Question on timeline from axillary clearance to beginning chemo and tips to prepare please :)

That time away looks and sounds great 

Thank you lovely ladies for sharing your stories. I have my journey kit so i can look at that for reference. I've just gotten back from a fantastic weekend away with my oldest best friend and her hubby, and another couple as we ventured out on our very first caravanning attempt. We headed off to a private property and it was just the three couples to a 240 acre property. Was bloody hot, but we had so much fun. Walks, poddy calves, a dip in the creek (only to my belly button as my wound hasn't completely healed in one little spot. 

Now I'm home, I can start preparing myself mentally for the next surgery. I have an appointment with my surgeon Monday week, so I'm keen to have that chat :)  

Heres where we went .....

Yet another keep the cancer councils phone number they are brilliant on hand counsellors I actually had a by phone lady that had gone through it as a support for 6 weeks she was brilliant 

Another wash your hands all the time and avoid crowds etc when your cell count gets low and don't be afraid to say no to people when you need xxx go girl 

Hi Donna it was approx 8 weeks between my mastectomy and beginning chemo I had private surgeon but chemo and radio have been public and I didn't find the public system any slower once the old breast cancer word appears.  Have a great night with your friends I'd say mentally it's hard to cope with also don't be afraid of speaking up for yourself otherwise you'll find not every nurse is as good as the next and that's what got me really upset you'll find your favs and in the end I stuck with my favs.  As for the nails well I've always had long nails which I gel polish myself . my onco first told me to be careful of my 9 cats and 3 dogs yep I'm aware of infection I kept isocol and poured it on if I had a scratch etc.  Nails I was told to cut them all I did cut them shorter but continued with my own gel polish I put nail strengthen on toe nails.  I lost 2 toenails no fingernails I lost my hair my eyebrows lashes left boob and my fitness ( have had months of physio to get arm movement - not sure if expander has something to do with that) buggered if I was losing my fingernails it's actually epic nail stuff I use but I've always had strong nails.  Pleased to say 8 weeks after chemo for almost 6 months 3rd week of radio I have hair, nails lashes eyebrows and can swim , walk etc. It's a long journey I wasn't prepared for the mental stuff that went with chemo drugs I'd be awake for 20 hours it's a weird thing rest assured post and we will all support you strong group of women we are here's a photo or two 

I was told the same thing.  16 days after last chemo today and apparently I still cant get my pedicure or manicure, but I do have nailpolish.

Donna

Go to the dentist before you start chemo as you can't go during treatment due to risk of cuts & infection. You also have to be careful with flossing & brushing that you don't bleed & chemo can give you ulcers, so keep up the gargling of bicarb. Don't suffer in silence with side effects, ring nurses or Dr, as there is a pill for everything. Have your friends on call for the whole of first cycle, as you don't know how your body will react. You might need then to cook or clean or just bring you a coffee. Use cream on scars (once healed) & hands & nails. Keep nails short to prevent loss.

Have you ordered the BCNA  "my journey kit"? It has a lot of information for each stage of treatment. 

Dianne.

Hi Donna, You know my story...pretty much the same as yours....

However I had two surgeries within 3 weeks and once clearance was finally confirmed I started chemo straight away...it was 11 days after my last surgery....I didn't however have a mastectomy, so I imagine the start of chemo would be delayed a bit longer to allow for healing....While a mastectomy is still in my plan, the reasoning for not doing it now was it would delay chemo for too long and due to the size of my tumour (70mm) and multiple node involvement, it was decided to hit chemo first....I can't say for the public system as I went fully private for my surgeries, but I have gone public for chemo.....

My suggestions would to be ask millions of questions...write everything down (you do get confused and forget things!)

For chemo....wear comfy clothes, try not to eat right before you go...take someone with you to offer support....ask the nurses questions too! Do tell them if you are anxious....They are reassuring and explain EVERYTHING they are about to do, so you won;t be sitting there wondering what's this or that....strike up a conversation with the person next to you if they're up to it, it's a great distraction and make the time fly by.

Wishing all the best Donna!

Xx

Wow that's interesting...Although I stated I have been going to my trusted beautician for more than 15 years (never, ever been to a 'nail bar') and i don't get acrylics, i get shellac...I was told NOT to get manicures and pedicures anymore, (something I'm missing already) because of accidental cuts , sterility etc.... I was also told to use water based nail polish if at all? But at the chemo clinic I have seen many women with acrylic nails or nailpolish!

may have to ask the question again!

Donna I think it has something to do with the sun reflecting on nails etc..... Anyway someone here (or maybe another forum) mentioned that Horse Power Nail Fertiliser from butter London was good to get and I found it at our local organic shop and had a pedicure and manicure with it and my nails are as strong as ever.  Use it as a base coat and top coat and on its own.