Introduce Yourself
KarenS1216- Last Online: Jul 18 2010
KarenS1216- Last Online: Jul 18 2010
Robin- Last Online: Jun 25 2010
WPFT Staff- Last Online: Feb 01 2012
Today is my first day with this group and I must admit I am looking forward to reading more. I am a breast cancer survivor and I am so happy that I made it though it all.
I have been feeling a bit depressed lately because during my chemo, my husband would come and sit with me, but during the sickness part, he always had to travel.. During my radiation he only went with me once. My mother came from TN to help me through the first few weeks of Chemo and through the last part of my radiation.
I am reaching out to this group simply because of the fact that now that the cancer is over, my family does not understand that I still have side effects and I am still having pain. During everything that was going on I was still expected to clean house and feed the kids while my husband traveled. I moved here to Orlando 2 years ago, and the only friends I have in this area are my friends on Facebook... and they are from my hometown.
I am hoping to meet other people who can tell me their stories and to find out if it is just me, that feels the way that I do... Does anyone else have pain? I had a double Mastectomy with right lymph node removal.. I was scheduled to have reconstruction done this past April, but 2 weeks prior too the reconstruction my Primary Physician put me through a series of stress test and found out that I had yet another blockage in my heart, so I underwent my 5th heart catheterization and had my 5th heart stent added. Due to this procedure my reconstruction has been postponed for another year. The pain that I am feeling is what my pain management Physician tells me is, my nerve endings are trying to join together and it could take up to 3-4 years before the pain goes away... is this normal?
I hope that I am not depressing you, I am not that type of person, I normally am very positive and I know that the positivity is what has helped me through the majority of what I have gone through. I have no one else to speak with, so if you can help me to understand if the feelings I am having are normal?
And does anyone know how I can gain strength back in my right arm, without causing the Lymphedema to flare up? 
Again.. I appreciate anyone that can help me.
Have a wonderful day
Karen
Today is my first day with this group and I must admit I am looking forward to reading more. I am a breast cancer survivor and I am so happy that I made it though it all.
I have been feeling a bit depressed lately because during my chemo, my husband would come and sit with me, but during the sickness part, he always had to travel.. During my radiation he only went with me once. My mother came from TN to help me through the first few weeks of Chemo and through the last part of my radiation.
I am reaching out to this group simply because of the fact that now that the cancer is over, my family does not understand that I still have side effects and I am still having pain. During everything that was going on I was still expected to clean house and feed the kids while my husband traveled. I moved here to Orlando 2 years ago, and the only friends I have in this area are my friends on Facebook... and they are from my hometown.
I am hoping to meet other people who can tell me their stories and to find out if it is just me, that feels the way that I do... Does anyone else have pain? I had a double Mastectomy with right lymph node removal.. I was scheduled to have reconstruction done this past April, but 2 weeks prior too the reconstruction my Primary Physician put me through a series of stress test and found out that I had yet another blockage in my heart, so I underwent my 5th heart catheterization and had my 5th heart stent added. Due to this procedure my reconstruction has been postponed for another year. The pain that I am feeling is what my pain management Physician tells me is, my nerve endings are trying to join together and it could take up to 3-4 years before the pain goes away... is this normal?
I hope that I am not depressing you, I am not that type of person, I normally am very positive and I know that the positivity is what has helped me through the majority of what I have gone through. I have no one else to speak with, so if you can help me to understand if the feelings I am having are normal?
And does anyone know how I can gain strength back in my right arm, without causing the Lymphedema to flare up?
Again.. I appreciate anyone that can help me.
Have a wonderful day
Karen
Your story is compelling and understandable. You have a huge support group that you haven't met yet. This is a group of women called the W.O.W. or Warriors On Water Dragon Boat team. WPFT along with the WOW team support a group that you might say gain their support in a boat on the water.
Please take a look at the website, come out meet this amazing group of breast cancer survivors and take a ride that may change your life forever. www.warriorsonwater.com. While these ladies paddle, they gain strength from each other and when they are not strong enough to paddle they ride and the rest of the team carries you with them.
The team practices a couple times a week. Hope you can come see what they have to offer.
Many blessing, Robin
Hi Karen,
It's really great to meet you!
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I hope you will try to meet with the wonderful women with WPFT and Warriors On Water. Whether you paddle in a boat or not, these women are a warm and wonderful sisterhood of survivors who care for and help to nurture one another.
Best,
Mary