Well the support of friends has been amazing! My social life was pretty great already but I seem to be constantly meeting friends for breakfast or lunch out - better enjoy it while I can.., I find I have a whole new appreciation for sunrises and sunsets... I bought myself a new chair just to sit on the beach and enjoy the view - winter in the tropics is just magic ;-) I am nervous about my appointment with the oncologist on the 28th. I have been warned that I will probably be on chemo before radiation and as I am a Warfarin (blood thinners) patient, this could mean moving on to daily self injections of Clexane as well as the yucky treatment! I guess I shouldnt get ahead of myself and wait to see what the specialist says but all this waiting plays games with your head, doesnt it. I have been shopping for trendy looking scarves and beanies (lucky its winter) but I think there is also a wig library here in Cairns so that may be worth visiting too!

Hi Lisa Great to hear you are out and about and enjoying luncheswith friends and yes I to have been enjoying the sunrises on the beach each morning when I walk my dogs, watched the sunrise on the winter solistice and with just s tiny sliver of cloud on the horizon it was magical breath taking and I got a lump in my throat and tears down my face at the beauty of the morning and the fact I could appreciate it so much - I'm at the southern end of the gold coast and we have been blessed with stunning weather over the past week. My parents have been living in Port Douglas for the past 26 years so I know your part iof the world pretty well and winter there is always stunning... I understand your nerves with appointment with oncologist but hang in there and as the ladies on this site will say when you have a plan you have something to focus on - all things are doable is another great one to think of. I have private msged you and hope to catch up soon. Cheers Georgie

Hi Lisa Welcome!! Yes, the waiting game is always a killer.... Like Georgie has said, once you know the treatment plan you can then focus on that. Take one step at a time. Take someone with you when you have your appointment, as you will not take in everything. And write a list of the things you want to ask. I was told by my BC nurse, that this journey is like "Snakes n Ladders"... some days you will slide down the snake but other days you will advance with the ladder. But there is an end to the game, as is your treatment. Just remember, where are always here ready to help in any shape or form. If you need advice there is always someone here to help. Let us know how you get on, and will keep our fingers crossed. Love Julie XX

Thanks Julie :-) I have a very close and reliable friend who has kept me company and made notes for each of my appointments so far. My husband will be home for this next one so I am glad to know he will be here to ask the questions that must be whizzing through his head. It is great to know I can come here and chat to others in my situation when things get difficult - thanks again! PS - congratulations to your husband - he sounds like a gem ;-b

Thanks honey You seem to have the best anyone can ask for - a true friend and fantastic husband.:) Yeah, here you seem to feel at home. As at times everyone else around you doesn't really seem to understand how you feel. Here I find everyone does in one form or another. Yes, my adorable husband I call my rock and my two boys my little pebbles.I cherish them all very much. They make me laugh when I have a "down" moment. But I keep smiling. I live in Brisbane, and the weather here also has been lovely. Sunny days ... great to take in those beautiful rays of sunshine. Keep smiling my honey Love Julie XX

Well here I am in the last days of "good health".... I have had a couple of fantastic outdoor experiences in the past week and have been preparing my home for convalesence. The dustings done, windows and screens hosed, venetians cleaned and today I'm going to make a huge pot of pumpkin soup and freeze single portions. I am an action type of person and I think I function better with a battle plan. I have been reading the notes and tips in the (mountain) of paperwork they give you and feel that I am ready to face whatever comes at me now. I am trying to prepare myself for the worst and reckon if it happens, then there will be no surprises and if I actually react really well to the chemo, then that will be a bonus. My four grown children are working out a roster for who will be here with me - one is coming up from the Sunshine Coast next month - and there are a wealth of great friends lining up to fill the gaps. I'm starting to think I may have to schedule in time for when they all give me a bit of space for "me time"! LOL. I went for a wig fitting yesterday and have found a nice funky one in strawberry blonde with a short, flicky type of style. It feels a bit tight because I still have a head full of thick hair but at least it will be there for the choice when I need it. I also picked up a few scarfs and turbans. As the lady said - I wont want to be sitting for hours in a chair for chemo with an itchy wig on.... we actually have a "wig library" here in town. What a fabulous idea! I am going to promote this to everyone I know and see if we can get more wigs donated as the service is only new so the stocks are still a bit low. I am happy with what I found though :-) I am nervous about the chemo - I have crappy veins that are hard to find so I am having a PICC line inserted in to my left bicep tomorrow morning. I wont be able to put my arm above my head for three months so that counts out any sneaky outrigger paddles I may have had planned. I had my last paddle this morning with a friend in time to see the sunrise from a seat on the water so that has really made my day. As they say - "hang on to your socks, we're going in....."

