Thank you, Dr.Griggs. for your continuous support for breast cancer.

@yerbba

9 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching!

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer on my anniversary. I remember asking my husband, 'Should I reschedule this mammogram? Is this a good or bad omen?' Without waiting for his answer, I reassured myself, 'It will be fine. I shouldn’t think negative thoughts.' Looking back, it was indeed a good omen because 'my anniversary' takes precedence over a cancer diagnosis, and that is a GOOD omen!"🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@yerbba

9 күн бұрын

What a poignant story. It’s heartening to hear that you found a positive perspective in your diagnosis. Seeing your anniversary as a good omen reflects your strength and resilience. Thank you for sharing this uplifting viewpoint.

I'm some two months short of my second diagnosis anniversary, it can't be forgotten and no need to mark it because that date was also the 5th anniversary of my father's passing. I won't do anything special related to that or any other anniversary related to my cancer ordeal, there's just too many. I like to reflect about every detail of those anniversaries and how far I've come with the treatment, education on everything breast cancer, self growth, how I have changed and how it has been the most valuable lesson I have ever received. I reflect on all of this often and it makes me value every minute of my time in the present, and enjoy making plans for the future.

@yerbba

9 күн бұрын

Reflecting on your journey and the growth you've experienced is incredibly powerful. It’s wonderful that you can see the valuable lessons and appreciate the present. Commemorating how far you’ve come, rather than marking specific anniversaries, can be a deeply meaningful way to honor your experience.

The date that stays in my memory is 25th November 2021 when I found a lump, and felt like I was stepping in the unknown. The first thing I did is tell my husband, who simply said "you'll get it checked out won't you?". And, uncharacteristically, I acted quikly before gathering any knowlege, or let my imagination dictate the course, by filling a form on the surgery website, following up with the GP and making sure I was referred to breast clinic before Christmas. I felt this was this was nearly a first step into adulthood...at 60 years of age!! So I'm now celebrating the more pragmatic me!

@luticia

16 күн бұрын

Inspiring!

@yerbba

9 күн бұрын

Your story of taking swift action is inspiring. It’s never too late to take control of your health, and it sounds like you did just that. Celebrating the pragmatic and proactive you is a wonderful way to honor your journey. Thank you for sharing this powerful experience.

I can only look forward, not back. But that’s me. The whirlwind hit like a hurricane, 1 1/2 half years ago. That’s all I need to know Chemo. Mastectomy. Radiation adjuvant chemo. Now hormone therapy for next 5 yrs. BUT I’M GOOD!!!

@yerbba

9 күн бұрын

Staying focused on the present and future can be incredibly empowering. Wishing you continued strength and good health.

The end of May 2022, I was told I was pre-diabetic, had Afib, and breast cancer. I had my bilateral mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction on July 6. I lost a few months of my life being in shock and disbelief. 2022 was both the worst year and my best year. I survived! Everything is being taken care of but I still wait for the other shoe to drop. I am not the same person I once was. In some ways I am better.

Talking for myself, I would like to celebrate but don’t know when! : I don‘t like to celebrate the day of my diagnosis. And there‘s no day of therapy ending because the endocrine therapy goes 5 years.

@jeangresty3831

16 күн бұрын

I'm right there with you. Two months into Endocrine Therapy! I certainly won't celebrate the day of my diagnosis and considering that my first mammogram after surgery is this November, I'm fearful of recurrence. When I get through to January 3, 2025 (the day after my diagnosis anniversary - Happy New Year to me!) and still be cancer free maybe then I can celebrate - a little.

@JerseyFlyGirl

16 күн бұрын

In August I will celebrate 2 years of LIVING with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (triple +). I’ve chosen to “ring the bell” at my closest infusion date. And I eat cake! Grateful…

@luticia

16 күн бұрын

Thank you both of you. I appreciate that you shared your experiences, thought and worries with me. What I love about this channel is the respectful and understanding way we all talk to each other. From the bottom of my heart: I feel you very well and I wish you nothing but the very best in this world. 🙏🙏🥹😘🤗

@luticia

16 күн бұрын

@@jeangresty3831 I guess, we‘re very close to each other when it comes to time of diagnosis and therapy. I had my diagnosis at the end of January 23. Starting with endocrine therapy in one month. I had my tomosynthesis (3D mammogram) several months ago. So far so good… Somehow I don‘t trust the silence. I‘m relieved that nothing is seen at the manmogram but neither I feel happy nor I trust the results. I definitely have to change my attitude. I can‘t keep going on with life while being scared 24/7.

