6 months of chemo

Thanks so much ... My fingers are crossed for you and I'm overwhelmed by the amount of support available... I just can't believe how common this is ... It's so sad ... We are so lucky to have this site ....all though friends / family are sympathetic, no one knows like us how it really feels to have that C word ... I should be asleep as I had such an active day ..however sleepless nights seem all to common.
My mum is here from the states lying beside me asleep and is coming with me on the 11th for app re treatment then flies back the next day .... I know how much this is hurting her and feel so much for her.  It seems like the whole world should revolve around me at this time and I find myself aware of acting like that and hate myself for it.   I am generally happy and bubbly most days however most mornings wake up happy then 2 seconds later it's like ... Iv got cancer ... 
Ebbs and flows ... day at a time ... Have even joined dating website just for attention .. Don't want to take anything further .... Can you imagine ... " Hi I'm Danielle I have breast cancer .. Fancy meeting up for a chat ?" !! ... It's a good distraction ! 
Thinking of all you lovely ladies and knowing we are united in fighting this battle together makes for positive outcomes and lifted spirits xxxx

Hi, i started my chemo with AC x4, which seemed all fine  with  a slight feeling if nausea,  but not sick. Then started 12 weeks  of paclitax only to find that i had an alergy reaction to the 3rd round which was  administered  in very slow intervals.  
4th was fine and again the 5th week i had another reaction to it. Doctors decided i could not continue.
After having a week off, doctors decided to put me on Abraxine (sorry if spelling incorrect ).  I've  had 3 weeks of it and seems to be fine with a slight tingle  on feet at times. 
 I have 5 more  sessions / weeks to go.and counting down...:)
Were all different in how our bodies  react to meds, i am hoping that the next 5 is ok for me also.
Its always good to have faith and believe that this is being done to clear us of that word i dread using "C".
Sounds like you're  doing well, good luck  and be strong. .xxx

Hi Danielle, sounds like I have the same treatment as you, although I also had axillary dissection as the initial biopsy found lymph node involvement. I just had my first chemo treatment last Monday...so far, so good: the steroids and anti-nausea meds and I worked for a few hours yesterday, first day back since surgery 5 weeks ago. FYI I am still a little tender and swollen from the surgery. 

For what it is worth....

Even though I developed mastitis in the breast I had the lumpectomy within 24 hours of having the first treatment (opportunistic infection) I am not concerned about the side effects of the chemo killing me....I had a training session on how to look after myself, they coach you at the treatment, they give you contacts to call if you have any symptoms, they give you letters to take to work about what you can and can't do...I know I am likely to get sick at some point in the six months, maybe very sick but I do have faith that the team caring for me know how to get me through it.  I am clinging to the hope I will be one of the lucky ones who don't get sick, and taking all precautions but realistically I understand that I am putting my body through a lot. 

Hope this helps you think hunk about your own situation, all the best x 

Thank you once again for the posts ... I broke my heel in January and went for my first walk today without my moon boot .. Felt awesome though foot swollen!... I bought an exercise/elliptical trainer today as I've read exercise is a real help

Have to say chemo sucked for me. Spent a lot of time in hospital after getting neutropenia (low white blood cells to fight infection) but it is doable. Never felt nauseous thanks to the steroids. I finished chemo thirteen months ago and finished targeted therapy last Nov. Things are much better now. Take it one day at a time. It's the unknown that's really the worst part. Good luck.

@Danielle49  Chemo affects everyone differently. We are all different ages. It is all true some have a really bad time others barely have a reaction.. You are unique and you will have good days and bad. If I believed there was a better alternative treatment to chemo I would have taken it. The reason we have chemo is simple it works ! I am now a year on from treatment and cancer free. Yeah!

@Danielle49 Hi when I was first diagnosed 4 years ago I started chemo 4 weeks later. It was the fear of the unknown and all the stories I heard about chemo and being sick and nauseous that scared me. My first time I took my twin sister and she sat with me which helped . I was given anti nauseous tablets and steroid tablets. From the Friday after my treatment until the Sunday I felt really good and never once was sick. My middle week was always tough . I bought a wig very similar to my hairstyle ready for me. My hair started falling out in clumps on the 13th day of chemo, it had become very sore and I couldn't bare it anymore and it was thinning so my sister shaved it off . What a relief . I had chemo for 6 months and radiation for 6 weeks. I always made sure I had a positive mind although I did have good days and bad days. I used to go to my Physio after my mastectomy and cry to her for an hour and it really helped. You will get through it just don't be hard on yourself . It seems so long ago and next week I have a consultation for reconstruction . Stay positive. Di x

Thank you so much ladies 
that WIG looks so natural I'm going online right NOW !!!!

Hi and Welcome.
Do you know what type of cancer and what chemo they are recommending? 
I had a stage 1,grade 3 Es+Pr- Her2+ breast cancer. I had ACT-H regime.

Grade 3 is rapidly changing.  Yes people can get the flu and die (as can people not on cancer treatment) but all of risks, how to recuce risks and what to do if unwell are explained and after your first round most people go on an injection to boost your white cell count quicker to fight off any infection. Prompt action if unwell is what makes all the difference. And there are ridiculous Claims on the Internet that 75% of people who have chemo die from it. As if the Gov would allow it to continue if that really was the result.

I know for myself the risk of recurrence without chemo (and very real risk of dying of breast cancer like my sister ) were scarier than any risks of chemo. I wasn't great on chemo and felt unable to work. But I never became acutely unwell nor even got a cold. Now through it I feel it totally doable and could do it again if I had to (but fingers crossed I never will ).  Australia has fantastic stats for bc survival and we are lucky to live in a country with such good stats...stats possible because of current offered treatment.

Also flu shots are available now so you could have one before starting chemo anyway, as could family members, takes about 10 days to give protection. 

I never liked my wig. I got into scarves, caps and silly hats.  :)

The pic is from our recent BCNA summit this month.

Take Care. Kath x

Hey Danielle, Oh Grade 3 like me, OK yes so I did chemo due to the grade. Oh yes I got mine at shinywaywigs.com.au 



The famous WIG haha!!! and dont stress April 11 wont make any difference. Just stay busy! and try and get prepared for treatment. x Melinda