New to this forum
side of cancer....
I am in search of mental support on this site...I have great support from family & friends, but no personal support from a survivor....So in a nutshell this is the reason I am here.....I feel very fortunate that my surgeries went well, with zero complications and no need for chemo or radiation.....but still do struggle with the fear of it returning, and i know there are no guarantees and thats the super scary part for me....
I would appreciate any words of encouragement and/or anything anyone wants to share....
Comments
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Glad you found this site
There are so many wonderful pinks here who have helped me so many times, you will learn a lot, and find that your greatest fear is not at all uncommon. The best part is that all of having cancer truly understand eachothers fears.
Best of luck for you and glad your surgeries went well.
Carol0 -
Welcome! Great news thatcamul said:Glad you found this site
There are so many wonderful pinks here who have helped me so many times, you will learn a lot, and find that your greatest fear is not at all uncommon. The best part is that all of having cancer truly understand eachothers fears.
Best of luck for you and glad your surgeries went well.
Carol
Welcome! Great news that you didn't have to have rads or chemo and that your surgery is behind you now. I had a lumpectomy with rads.
The fear of the cancer returning is in all of our heads. I don't know if anyone doesn't feel that, but, we just have to live our lives to the fullest, yet, be cautious of anything new that goes on with our bodies.
With time, I pray the fear will lesson for you. Ask anything and we will all help you however we can.
Hugs, Leeza0 -
Fear
I can relate completely to your fear. To make it harder for me, I was one year post treatment for Anal Cancer and at my PET scan I found I was NED (no evidence of disease) on that but an area on my breast was glowing...thus Breast Cancer. I had a double mastectomy this past March and now fear every ache or pain is something serious. I try to remind myself that we can do many things like eating healthy, exercising, becoming informed, having regular check-ups, etc. but we can't write our destiny. I try to think like a soilder (military family, sorry) and be as prepared for the fight as possible, so if the need for battle arises I will be able to give it my all! Sometimes my mind get the best of me and I just breakdown and cry...don't really know why but I do, and I think its that fear thing!!!I know you were looking for encouragement so hearing that I am also scared may or may not help, but it is good to have others in the same boat who know exactly how we feel. This site is full of people who have been through similar situations and are there 24/7 with loving support. My husband is also battling cancer and my kids held a walk on our behalf, on the shirts it said...Keep moving forward...I look at it often. As always, all in my prayers.0 -
Hello: YOu found the right
Hello: YOu found the right place...for support...
so happy all went well for you....
Denise0 -
Welcome & Sorry to Meet You Like This
Hi psat,
I am glad your surgeries went well. You will get plenty of support on this board surround by your new pink sisters. Fear is a normal part of life. The bible gives me encouragement. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 and Read Psalms 37 which is about worrying. Memorize your favorite scripture to recite to yourself when you feel fear. God gives us the strength one day at a time to face our fears, because we know he is there with us every step of the way. Reading, Studying, and Hearing the Word has increased my faith to believe that nothing is impossible with God. Spend time with your family and friends having fun and enjoying life. Remember to win this fight you have to fight like a girl/woman. You know like you want something really bad and you won't take no for an answer!God Bless You.
Peace,Blessings, & Hugs,
Stacey0 -
Welcome to this supportivedisneyfan2008 said:Hello: YOu found the right
Hello: YOu found the right place...for support...
so happy all went well for you....
Denise
Welcome to this supportive site, though I am sorry you are here. This site helped me so much when I was first diagnosed with bc. I don't know what I would have done without it and the pink sisters.
Best wishes,
Jan0 -
Hi. My diagnosis was four
Hi. My diagnosis was four years ago. Fear of recurrence still lurks in the back of my mind, but life is happening all over the front! The more time passes the easier it gets. I too was aggressive and had a bilateral mastectomy,and also rads and chemo. A friend once told me that today is a gift, that's why we call it the "present." Best wishes for many years of good health for you. xoxoxo Lynn0 -
Welcome to our sisterhood of WARRIORS, ordebi.18 said:Hi & Welcome!
Welcome to the best support group you will ever find. I also had wonderful support from friends and family. The difference here is everyone just "gets it".
I'm so glad your surgeries went well - no chemo or rads - good for you!
Hugs, Debi
also known as Kindred Spirits!
We are a group of Women and a few men like no other. We are here for anyone
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
So glad you found us!
Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.
Vicki Sam0 -
Hi!
