I thought August would never come and now it's here I can count down to my 6th and last cycle of chemotherapy. I honestly cannot believe I have come this far. Once my last chemo is done I will then go on to have radiotherapy for the last part of treatment. I'm not sure what that fully involves yet, but at least I can now see the finish line.
So much of this cancer journey has been a series of next steps, it's far too overwhelming to not only accept a cancer diagnosis but to think about everything your body and mind has to go through as part of the process. One of the breast care nurses said to me on the day I was told about my diagnosis was to take it a step at a time rather than look at the bigger picture.
That's exactly what I have tried to do, but now the end of treatment is in sight I'm already to trying to imagine what life after cancer is going to be like. I'm a natural worrier and that is something I'm really going to have to work on. I don't want to spend my life worrying about cancer coming back or other cancers every time I have a pain or twinge. I'm already speaking to a counsellor about my mental health and there are some supportive groups out there that can help once active treatment has finished. It's so important to do what you can to help yourself mentally and seek help when you need it.
Of course on the other hand I can't wait to be free of constant medical appointments and horrendous side effects that have left me not knowing who I am anymore. Chemo is so hard and it's taken my confidence, my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. It will take a while to feel like me again - who knows what my hair will be like when it grows back?!
I am so thankful that I found my cancer early and that the surgery and the treatment will give me a longer life. For now I need to keep a positive mindset to get through the next bit of treatment. So please everyone check themselves if something is bothering you don’t leave it, just get it checked out.
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