@luticia

16 күн бұрын

@@JerseyFlyGirl What sort of cake will you eat?? 🥰🍰🎂 I like your attitude. Although you‘re frightend, you‘re able to enjoy & appreciate your life.

Thank you so much for this and for all the incredibly uplifting validation you offer with such warmth, tact and honesty. This was perfectly timed for me and it's letting me know I'm doing OK with this aspect of the journey, even though it's been tough to have these anniversaries overlapped with ongoing treatment struggles. I am fortunate enough to have a beautiful labyrinth (replica of the one at Chartres, France) locally that I can arrange to walk almost privately. It has offered me both peace and progress when needed. I would like to offer some suggestions for future videos, if I may. #1: Navigating breast cancer as an introvert vs. extrovert or with other aspects of neurodiversity (especially if you are of an age--and female--where having a formal diagnosis of this wasn't or isn't an option.) As a "neurospicy" introvert, I kept/keep getting people trying to push me to "not be so isolated" and to engage with support groups. That was the LAST thing I needed or wanted and I also don't need the extra stress of having to get short with people or shut them down to protect (or justify) myself. (Dealing with other people's reactions/emotions is one of the most difficult aspects of the diagnosis for me so far. It's exhausting.) Support groups are a double edged sword in SO many ways. #2: Survivorship plans. What they are. When you might get them. What to do if you don't get one or if what you get is poorly done. How to do one yourself if need be. My treatment center randomly dropped this on me w/o prior discussion or checking in w/ me first. The way it's done is infuriating and upsetting and to my mind doing more harm than good (it has errors I now need to find a way to correct.) I have some issues personally with how the medical community defines you as a survivor from the day of your diagnosis, along with some other random arbitrary definitions (such as the "end" of treatment when they really mean the end of what they decided is "active" treatment. For me, as long as I'm on a cancer-related medication, I'm STILL in active treatment. I have to decide to swallow that every.single.day and deal with the side effects every.single.day.) These terms/definitions are dismissive of the challenges and struggles encountered during the treatment process. Plus, I don't want to just survive. I want care and support to THRIVE. #3: Tools for how to tell a provider they aren't meeting your needs, are being dismissive, aren't giving you enough details or information etc. How to advocate without alienating (especially if you DON'T have the option of switching providers.) I shouldn't have to be a trained "difficult conversation" professional to interact w/ a doctor, but that often seems to be the need. Taking someone with me, taking notes, asking for extended office visits, even recording appointments w/ permission have all only helped somewhat. And while I have the greatest sympathy and respect for the difficult jobs of healthcare workers, if one more provider tells me how overburdened they all are (try being the patient!), I may need a pillow to scream into (because what am I supposed to take from or react to that?)

@yerbba

9 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing your thoughts here with us and the Yerbba community. Our guess is that other people reading your comment are nodding along with you. We agree that there are many gaps in care in terms of communication, the language that people use, and the available strategies for managing a diagnosis, treatment, and its aftermath. We like the suggestions and will put them on our list of videos to make.

@ruthwolf1958

9 күн бұрын

@@yerbba Thank YOU! The way you engage with the community is so refreshing and uplifting. The validation you offer is immensely powerful. If, like me, you don't have the bandwidth or inclination to engage with support groups, channels like yours are a valuable source of information and support, especially if your providers are letting you down. I've started directing providers to your channel for an example of how to interact WELL with and understand the perspectives of patients. It's probably better than recommending they Google "how to/how NOT to talk to a (insert serious medical condition here) patient" or telling them outright that their soft skills are VERY lacking. The delivery and approach of a provider of any type is CRUCIAL to the best care and outcome--and as a provider, you have taken on and accepted the (huge, I grant you!) responsibility of your role in assisting patients to achieve that. I've often thought dealing with the medical care teams is as much of a trauma as the diagnosis and treatment itself. The resiliency and endurance you need to navigate all this is something rarely discussed.

My diagnosis was 2 days before my 40th birthday. It's coming in about two months and I have very mixed feelings.

@yerbba

9 күн бұрын

It's completely understandable to have mixed feelings with your diagnosis coming so close to your 40th birthday. Celebrate in whatever way feels right for you, whether that means a quiet day of reflection or something more festive.

I don't remember any date except the date of my mastectomy.

@yerbba

9 күн бұрын

Remembering the date of your mastectomy is a significant marker in your journey. It’s okay to hold on to that specific memory as a milestone. Everyone’s way of remembering and commemorating their experiences is personal and unique.