My diagnosis was similar. My BC was found very early but opted for dbl mastectomy as well. I don't need any chemo or rads but tamoxifen is being recommended by my oncologist. I will have my implants put in sometime in the beginning of July & the rest of that nipple recreation to follow. My mom has had the same but it was a while ago & still doesn't get my depressed or stressed moods. I certainly should be talking to someone about my emotions. Nice to meet you. Wish it was under different circumstances.0 -
healing
i also had a double mastectomy and will begin reconstruction soon. no chemo or radiation needed. i also have not emotionally dealt with cancer. the physical part will soon be completed. i hope all goes well.
there is part of me that knows cancer showed me the inner strength i have. everything i did so far was to KICK some cancer butt.
there is another part of me that feels cancer took something from me. i don't know the words to describe it. yes, it took my breasts (physically). i am cancer free now and very fortunate. emotionally, it makes me realize how precious life is. the people we surround ourselves with and the things we do with our time. nothing is taken for granted. i am very grateful for my family and friends.
i sometimes feel some people look at me like i am sick. i tell them i am fine. it's because they care and are concerned. it makes me feel a little uncomfortable when i get the "look". I know it's because they love me.
I've started to feel like I am sick. Being on tamoxifen makes me feel "sick' because of the side of effects (irregular periods and thinning hair). I'm not sure if I am tired from the medicine or just emotionally down.
This is why I started to become involved in these discussions.
Hope we can all share with each other and get each other through this!0 -
You have come to the right placesupergirl13 said:healing
i also had a double mastectomy and will begin reconstruction soon. no chemo or radiation needed. i also have not emotionally dealt with cancer. the physical part will soon be completed. i hope all goes well.
there is part of me that knows cancer showed me the inner strength i have. everything i did so far was to KICK some cancer butt.
there is another part of me that feels cancer took something from me. i don't know the words to describe it. yes, it took my breasts (physically). i am cancer free now and very fortunate. emotionally, it makes me realize how precious life is. the people we surround ourselves with and the things we do with our time. nothing is taken for granted. i am very grateful for my family and friends.
i sometimes feel some people look at me like i am sick. i tell them i am fine. it's because they care and are concerned. it makes me feel a little uncomfortable when i get the "look". I know it's because they love me.
I've started to feel like I am sick. Being on tamoxifen makes me feel "sick' because of the side of effects (irregular periods and thinning hair). I'm not sure if I am tired from the medicine or just emotionally down.
This is why I started to become involved in these discussions.
Hope we can all share with each other and get each other through this!
Whatever you need: support, info, a laugh, a cry, anything, you will find someone on this site to supply it.
As far as encouragement advice.
Surround yourself with anything positive. Don't be shy in telling negative people you don't want to hear any negative talk from them. You can't afford for all the negativity to invade your mind and work its way to your spirit. Your spirit must stay strong.
Post any inspirational quotes around your home. Post beautiful pictures around your home: scenery, animals whatever makes you feel peace inside. Post pictures of people who you admire, or have inspired you in some way.
Read stories or watch movies of people overcoming terrible circumstances to come back stronger and go on to do wonderful things.
Encourage yourself. Talk to yourself, meditate to yourself that you CAN and you WILL win.
Take care. Jennifer0 -
i'm happy you kicked cancerssupergirl13 said:healing
i also had a double mastectomy and will begin reconstruction soon. no chemo or radiation needed. i also have not emotionally dealt with cancer. the physical part will soon be completed. i hope all goes well.
there is part of me that knows cancer showed me the inner strength i have. everything i did so far was to KICK some cancer butt.
there is another part of me that feels cancer took something from me. i don't know the words to describe it. yes, it took my breasts (physically). i am cancer free now and very fortunate. emotionally, it makes me realize how precious life is. the people we surround ourselves with and the things we do with our time. nothing is taken for granted. i am very grateful for my family and friends.
i sometimes feel some people look at me like i am sick. i tell them i am fine. it's because they care and are concerned. it makes me feel a little uncomfortable when i get the "look". I know it's because they love me.
I've started to feel like I am sick. Being on tamoxifen makes me feel "sick' because of the side of effects (irregular periods and thinning hair). I'm not sure if I am tired from the medicine or just emotionally down.
This is why I started to become involved in these discussions.