LIsaG | BCNA Online Network

18 Replies

georgiebz
Member
14 years ago
Hi there Lisa - just seen your post and new photo and you look fantastic- just love Coco!!

Cheers to you girl and enjoy the turtles G
georgiebz
Member
14 years ago
Hey Lisa

so sorry to hear that you have had such a rough time....I've been wondering where you were and how you have been going. Home to your own bed sounds wonderful. Please take care and stay in touch tons of hugs to you

georgie
LisaG
Member
14 years ago
How is everyone else faring? I haven't checked in for a week because I have had a visit to hospital (!) I made it to day 8 feeling bleh but manageable and even up for a drive to Innisfail which is about an hour and a half drive from here. There was an outrigger regatta on and I couldn't pass up the chance to have a catch-up with all the friends and rivals from my "normal life".... on Saturday I felt even better - if I hadn't had this damn PICC line in I swear I would have jumped in for a race ;-) I woke the next day with a very sore throat but by now my life revolves around pain and discomfort so I still drove home and headed for bed. Within 2 hours I had to get up and try out my new digital thermometer - my temp was 36.8. I could feel a downhill slide coming on and an hour later i made it to the magic number 38 - the number I was warned to look out for and to never ignore. By the time I was admitted to hospital I had crashed and burned big time. It took 24hrs to break the fever! I was "nuetropaenic" which means my white blood cells were almost non existent. I had picked up a bug thru my sore throat and it really got me. My white cell count was 1.5 and Nuetrophylls (vital part of white cells) were zero! It has taken 3 days solid of multiple IV anti biotics and a mega boost needle that doubles the production of white blood cells in my bone marrow to get me back to normal. I've also developed a mouthful of thrush and an allergy to the dressing on my PICC line. BUT........ still no nausea and still a full head of hair.... yesss - we have positives! :-) It has definitely been a challenge and an opportunity to increase my knowledge of management of my reactions to treatment. I am now on the other side of my first "trough" so its got to get better every day from here on till the next dose. My friend Sue picked me up and followed my orders - straight to the beach for lunch and coffee! I feel much better. Now I just need a good night of sleep in my own bed.
chipmunk
Member
14 years ago
Oh LisaG

Sorry to hear that you are feeling yucky. We all have some sort of horrible side effects with having chemo.

Just make sure that you don't get thrush in your mouth...

Hope you feel better real soon and just take it easy. Have heaps of sleep as this helps..

Love Julie XX
LisaG
Member
14 years ago
All I can say is Bleh.... feel yucky. My tongue is grey and feels like a solid block at the back of my mouth, my head aches and I have broken out in red spots across my face and neck.... not a pretty sight! Yuck..

Hope you girls are faring better. I have retired to bed with my laptop and a movie - sleep well :-)

Forum Discussion

LIsaG

18 Replies

Recent Discussions

💌 You’re Invited: Free Online Sessions for Carers

Helping make decisions

With or without a plastic surgeon? How common is a mastectomy and reconstruction without p.surgeon

Is anyone on a home care package & NOT in the Carer's Group? MORE Changes being made ....

First time lump: from a concerned husband's POV