Breast Cancer and Horses

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Theresa_F

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This is not a give me sympathy post, but I could really do with anyone's experiences of breast cancer and their horses.

I was told yesterday I have breast cancer - not a shock, my mum died young and I had so many tests done last week, I knew it was not going to be all clear news.

I will know shortly (more tests) whether it will be removal of the known lump and radiotherapy, or if a second area is found, the whole breast comes off and then chemo. I may still end up with chemo if anything is found in the lymph nodes.

Please PM if you don't want to air your experiences on the forum, or I can give you my email address. I will never reveal what you say.

Basically I need to know, do I need to face turning my horses away, can I cope with looking after them, can I ride - when and what degree - I still intend to be winning the BSPA working cob at the end of August. What I don't want is my OH having to look after me, run his company and do two horses, hence I can send them away on full livery to Sarah where I will be 100% happy if I don't get to see them for a while.

I am very positive - I did ask do I give up work, stop paying my pension and party, and he said, stay at work and pay your pension.

I know it is going to be tough - I do a lot of project work and this is project Theresa - starting with positive confirmation result of cancer and the end will be clear of cancer, I now need to have an idea of what to expect so I can plan the project.

I will be around to annoy you, offer advice on hairy horses for many years to come - just not all of me. I am going to be just like Cairo - fight it off and live to a good old age.
 
Sorry to hear that, huge (((HUGS))).

My ex's dad had both radiotherapy and chemo (not at the same time), the radio made him sore for about 24 hours and the chemo knocked him off his feet for a couple of days. I know it's different for everyone but I would factor in getting help for treatment day and maybe a day or 2 afterwards.

Fingers crossed it's the best outcome for you.
xx
 
No experiences I'm afraid, and I'm not going to offer sympathy if you don't want it but couldn't read and run so here's some ((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))) whether you want them or not.

I think project Theresa needs to plan out one step at a time, and concentrate on the BSPA working cob show in august...
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My best friends mum has breast cancer and the treatments have made her very nautious ( sp) and zapped her energy, so on the days of chemo I would definately arrange cover.

I think a lot of horse care will be a see how it goes but if it was me i'd either put them on full livery so I could just visit when I had the energy etc or arrange someone very reliable to care for them at short notice at home.

Hugs
xx
 
My Mum had breast cancer and had the full lot, masectomy, lymph nodes out, radio therapy and chemo and Herceptin.

She was ok some days, and really down other days, so I think would have struggled to manage "Life as normal" when she was going through Chemo. Certainly any physical work really left her struggling.

I think your best bet is to put them on full livery, then at least you don't have to worry about them, and if you feel upto riding etc, they are there ready
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Good luck, hope all goes well, and don't hesitate to PM me if you want to rant/rave etc about anything whilst you are going through treatment
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xx
 
Oh goodness me. I know you didn't want sympathy, but please accept a little from me!
You sound like such a brave, optimistic person. Well done. Sorry no help offered but concentrating on the working cob champs sounds like a good idea.
All the best and do please keep helping us with our hairies!
 
I finished my treatment for grade 4 breast cancer 10 years ago. I am now 47. I had the (quite large) lump removed followed by 6 months of chemo (3 months of one drug then 3 months of another 3 combined). Then 4 weeks of radio. I discovered the lump when pregnant with my second child, and GP thought it was a blocked milk duct so we ignored it. After the birth he still thought it was just a blocked duct but my OH insisted on a second opinion. I was convinced it was nothing, but found out on my first hospital appointment that it was cancer. About 18 months ago my sister was diagnosed too. We both felt knocked for six at the time, but instantly much better about everything once the lump had been removed. The chemo left us feeling a bit rough about 24 hours after for about 48 hours. After that we were ok for the rest of the cycle (3 or 4 weeks). Probably not at our tip-top best, but fine, maybe a bit slower. Radiotherapy had no effect on us at all. Sister prided herself on not missing one days mucking out. I had my horse at grass during my treatment, but would have been fine to look after him (+ baby + toddler) except maybe a bit slower to muck out etc. Riding was a great treat for me (got me away from the kids). Only problem was riding hat didn't fit without any hair. Chin up. Its not so bad! Any further info required, PM me.
 
Bugger.

No personal experience.....but I am a nurse, and I will say that the patients who seem to do best ( after chemo/radio/operations- whatever) are the ones with a positive attitude and something to keep going for......and you appear to have both.....

Good luck, be strong - thinking of you.

Let us know how you are doing- good and bad days, we're all here.

((((((vibes n hugs hun))))))))
 
[ QUOTE ]
No experiences I'm afraid, and I'm not going to offer sympathy if you don't want it but couldn't read and run so here's some ((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))) whether you want them or not.

I think project Theresa needs to plan out one step at a time, and concentrate on the BSPA working cob show in august...
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Can't think of a better way to put this so will just say ditto Fairhill!
Best wishes x
 
Very sorry to hear that but I am glad to hear you are forward planning in a positive way, I think anything you do to reduce the stress and worry of it all will help you recover and also help everyone around you to stay positive too, so from saying that I would suggest bobbing them on livery, letting someone else do the hard work but enabling you to go up as normal, ride…go the shows when your feeling well as this well help you leaps and bounds, but you won’t have the work and stress of looking after them or seeing your OH having to.

