Arrrrgh! That feels better. I feel I’m drowning in information from at least 3 different organisations plus all the books I’ve been reading and I haven’t even started research on the internet yet.
And I’m still struggling to know what to do for the best in some areas: diet-pro or anti soya for ER+?, silicone implant - hazardous to immune system if you have ME/CFS? It’s great to have so much info at one’s finger tips, but I’m now over-whelmed and frozen into indecision.
Time to leave it aside for a bit, I know. Just wondered who else might feel likewise?
Rant over x
Hi Jefner, I noticed nobody had responded to your exasperation yet.
Information overload is a real problem, especially if you have not long been diagnosed or just had surgery. I am fortunate enough to be 5 1/2 years on now, but when I was having a recent clear out of my office I found a couple of huge folders of leaflets, press stuff and other bits and pieces - at the time I was diagnosed Herceptin was in the news just about every other day and as I was Her2+ you can see where I’m coming from 
Don’t get too stressed out by it - you will find a way to pick through all the info and discard the bits you don’t want; also, don’t read too much into some of the studies you might find along the way as they are sometimes old or were only monitoring a small group of BC patients, amongst other things. It’s only human to try to find a cause for your situation, but the surgeon I had told me they would never be able to tell me how I got this, so not to dwell on it. I followed that advice from day 1 and it really helped to keep it in mind.
There is a very good short DVD available from this site about eating well and being active post BC treatment that you may find useful if you are interested in the diet aspect of things. I ended up post menopausal after treatment which has brought with it another load of problems such as not being able to lose weight easily.
Oh well, onwards and upwards as an old boss of mines always used to say!
Hi Jefner
I’m not at all surprised that you’re feeling confused. Regarding the soya issue, a few of us looked into this in some detail and found the research to date had mixed results hence the confusion. There are some very positive studies but they relate to Chinese women who are probably having less processed types of soy than we get in the West and there be other lifestyle factors influencing this too. On the flip side there are studies showing that certain elements in soy and soy milk can stimulate breast cancer cells in vitro.
Much work is currently being done to look into soy so hopefully there will be clarity at some point. Personally, I have made the decision to keep soy limited but I never worry if I have the odd soy latte or something we soy in it.
I think we can drive ourselves mad with worry and that’s not great either. I’ve felt very much like - being frozen by indecision - a number of times. I’ve decided to be more relaxed about things as time has gone on (I’m 2.5 years post treatment).
I’m sorry I can’t help re the silicone implant issue as I decided not to go down the reconstruction route.
take care, elinda x
Thanks for your input I was becoming a stress head, so I’ve taken a back seat from the research and decision making for a while. It’s quite a relief!
Hi I know just how you feel! Between Nov and Jan was inundated with written info, appointments for so many different things to do with my cancer and forthcoming surgery, as well as looking after our grandson who had fractured his femur and was unable to go upstairs or sit upright, so living in a bungalow with reclining chairs we offered to help out. Talk about stress and information overload! I knew I had to get out of the race, so went with my husband away for best part of a week to a special offer hotel on half board with a sea view. Best thing we ever did, as we had time to calm down, relax and think straight. So on return was able to make the right decision as to type of surgery and was in a better frame of mind and healthier to face it all after everything.
So if you can, take time out anywhere away for a few days, it makes so much difference and you will feel better able to make informed decisions on return. Lizanne