Hope we can all share with each other and get each other through this!
i'm happy you kicked cancers ****! much luck with your reconstruction....did you have expanders put in the same time as mastectomy? or is this next step still in front of you? until my last reconstruction surgery i could not really see past that surgery date....it was strange, i felt and sometimes still do like i was living in a pod of sorts.....not my body....i do feel a ton of darkness was lifted from my body after the last surgery...and i hope this happens for you as well....
i feel so lucky & fortunate the doctors didnt recommend chemo or rads, just the 5 yr tamoxifen plan.....the only side effects so far of the tamoxifen is hot flashes....sometimes they are a booger...they are mostly at night, so i am thankful of that....stress is also a big issue, which i'm sure all of us are experiencing....
take care and keep in touch...0 -
much luck with your nextFaith1122 said:Hi!
My diagnosis was similar. My BC was found very early but opted for dbl mastectomy as well. I don't need any chemo or rads but tamoxifen is being recommended by my oncologist. I will have my implants put in sometime in the beginning of July & the rest of that nipple recreation to follow. My mom has had the same but it was a while ago & still doesn't get my depressed or stressed moods. I certainly should be talking to someone about my emotions. Nice to meet you. Wish it was under different circumstances.
much luck with your next step of reconstruction....leading up to my last surgery(implants) the doctors kept telling me it was a much easier surgery, easier recovery, easier everything....i had my doubts though because everything i had already been through and will go through, but i can tell you from experience that last surgery is way easier to get through.....i missed one day of work, surgery was on a friday...so i hope and pray all goes well for you as well....
the emotions can take a toll....wish there was a magic pill to fix the brain waves....one thing that does seem to help me is soaking up some sun....just for 10-15 minutes, its a godsend....i know exercise would help if i could just get motivated....maybe i can begin to find the strength on these boards....
ditto on meeting u and wish, like heck, it was under different circumstances!0 -
thank you for the kinddebi.18 said:Hi & Welcome!
Welcome to the best support group you will ever find. I also had wonderful support from friends and family. The difference here is everyone just "gets it".
I'm so glad your surgeries went well - no chemo or rads - good for you!
Hugs, Debi
thank you for the kind words......heres to supporting one another......pure human kindness, the world for sure needs it....
cyber hugs...:o)0 -
thank you for your supportlynn1950 said:Hi. My diagnosis was four
Hi. My diagnosis was four years ago. Fear of recurrence still lurks in the back of my mind, but life is happening all over the front! The more time passes the easier it gets. I too was aggressive and had a bilateral mastectomy,and also rads and chemo. A friend once told me that today is a gift, that's why we call it the "present." Best wishes for many years of good health for you. xoxoxo Lynn
thank you for your support and kind words.....
today is a present! i am writing that on several post its and sticking them all over the place....
paula0 -
I've got the welcome signdebi.18 said:Hi & Welcome!
Welcome to the best support group you will ever find. I also had wonderful support from friends and family. The difference here is everyone just "gets it".
I'm so glad your surgeries went well - no chemo or rads - good for you!
Hugs, Debi
I've got the welcome sign out for you too! You are lucky that you didn't have to have rads or chemo. I am very happy for you and wish you all the best.
Sue
0 -
Hi so glad your surgery went
Hi so glad your surgery went well i also had bil mastectomy with no reconstruction it will be 2 years next month with no chemo or radiation but am on Tamoxifen for 5 years,i am a recovering alcoholic of 12 years so i try to apply the same Principals and take one day at a time because we don't know what tomorrow will bring so live,laugh and love,let your fears go and enjoy each day that comes.We all go on a roller coaster with our feelings at times just remember your not alone and there will be good days and bad.
Hugs Frankie0 -
the next phasepsat said:i'm happy you kicked cancers
i'm happy you kicked cancers ****! much luck with your reconstruction....did you have expanders put in the same time as mastectomy? or is this next step still in front of you? until my last reconstruction surgery i could not really see past that surgery date....it was strange, i felt and sometimes still do like i was living in a pod of sorts.....not my body....i do feel a ton of darkness was lifted from my body after the last surgery...and i hope this happens for you as well....
i feel so lucky & fortunate the doctors didnt recommend chemo or rads, just the 5 yr tamoxifen plan.....the only side effects so far of the tamoxifen is hot flashes....sometimes they are a booger...they are mostly at night, so i am thankful of that....stress is also a big issue, which i'm sure all of us are experiencing....
take care and keep in touch...
they tried to put the expanders in during the bilateral mastectomy but were not able to. so, i will have 2 more surgeries to go. the expanders and then the implants. thanks for your well wishes. i think i will feel like i can move ahead and be done with the cancer recovery once the last surgery is complete.
hope your hot flashes get better. it seems we all have to adjust to the new "us' with side effects.
thank you for your kind words and for reaching out.
take care of yourself, too!0
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