Breast cancer: How have you been feeling?

I am experienced much anxiety when I received my diagnosis contemplating the thought of chemotherapy. It was really the only treatment I had knowledge about at the time (you hear about it often in casual day to day conversations). I did start with chemotherapy and all the fear ran through my mind... al my good cells will be killed, etc... but I did more research and was able to come to grips as best as I could. I had 4 cycles of two different chemotherapy drugs.

Currently, I am set to have is surgery / lymph node clearance. I will also be following up with radiation, from what I understand.

If I can recommend to anyone who is recently diagnosed or pending a possible diagnosis, maintain calm and do your research before going into see the doctor again (or before the phone call), so you are prepared to as the doctor all the questions you may have regarding your stage and treatment.

Hi everyone. I am restarting this discussion. If you have had chemotherapy, share your experience and any advice or recommendations you have for those that are going through or about to start chemotherapy.

Any advice on how to prepare mentally and emotionally? Anything you wish you would have known before you started chemo? Any advice for after chemo treatments?

My mastectomy was a month ago.  I have another two weeks before I will know whether or not I have to do chemo.  It is stressful but I am trying to concentrate on the positives so far.  I came through surgery safely.  My incision is nearly healed with no infection.  I am finally rid of the drain.  I can thankfully, sleep on my side again.  My arm has complete range of motion.  And I have a good prayer support network.  If I have to have chemo, I will get through it.

Hello everyone,

How are you today? 

I thought I would revive this discussion so that we can have a space to check in on one another. 

So, how are you doing? Are you in treatment? How is it going? Are you in remission? How are you today? Any thoughts or words of encouragement or advice to share?
@positive‍ @buick14‍ @Crisco64‍ @Becky22‍ @Susanleigh‍ @Leez1956‍ @Lata23love‍ @Beacon8712‍ @Alecia‍ @JcJclark69‍ @Ediew1‍ @camping50‍ @nanof9‍ @Ncainkouri‍ @Alond25‍ @CarolynDawn‍ @dogmom103‍ @MyCure1‍ @nancey‍ 

Take care,
Courtney

I just found out that I'm having a recurrence... Trying to iron out treatment options and date with my doctor. I feel like I'm living in a haze. Having a hard time right now.

@Courtney_J  Hi! I had a follow up appointment today and the dr discussed with me my labs. My platelets and white blood cells are low. Have to bring them up by Tuesday and don't know how. The first round of chemo (that Red Devil one) was Friday. Spent 2 days very sick but feeling better now. My next one is on the 23. I just want to live a "normal" life thru all these treatments, exams and dr visits. 

@Courtney_J I am getting very nervous and scared because the surgery is July 13, 2021. My parents both died this year so I dont have them to talk to.  My mom died on Feb 16, 2021 with a sickness she was suffering for 18 months so i was dealing with that for the last months and then my dad had a major stroke 3 weeks after my mom passed away and he could no longer go back to his assistance living so we had to find a nursing home.  We found one he was only in there 3 weeks and then he passed away on May 6, 2021.  Right after all that I was diagnosed with cancer so I have been on a train that is non-stop.  I feel like I am so tried out and I dont have much energy left.  My sisters are not helpful they keep telling me just pray.  They both got to take 2 weeks vacation after my mom and dad passed away.  I have not even had time to take a breather I am just on the train of bad luck.  That is how I am feeling.

I am waiting for my genetic test results to come back to see if the doctors suggest I get chemo.  I had a lumpectomy on 6/16 with good margins and no lymph node activity.

@camping50  I was just diagnosed Thursday. I’m in my 60’s. I have 3 grown kids and a husband. I love my children but life has been extremely difficult for us. My son had a car accident  which made him a quadriplegic.  An gifted athlete, he struggled with everything. His girlfriend left him. I thought he would not make it, but he pulled himself up and worked hard. He is still trying to walk again. We could not find help for him. Thus, I had to take care of him mostly these last few years especially during the pandemic. He lives a 16 hour car ride away.  Found a hospitality house where we live while doing treatment. He and I were in a tiny room together for months. Now he is much more independent. I went home. Not I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I took care of my parents who both died of cancer. I took care of my son who is better. Now I have to do me. Life is just not meant to be fair. I feel so alone. Hubby is great but…. My kids have not been comforting. I’m scared. 

Hi

I don't know what sparked it, but I remembered this site existed and felt the need to comment. (maybe it's the lead up to October...)

I've been doing better, my hair has started to grow back. I'm pretty pumped. Since I wasn't able to find any wigs I liked so I was just rocking hats and scarves all the time. But it's helping me to start feeling more confident. I think it helps that my work life is going well too. I didn't realize how one kind of feeds off the other. When one is good, you feel better and everything seem better. But also the inverse is true. When I was going through chemo, I was sick all the time and everything in life felt hard, and nothing was flowing. Can life ever just be balanced? idk maybe its just me...