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ddancy
ddancy Member Posts: 19
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello,
My name is Debbie, I am 34 Married and have two daughters ages 4 and 11. I was diagnosed in November of 2000 2 weeks before my 33rd bday,
I first had a lumpectomy, then chemo, (4 rounds) then mastectomy, then radiation. I then opted to have my right breast removed for precaution. I stayed strong through it all but I'm now finding myself scared to death and going through some depression. I thought it was time to talk to people that are going through exactly what I am. I'm still very positive but so afraid of getting the cancer back. It's the not knowing part that is tough. Every little ache I have I get so scared thinking Oh My gosh, could it be. Which is not good!! I would love to talk to someone who is close in my age and has gone through similar.
Thanks.. Debbie

Comments

  • bullfrog13
    bullfrog13 Member Posts: 213
    DEbbie.. you are not alone... been there ..done that.. everyt ime.. is just a jpart of our new life here on planet cancer I reckon.. email me at ribbitfrog13@icqmail.com we can add each other to chat program if you want.. Jerilyn
  • comom
    comom Member Posts: 46
    Hi Debbie,
    I am 38, married with two kids, age 4 and 6. I was DX last Sept at age 37. (DCIS/LCIS) didnt have chemo or radiation because I opted for a double mastectomy instead of lumpectomy and radiation. I understand your fears. Each time I get closer to my 3 month checkup I get really scared and nervous. email me any time if you want to chat. tcb_co@iname.com or on this site. Stay positive!
    Trina
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398
    You have come to the right place many of your age hang out here. Have a look in chat to see if anyone around to talk to you might find that helpful to now that it is becoming more active.
    Be good to yourself,
    Tara24242
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    Hi Debbie! Welcome. You came to the right place. Many wonderful people here! We all go through the same fears,some more than others. You've been through alot so why shouldn't you have fears. You can't let them run or ruin your life. Life goes on. You have a family that needs you. Be concerned,and get things checked out before you drive yourself nuts and panic. Usually it's all for nothing and things are fine! Keep in touch! HUGS!! Cathy
  • ksfc
    ksfc Member Posts: 251
    cruf said:

    Hi Debbie! Welcome. You came to the right place. Many wonderful people here! We all go through the same fears,some more than others. You've been through alot so why shouldn't you have fears. You can't let them run or ruin your life. Life goes on. You have a family that needs you. Be concerned,and get things checked out before you drive yourself nuts and panic. Usually it's all for nothing and things are fine! Keep in touch! HUGS!! Cathy

    Hi Debbie, I don't know if this is true or not because I'm still in the middle of chemo, but I read somewhere that for some people, the time after treatment can become more of a struggle and it can be harder to stay positive. The reason given was that during treatment you have so many steps you're taking on a daily basis to get well, and you have a lot of support as you go through those steps. Afterwards, there are not so many clear cut things for you to do to stay well. I imagine that I might feel kind of lost when all of this is over. FC
  • ddancy
    ddancy Member Posts: 19
    cruf said:

    Hi Debbie! Welcome. You came to the right place. Many wonderful people here! We all go through the same fears,some more than others. You've been through alot so why shouldn't you have fears. You can't let them run or ruin your life. Life goes on. You have a family that needs you. Be concerned,and get things checked out before you drive yourself nuts and panic. Usually it's all for nothing and things are fine! Keep in touch! HUGS!! Cathy

    Thanks for the kind words. I from day one have had so much support from friends and family that I thought that was enought, now, a year and a half into it I felt it was time for some support from people who have been through it..
    Thanks... Hugs back to you. Debbie
  • ddancy
    ddancy Member Posts: 19
    ksfc said:

    Hi Debbie, I don't know if this is true or not because I'm still in the middle of chemo, but I read somewhere that for some people, the time after treatment can become more of a struggle and it can be harder to stay positive. The reason given was that during treatment you have so many steps you're taking on a daily basis to get well, and you have a lot of support as you go through those steps. Afterwards, there are not so many clear cut things for you to do to stay well. I imagine that I might feel kind of lost when all of this is over. FC

    Hi FC
    Yes, I've heard that as well. I thought that with the support from my family and friends that I didn't need anything else but I now feel that a support unit with people who have been through it is exactly what I need. Email me anytime. dancys99@aol.com and good luck with your treatments..Debbie
  • ddancy
    ddancy Member Posts: 19
    comom said:

