Forum Discussion
First time blogger
Hi everyone :)
I am a 42 year old mum to 3 beautiful chdren.
After a dream telling me to have a mammogram early October I was diagnosed with multiple cancers in both breasts. I had a bilateral mastectomy on 17th November and a bilateral axillary clearance 1st December. I see my chemo oncologist for the first time on 4th January with Tac chemo due to start 6th January. I saw my radiation oncologist last week and will have radiation on my left chest wall and neck due to 6/21 nodes being affected.
I would love to hear of any hints or words of encouragement from those in any stage of the breast cancer journey. Chemo is the part of the journey that scares me the most.
Thanks
Melinda
22 Replies
- Hope everyone is well and enjoying 2012. I have had a crazy few days after my first visit to mychemo oncologist on Wednesday. She is lovely and made me feel a bit more comfortable about beginning chemo. She arranged for lots more tests etc as well as a tour of the chemo ward. I really didn't want to walk into either the oncology department or the cancer care unit as that makes me a cancer patient and that's not how I see myself. Spoke to my gorgeous breastcare nurse about how I felt and she reassured me it's a good thing and a positive way of thinking. My first chemo has been put back to next Friday with my Portacath being put in the day before under what I hope is great sedation. Because of my MS she has decided to start me off on 5 months of fortnightly AC then 6 weeks of weekly TAC. One of the drugs in the TAC has the potential to cause nerve damage and she is worried I could become paralysed so will see how my MS tolerates AC first. I am still feeling worried about the chemo, the side effects and how it will affect my 3 children watching me go through this. My youngest who is nearly 16 has finally told his friends I have bc and that he won't be able to socialist once I start chemo. We discussed that the kids need to live their lives like normal. My 19 year old son and his best friend who lives with us returned safely from their holiday to Bali yesterday and it feels great to have them home safely. Any ideas or tips about chemo would be appreciated. I'm armed with about 6 different drugs for nausea and a huge set of instructions on when to take them. I've tried to be organized buying thermometer, carb soda, Ginger beer etc. Thinking about getting my girlfriend who's a hairdresser to shave my hair a week after first chemo... I like the idea of having that tiny bit of control over the bc and chemo rather than waiting for it to start falling out. Let me know what you think. Thanks for your continued support Mel xxx
It's all relative...when BC comes to visit I think you deserve to indulge yourself! Seriously, I know that some ladies go on to better their lives and selves etc etc but I decided to chill a bit more and put less pressure on myself and just enjoy life's little joys a bit more. So, as my friends went off to training after school drop-off I'd drive by in my lttle Peugeot with the roof off, waving madly saying, "Anyone want to join me for cake and coffee?"!!! And instead of racing around cleaning the house I'd put my feet up a bit more with a good, no-brain-necessary magazine!
So, I have indulged myself and can't believe nearly 5 years has passed. The cellulite has now well and truly set in and I feel I WANT to do something about it now. I used to be an aerobics and squash junky...gone are those days for sure...these days I'll just make sure I walk each day...and work up a sweat. And hopefully I can get a game of squash in each week.
As for weight...I dropped 12 kg with chemo, leaving me at 40.5 kg. I have found it a bit scary putting weight on as I didn't want to get to used to fattening myself up!
I lost a good 5 kg in the first week of diagnosis, I guess due to shock. And I was very nauseous through chemo. I remember my oncologist said to me that just because I was small, didn't mean she would lighten up the dosage of chemo since it was so aggressive. I nearly didn't make it through!...but am so glad I did.
- Lol. Ohhh well... Walking to the fridge for chocolate counts as exercise. I have been training on and off with my trainer and now good friend Shaun for nearly a year but was being really good going twice a week when bc spoilt my fun. I found boxing to be a great stress relief and felt great after each session. My tuck shop lady arms were just getting smaller. Now my arms are numb sometimes and burning hot at other times. Boxing is a little while off yet. Did you guys loose weight or put it on with chemo ?Someone told me they sometimes give you steroids with chemo that makes you put on or is it comfort eating.. I've been like... " oh there are more important issues to worry about now so I'll eat choccy for brekky" Mel
- Oh gosh, I haven't had time to think about new year resolutions. Um, after nearly 5 years since diagnosis and as many years since I have exercised, it's time to get fit and toned again!... But that's between us!!- I case I don't stick to it.xxxxxxx
Hi Melinda,
One thing I found really great was the look good feel better programme. I actually started losing my hair that day and the hats, makeup, tips etc was fab. Experiencing chemo is such a personal thing- some get thru ok, others have every side effect. One other word of advice- please take your nausea tablets even if you dont feel sick!
Best wishes, annie
Hi Melinda,
One thing I found really great was the look good feel better programme. I actually started losing my hair that day and the hats, makeup, tips etc was fab. Experiencing chemo is such a personal thing- some get thru ok, others have every side effect. One other word of advice- please take your nausea tablets even if you dont feel sick!
Best wishes, annie
I'm glad this site has helped. BCNA is an amazing organisation. It really does help talking to people who truly know something about what you're going through, doesn't it. So many corageous women too-you included. X
- That's very cute about your son :) My youngest son still hasn't told any of his friends about my bc. When I ask him why he just shrugs his shoulders. I think if he doesn't tell anyone school becomes a "cancer free" zone for him. Both my boys say they will shave their beautiful head of curls off the day I shave my head. I just wanted to say how I feel almost like a weight has been lifted since I've been lucky enough to read about everyones journeys. Your support is greatly appreciated.
I agree. There's no good age to tell your children you have breast cancer. Mine were 1 and 4. BUT...just as you will get through these hardships, so will they. There is only one option for us all...deal with whatever comes our way the best we can at the time. Oh life can be so challenging, can't it. I have a drawing my older son did for me when I was having chemo. It's priceless. He hated to draw but I'm so glad he did this pic for me. It has little spikes of hair on my head.
He used to go around telling everyone "MY MUM HAS BREAST CANCER" and then reel off all the facts he knew about good cells and bad cells etc. He was so gorgeous. Truth is so very important.
I've been at the computer all morning so I'd best be off...just wanted to reply to you first.
HAng in there...I think you're doing great. Being a Mum...a single mum at that...is hard enough...add BC to the mix...just be gentle on yourself. X
- Thanks for your message. I am incredibly lucky to have the support of my children but sometimes I worry am I going to be putting too much on them. The hardest part of my journey so far was telling the kids about my diagnosis. I am a single mum so I have had to talk to them about the difficult stuff by myself. I don't think there is a "good" age for children to be when this happens to their mum. A friend from work told me I was " so lucky" I got breast cancer when my kids were grown up. I told her I didn't feel anyone was lucky to have breast cancer and that I would be around to see my children raise their own families. I promised the kids from day one I would be completely open and honest with them and I have been even though my Mummy lion instinct wants to protect her cubs. Thanks again xx
