CHeckng In

mandycoop · January 2014

Hi there I just wanted to pop in and say hello to all the beautiful ladies here.
I am now day 5 post second round of FEC and physically doing well. Emotionally I am all over the place but I guess that settles with time.
How is everyone else going?
How many others here are Triple Negative BC? I know I have made contact with some but I am struggling to find my messages to reread them and remind myself who is where.

Is there a trick to finding old personal messages?
I still struggle daily with my diagnosis and I am finding it difficult to see a future. I wish I could shake the fear of this being a death sentence.
I hope that I find so,e level of peace soon as I don't like who I have become.
I hope you all are doing better than me.
Much love xx

Deanne · January 2014

I think it is difficult to find peace while undergoing Chemo. The drugs affect your mood so it is a bumpy ride. Do you have times where you feel ok? I found it helped me to exercise as much as possible. The more I did the better I felt. It has the added bonus of being a proven way of reducing the risk of recurrence, so that is something you can do to help yourself.

I also found it helped to have little rewards for getting through each chemo, whatever helps you to feel good for a liitle while.

Have you read Mich's blog 'What helps you when you are down or stressed?' This is full of ideas from ladies who are dealing with BC. You do get through everything and feel better again. I find I only have down 'moments' now, not down hours or days. Once the effects of chemo are out of the body it does get easier, I think. Meanwhile I just keep focused on helping myself by exercising (6 km walk, 1km swim). I now look healthy again and this helps me to feel positive about the future. Take care. Keep in touch. Deanne xxx

Deanne · January 2014

I think it is difficult to find peace while undergoing Chemo. The drugs affect your mood so it is a bumpy ride. Do you have times where you feel ok? I found it helped me to exercise as much as possible. The more I did the better I felt. It has the added bonus of being a proven way of reducing the risk of recurrence, so that is something you can do to help yourself.

I also found it helped to have little rewards for getting through each chemo, whatever helps you to feel good for a liitle while.

Have you read Mich's blog 'What helps you when you are down or stressed?' This is full of ideas from ladies who are dealing with BC. You do get through everything and feel better again. I find I only have down 'moments' now, not down hours or days. Once the effects of chemo are out of the body it does get easier, I think. Meanwhile I just keep focused on helping myself by exercising (6 km walk, 1km swim). I now look healthy again and this helps me to feel positive about the future. Take care. Keep in touch. Deanne xxx

mandycoop · January 2014

Thanks Deanne
I am really struggling to motivate myself to exercise, I think the depression adds to that plus the hot weather.
I really have to pull myself together and get moving.
Where abouts do you live Deanne? How far out of treatments are you ?
Mandy xx

Deanne · January 2014

I live on the Sunshine Coast but also spend some time most weeks in North Brisbane (Chermside area). Where abouts are you?
I finished Chemo 4 months ago, radiation 2 months ago. The exercise has definitely helped me all the way. If I miss a day or two my mood plunges. You just start small and just keep doing what you can. I walk early morning and in the cool of the evening after a swim. You just have to find something that works for you. It's hard some days but I always feel better after a walk. My mood was affected by the chemo and associated drugs for a few days each cycle but then I would come good. Hope you can find a way to start feeling better about everything. Take care. Deanne xxx

mandycoop · January 2014

I live on the Gold Coast. Both my brothers live in Brisbane one at Everton Park.
Are there any Bcna groups that meet regularly. I want to start feeling positive about this journey. I don't want to keep reading about all the lead outcomes of triple negative. I want to start to believe I can beat this beast called triple negative. I have to get my life back.
I know chemo makes it tough but I need to fill up on positivity.
My Oncologist says I gave 90% chance of survival but even that scares me. I want to feel like I can do something to help.....like exercise....I just gave to get in the right headspace to do it.
Thank you so much for always replying to my postsxx

TheresaW · January 2014

I also have triple negative, diagnosed on 10th December. Haven't started chemo yet still undergoing surgery. Had lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy with + nodes so had another surgery on tues for auxillary clearance, still in hospital..hopefully go home today but will have drain in for another week. Trying to keep positive but hard when u know all the treatments that are lying ahead & only at the start of the treatment..I have been doing well not getting upset but I'm sure it will come once I start chemo. I have had to stop my regular exercise (I used to go to crossfit 4 times a week) but because of breast surgery & aux clearance I'm unable to keep this up due to restrictions on my arm. So I'm now going to have to find another form of exercise, I will start walking & hopefully can increase to some light weights ect..exercise always makes me feel better even sometimes when I don't feel like doing anything just to get outside can do wonders. I'm also on northside of brisbane. Take care

Theresa

Chrisy · January 2014

I live in Nerang Gold Coast, had first opp at Robina in July 2011, second opp shortly after as they did not get it all, had Chemo at GCH August to December 2011 then Radio Therapy January to February 2012. Luckily I had lots of support and all staff were so very kind. I must admit I asked for a list of what they were putting into me as I had an adverse reaction to Fenergin but that was fixed by the staff in Chemo area. I wasn't too pleased about getting steriods in the mix. I can remember feeling OK one minute then greatly fatigued the next so only went out for short bouts, slept when I felt like it. Didn't have to work as I was insured and that was the greatest blessing. My brain could not take too much strain and I would get frustrated with paperwork. It is a struggle coping. Feelings of loss of self, fatigue, confusion all this and more is perfectly normal. I am more than OK now, almost back to normal just waiting for reconstruction concentrating on health and exercise. It was impossible for me to exercise through Chemo and hormone tablets as I had an adverse effect and suffered Osteoarthritis. This does not happen to everyone but it crippled me for quite a while. GOOD NEWS is I am fine now so far no trace of any problems. Be patient with yourself. I used to paint my nails (even though some say not too but I didn't loose them) put some makeup on but it was too hot for a wig or bandana so I went out bald.

Take care of number one, that is you. Love Chrisy

ElizabethRose78 · January 2014

HI Mandy and everyone.

I am day 14 post first FEC. I have started exercising. At first 10-20 min walks with my man. The other night manged a 40 min walk. I have a history of severe depression (3 months in bed, over 10 years ago now, with some less full on plunges along the way).

Day 4- either my last day of dexamethasone or first day with out it, I teetering in a full clinical/chemical depression. I spent all day chanting Dory's (from Finding Nemo). Just keep swimming Just keep swimming. My oncologist had forgot to tell me about the steroid high (I had felt great on Days 2 and 3) and the subsequent chemical low.

I have been on antidepressants for 13 years as each time I come off I have had a dive. However I have always found exercise a brilliant mood lifter and using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy strategies brilliant for any anxiety and general stresses of life.

I personally love dancing, don't mind weights, love tai chi, and don't mind yoga. I'm heading to a physio next week to check what is safe for my arm in terms of doing weights as I don't want to bring on lymphadema. My sister who also has had severe depression, has just found a yoga class/teacher for the first time in her life that she loooooves. I've never her seen her enjoy something so much. My hint with any exercise or class is, search around till you find a teacher you enjoy.

Most councils have free or subsidised exercise programs. PCYCs can also be less expensive. My firend found an all ages (6 years+) hip hop dance class for $5 that we are going to start the week after next.

Thee was a recent article published that showed women on chemo can do 3 x 60 minute exercise sessions/week and get significant benefits from it.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/24151326/

ElizabethRose78 · January 2014