Doing Okay, I Guess
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by Elizabeth B.
on January 4, 2012
- I was Diagnosed with:
- Stage IIB Breast Cancer
- Date of Diagnosis:
- October 13, 2009
- Employment Status:
- Full Time
- Gender/Age:
- Female/48
- Type and Description of Treatments:
- Breast cancer, stage IIB. Tumor was 2.8 cm. Had a lumpectomy, followed by 4 cycles of chemo, then 35 days of radiation. Took 2 months FMLA when I was having chemo. Worked through radiation. Also had ovaries and fallopian tubes taken out, on Femara.
- How do you feel today?
Okay, a bit depressed.
- Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?
I had depression before my diagnosis, and it got worse having cancer. I have no estrogen in my body, so I am very depressed. Also, since cancer, I have been treated really badly at work.
- What is going well for you right now?
Not sure
- What is not going well for you right now?
Not sure
- What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?
Pacing myself through the day, dealing with people not caring about my physical limitations due to chemo - lymphodema, osteopenia, femara joint pain.
- When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?
Just go to sleep.
- How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?
I have no long-term goals. I live on a daily basis.
- What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?
Work full time.
- Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?
People not caring about my limitations. Expecting a normal person, so I put on a facade.
- What has helped you continue to work the most?
My husband being unemployed has pushed me to work.
- What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?
Go through life on a daily basis.
- How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?
Take it one day at a time.
- If "today's you" could give advice to "day-of-diagnosis you," what would you say?
Just concentrate on 'today'. Pace yourself. Take care of yourself, no-one else will.
