BC Newbie

Hi Kate,

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - 10 days post-op with an oncology appointment lined up.

I had an insight today about what resilience will mean for me. I see that it is a rocky road ahead and I'll be knocked down often. I seem to get unsteady and sad after every appointment. But then I lift again.

I can't help getting knocked down, but I can help to pick myself up each time, in little ways. I suspect there's going to be a bit of shopping therapy in the coming months!

One night I couldn't sleep and my mind was going over events and possible futures. I found myself thinking/planning a nice funeral - gorgeous flowers, lots of music, but enough! I got out of bed and went to read a book.

Wishing you well on this journey. I hope you find the support and love that will help you pick yourself up as often as you need to.

Gillian

Which city are you in Kate?

And do you know what chemo you will be having, and what radiotherapy?

Not sure if you know, but HER2+ means human growth hormone receptive, and this means tumors grow pretty fast and are aggressive and invasive, so those of us with this factor tend to have cancers that have grown quite big and even spread to lymph system, or metastasised to liver, lungs etc before they are found.

However the good news is that they are also very responsive to Herceptin and its related products like Perjeta etc, and with this treatment can go away and be held stable for many years with no further evidence of disease.

My oncologist said that this used to be a very bad sort of cancer to have, but now it is a pretty good sort to have (if you have to have any sort of breast cancer).

I found it helpful to view all my chemo symptoms as a good thing: proof that the chemo was getting into all the right spots, hitting all the rapidly-dividing cells in my digestive tract, hair, nails etc and affecting my brain meant that it was where it was meant to be and doing its job of also hitting any cancer cells in those areas even harder. I also took it that a lack of symptoms in a particular part of my body just meant that part of my body was recovering well and fast from the blows.

I found it helpful to view all my chemo symptoms as a good thing: proof that the chemo was getting into all the right spots, hitting all the rapidly-dividing cells in my digestive tract, hair, nails etc and affecting my brain meant that it was where it was meant to be and doing its job of also hitting any cancer cells in those areas even harder. I also took it that a lack of symptoms in a particular part of my body just meant that part of my body was recovering well and fast from the blows.

You are right - keeping track is so hard at first when you are still reeling with shock and finding it hard to believe at all.  It is a whole new language to learn.  Have you sent for your "My Journey Kit" from this site?  You can order it on the homepage - it's free, and answers so many questions you will have, now and in the future. It even has an area for medical cost spreadsheets to keep track - so helpful for tax as there are so many of them over time.  I also bought a large binder, and filed everything as it came in - get copies of all that you can from your team.  It really helps later on.

It is now close to 3 years since surgery and I feel well again, but I remember that first year of treatment and all the emotions which you are going through at the moment.  You are young and strong - the fight starts here - we will all help in any way we can.  Stay in touch.  Big hug,  Michelle xx 

Yes, me too, Kate. The sandwich plan, they tell me. 12 weeks of chemo at Redcliffe, then a month of radio at Brisbane Royal, then another 12 weeks of a different chemo back at Redcliffe. It's all very scary at the moment. I'm worried about how I'm going to cope with the nausea. Just living one day at a time. Getting my teeth all cleaned up on Monday, a few fillings in store; and I'm hoping to get a wig organised in advance just in case I want to wear one. Thanks for posting Kate. If I feel that panicy feeling coming on, I get on here and read a bit.