tips for better mammogram?

[redrhodie]

I'm so glad that someone has found this helpful. If I hadn't known someone who went through it, it would have been way more scary, especially based on fictional portrayals of cancer which were mostly all I knew. I think my experience is pretty typical of early stage cancer, so, if you find a lump, don't freak out, but get it checked out sooner rather than later.

And yes, Crankin. We'll be able to ride soon.

[redrhodie]

I did the lbs ride this morning, and for the first time, I really felt the effects of the treatment. I was dropped for the entire ride. A sweet guy who also had cancer stayed with me, so I wasn't alone, but it was really clear I have been through something major. I'm a little freaked out by it, because what if this is permanent? I know it's probably not, and to be doing 30 mile rides at this point should be proof that I'll be fine, but it was a hard wake up call.

Now I'm exhausted and crying, which is not like me, but I bet this is normal. Some kind of PTSD, maybe?

[Blueberry]

((((((((redrhodie)))))))))

I am not a doc - but I just found a couple of journal abstracts that say fatigue is the worst in the last week, and usually resolves within 3 weeks to 3 months. Hang in there, and be gentle to yourself! You are amazing, no matter how far or fast you can ride right now.

[indysteel]

What Blueberry said. Your body needs time to recover, but you'll get back to your old form in time.

For as strong and positive as you've been, I have to wonder whether you have processed through perfectly legitimate feelings of fear and sadness, too. Remember that it's okay to feel all that you're going to feel. It's not a sign of weakness or defeat. So have some good cries. My guess is that they'll be cathartic.

[redrhodie]

I knew you two would be here for me. Thank you.

I think maybe I never felt sad through any of this because it would interfere with treatment, and now that I'm done, the floodgates have opened. I will let myself go through this, too, don't you worry.

[SpeedyChix]

One is so focused getting through treatments that the emotional impact often hits once you're through that. The transition from treatment to getting on with your new 'normal' takes some time. The fatigue will pass but I found it took awhile. Hang in there, you've made it this far and stayed really active during, that is a real plus to the overall scheme of things.

[OakLeaf]

(((((red)))))

What Indy said. I'm glad you plan to let yourself process this all emotionally.

And I think PTSD is certainly a possibility. If you think you're having that type of symptoms, some guidance might be helpful for you. I had flashbacks for more than a year, and what I went through wasn't even close to what you've just done.