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Hi Chelee,
It's great news you are finishing up your chemo BUT the unknown is scary. I agree with others that you do feel protected, monitored, and sense of being proactive during treatment. In some ways that doesn't make sense as chemo time is also frightening. I am two years out from chemo and just about halfway through Herceptin. I've experienced my share of anxiety and fear as most of us have and still have "bad" days (mostly nights).
What helped me was attending the local breast cancer support group and talking to others who were in treatment or had completed treatment. If you have a support group near you, try to attend, or at least talk to the person facilitating it. For those on Herceptin though, the preventative treatment continues, so you will have frequent contact with oncology nurses (usually a good source of information and/or encouragement). I hope your second opinion appointment at the end of June gives you answers and comfort.
I hope I'm not breaking any rules by mentioned specific books. Since outside websites and articles are often included, I thought it would be OK. The books I read were: "After Breast Cancer, A Common-Sense Guide to Life After Treatment" written by Hester Hill Schnipper, LICSW (also a BC survivor); "After Breast Cancer, Answers to the Questions You're Afraid to Ask," Musa Mayer; "The Breast Cancer Book of Strength & Courage," (collection of inspiring stories to see you through your journey) by Ernie Bodai, M.D., F.A.C.S. & Judie Fertig Panneton; "Straight From the Heart; Letters of Hope and Inspiration from Survivors of Breast Cancer" by Ina Yalof.
Two quotes before I close which I found helpful. The first from Corrie Ten Boom (survivor of WWII concentration camp), "Worry does not empty tomorrow of sorrow; it empties today of its strength." The second quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Knowledge is the antidote to fear."
Your next phase is the Herceptin treatment. Our oncology social worker at my group support meetings tells us we are now facing a "new normal" for anyone diagnosed with cancer. I truly believe you have within you the strength and courage you need to face the next phase.
G.Ann
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