Not only that but you can spend more time on here!....which is always a good thing.

Wishing you all the best xx
 
As said in other posts a positive mental attitude really helps.I have a friend who has just had a biopsy done this last week and is now waiting for her results.
When I give her a hug I will be thinking of you to.
 
i think you sound like you have a fab attitude!! and i send you my very best wishes, maybe if you have the option of full livery there (i dont know your current yard situation) to use as and when you need it and then you can do what you want when you want if you get my drift???
take care of yourself though
 
sending you vibes. No personal experience but my friend comes from a family with a history of breast cancer and they found a small malignant lump which she has chemo etc for and she had both breasts removed to avoid any future problems (she loves her remodelled ones!) I dont really know the ins and outs but I do know that she had a very positive attitude and she did continue working with her work giving her something to focus on and being very supportive with the time off etc whenever she needed it. She didnt have horses so she didnt have that issue to deal with but I am a great believer in that our horses do provide us with a sense of support, sometimes I just need to give my horses a hug and breathe them in and I feel better - it sounds silly but I think you would feel lost without your horses....but.... I would think about putting them on full livery anyway if you can afford to so that they are there if you just need your fix. Knowing my friend she had good days and bad days, get your friends etc to help on bad days and your horses to give you an extra lift on good days.

Wishing all the luck and hope in the world with Project Theresa - you will get through this!
 
No idea.
How much of a kick do you get out of looking after your horses rather than riding them? IF you get as much enjoyment from the care as you do the riding I'd wait and see for now. Perhaps see if you could get some sort of flexible arrangement where you can do them as long as you feel good and someone else will cover on any not so good days?
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
No experiences I'm afraid, and I'm not going to offer sympathy if you don't want it but couldn't read and run so here's some ((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))) whether you want them or not.

I think project Theresa needs to plan out one step at a time, and concentrate on the BSPA working cob show in august...
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Can't think of a better way to put this so will just say ditto Fairhill!
Best wishes x

[/ QUOTE ]

And another ditto here, 'cos I too can't read this and run.

Your positive attitude will take you a long way towards a good recovery, Theresa. Wishing you all the very best.

Faro
 
Sorry to hear your news Theresa.

I have no personal experience but the two people I know who have experienced breast cancer both made excellent recoveries and now several years later are leading normal lives.

In fact I have heard so many positive cancer stories recently, the treatments really seem to be getting so much more reliable. Think positive, keep working towards your goals and remember there will be lots of support on here!
 
I'm sorry to read this, wishing you all the very best, big hug from me.

No personal experience, but our neighbour who runs a riding school (she must have 30 + horses) had a double masectomy and whilst she handed over the reins to her two grooms/instructors, she spent a lot of time down there, and even taught when she felt up to it (how I honestly don't know). I think for her the horses were a lifeline, so I guess if you can arrange to have them on full livery somewhere where you can also come along and 'muck in' as much or as little as you are able to?
 
Mum had a lumpectomy and radio and some chemo, made a full recovery, a friend had to have lymph nodes removed and found that it caused long term weakness in that arm. She had to find ways to adapt what she did to compensate for the weakness.
I too would vote for planning short term full livery ( you can always bring them home early if you are in good form) and allow yourself time to recover, but still be able to spend time with them. The other thing I would say is to be warned that GA can cause some people to feel quite depressed and if this happens, get help sooner rather than later.
Good luck with it and <<<<<<<<<<<<<<vibes>>>>>>>>>>>>>from me
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Sending you some hugs and vibes. I don't think you will know the answer to your question until you've begun treatment as it affects each person differently. I have two friends who have had breast cancer and chemo etc and both managed to ride throughout their treatment but had the horses on livery or out at grass.
 
Firstly - I am sorry to hear your news, but your positive attitude is fantastic. No two people with cancer are the same, some people cope with the chemo well and others find it knocks them sideways. I have a friend who had breast cancer many years ago and had a mastectomy - she is still going strong, but no longer riding due to having two new hips and various other problems which aren't related to the cancer. When my husband got diagnosed with lung & liver cancer, I found the Macmillan website fantastic. Also you can speak to a nurse at any time and they will tell you what to expect from various treatments. Don't make any plans just yet regarding whether or not to get the horses onto full livery - but can you have some cover standing by, just in case you need it now and then. It will be the horses that help you through this rotten illness. And I have a feeling there may be several of us cheering you on at the Championships in August with Stinky!
 
I tend to agree with those who say that you will find your horses a huge comfort when you are feeling a bit low. It sounds like you have a brilliant attitude and if you have help available if you need it I would say do as much as you can for as long as you can and when you're feeling a bit rough or groggy let others take over for a while. Having the horses around will help keep your spirits up on the down days, so even if you have to scale down your riding for a while, just being with them is a boost sometimes. I am thinking of you and wishing you all the best for a really positive outcome.
 
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