedule as closely as possible. Get your rest. Avoid exposure to sick people as your immune system won't be at its best. Eat as well as you can. And yes, when friends and family offer their help, delegate some tasks. They will feel good about it and you can simplify your life and conserve your strength.
Everyone is different, and everyone's treatment is tailored to their own needs, but there are a few things to keep in mind. You will get tired. Probably more so as you go along, with a low point a few days after each dose of chemo. That is normal. Be kind to yourself. Figure out what is not important and concentrate only on what is. And while chemo isn't a walk in the park, it isn't as bad as you see in the movies either. You CAN do this!
And as others have said, your recovery will continue for a period after treatment. Give yourself some time to heal before climbing Mt. Everest or entering that International Chess Championship. You can be fit and healthy again and you will have fun again. You may even reorder your priorities a bit. When I got my dx, I planned a cruise through the Panama Canal for the following year. Something wonderful to look forward to while I headed into an uncertain time. And it was wonderful.
I'm speaking to you from over 7 years out from surgery, 18 weeks of chemo, and 7 weeks of daily radiation therapy. Would I do it again if I had to? In a heartbeat. I've got more places to go and more people to see and more things to do. So do you.
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I have TNBC and I did a lumpectomy, followed by chemo and radiation. I just finished radiation and have an appt with my oncologist on March 9th. I am very hopeful, thankful mine was caught early and just pray for the best. I am back in the gym and getting better every day. Yes, you can live and happy, full and fun-life. Surround yourself with positive friends and a great support group! Good Luck-I'm here if you have any questions that I could possibly help with.
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Yes I'm hopeful as well. Mine is stage IIIB, and IBC, not caught early, Had a mammogram 6 months before diagnosis that was clear. I have positive nodes etc, yet with all the survivors I've met through here, and in life, along with more meds, I too am hopeful.
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