    Hi Debbie,
    I am 38, married with two kids, age 4 and 6. I was DX last Sept at age 37. (DCIS/LCIS) didnt have chemo or radiation because I opted for a double mastectomy instead of lumpectomy and radiation. I understand your fears. Each time I get closer to my 3 month checkup I get really scared and nervous. email me any time if you want to chat. tcb_co@iname.com or on this site. Stay positive!
    Trina

    Hi Trina
    I would love to chat with you more. I just am now at the point where I need to talk with people who have the same fears and have gone or are going through the same thing. Family and friends are a definate strong point but talking with someone who can relate is a big help.
    Thanks, and I'll email you soon.. Debbie
  • ddancy
    ddancy Member Posts: 19
    24242 said:

    You have come to the right place many of your age hang out here. Have a look in chat to see if anyone around to talk to you might find that helpful to now that it is becoming more active.
    Be good to yourself,
    Tara24242

    Thanks Tara, I'm taking your advice. I think it's time for support now, I have a wonderful family and super supportive friends but I need to talk with people who can relate to how i'm feeling..
    Thanks for the welcome... Debbie
  • ddancy
    ddancy Member Posts: 19

    DEbbie.. you are not alone... been there ..done that.. everyt ime.. is just a jpart of our new life here on planet cancer I reckon.. email me at ribbitfrog13@icqmail.com we can add each other to chat program if you want.. Jerilyn

    Hi Jerilyn,
    I would love to chat, do you belong to any chat groups? I haven't really checked into it. I've added your email to my address book and will email you. my address is dancys99@aol.com
    Thanks a bunch.. Debbie
  • ludasue
    ludasue Member Posts: 98
    Hi Debbie, Welcome to the site! I was dx in January 1998, 2 months after my 29th birthday. My children were 9 and 3 at the time. I have had 2 lumpectomy's, lymph node dissection, 12 rounds of A/C/5-FU and 37 radiation treatments. 4 years later, I am still scared and sometimes depressed. i know the feeling very well of worrying over every little ache and pain. It gets easier, but it never goes away. I am 33 now. I would love to talk to you anytime you are interested. My email is ludasuesnout@yahoo.com. Best wishes to you for a long, happy, healthy, cancer free life!!! Kiss those girls a million times a day! Hugs, angie
  • nasa2537
    nasa2537 Member Posts: 311
    Hi Debbie...Cyndi here...I'm 43, was diagnosed last August, no chemo, 33 rad treatments. I feel every ounce of what you're saying. I was a rock through everything...not the least bit scared or concerned with surgery, or radiation. My 1st post-treatment mammo was this past Wednesday, and I was a wreck. My hip hurt, and I couldn't think of what I did to pull it, so I was thinking cancer. It's an awful feeling, isn't it? I'm hoping the confidence comes back at some point. There are two good books that deal with these issues. Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, and one called Living Beyond Breast Cancer by Marissa C. Weiss, MD and Ellen Weiss. That last one was given to me by my onco, compliments of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. You might check with your onco to see if they have an extra one laying around. If not, maybe the drug company has a website, and you could get it through them. The bookstores carry both. There is just a wealth of info in them, and they have helped me immensely. It seems that for many women, the after treatment time is the worst, because suddenly, you are no longer doing anything actively to prevent recurrence...except taking tamoxifen or arimidex...but swallowing a couple little pills doesn't seem to be enough. I certainly wish you well, and would love to chat any time. Cyndi
    millionairs2@aol.com
  • shirlann
    shirlann Member Posts: 229
    ddancy said:

    Hi Trina
    I would love to chat with you more. I just am now at the point where I need to talk with people who have the same fears and have gone or are going through the same thing. Family and friends are a definate strong point but talking with someone who can relate is a big help.
    Thanks, and I'll email you soon.. Debbie

    Hi, Debbie, yes, dear, I have had a terrible time with depression and anxiety. But, ask your doc for an anti-depressant. They are sent from God just for us! I mean it! They are not addictive, and take 3 to 6 weeks to kick in. You may need to try more than one, but don't wait to "see how I do", get started now and be a new woman by the 4th of July. God bless you, Shirlann