I have breast cancer

Good grief, AdorableAlice. Thank you so very much for all that information. I was given an information pack at the hospital today but your info is much more useful. It is all the practical little things that they don't put in the info pack.

Again, my thanks for all the good wishes.
 
ZondaR said:
Good grief, AdorableAlice. Thank you so very much for all that information. I was given an information pack at the hospital today but your info is much more useful. It is all the practical little things that they don't put in the info pack.

Again, my thanks for all the good wishes.
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You are most welcome. I posted a thread this time last year asking exactly the same question, except I was a coward and said I was asking for a friend of mine. If you look on my thread called 'My Next Equine Project' from around July 2013 you will see how I coped and what happened. I decided to include it in the thread, which is about my feral cart horse, to try and encourage ladies to attend their scans. I so nearly did not go to mine in Feb 2013 and had I not my story would be very different.

You will have a difficult time and you will have moments when you feel utterly crap, but it is doable and without the chemotherapy it will be easier. You might find some friends/colleagues don't know how to deal with you. Some will run and some will be wonderful, be prepared to be surprised who does what !
 
Wow, so many people to have gone through this. My mum and best friend have both come out the other side of breast cancer. The treatment made them both very tired and sick (chemo mainly) and it was a long time before they were back to 'normal'.

Neither of them were bothered about riding, although best friend is horsey, but they wouldn't have been up to it. Everyone is different though.

Just wanted to add my my best wishes for a speedy recovery for you x
 
I had stage two dukes b bowel cancer 5 years ago . Now in remission. I found the chemo very tiring but did ride every day. Although I pushed myself too hard at times. You will have to wait and see how physically you can cope. Riding can wait. I found it wasn't that I couldn't cope with the drugs and pain, it was the mental side. I still feel very vulnerable and fragile. Hugs to you. Cancer is a horrid horrid disease. X
 
MissCandy said:
Wow, so many people to have gone through this. My mum and best friend have both come out the other side of breast cancer. The treatment made them both very tired and sick (chemo mainly) and it was a long time before they were back to 'normal'.

Neither of them were bothered about riding, although best friend is horsey, but they wouldn't have been up to it. Everyone is different though.

The NHS stats say one in eight women will suffer breast cancer at sometime in their lives.

I managed to ride on week 3 of each chemo session. Week one spent in bed mainly, week two I could potter but the immune system is non existent so great care has to be taken. Week three the blood count is picking up and I felt slightly better. My horse is sensible and I always had someone with me. Should I have done it - probably not and the doctors were not impressed. I was sick on her once which was not pleasant, but the mental boost just ambling around the village gave me was immense.

I also found the sanctuary of the yard kept me going, I just sat in a deckchair in the field and the horses came and spoke to me. Looking and feeling like xxxxx, bald, dizzy and tearful those horses never questioned me and gave me the company I needed.
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Hi, another cancer survivor here! Mine is a while back now, (finished treatment in 2007) and I did, like AdorableAlice, get the whole kit thrown at me. I actually found the radiotherapy the least worst bit - I found I got tired but not until the 4th week (I had 25 sessions) it seemed cumulative. And just a sleepy tired. just rest as much as you feel you need.
My tip would be to ask for a time slot towards the end of the day if that works for you - the mornings are always very busy, and if one of the machines plays up, everyone gets delayed. Usually by the end of the day it's much quieter!
Also, if they are only take a few lymph nodes, rather than a complete clearance, then that will give you a faster recovery.
If you check on the Breast Cancer Care site, there is a forum, and you can get heaps of information on there, like AA offered, the stuff they don't give you in the leaflets. Like keeping your aqueous cream (or E45) in the fridge - it's just so cooling when you put it on! And start to use it before the radiotherapy starts, get the skin moisturised.
If you haven't already, get a few comfy sports bras, stretchy ones, you'll need them for after the surgery.
Good luck!
 
ZondaR said:
I am getting a lumpectomy on Wednesday. It is a day procedure. Then I will have weeks of radiotherapy. I'm not too worried about it as the cancer has been caught at the early stages. Has anyone been through this procedure?

What I would like to know is how will all this affect my riding? How long will the pain and discomfort from the lumpectomy last, a few days or a week? Some nodes from under my arm will be taken out too, how long can I expect movement of my arm to be effected? I'm told the radiotherapy can make me very fatigued, will I have the energy for riding? Should I forget about riding altogether for a few weeks or a month?

Thanks all.
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* Waves another Cancer survivor * I got cleared last June my 5th year. Surgery 5th Nov 2007
sorry to hear this

not in your area but I got Endometrial cancer, I had surgery ( Hysterectomy) and it was nearly 3 months before I could ride due to stitches etc. At a guess I would say a couple months see what hospital says.
 
