I finally finished my last rad treatment.

renee1822
renee1822 Member Posts: 33
in Breast Cancer #1
For the last 7 months I have been through a lumpectomy, chemo and rads and I can finally say I had my last treatment for triple negative bc. I hope things start going back to normal but now I'm wondering if I will always carry this black cloud over me living in fear of it returning and always thinking about the what if's. So, once again I turn to you gals for some words of wisdom.

Comments

  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #2
    From one Renee to another!
    Congrats on finishing your treatment. You've come a long way. I'm 15 months past lumpectomy/re-excision, 10 months past chemo, 8 months past rads. Hmmm--normal. I don't think I know what that is anymore. Things are certainly not the way they were before--and never will be. Even though our treatments are finished--I'm still trying to recover mentally. I do know about the "black cloud". It seems I try to chase it away daily. Some days are more successful than others.

    When we're in active treatment--the plan is laid out, we put one foot in front of the other, do what we're supposed to and try to get through it the best way we can. However, for me, the mental recovery has been just as hard if not harder than the physical part of treatment. I'm finding great help and comfort through weekly 2-hr. group therapy sessions at my local Wellness Community. They are for cancer survivors--how to try to live in the moment and continue a life after cancer. For me--it's been a Godsend. You might have this available in your community (it's also free of charge).

    Take good care, Renee. Know that you're not alone and you can come here to talk anytime.

    Hugs, Renee
  • joannstar
    joannstar Member Posts: 403 Member
    #3
    Congrats!!
    Like you, I am TN and I completed my treatment on 4/1/11 (2 lumpectomies, 6 rounds of chemo and 33 rads). I will be going for my 3 month onc checkup on 4/27/11 and hope to discuss the issue with him...
    I had hoped to just take time to let my body recover, but I will be losing my job and so will need to look for work in about a month.
    So, I am trying to adopt the attitude that no one knows how long we have on this blue marble, and it is best to enjoy it while we can. Worrying did me ABSOLUTELY no good through my journey--I am trying to learn that worry is a useless activity. While easier said than done, what choice have we really got? I don't think that feeling sorry for myself is doing me any good.
    I don't things will ever be back to what they were, however, I plan to establish a new normal and enjoy living! Perhaps that is the lesson for me to learn from all of this. That and also be a help to others who are starting on the same journey.
    Hugs and smiles.
    JoAnn
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #4
    Congrats Rad Grad!
    What a milestone!

    I've been through 8 rounds of chemo, mastectomy, and 33 rads - finished almost 3 weeks ago now. Guess we'll always wonder but since my PET scan was clear even before rads have chosen to say I've beaten it. My onc pretty much said that so I'm just trying to heal and focus on the positive. I know it can always come back but since I was E+ and am now on Femara I convincing myself it won't and trying to move on, even with all the Dr. appointments filling up my calendar. Can't worry about tomorrow until it gets here.

    Prayers for strength and peace!
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #5
    congrats on finishing treatment! It's time to celebrate!
    {{hugs}} Char
  • BioAdoptMom
    BioAdoptMom Member Posts: 358
    #6
    I can't answer your
    I can't answer your questions concerning your emotions and the future because I am just getting ready to start chemo, and still have rads ahead of me after that, but I do want to congratulate you on completing your treatment and let you know that we are all here for you to support and encourage you in whatever ways we can! You are in my prayers.

    Nancy
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #7
    Congratulations
    on completing treatment and being a rad grad.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #8
    ladyg said:

    Congratulations
    on completing treatment and being a rad grad.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    Awesome!!!
    Congrats!!!
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #9
    cahjah75 said:

    congrats on finishing treatment! It's time to celebrate!
    {{hugs}} Char

    Congrats Renee!
    Hugs, Jan

    Congrats Renee!


    Hugs, Jan
  • Hippiechick58
    Hippiechick58 Member Posts: 320
    #10
    sea60 said:

    Awesome!!!
    Congrats!!!

    Way to go! Congrats on
    Way to go! Congrats on finishing rads! I have learned that the "black cloud" represents my fears and that if I accept that it will appear from time to time, I am much better off! I used to deny it, repress it, refuse to acknowledge it, but radical acceptance is much more effective! Good luck and God Bless!

    Dianne
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #11
    Hippiechick58 said:

    Way to go! Congrats on
    Way to go! Congrats on finishing rads! I have learned that the "black cloud" represents my fears and that if I accept that it will appear from time to time, I am much better off! I used to deny it, repress it, refuse to acknowledge it, but radical acceptance is much more effective! Good luck and God Bless!

    Dianne

    Congratulations Rad
    Congratulations Rad Grad!
    Onward and Upward!!
    Hugs,
    Wanda
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #12
    so HAPPY it is over with
    as far as Black Cloud I seem to be the odd one out..but I never worry about my tests, blood labs etc..I try to be in the moment...enjoy it while good. I know easier said then done for most. I even mentioned to my therapist I am unusual compared to most. I had gyo biospsy last week and never thought of it until the Dr called me the other night to say all is good.

    I am not sure why or how I am like this...I try to not worry about things I CAN not change I THINK!...

    I just past 3 yrs since surgery and JUNE 28 my last day of radiation! I used journals while going through all this.

    I wish you the best!

    Denise
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #13
    ladyg said:

    Congratulations
    on completing treatment and being a rad grad.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    You are now a Rad Grad!
    You are now a Rad Grad! Congratulations!
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #14
    ladyg said:

    Congratulations
    on completing treatment and being a rad grad.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    You are now a Rad Grad!
    You are now a Rad Grad! Congratulations!
  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    #15
    so glad to hear
    Congrats your a Rad Grad. I finished on last Friday so tomorrow it'll be a week "WOW" what will you do with yourself now? hehe MOLLYZ
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #16
    disneyfan2008 said:

    so HAPPY it is over with
    as far as Black Cloud I seem to be the odd one out..but I never worry about my tests, blood labs etc..I try to be in the moment...enjoy it while good. I know easier said then done for most. I even mentioned to my therapist I am unusual compared to most. I had gyo biospsy last week and never thought of it until the Dr called me the other night to say all is good.

    I am not sure why or how I am like this...I try to not worry about things I CAN not change I THINK!...

    I just past 3 yrs since surgery and JUNE 28 my last day of radiation! I used journals while going through all this.

    I wish you the best!

    Denise

    Good news! Congrats!

    Good news! Congrats!
  • aysemari
    aysemari Member Posts: 1,596 Member
    #17
    Congrats Renee
    I think your comparison says it all... cloud come and go and there's always
    some sunshine in between. I make myself concentrate on my health only,
    Why waste energy on what may be, when I can use it for what is now?

    Hugs,
    Ayse
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #18
    mollyz said:

    so glad to hear
    Congrats your a Rad Grad. I finished on last Friday so tomorrow it'll be a week "WOW" what will you do with yourself now? hehe MOLLYZ

    Congrats to you too Mollyz!

    Congrats to you too Mollyz!
  • renee1822
    renee1822 Member Posts: 33
    #19
    Thanks everyone for your
    Thanks everyone for your replys, everyone is so great here and always knows just what to say. We are all in this together and it will get easier as time goes on. Here's to the future for all of us.

    Hugs to you all,
    Darlene
  • Pinkpower
    Pinkpower Member Posts: 437
    #20
    So happy you are done. Well
    So happy you are done. Well to answer your question. Yes, you will worry. At 1st its all the time, especially when you going to get your mammo and other testing done. But as life goes on and you get busy, you start to not worry so much. Hope this helps.

    Lupe

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