Breast Cancer Blog
October 1, 2012
What to Expect After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Survivors of the disease and treatment know that life goes on after a breast cancer diagnosis. You get through the few months of treatment, begin to heal, and go on with the business of living. Your loved ones and associates may think that it’s all over then — that you have won your battle and risen from your sick bed. You, however, know there is still a long journey back from the battlefield and more healing that needs to happen. You may be haunted by the risk of recurrence of the disease, or dealing with a changed body image from the effects of surgery and treatment. Regardless of how great the outcome, the battle with breast cancer has affected you.
A battle with breast cancer usually starts with a little lump. That lump is either felt by you or your doctor, or it can be found deep beyond touch in breast tissue, using a mammogram or some other imaging. Next comes the discussion with your doctor about the type of treatment you need to kill the cancer and take back your body. This is a fearful and frustrating time as you grapple with the effects treatment can have on you, but more importantly the effects of not doing anything at all. Finding the balance that allows you to take charge is hard. You must focus on yourself, ask questions, and learn what you can.
What does it really mean though? What can you expect from having a diagnosis of breast cancer? I can tell you to expect the best. Expect to fare well during chemotherapy. Trust that you will get what you need to heal well after surgery and radiation. Know that you have it in you to get through the treatment. Look to your loved ones for motivation and comfort. Whatever you do, do not expect a death sentence. Forget the statistics. You are not a statistic.
There is a great line in the movie The Hunger Games. Someone says that the “only thing greater than fear is hope!” As afraid as you may be, let hope grow bigger. Do not give up hope. Let hope be your weapon against the disease. Hope for a great outcome, hope for few side effects, hope for a long life, and hope for a cure. Keep on hoping long after your battle. Hope it doesn’t come back, and hope no one else you love has to deal with the disease.
What you can really expect from a cancer diagnosis is to be changed. You will know how strong you can be and how resilient you have to be. Your body will need more attention, and you may look different than when you started. The change may not be obvious to even your closest friend, but you will know the difference. The important thing is to recognize that the change is a good thing. You will have been tried in the fire and come out as good as gold! Breast cancer survivors are made of pure gold.
Be Golden
Kathy-Ellen
http://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/life-with-breast-cancer/what-to-expect-after-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/
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