Hi,
I was diagnosed with BC just before Xmas, had two surgeries at either end of Feb (lumpectomy - successful after 2nd op) and it hasn’t spread so just starting radiotherapy. The crazy thing is, I haven’t seen myself as a cancer patient until literally today, after watching the Julia Bradbury documentary. I thought I was coping pretty well (my husband hasn’t coped at all and had a breakdown and we have a 5 year old daughter so I think I’ve been trying to shield them) but it seems I’ve been in complete denial. Has anyone else done this?
Hi,
Lumpectomy in November, full auxiliary clearance in January, radiotherapy in March. I didn’t watch the programme as I try to look forward not back. Maybe it’s denial, and I still have the odd ‘what the hell just happened!’ days, but I don’t consider myself a cancer patent or survivor. I had it, it’s being treated (just started tamoxifen), and now it’s time to move on. I know I’m lucky, I had no symptoms and it was found by an eagle eyed radiographer when I went to get a cyst drained, who was insistent it was nothing to worry about, just one of my many cysts gone fibrous. It turned out to be stage 2 lobular cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes. Had I not gone in to get the cyst drained, I don’t know when it would of been found. So I thank my lucky stars, and I’m done with it. It might not be the best way to deal with it, but it’s my way of dealing with it.
wishing you all the best xxx
Hi Anabella. I’m elsiey I also didn’t accept I had BC. When I was diagnosed my son and his wife separated they have 2 little boys ages 9 and 5. Our son moved in with us and child care was shared. I also had to put myself on the back burner as he needed me he wasn’t coping with the breakup. I got all my treatments 12 weeks chemo, 2 weeks radiotherapy and on letrozole I also have a bone strengthening infusion every 6 months. He moved out in February this year and that’s when it hit home that I had been through. I still have nightmares of loosing my hair hiding in my bedroom if I needed to take of my headscarf. I’m hoping this course will put me in the right place to get my life back to where it should be. Take care
I was the same. I was diagnosed in August and had lumpectomy and sentinel mode removal in September. The operation was a success and it hadn’t spread. I was so focused on being positive that I was in denial. When I was asked when I hadn’t gone to Maggie’s, I replied it was for people who really had cancer.
I then went for my radiotherapy and I suddenly was facing it for the first time. I had my treatment in the Beatson which is a specialist cancer treatment facility. As I walked I the door it struck me that only people with cancer get referred here. Then, lying on the table getting the treatment there was no way to avoid it and I had my face my denial.
I think that my mind just put it on the back burner to help me get through until the surgery and worry of spread and passed and I was more able to deal with everything.
I have days when I suddenly remember everything I’ve been through since last August, it can be quite alarming. Initially I spoke about my BC like it was happening to someone else, I’m a nurse it was like I was discussing a patient, not me! Now I’ve had 2 operations, chemo & radiotherapy. Treatment is finished I’m on Letrozole & 6 monthly zolendronic infusion. Emotionally I’m getting there my husband is struggling, he sees my “action man” hairstyle as a constant reminder. I do feel that one of the hardest parts of this journey is putting your family through it. We all just need time to heal. Sending hugs X