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Facing Cancer Recurrence, PTSD & Acknowledging Mental Health
Cancer: Managing Symptoms | Last Active: May 28, 2022 | Replies (434)Comment receiving replies
Good morning.
My breast cancer came back 4 months after completing my first chemo. I felt hurt like I was punched in the gut! My recurrent breast cancer was in the sentinal lymph node site. I had surgery to remove the lymph nodes on my left arm. I am back on chemo with 5 months of chemo followed by radiation.
My doctor says it is stage 3. It is crazy how I cling to that! Back to work full time and have had a really hard time. I feel sick all the time. I am 65 and thought I was healthy 14 months ago.
I don't have family close by and most of the people I thought were friends don't call. I thank God for the couple who do call.
Replies to "Good morning. My breast cancer came back 4 months after completing my first chemo. I felt..."
I'd like to add my welcome to Connect @margaret2. I'm sorry that your cancer has recurred. Yesterday I was at my hospital, MGH for a follow up CT scan for NSCLC, lung cancer. My cancer journey started in 1997 and since then I have had 4 lung cancers with a total 6 cancerous nodules. The CT scan yesterday appears stable, so for the next 6 months my mind will be at peace. It's been 22 years since my first lung cancer. And each one was like you said, a punch in the gut. I've had chemo and 2 types of radiation.
Being at piece by no means mean that I wont worry or be scared, or think about cancer or dying, it just means that I've learned to put it on my back plate for just a little while.
I know that you have too, it's even scarier because you need to repeat everything. It's a fight that keeps on happening-it's cancer and it sucks.
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Margaret, I am so sorry you are going through this. If there are some groups where you are that you can reach out to, can you try that. Where I live, there are several support groups. If that is possible, you will meet many people with similar situations and can share your thoughts and concerns. I've found that as long as I focus in one day at a time that that helps. All the best to you.