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Can't offer any first hand advice although I have a friend who went through the procedure 3 years ago. She didn't talk about it very much but seemed to recovery quickly. The one thing she did say was that sometimes she felt ok after the radiotherapy and other times it knocked her out for a couple of days.

Just listen to your body and rest when you feel the need.
 
Nothing useful to add. But I wanted to wish you luck. Cancer is such a horrid disease. My brother was diagnosed with a very rare cancer at the end of last year. Luckily he just needed surgery and now very regular check up's (every 3 months). He, like you, was very practical about it all, and led a very busy lifestyle. The surgery did take it out of him though- and he was shocked, which led to him feeling very low about it all. So be prepared to take things steady after surgery, it's okay to take your time.

Good luck, wishing you all the best and I'm sorry you're going through this.
 
ZondaR, remember when the surgery is done to change your thoughts and say I had breast cancer, rather than I have breast cancer. A small point but with a big mental meaning.

The treatment that follows the treatment is an insurance policy, 'belt and braces, call it what you will, to prevent reoccurance.
 
Just so much respect for all you brave ladies who have beaten and are beating this. We never know what might be around the corner, but I just pray if these challenges are ever thrown at me, that I deal with them like you all have.


x x x
 
Another survivor here. I had five weeks of radiotherapy but didn't find it particularly tiring. Everybody is different.

Good luck.
 
I have been through the same as you,caught early at routine screening. Had lumpectomy and sentinel nodes removed for signs of the cancer spreading. Fortunately it hasn't. The waiting for results is the worst part! I was home the same night as the lumpectomy. Had no pain and could hardly see any difference. My daughter did my horses for two days then I felt ok,just careful not to lift heavy things on that side.
This week I had my measuring for radiotherapy. I was dreading the 3 weeks mainly because of the travelling to hospital every day, but after being put on the fast forward trial I was delighted to be doing just one week on higher dose. then that should be it .
I would urge anyone to go for the mammograms. I had no lumps so this would not have been found otherwise. The radiotherapy affects everyone differently .I have been doing more exercise thinking the fitter I am the better!
Hope all goes well for you, don't worry the surgery is not as bad as we think and after effects apart from feeling tired due to the anaesthetic aren't bad at all. Take it easy for a few days and enjoy the rest, I did!
 
Thirty five ladies have commented on this thread and eight of us have had breast cancer, that is just under one in five ladies. Shocking to say the least. Add the other 3 ladies with different cancers and it is down to one in four.
 
Sobering thought AA. Still such a high rate, but the treatments these days give us such a better chance. My prognosis was pretty dire to be honest, aggressive triple negative, (so not responsive to herceptin or hormone treatments) already 5cm, and had spread already to the nodes. Yet here I am, 6 years down the line still NED. It's in these situations that I have to say thank goodness for the NHS. And hope that stories like mine and yours and the other ladies here can give courage and hope to those who will follow on.
 
Thoughts are with you, OP. My grandmother died of metastasised breast cancer - she had a double mastectomy, given the five year all clear, and two years later was found riddled with it, only picked up because she started showing stroke like symptoms that were due to tumours in her brain. However she was very unlucky, and originally had the 'pepper sprinkling' type of breast cancer rather than a lump, which is known to be harder to remove and generally more malignant.

My mother, due to the hereditary element (as well as my gran, my grandad died of cancer, as well as both my great-grandparents), has been regularly checked, and in fact she had a lump removed from her cervix a few years back which was quickly picked up on due to those checks. They are real lifesavers.

I don't like to think about it too much, but with a family history like we have I'm probably bound to get it eventually too...

I wish you all the best and a speedy, permanent recovery.
 
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Wishing you a speedy road back to health. I love how you are worried about how long until you can ride again- true horsey spirit!! ;) I hope your horse/s will help you through. Sometimes they are amazing therapy! Best wishes x

Just to add: some great advice there from adorable Alice :) hopefully that will disseminate some of the unknowns :)
 
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AdorableAlice said:
I also found the sanctuary of the yard kept me going, I just sat in a deckchair in the field and the horses came and spoke to me. Looking and feeling like xxxxx, bald, dizzy and tearful those horses never questioned me and gave me the company I needed.
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This makes me cry and smile at the same time. It makes me cry because you had to go through this but smile because the healing power of a horse is magical xx

OP, I have no experience to add but I would just like to pass on my best wishes for a speedy recovery to feeling better and also being back in the saddle xx
 
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the stories here. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. Just to add my support to encouraging people to go for routine mammograms. I can not feel a lump but 'something' showed up in a mammogram. It is 2cm and at this stage is minor surgery and probably a quick recovery. It would have been more serious if it had grown big enough to be a lump I could feel. If you are over 50 don't neglect to get this simple test done.
 
Also in the survivors club!

