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59Tammy
59Tammy Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am new to this site, but I should have come here a long time ago. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, 2003. I had a double mastectomy in July, 2003, finished my chemo in October, and started tamoxifen in November. This Friday I will have saline implants and nipple reconstruction. My problem has not been the surgery, not so much the chemo (except for losing my hair), but my emotions. I am not married, but I have been dating the same person for two years. He has been great during all of this, but if he continues to stick it out, it will be a miracle. I feel one way one day, and one way the next. I cry at the drop of a hat. Is this normal? A friend of mine suggested that I try St. John's Wart, which seemed to take the edge off, but I still don't feel just right in my mind! When my mom went through menopause, she became addicted to the pills that the doctor gave her, therefore, I am afraid to take any Rx. I have two grown sons and one that is 13 who is the only one at home with me. I try to keep a positive attitude because of him, but it's hard. My boyfriend wants to get married, but I'm afraid. If these things are normal, how long before I start to feel better?

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  • jrowe
    jrowe Member Posts: 13
    #2
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    Tammy, whether you realize it or not you are doing great. I was diagnosed with bc in May also. Reread your note and think of everything you have gone through in 8 months! Surgery is enough, but chemo is so toxic to your body also! Emotions run in all different directions...it is normal. You are not alone in how you are feeling. I am going through radiation right now and am so tired of being exhausted and feeling horrible. My oncologist told me that I needed to give myself several months after chemo and radiation to get my energy back. I would suggest you not start taking St. John's Wort...it is a herb and there are too many questions floating around out there about the safety of it. I know some women who have become addicted to it and had adverse reactions. Was the double mastectomy necessary? or did you choose to have a bilateral done? I only ask because I am considering having a mastectomy on the other side and have implants done too. Thanks for your input and take care.
  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #3
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    First of all, welcome to the site, you're right it is a wonderful refuge. Lots of love and support and a wealth of information.
    Emotional rollarcoaster is normal, and I agree with jrowe about not taking St John's Wort. Would however encourage you to talk to doc about maybe an SSRI, antidepressent, and it is not addictive.
    Should help with the mood swings, stop the crying, and overall help you think more clearly. Also recommend you think long and hard about marriage right now. Maybe even do some
    pre-marital counseling, just because it's a major decision and to be honest, you may need some 'down time'. You have just been through a major ordeal. If he loves you like I think he does, he should understand.
    Hope this helps and doesn't just add to the confusion! (((HUGS))) hummer
  • 59Tammy
    59Tammy Member Posts: 5
    #4
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    jrowe said:

    Tammy, whether you realize it or not you are doing great. I was diagnosed with bc in May also. Reread your note and think of everything you have gone through in 8 months! Surgery is enough, but chemo is so toxic to your body also! Emotions run in all different directions...it is normal. You are not alone in how you are feeling. I am going through radiation right now and am so tired of being exhausted and feeling horrible. My oncologist told me that I needed to give myself several months after chemo and radiation to get my energy back. I would suggest you not start taking St. John's Wort...it is a herb and there are too many questions floating around out there about the safety of it. I know some women who have become addicted to it and had adverse reactions. Was the double mastectomy necessary? or did you choose to have a bilateral done? I only ask because I am considering having a mastectomy on the other side and have implants done too. Thanks for your input and take care.

    My GYN and my surgeon felt that because both of my breasts were very dense, then the bilateral would be best. What convinced me was when they said that the dense breasts made it harder to see the cancer in the very early stages, therefore, like looking for a needle in a haystack. Thanks for the input on St. John's Wart. I didn't take it today, we'll see how it goes. I know that I have handled everything up until now very well. I even moved closer to my mother after my surgery and started a new job the week after my first chemo treatment. I needed to keep myself busy, I do better that way. Just the feeling of not being in control of my emotions is driving me nuts! Good luck to you, and thank you for your words of encouragement!
  • 59Tammy
    59Tammy Member Posts: 5
    #5
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    hummingbyrd said:

    First of all, welcome to the site, you're right it is a wonderful refuge. Lots of love and support and a wealth of information.
    Emotional rollarcoaster is normal, and I agree with jrowe about not taking St John's Wort. Would however encourage you to talk to doc about maybe an SSRI, antidepressent, and it is not addictive.
    Should help with the mood swings, stop the crying, and overall help you think more clearly. Also recommend you think long and hard about marriage right now. Maybe even do some
    pre-marital counseling, just because it's a major decision and to be honest, you may need some 'down time'. You have just been through a major ordeal. If he loves you like I think he does, he should understand.
    Hope this helps and doesn't just add to the confusion! (((HUGS))) hummer

    I'm still concerned about taking Rx drugs. I had no idea that you could become addicted to St. John's Wart. As far as marriage is concerned, I agree, counciling would help. We were planning on getting married before I was diagnosed, but I put it off when all of this started. Thanks for the info!

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