BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Breast Cancer If I hear the word Survivor one more time....!!!!!

Actually, I don't usually feel that way. It's only a word. And it's better than the alternative. But making the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor isn't always easy. For me, the biggest challenge so far has been trying to take care of myself on a physical level. I burn the candle at both ends and I take on too much. It's really hard to put the brakes on, slow down, and take care of ME first.

How has being a survivor affected your life? Is it better? Worse? What's been the hardest challenge to overcome? How did you do it? Are any of your friends or loved ones facing this challenge? How are they doing?

My mother is a "survivor" and she hates the word!!! Her friends who disappeared when she was diagnosed are still gone. The hugs and pat-pat-pats that disappeared are not back. When people ask how she is doing they get that sad, sick look on their faces that says "poor pity you". Mother says she's not surviving - she's dying just in a different way.

Hi Carleen,

I bet that might put a lot of pressure on you too. What kind of BC did your mom have and when was she treated?

I feel ya, Gail! Trying to get back into good physical condition following chemo has been my greatest challenge.
Taxotere has given my the much discussed joint pain and even though my last chemo was almost 6 months ago, I'm still stiff as a board.
I'm working on it -- walking, aerobics, yoga, glucosomine and chondroitin, whatever it takes!

My only complaint is that some are still treating me like I'm so fragile.

Sorry I missed your note here, Gorgeousred. From the sound of things you're not fragile at all! Keep up the good work!

I will, darlin. Thanks! How are you doing?

Doing good here. Weird, though -- it's been a year since everything hit. Last 4th of July I was in that horrible waiting between the biopsy and dx -- extra delay cause of the holiday and such. This year there's a sense of apprehension, anxiousness, edgy... so weird. I guess it takes a while before you just sail through the anniversary dates of the big stuff.