Three Years On
- Surviving Breast Cancer
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
By Jill Rackham
Time has moved on and now 3 years have passed,
since my breast cancer diagnosis hit me full on like a blast.
The long awaited end of my 3 year hospital treatment is almost here.
Yay, no more injections, blood tests, cannulas or infusions and all that fear.
I will still have hormone therapy for 7 years more.
So I’ll keep taking the tablets to stop all oestrogen just like before.
This means being beyond a natural menopause will continue for some time.
HRT will never be allowed for me, but I’ve got this, I WILL be fine.
I try to push the various medication side effects out of my head.
Preferring to think positive but some days the effects make me want to stay in bed.
Even now not an hour goes by where the word cancer doesn’t pop into my mind.
I grieve for the old me and wish breast cancer wasn’t so very unkind.
My mental chatter continues meaning my mind often feels full.
If I’m not careful this makes me feel overwhelmed and very dull.
I’ve worked hard to take each day as it comes and to calm my busy mind.
I strive to enjoy simple things and make happiness easier to find.
Navigating my life post cancer has certainly been tough along the way.
I’ve needed to lean on others to help lift me away from a dark day.
I’m always open to discussing how my journey has made me and my family feel.
I think I’m still processing all that's happened and talking helps it feel less surreal.
I have met several fabulous ladies affected by breast cancer over this year.
Each one is brave and amazing, I hold their friendship very dear.
I have so much knowledge of breast cancer because of all that happened to me.
I will continue raising awareness to help others to see.
My book of poems has this year raised over £1,000 for charity.
I hope my poems offer those in need some hope and solidarity.
Some recent symptoms led to scans to check secondary breast cancer had not occurred.
I’m so thankful nothing sinister was found but instead a different medical issue has stirred.
So now as my new normal renews and my soul gently continues to heal.
I hope that onwards and upwards in life I will now go - that’s got to be the deal!
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