Welcome to the forum @loobers , cancer in whatever form shakes you to the core and it certainly is an emotional rollercoaster, don’t give yourself a hard time for struggling sometimes with all that’s going on ,give yourself time to recover . I found once you are back at work what you have been through is soon forgotten so don’t go back till you feel like it’s the right time for you ,don’t feel guilty - you’ve had cancer - it’s a lot !!! Best wishes Jill
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Just to second what Jill has said. I felt guilty about going sick and hated asking for yet another sicknote but I realised that I just couldn’t go back for many reasons . I don’t know what you do but it may be worth considering that it may be better and easier for your boss / colleagues to get you back when you are fit and have recovered somewhat emotionally than you go back and have to go off again. I’ve made the mistake of going back too soon in the past and had to go off again and as well as aggravating my condition it caused inconvenience for others.
You may feel like an imposter but you aren’t one and your boss and your colleagues won’t think think so either .
Sending love
Joanne. X
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I was really struggling coming off hrt and moving to tamoxifen while still recovering from surgery. Surgery was 3 months ago, hrt stopped 2.5 months ago and tamoxifen now for 7 weeks.
The impact on hormones and also my thyroid levels (I’m hypothyroid) meant I couldn’t tell from day to day how much sleep or energy or mental focus - which all adds to stress - I had and I am now very glad I took the time off. I also have a lot of other symptoms relating to hormonal fluctuations (Raynauds like issues)
I have found counselling really helpful- this is my own journey, not other’s. My job is very physical and unpredictable as well as long hours, abeigt part time, and I could no way deal with all the above, and a young family with no local support.
After adjusting thyroid meds a couple of weeks ago I feel well for the first time this week… but have started radio therapy!
So there’s no point going back to work just yet - I need to see how I am.
A bc nurse suggested a holistic approach- take the time off, counselling, resting if I need to and working on exercise so that I really did feel better.
The hormone therapies can take a few weeks/ months to settle for some too.
Your body and mind will be in a much better place. Exercise helps too, especially I have found weights. (See the book / website ‘moving through cancer’.)
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Hi thanks for your reply. I work for the civil service so I’m lucky in that respect. In my head I feel I want to complete my treatment before going back. You’re right - it’s better for me to return when I’m ready than too soon which may result in more time off.
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I am feeling similar to you. At the start of this journey following a routine mammogram I was told they could see something yet there’s nothing to feel. I heard about my biopsy results in a very similar way “it’s a very small DCIS 7mm lump caught at an incredibly early stage”. They too minimised it and I felt I could deal with this and remain positive with my families support.
I had WLE 4 weeks ago and am waiting to hear my post op pathology results. My breast care nurse advised on Tuesday that my case was to be discussed on Wednesday. Its Thursday and my head is now all over the place, the waiting is scary. I am embarrassed to say I am struggling and feeling very sorry for myself and have shut myself off.
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Hi @wizbel
There’s no need to be embarrassed - the waiting gets to everyone . We have all been where you are now and got through it and you will too. It’s a lonely place to be and even when you are surrounded by caring people you can still feel alone . Things the professionals say sometimes make more sense in retrospect than they do at the time .
Hopefully you will have your results and in the next couple of days . Let us know how you get on.
With love
Joanne x
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Dear Wizbel,
We have all been there and, we are here for you, understandable you have shut yourself off, I can remember it so well. It will all fall into place and you will get your head around this very soon it.
Take one day at a time, when your feeling a bit better a cup of tea with that special friend (or maybe something stronger) will go a long way, in the meantime keep posting and letting us know how you are feeling.
Wishing you health and happiness going forward
Hugs Tili 
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So the waiting continues, my pathology results show I will need further surgery in the next couple of weeks. Wow, fear, tears and anger, these reactions simultaneously are tough. I’ve now had a few days to process the news and will take each day as it comes, I do feel somewhat better equipped now.
Thankfully, I am starting to feel more physically fit in myself as long as I don’t overdue the lifting. Resisting picking up my three year old grandson for big hugs is so tough! We baked cakes together yesterday which was great.
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I have 2 areas of dcis. Mastectomy and reconstruction nexr week wirh a reduction of other breast at the same time.
I appreciate that it’s low grade and that I’m lucky to have a reduction on the other breast at the same time but… I’m really scared now it’s so near. Crying to myself and have even checked my will! Hubby is good but keeps saying “you’ll be fine”. His way of coping, i know. Since diagnosis lve put on a brave face but just want to scream,
2 people have said “.your getting a boob job and tumm tuck” like I’m lucky. I just want to shout that I’m getting rid of my cancer…
Sorry! Long moan xx
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@jcb hun you’re just doing what we all do, so don’t feel awkward about it. I have started a “oops, I’m dead” box as I live alone and someone will need to know what’s what and where things are - at some stage. It’s only natural, but the truth is, no-one dies from a primary breast cancer, particularly a DCIS which is Stage 0, so try not to worry (yeah, I know) but if doing these things makes you feel more in control, then do them!
As for the stupid, insensitive things people say, it defies belief. I’ve had some doozies, which I won’t repeat, but in the end you just have to tell yourself that people don’t know how to deal with such major life events as this. They can play it down as they think it will help putting it in perspective or they think being humorous will help them to deal with their own awkwardness. Some are just insensitive twonks. It does get easier dealing with them.
I hope that the surgery is quick and efficient and you’ll soon be leaving this whole episode behind you.
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Thank you Tigress. Good luck to you too…xx
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