I'M DONE WITH MY TREATMENT - NOW WHAT? INFO...

Juust thanks!! Virginia

Vickie,

Thanks for sharing this. This is my fifth year. And I am still trying to move on with my daily life. Up until now, I keep on thinking I must be depressed, and now relize still fatigue five years after. It is still a bit frustrating and to get my old good spirit back. I hope I am not the only one still fighting on it five years after my chemo.....

-Pauline

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Hi Juli,
I live between Ithaca and Binghamton. I work in Ithaca. If you are ever in the area pm me and I'll have you for lunch where I work...it's a great place!
Hugs
Vickie

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Hi Vickie: Sorry to just get back to you, haven't been on the breast cancer forums until today. I don't travel, as I probably mentioned before? I am permanently disabled due to daily migraines/nausea/vomiting, and with this cancer diagnosis---geesh---I AM having troubles for sure. NEVER got depressed or down with the migraines, but this has really knocked me for a loop...can't seem to get past it, but I see others can't either...don't wish to burden my docs as I do NOT want anti-depressants NOR any therapy, too hard to count on me to get there, then I get charged..no thanx...always dealt with life on my own, have a significant other, just don't see him too often, as he's a truck driver, my family lives more than 3 hours from me, havent' seen them in a year...wanted them to continue their lives, not come out here and what? babysit me?? NOT gonna do it to them!! Anyway---Vickie, I hope you are doing well...let me know...juli

Vickie, thank you so much for taking the time and effort to share this helpful information.

Take care,
Ginny

You are feeling the very same feelings I felt after treatments, actually started mid-radiation. The oncologists all say it is perfectly normal, we go thru what we have to to get thru our surgeries/treatments, then WHAM!!! it hits us like a brick. You are NOT alone...if you feel you need medication, ask your doctors...rest and do the best you can for YOU. My best to you ~juli~

cnoel: Let us know what your diagnosis was and what treatments you have had...you are very young for breast cancer, I'm so sorry you are going thru all of this. I'm 48 and was pre-menopausal as well, now definitely IN chemo-induced menopause since Oct.06...chemo ended for me in Dec. 06, radiation ended in Feb...now on tamoxifen. I had invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage II, sentinel node disease, 2 surgeries ending up with partial mastectomy, an endometrial biopsy as chemo actually extended my period a full 8 weeks daily (was just chemo, no problems)..then came Taxol & Gemzar and periods stopped that day....so you gotta give yourself time here, you just ended treatments...and you are in 'forced' menopause, that alone is enough to make you feel the way you do....my very very best to you....please write and let me know how you are doing, you can certainly email me if you wish. ~juli~
juli0212@yahoo.com

cnoel: You are certainly NOT alone--I have the VERY same feelings that you do, and I'm permanently disabled due to daily migrianes/nausea/vomiting, and NEVER EVER EVER experienced ANY sort of depression, which always amazed my doctors, I always had the motto of "oh well--what else CAN one do?"....until THIS diagnosis--actually since the treatments were about ending!!! THEN, it was like a kick to the gut, and I STILL feel that way, but it's only been 3 months since end of radiation and am on tamoxifen. You've been thru ALOT, gosh, divorced, moved, started a new job and bought a house???? YOU are AMAZING GIRL!!!!!
Give yourself aLOT of credit!!!! YOU deserve it, and those feelings??? Well---they just don't go away it seems.
Happy??? No, I'm not happy either...we've been kicked in the gut!!!! A CANCER diagnosis???? Seems even family and friends do NOT understand at ALL .... so please feel free to contact me and stay in touch, you are sooooo NOT alone!!! I care and deeply ADMIRE you...you've gone thru hell and back and back again....give yourself a break, you deserve it!!! ~juli~

We have all had to endure sheer terror.When I was diagnosed,I could not even function.I was 33 years old with 2 children ages 15 and 8.My first instinct was to swallow a bottle of pills and just go to sleep.I told my husband that I was not strong enough to handle cancer.But I made it through the bilateral and chemo.I dealt with losing my breasts,my hair,my femininity,my self-esteem.I finished chemo in November 2006 and started weekly Herceptin and Tamoxifen.For almost a year,I had been sick.I layed in the bed almost constantly.I did fight to get back to living my life,I fought so hard.But I was left with so many side effects.I have Neuropathy in both legs.My legs just give out without warning and I just fall.My left knee looks horrible.The AC damaged my heart so I wonder if that contributes to my fatigue.I already had scoliosis and arthritis in my back but the chemo made it a lot worse.I have constant pain in my ribs and chest wall from nerve damage after surgery.The fatigue is so bad that even now I stay in bed for days at a time.
I wanted to go back to work badly,I needed to because money has been tight since dx.When I realized that I couldn't do it,my heart was broke.I kept putting off talking to my Onc because I don't like him.I had a nervous breakdown and had to be hospitalized for 11 days.Now I take Effexor,Xanax and Remeron.I went to pain management and I take Lyrica,Oxycontin,Percocet.My Dr said addiction is not a worry if you are in pain.I really wouldn't care if it was the relief that I have found is well worth it.We just have to do whatever we can to feel better.

Hugs,
Lisa

Oh Vicki, what a masterpiece, I think this needs to be in each site, as after my treatments, I needed it, as it happened again a year later, then aftet that a year later to mets....Ive read many articles etc and nothing beats this.

Thank you so much, and yes I am going to copy and hand them out, as i was told the other day that I was all better and now I can be myself again...hmmmmm whats myself I asked, with a question back at her of Im all done and better??? She will get a bopy of it too.

Thank you again,
Ter

Thank you so much for "bumping up" this information.

marshall: That site does not come up?? What type of site is it? ~juli~

Anne: for real?? The site doesn't come up anyway...but THANK YOU...as I HATE that type of thing...I appreciate the heads' up! ~juli~ (can't this 'person' be banned?)

well thanx for letting me know!! MUCH appreciated! ~juli

Vicky, and all of us in the "after cancer" wilderness ... after reading the article I felt so validated. Yes, we try to find our "new normal" but it's not easy at all ...
Thank you for posting it, and for keeping it near the top (here it goes again!)
Delina