Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
Research. Support. Education.
Giving hope to those affected
by secondary breast cancer
How does secondary breast cancer affect your life?
It’s nearly 2 years since I was diagnosed straight to stage 4. My life has changed in many ways. I had to give up my job as a special needs teaching assistant which I found really difficult and sad. But doing this has opened the door to many other opportunities. I spend all the time I can with my children (13 and 15) and husband. My husband now works from home so we get to be together every day which we love. We’ve been on many, many mini breaks and are making the most of every day. My outlook on life has changed. And weirdly I’m happy. I’m glad for every day and the wonderful friendships I’ve made over the last 2 years. True, deep friendships that mean the world to me. I feel that I’m happier and more
Loved than ever.
What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed?
Don’t Google!!!!
Take it one day at a time. The bad days will pass and you will find yourself again. Believe that you will be happy.
Has your treatment line changed since you completed SBC & Me last year?
No, I’m still on my first treatment, palbociclib, prostap, letrozole, denusomab.
How many changes to treatment have you had?
Still on first line, but did swap from abemaciclib to palbociclib after 3 cycles because it was affecting my kidneys.
How are you coping?
I’m coping well. I did 10 sessions of counselling through macmillan and am just about to start another 5 sessions through the hospital. I find counselling really helpful.
Do the side effects affect your life daily? If yes, please explain
I have really stiff ankles in the mornings, or after a long walk. But getting up and about loosens them up. I get fatigue on my week off palbociclib. I’ve found that walking helps.
Have you found a routine that works for your everyday life? If yes, please explain
I have a routine around my children going to school and as my husband is at home we will then go out for a walk before he works and I do whatever I want to do with my day. I find that getting up with the children and then being here for them at the end of the school day gives me a routine and a purpose.
Do you feel anything is missed when it comes to living with secondary breast cancer? Medically or Socially
I feel that there is a gap socially. I have joined groups online but I have found that most people in the groups near me are much older than me. There also are groups for people under 40. I’m in the middle. I’m 50 with school aged children and I feel like I don’t fit into either group. I found it very upsetting when I did some online video classes with look good few better as I was so much younger than everyone and I felt that I had nothing in common with them (apart from the cancer!) and some of the comments made me feel they felt sorry for me.
Have you treated yourself to anything since your diagnosis? If yes, please explain
I decided to put myself first and retire. I’m glad I did so I can spend time with my family and friends.
I am addicted to booking mini breaks and I don’t feel the least bit guilty!
Has it changed your perspective on life? If yes, please explain
Yes. I now can only live one day at a time. I used to worry about the future, about what I’d do when my children leave home, how I’d miss them. But now I cope by love of totally in the moment. (With the promise of a mini break in the very near future to look forward to!)
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