When does it get better?

Hi there. You are definitely not alone. Many of us struggle with side effects of treatment. Treatment puts are bodies through hell. Please do not think that someone else may be managing better. Hopefully you can work with your doctor on reducing side effects. You also might want to check out the individual threads on the forum. Good luck and keep us posted.

I agree with the exercise. I used to run a ton. I walk more than run now, but even walking helps a lot. Walking with a friend is even better. The fresh air (even when bitter cold) and the walk help me both mentally and physically.

Hi bethiemb,

Agree with the other responses to your note.

I was also initially flagged for an abnormal mammogram in late December 2017. After a real struggle to get a diagnosis I was ultimately diagnosed with both invasive and DCIS. 2018 was dominated by lumpectomy, radiation, and now hormone therapy to get to my current cancer free state.

I stepped up to a daily exercise program right after my lumpectomy, and except for a few days taken off to deal with family members’ illness and a severe cold of my own. I continue to exercise.

There are several ways you can help yourself to get going:

- find a friend who is willing to exercise with you, and meet him/her on a regular basis. I met one of my good friends weekly at a health club, and we would go out for coffee or a cold drink and a chat afterward. It helped me to look forward to it, and my friend also became a regular exerciser.

- volunteer to walk dogs at a shelter. You are helping to socialize an animal in need, and you’ll feel good about yourself

- call your hospital, see if they are offering yoga, Pilates, or other group exercise programs (usually free) for breast cancer patients. Offers you supervised exercise with others who’ve “been there”

- build a reward program for yourself with regular goals. Get a facial, a mani/pedi, or something else to make you look and feel good after x number of miles walked, etc. Doing good for yourself in multiple ways.

You know what motivates you best. Set yourself up for success. Know we understand and care. We are here for you.

You did all the hard stuff-you can get to this new reality and feel good about yourself.

You can do it!

I am so there as well! I was just thinking about how it feels like cancer treatment postpartum phase. Where you feel like you want nothing more than to feel well and vital again, but it's elusive. I'm trying to give myself six months to be patient, focus on self care, follow up with all sorts of doctors about all the side effects, and see if I can turn this ship around. It's a combination of refusing to get used to feeling this way and also accepting that this is how I am right now.

I second the walking if you can. A good mind trick I played on myself during chemo was to say I would take a 10 minute walk. 10 minutes felt like I couldn't say no. Some days, that's all I would do. Some days, that would turn into a 45 minute walk! And I always felt proud of myself for trying, and exercise does help energy and sleep both.

Hang in there.

yes side effects are real but can be manage and I am proof. This yr will be a 25yr Survivor. Praise God. Feeling good each day.msphil idc stage2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast got married then 7wks rads 5 yrs on Tamoxifen. Faith Hope And Positive thinking(I Will get thru this).