Life after Breast Cancer: What’s next?

I agree with @dlmdinia - the treatments and side effects depend on a lot of different factors for each person. We each have to know what we believe and to what lengths we'll go to achieve what we believe is best for ourselves. I researched the potential treatments that would possibly be suggested for my type of BC, I'm triple negative and BRCA2+. I also researched possible things I could do to combat the potential side effects, so I was prepared if they occurred - I was fortunate no side effects from chemo or radiation - normal side effects from bilateral and went flat (I'm recently retired and didn't have the desire for additional surgery for body shaping). I didn't know anyone who had ever had to deal with BC so my support group was non-existent until I found this site. One of the other things that I think that helped me throughout was my attitude toward the dx. I had recently become a grandparent and knew I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up. I've finished all my treatment and am now 1 year NED (no evidence of disease). But because of my type of BC (higher recurrence during the first 5 years) I find myself sometimes anxious and very unfocused; fortunately I'm not always that way.

Since I am post treatment, I work to make myself focus on what I'm doing as reaching that goal of watching my grandchildren grow up and work toward doing the things I have on my "bucket list" - which has changed some since my dx. The only thing stopping me from doing things - is me. I'm fortunate to have no lingering side effects from my treatments or the medicine I'll be on until the end of the year. Only you will know what you will feel like doing once you are post all treatment. Be kind to yourself and try to find enjoyment in things you like doing.

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Having been diagnosed two years ago with an aggressive grade three breast cancer, I didn't take much convincing that if I refused treatment I would soon be dead. So chemo, radio and continuing anastrozole. More or less back on my perch, though peripheral neuropathy is a nuisance. I'm 76.

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I recall my parents referring to BOA - Bloody Old Age. They did what they could yo

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Here are some things to keep in mind. The ladies you mentioned may have had different treatments so it's difficult to compare. (My first with very aggressive drugs had no negative effects on me; those came later). Everyone is different and will react differently. This forum predominantly attracts people with issues looking for answers, so you most likely won't hear from all of those people who made it through more easily. You don't so much as hint at what you are facing, so it's difficult to know how to answer this. I'm struggling because I was diagnosed at Stage 3 which required more aggressive treatment. Also I'm overweight and tend to prefer sedentary hobbies like reading and needlework. Lots of things I would do differently. You should have a much better experience as you seem to be very active. Keeping active and taking an active role in your treatment, communicating with your doctor and nurses, asking questions can really improve outcome. The number one thing is to advocate for yourself; there is no one better. But also be good to yourself.

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I agree with @dlmdinia - the treatments and side effects depend on a lot of different factors for each person. We each have to know what we believe and to what lengths we'll go to achieve what we believe is best for ourselves. I researched the potential treatments that would possibly be suggested for my type of BC, I'm triple negative and BRCA2+. I also researched possible things I could do to combat the potential side effects, so I was prepared if they occurred - I was fortunate no side effects from chemo or radiation - normal side effects from bilateral and went flat (I'm recently retired and didn't have the desire for additional surgery for body shaping). I didn't know anyone who had ever had to deal with BC so my support group was non-existent until I found this site. One of the other things that I think that helped me throughout was my attitude toward the dx. I had recently become a grandparent and knew I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up. I've finished all my treatment and am now 1 year NED (no evidence of disease). But because of my type of BC (higher recurrence during the first 5 years) I find myself sometimes anxious and very unfocused; fortunately I'm not always that way.

Since I am post treatment, I work to make myself focus on what I'm doing as reaching that goal of watching my grandchildren grow up and work toward doing the things I have on my "bucket list" - which has changed some since my dx. The only thing stopping me from doing things - is me. I'm fortunate to have no lingering side effects from my treatments or the medicine I'll be on until the end of the year. Only you will know what you will feel like doing once you are post all treatment. Be kind to yourself and try to find enjoyment in things you like doing.

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@dlmdinia and @bpknitter53 are spot on - it depends on your situation, here’s mine.

I am very fortunate … Diagnosed 1 year ago with IDC, stage 1a, grade 1, HR +, HER2-, a separate DCIS, and another area of ADH(atypical ductal hyperplasia), no lymph involvement, Oncotype zero.

When first diagnosed I came to this site to get an idea of tests, treatments and side effects I should research.
I am an inpatient medical coder so I have experience researching conditions & the treatments, so I always stick to reputable sites, and look at the date the article was posted. Amazing how much can change in 3-5 years or less!

I had a wire localized partial mastectomy to remove all 3 areas, and contralateral reduction so I would have the same cup size on both sides. 5 radiation treatments and now on 5mg tamoxifen (Started on 20mg, severe leg cramps, so oncologist dropped to 5).

Other than all of the 6 & 12 month follow up appointments, my life is back to normal … spin class twice a week, walking 2+ miles most days. I do have some night sweats & occasional minor leg cramps from tamoxifen, but not enough to keep me from activities, annoying more than anything.
I started walking the day after surgery (1/4 mile) & 2 weeks later back at 2+ miles. I started spinning 4 weeks after radiation completed. Overall it took me about 6 months from surgery (4 months from radiation) to get back to my prior overall activity level.

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