Radiation tx over

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Hi, New here and just looking to connect with other women who have been going through what I am.  I was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer at the end of August and since then have had ultra sounds, xrays, biopsies, a wire inserted in my breast before a partial mastectomy in September, and finally 7 weeks of radiation treatment and an appointment with my oncologist next week to discuss anti estrogen therapy.  I was very fortunate due to my test results that chemo was not necessary. I thought once the radiation was over that I would be relieved and feel much better.  However, that is not the case. Yesterday I just sat down and reflected over what my family ( I couldn't have gotten through this without their love and support) and I have been through the last 3 1/2 months and the enormity of what we've through hit me like a ton of bricks.  All kinds of thoughts ran through my mind.  Will the anti estrogen therapy have side effects, will the cancer return, what are the chances of getting cancer in the other breast or somewhere else in my body.   I know these are questions to ask my oncologist next week and will probably feel much better after talking with her.  Thanks for listening and letting me vent as I'm sure most of you have felt the same way and understand how I fell.

Wendy

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  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
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    Welcome Wendy.

    You found.a.good.site here.  I t think most of us have off feelings when a tx ends.  We think everything will go back c k to how it was, or we just had in our minds that we would feel differently.  But it is not like that so much.  I think.we.don't.factor.in how.Much we.change with a dx this big.  While we are getting the tx we also feel like we are fighting, the n tx stops and all l the fears start 

    I know for me . It was like that.  After rads and chemo, I wondered how a little pilll would be effective.  Now it is that little Aromason pill that is effective enough to keep the beast from.spreading to my organs.  I have mets to the bones.  Had some liver lesions which chemo or herception cleared up.  (Was on both at the time)

    I wish y o u the best with this beast. Keep a.little.notebook handy and write.down any questions you may have.  Nothing like peace of mind when you have them in front.of you and'm get.them answered.

    Hugs and Happy Holidays!

     

     

     

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
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    Wendy, that's exactly how I

    Wendy, that's exactly how I felt. You get out of "fighter mode" but then nothing is the same as before. Please be patient, you will get thru this and find a "new normal". I'm 2 1/2 years out and feel very good so far. Instead of fretting about recurrence, I try to spend my energy creating healthy meals and getting the exercise I need. Or course I still have "off" days, but your thoughts of cancer all the time do diminish over time. You found a wonderful set of ladies on this site to help you. Keep posting...

    Love and peace for Christmas, Anna

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
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    No one can tell you what tommorow holds

    There is no way anyone can ever know what tomorrow holds for anyone and there are no guarantees for anything in life.  5 minutes from now a meteor could charsh into you, or so many other bizarre happenings.  Live everyday to the utmost and if 'bumps' happen along the journey - then bounce over them and deal with them when/IF they happen.

    I've been on Femara/letrozole for almost 5 years with no issues.  Some do have SEs but there is no way to know.  Is it possible for more cancer to developed - of course, anything is possible BUT there is no point to dwelling on what MIGHT happen (or not).  Again myself, I am still NED (No Evidence of Disease) 5+ yrs after my IBC DX.  However, I have developed both SCC and BCC (Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma) which have nothing to do sigh my IBC.  Just being very 'white' and many years spent the sun. (Have had many pre-cancerous lesions removed over years so was sure to eventually have some skin cancer eventually show up.  The path reports on them did not show any IBC involved with them.)

    Ask your Dr every question you have - but he/she can not give you any guarantees.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
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    Welcome...
     
    I have DCSI is

    Welcome...

     

    I have DCSI is Jan 2008 lumpectomy, radaion and years later another lumpeactomy. Tamoxifen for 5 yrs (off it a year and half now) and hysterctomy.

     

    all is good

     

    I too was fortunate enough MY CANCER was found very early-i never missed my mammo appts and happy to say  that.

     

    Denise