Hi. I’m new to the forum.
I’ve hade a lumpectomy and the surgeon said results looked positive. Had 4 rounds of chemo, and now almost completed 10 days of radiotherapy. I’m receiving Herceptin every 3 weeks and Zolidex every 4 weeks by injection for the foreseeable…so far, so good!
Question is- When can I let go and when can I celebrate and ring that bell?
Do I need years of hormonal therapy to be over or can I celebrate when Radio is done? Feel odd and guilty, as if I have a loyalty to cancer and appointments till it I can relax and let go.
For everyone going through this, I wish you all positivity, health and strength. X
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Hi lovely. Welcome to the forum! No one wants to be here but from personal experience, I can let you know that getting these feelings out in a safe space does help. I’ve had a similar journey to you and I think my advice would be just feel however you want to feel. There’s no right or wrong way to handle this. I’ve had surgery and radiotherapy and now on zoladex and tamoxifen and some days I want to grab life by the balls and feel so lucky as I know other people aren’t as lucky as me and other days I want to stay in bed and scream at the universe for putting me through this. There’s no definitive way to cope with cancer. It’s such a personal thing so you do and feel what you need and your fellow BC warriors will be here for you. Lots of love xxx
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I had surgery last year, followed by four chemotherapy sessions and fifteen radiotherapy sessions. After each of these “milestones” people asked me if I rang the bell.
I did think about it at the start of my last chemo session, but then it ended on a bit of a sour note (no one knew how my next Herceptin injection would be done, nor seemed to care) and no one asked if I wanted to ring the bell.
Towards the end of radiotherapy I felt so close to my last Herceptin injection that I thought I’d wait. However just before that my oncologist mentioned having Bisphosphonates for three years so I still don’t feel I have finished my treatment.
So when is the right time to ring the bell? When it feels right for you
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Hello there. I rang the bell at the end of chemo and again at the end of radio. I personally felt that the cancer had gone after the mastectomy, the rest, including current meds, is the belt and braces as described by the BCN. This is 5 years ago, and final appt with the oncologist will be in December. I asked if i will ever get the all clear and he said i would be discharged in December, they’re a bit cautious aren’t they? So i would say let it go if you feel able to. My view is don’t hold on to it and call it yours because thoughts can become embedded physically (just my view point). I still have the occasional wobble if i feel unwell or anything but i think that’s normal.
Take care and i wish you all the best.
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Celebrate for every step 
It helps
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Hello
Do whatever, whenever and wherever it feels great for you and your celebrations
Some people never ring a bell and some ring it at the end of every chapter and treatment
I personally did it at the end of chemotherapy because i never wanted it and had to be persuaded and found it a real mental and physical challenge and the chemo unit were angels so as part of my thanks i rang that bell, gave them presents, baked cakes and gave out positive notes to every other patient that day
Ive since gone back to see them on my 6 monthly zolendronic acid infusion days with sweets and hugs, they always welcome me
After radiotherapy i really didn’t think I’d finish so didn’t ring that bell but again took good coffee and chocolates in for the team
When my 5 year anniversary is completed i will probably sing, shout and dance…and celebrate again
Whatever you do know that you are still you and celebrate that however you wish xx
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