My first Share Post

By Yuyu Thursday, April 08, 2010

- A
- A
- A

Hello, I am a young breast cancer survivor. I am 35. I have been in remission for a little over a year now. I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, went through chemo and radiation, and now am on Tamoxifen.

Part of me always remember what I went through, the good and the bad. I try to remember how difficult it was and how I became so strong because of it. But, part of me wants to just move on, forget about it, and pretend it never happened. I wonder this inner struggle is common for many survivors?

Comments (3) | Add comment

Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide

4/ 8/10 4:47am

Yuyu, congratulations on completing your treatment. I'm coming up on the 12th anniversary of my inflammatory breast cancer diagnosis, and I can relate to your struggle. Sometimes when meeting people for the first time, I find myself deliberately avoiding the cancer part of my history even when turns in the conversation would make it natural to bring it up. I want to people to get to know me first without the "cancer survivor" label. You will eventually find your own balance of moving on while building on what cancer has taught you. Everyone has a different balance point. Some people become active as volunteers in the cancer community; others rarely discuss it. I hope the part you never lose is the joy of being alive after a life-threatening illness.

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

4/ 8/10 6:08am

Hi Yuyu: Welcome to this wonderful community. Many of us have "been there," and are in various stages of our lives with/after cancer. As Phyllis says, you'll find your balance. One thing I've learned: time heals, and things change. How you feel today isn't how you'll feel a year from now, or in 6 months, or even 3 weeks. You'll continue to evolve, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Eventually you'll settle in with what's most comfortable - whether that's completely "forgetting" the cancer experience, reaching out to others going through it on a regular basis, or something in between. It's all good - you'll find your "new normal." It just takes time. Thanks so much for connecting here, and good luck - PJH

Anonymous

6/12/10 11:02pm

hi, my name is carmen and i am 33 years old and i am in remission aswell. It's been about a year and half and i could still taste the chemo meds and it makes me sink to think about it returning..I was 8 months pregnant with twins when i discovered a lump in my right breast with all the excitment of twins i thought it might be pregnancy related to my surprise 3 months after giving birth i was diagnosed with breast cancer and here came all the goodies that came with it i havent had my reconstruction yet i think im scared to go threw it all ov er again...

My first Share Post

Ask a Question