Sentinel lymph nodes removed - Chemo & Radiation treatment

arpie

That's good @4Coco - that first session is often more difficult - same thing happened with Hubby's - 2nd wasn't 'as bad' ...

I hope the double dose goes down well for you xx

4Coco

Thanks @arpie

Cath62

Well done @4Coco. You are on the way and will get through it. Good to hear about your progress. I recall having a bit of energy following the chemo. For me that was because of the steroids but then I would crash a few days later.  One treatment at a time. Best wishes to you 💐. Have a great day

D2Dizzy

Hi all
was diagnosed before Christmas, surgery early January, start chemo next week. Been a whirlwind of a time.
Found your comments very helpful to stop the world from spinning out of control and to be more prepared for the week ahead.

arpie

Welcome to the blog, @D2Dizzy ...sorry to see you here - it's not the most popular club to join ... 

If you'd like to tell us more of your story so far, jump onto the "Newly Diagnosed'' category - and if you add your town/city to your profile, members may know of specific services that may be available to you - or may even live near you & be able meet up for a coffee & chat, covid willing. xx

Feel free to check out this post to get a feel for the blog (plus some 'tick boxes' that may help with your ongoing appts with surgeon & medical teams:
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest

All the best with your chemo next week ... it isn't always pleasant, but 'doable' ... I didn't need it myself, but my husband is going thru chemo now.  Drink lots of water to help wash it out ... and keep as active as you are able xx

This post (that leads to a series of podcasts by a psychologist who went thru Breast Cancer herself recently) will resonate with a lot of feelings & emotions that you are currently going thru too ..
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23866/podcast-series-upfront-about-breast-cancer-what-you-don-t-know-until-you-do-with-dr-charlotte-to#latest

take care xx

D2Dizzy

Thanks arpie
much appreciated.
I will have a look at the links you have mentioned and update my profile.
sorry about your husband, hope he is travelling ok.
xx

arpie

Thank you ... hubby is going OK .... 

Oh dear, I hope you weren't too badly affected with the flooding, @D2Dizzy!  Poor old SA has been inundated the last few days xx.  We have quite a few members in Adelaide proper & also outlying towns & those further away as well xx

In case you are on the fringes of Adelaide ... if you have to travel more than 100km a week for your various treatments & specialist appointments, you should also be able to claim back your fuel costs .... so keep an eye on your Km 'add ups' over a week ..... 

take care xx

D2Dizzy

Rural SA is having a hard time.
Hopefully they are getting the help they need now.
I am just outside of Adelaide so only have a short drive to treatments which is fortunate.

Cath62

Hi @D2Dizzy, just wanted to wish you all the best with the chemo. Agree water is great but also gentle walks if your up to it. Walking helps physically but mentally too. Take care 💐

D2Dizzy

Thanks Cath62 for your wishes
Have been told to exercise. My husband and I usually walk each night so will try to keep this going

4Coco

Hi @D2Dizzy    The wonderful advice and tips shared by others here have been very helpful to me to get through the uncertainty and anxiety of my first chemo treatments.    One thing that I've found works for me is to keep a simple daily record of what I eat and drink - comes in handy on those days when you have a bit of brain fog happening and don't know what you fancy or your taste buds are behaving oddly.   Water can taste unpleasant some days and I've found that if I add a drop or two of blackcurrant juice which makes it more pleasant for me.  And to help me remember how much I'm drinking I have 1 - 10 written down at top of page and tick a number off each time I fill up another glass.  I also add the meds taken and my temperature - it just gives me a better understanding of my "new day to day"    Smiles to you*!*

4Coco

Hi @Cath62   Yes I've had the crashing and loss of sense of time kicking in a day or two after chemo - walking defiantly helps even if its just a bit of a shuffle on those off days*!*

Afraser

@4Coco

’Walking defiantly’ is a wonderful
way to go, keep it up! Drinking a great deal of water is essential if suffering nausea or diarrhoea, but not quite so critical if you are spared those side effects. Best wishes. 

D2Dizzy

Thanks 4Coco
great tips 
my fun starts Thursday all being well
Hope you are travelling ok too.

jennyss

Dear @4Coco and @D2Dizzy,

from jennyss in Western NSW