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shs14's avatar
shs14
Member
6 years ago

Finished at last! Kind of...

I finished Radiation on Monday! I'm clear of active treatment at last!!!

I still have six months of Herceptin injections, but my intensive treatment has finished after eight months! I found my lump in April and since then I've survived Lumpectomy, portacath insertion, AC Chemo for 8 weeks, Paclitaxel for 12 weeks, portacath removal and then four weeks radiation!

I now have no new doctors appointments until the New Year, 2020! How strange that seems, quite surreal and I'm not quite sure how to feel about it all yet. In fact I'm sort of relieved I still have Herceptin continuing on so I don't feel an abrupt finish to working so hard to rid my body of cancer! How mixed up is that lol.

I'm slowly feeling my way into survivorship. Any hints welcome. I feel a bit unsettled and my sleep is bad again! I talked to my doc about some counselling, I think its time. And I'm going to see an Integrative Oncologist in the New Year.

Anyway, I wanted to come on here and celebrate because this site and all of you have been a great source or information and empathy and companionship over the 'journey' for me. Thanks everyone  <3

To all of you still going through it or just starting, you will get there. I'm feeling well and healthy, a bit vague and tired and pink from rads but probably the best I've felt for months!! You will come out the other side - and you will be braver, stronger and with more empathy and understanding for people in this world!!!

Oh, and I'm finally getting some eyebrows growing back, who knew that would be such a great excitement  :D
chemotherapy
radiation
survivorship
  • kezmusc's avatar
    kezmusc
    Member
    6 years ago
    Awesome @shs14.
    It is kind of a weird feeling afterwards isn't it?  You get so used to chasing goal posts and getting through all the appointments it's a little bit limbo landish. Like what the heck do I do now????
      I think most of us find this somewhat surprising and it can take a little to work through. 
    Enjoy your holidays lovely...you've well and truly earnt it.

    xoxoxoxoxoxo
  • Mira's avatar
    Mira
    Member
    6 years ago
    Woot!  Congrats!  It is weird isn't it.  I'm 4 years out and down to just one appointment with  Oncology and the breast clinic per year now, with the usual mammogram/us appt.   Its almost as if it never happened! 
  • shs14's avatar
    shs14
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thank you @strongtogether I hope your wife is safely finished soon too. xx
  • shs14's avatar
    shs14
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thanks @arpie All great advice. I'm actually getting out of town this weekend to celebrate my anniversary. Will be great to head off without the chains of treatment after so long.
    I am keeping up the creams. And hopefully Christmas and holidays will keep me busy. I'm thinking of getting a rashie for swimming so I don't have to worry too much about my burnt bits!
    I will go and read about your night oils. I was thinking of researching melatonin.
    I am going to go onto the Otis site, thanks for that prompt. I love the sound of it and Thredbo sounds like a great spot to visit. What a lovely program. xx

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    6 years ago
    WOOHOO!!  CONGRATULATIONS @shs14 !!!  Break out the Champers - and give a toast to yourself!!

    It almost feels weird when you don't have an appointment every other day ...... and after the daily radiation sessions - it can take a little while to 'get out of that daily rads routine'!  I cried on my last rads day!!  I didn't plan on it - it just happened!! 

    Don't forget to continue lathering up with your lotions & potions for some weeks yet - your skin will continue to be pink & warm for some time (and wear sun-proof tops!)

    It is totally normal to feel unsettled & sadly, the sleep issue continues for many of us - feel free to jump onto the Night Howls thread at any time of night/early morning!  There is usually someone lurking to chat to.   I am taking some oils that I've found has really helped my sleep pattern!

    Yes, the counselling will help you with strategies in coping. 

    After I finished my active treatment, I just tried to be as active as I could, doing the things I love.  That could be physically active outside or inside reading or jigsaws etc.  You may feel a little weary at the start, but hopefully that will diminish with time.

    And in your spare time, now that your 'active treatment is over' - jump onto the OTIS FOUNDATION site - and see if there is a vacation spot you'd like to visit - all it costs is the mode of transport to get there, and food!!  Many wonderful people have made their holiday places available to BC survivors!  All states have at least one (even Tassie & NT) and the eastern states have quite a few.   If you start enquiring now - you should be able to book into one around March next year!  I went to the Thredbo one! It was awesome.
    https://www.otisfoundation.org.au/directory

    All the best for your ongoing treatment xxx