Breast Cancer

[Catherine]

Hi. I was diagnosed one year ago with Stage 2 infiltrative ductal carcinoma. I had a lumpectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, chemotherapy and radiation. Treatment lasted just over 7 months all together. I am now on Tamoxifen for the next five years, as I was pre-menopausal at diagnosis. Although I am feeling great other than the side effects of the medicine, I am really struggling with the fear that it is only a matter of time until the cancer returns. I won't have any tests or doctor visits until my first follow-up mammogram next month and I think I will be crazy by then. I know I should just be happy to be feeling well and that, along with the tremendous love and support of my family and friends should be enough...but sometimes I am just so scared that I don't think I can handle it any more. I have been told that it does get easier. God, I hope so.

[UroDoc]

Your doing great, live life one day at a time. Enjoy and stay focused on the people and things you love. Don't let the scary feeling control you or your life, none of us know how long we have whether we are in good health or bad. Make every day count and be stong for your family. Good luck.

[Catherine]

Thanks UroDoc. That is good advice. I will go back and read it whenever I need a reminder to stay positive.

[deborah]

hi my name is debbie i was dx 8/2006 with inductal carcinoma insitu left breast had lumpectomy and two lymp nodes removed no cancer in nodes thank god i went through 6 weeks radiation tx. put on aromasin next 5 years, i went for my fist mamagram since i was dx. i have alot of fluid in my left breast, im tired all the time have to go for kidney function test on tuesday and on thursday a ct scan of chest abdomen and stomach, im scared the cancer is somewhere else in my body,

[JML]

Hi Debbie, I hope that all of the results of your scans were normal. I had a lumpectomy in August of 2006 and recently had my first follow-up mammogram too. I am experiencing swelling or fluid in the affected breast as well, see the oncologist next week and REALLY want to know if that is normal or not. I wish you all the best.