Hi ladies, have finally had a chance to join up and it's reassuring to find people who get it. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer at 28 with no family history earlier this year overseas and then having to come home to sort it out, it's been such an isolating experience. Most of the advice i have received which has been hugely valuable and appreciated has been from older women who have had to deal with this devastating illness with 5 for the price of 1 kind of treatments. As a young woman yet to have children and who was hoping to hold on to my fertility for say at least another 15 years it has just been one knock after the other. Have made it through a few surgeries and 6 rounds of chemo, just to keep the excitement going have radiation planned in a couple of weeks from now. Totally agree re: sense of humour, i've told a few people i'm over totally over the sigourney from aliens look.
With hairloss - i guess everyone copes differently, for me, i've dealt with my treatment quite privately with only close family and friends aware of what i'm going through. So, i went running off to find a wig and luckily, if you hadn't seen me for awhile it looks natural enough that few can tell. Also equipped myself with headscarves and a couple of hats. There are some amazing shops that cater for hairloss - i realise how tough women who had to battle this say 10 to 15 years must have had it.
After being in autopilot resilience mode for so many planned and unplanned happenings I have found it has really knocked me aorund. Close to my 6th chemo, i found myself more emotional and upset despite being a strong and optimistic person. I guess that will always be the case, good days and bad.
Anyway, enough ranting on my part, I hope each of you are having one of those good days! Lydia - I hope things are looking up as i can see this post was a little while ago.
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