Wishing you a speedy recovery - it's amazing how fast the first five years pass :)
 
ZondaR said:
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the stories here. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. Just to add my support to encouraging people to go for routine mammograms. I can not feel a lump but 'something' showed up in a mammogram. It is 2cm and at this stage is minor surgery and probably a quick recovery. It would have been more serious if it had grown big enough to be a lump I could feel. If you are over 50 don't neglect to get this simple test done.
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Sounds like you caught it early which is a great sign :) & yes, your message is so important.
 
What a touching and supportive thread. I've just read the lot and couldn't possibly read and run.

OP, I wish you all the very best, and I very much look forward to a post-op/treatment post from you with positive news. Your attitude is admirable and must surely give you a head start.

Everyone else - thank you for sharing your stories, and I am in awe of you all.
 
My sharer had both breasts removed and reconstructive surgery ..and has had the all clear for a year now ..her kids were 3 and 5 at the time ..and It was a hard road..but she is now back living life to the full. And making up for all the lost time in the saddle ! :) good luck on Wednesday ;)
 
ZondaR said:
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the stories here. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. Just to add my support to encouraging people to go for routine mammograms. I can not feel a lump but 'something' showed up in a mammogram. It is 2cm and at this stage is minor surgery and probably a quick recovery. It would have been more serious if it had grown big enough to be a lump I could feel. If you are over 50 don't neglect to get this simple test done.
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This is exactly the same as me. First routine scan as I hit early fifties. I went with very bad grace, to the scan having had lots of meetings at work, there was snow on the ground and I had 6 stabled horses waiting to be caught up. OH insisted I went and said he would take me. I knew I was fine, no symptoms, no lumps or bumps. Forty eight hours later a letter arrived with the hospital stamp on the envelope and I thought, wow that's a quick service, expecting to see the words 'normal and see you in three years'.

The letter was calling me back for further tests three days later. After all the tests I was told the same day.

ZondaR, please keep an open mind about the procedure being minor surgery, you will be sore and if you have stabled horses you will need some help for a while. You won't be throwing heavy rugs on tall horses for a bit. The rads will wipe you out towards the end and you will be uncomfortable. Hopefully you have a decent employer and will be able to have an appropriate amount of time off to recover properly. Cancer patients are covered by the Disability Act which is worth referring to if your employers decides to be difficult. Recovery rates are very individual. I got very frustrated when I could not do the things I wanted to. I was vile to live with and am ashamed at some of the tantrums I threw. I return to work full time on Monday having done a month of phased return and then having this week off to watch Cheltenham. I am bitter that a year of my life has been spent in and out of hospital but it is a small price to pay for the wonderful care I had and here I am fixed, about to go and hack the cob out on this lovely morning followed by a lazy afternoon with the tv.

I spent a huge amount of time on the internet googling breast cancer - big mistake, please don't do it. The best sites are breast cancer care and McMillan. On the breast cancer care site there are forums with lots of info and support. Stay well away from the USA sites. Another thing you will notice is that 'cancer' will be in your face all the time. TV adverts and programmes, other people on the news with cancer, back of buses, mail shots from charities etc etc. Now these things were always there but we just did not notice them before our own problems occurred.

I expect you will have your surgery quickly and with all the positive comments on this thread you will have lots of support. I expect it will be moved to club house but we will keep it going for you.
 
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Sorry to hear that big hugs. My mum went through something similar. All I can say is if it were me I'd carry on riding as much as I felt up to a, just to keep some normality and b, to keep you busy.
 
Another one here! I was diagnosed in March 2011, and had lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy. The lumpectomy didn't cause me any pain and very little discomfort. I was told not to ride for 3 weeks. The mastectomy took a lot longer and I couldn't ride for several months. Like AA I also had chemo and followed the same route...washed out the first week, bit better second week and more or less back to normal third week. I found the last three sessions the hardest as they changed the "poison". Radio therapy I found a doddle. I had 25 sessions in a hospital 50 miles away. I was offered a taxi ambulance to take me and pick me up, but I was determined to drive there myself as I felt I wanted some control back after having 'been lived' by the medical profession for so long. I started on the 6th of December so winterweather to contend with too, but I found it very easy and had no ill-effects, not even tiredness, but it can affect people in different ways, I know a lady who sailed through chemo but was absolutely wiped out by radiotherapy ( I think she was probably one of few tho).
I am now doing very well, I had reconstructive surgery nearly a year ago via TRAM flap procedure and all is looking good. Am coming up for another major check up again soon which is when the nerves usually start to kick in again big time!!
I wish you all the best with your treatment, and my main suggestion would be that if you're tired just go to bed, rest and relaxation are very important.
To everybody else, I noticed my lump myself, the mammogram that followed couldn't really pick it up, so please don't rely on mammograms only, please please please check yourselves regularly!!
 
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