Not good news

Don't be surprised if you end up with some bleeding with those nose drops. I had constant watery eyes and nose. Even now 5 weeks on my nose still runs but not longer bleeds. You eoikd have to be extremely ill for them to not give chemo.

Hi Christina. I feel for you. Chemo was definitely not a walk in the park for me. Just wanted to give you a heads up about reflux with radiation therapy. Definitely mention this to your radiation oncologist. There is a chance during radiation that your reflux may flare up again if some of your oesophogus gets hit by the beams. I  had reflux way back in the past and never mentioned it to my oncologist because I had forgotten about it. However after radiation I ended up in hospital with severe pain and not being able to eat or drink properly for 6 weeks following due to severe reflux. I had to have an endoscopy and was on morphine due to the inflammation.  If my oncologist had have known about how severe I had reflux in the past she would have done treatment a little differently. In the end I lost a lot of weight because of it - 10 kgs in 6 weeks and was so tired and sick - much worse than the chemo.  I really hope this doesn't happen to you.  So my recommendation is to be proactive about your reflux management. Wishing you all the best and praying that your margins are clear.

Hugs, Nadine

Hi again.   Forgot to tell you I have bum fluff on my head... LOL...  xx

Hello everyone,   Thanks for your kind wishes and thoughts and suggestions.   My Reflux problem settled, along with the nausea.  However, at the end of the 2nd week, I started to feel OK  but then got a few ulcers on my tongue and my gums and teeth were so sore - OK now.    Runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes started this week and I know it not a cold.  Hope this doesn't effect my 2nd chemo on Monday 26th Sept.    Christina xx

How are you doing today Christina? Im thinking of you xx

That just sucks! But.....you can get through it! 

Chemo messes with your digestive system anyway but to have extra on top is awful! I had awful nausea and it took some playing around with meds before I finally got relief....makre sure you tell your team and chemo nurses anything that may be bothering you....most symptoms can be elivated with medication....I had chemo first too before my mastectomy....I wanted my boobs to be gone then and there... but soon realised the chemo was more important at that time....wishing you the very best for your trreatments Xx Tracy

Oh Christina so sorry to hear the re-excision wasn't successful, that just stinks - along with everything else going on for you! Keep taking one day & one step at a time.

Mel xx

Hi Christina, 
I did have a mastectomy and didn't require any radiotherapy bit still had to see the radiotherapy oncologist and he just ran through the reasons why it wasn't necessary for me to have that treatment, he ended up by saying "nice to meet you, but I hope I never have to see you again!" which I could only agree to! :) All the best Xx Cath

Loved your tasting plate analogy Christina! Chemo is a bit like russian roulette in terms of not knowing what side effects you might personally get, and there can be a few surprise reactions thrown in for good measure! Hopefully this will be the worst of it and the rest of your treatment is much smoother :-)