Breast cancer

Hi, I am out of Perth, an hour's drive up into the hills, but come in to the Mount Hospital in Perth for my treatment my treatment in Perth on Friday, then Thursday next time, and at various other times. I have had trouble with fluid retention (advised to eat watermelon and it works!) insomnia (took  1/8 restavit for 4 nights in a row, but mind you I don't have a broken arm!), constipation (took Movicol for a gentle effective solution) heartburn was the worst(on Somac now), badmouth taste (gargling with strong saline every hour or so and cleaning my teeth with an ultrasoft Braun Oral b electric brush every few hours, andchewing extra minty sugarfree gum and telling myself I like saline taste better than the alternative) I really miss enjoying a cup of tea: it all  always tastes like I have been swigging iodine.

The other thing that gets me down on and off is the emotional vulnerability, and reactivity. Which I know is totally normal in the face of this physical/mental/emotional crisis called breast cancer and Chemotherapy. But I don't approve of me being like this. This morning I sent off a rather harsh email to my horrible sister (who has been being a cow as usual, ) telling her she is a hard, unkind woman. Normally I would be a lot more sensible and effective in my handling of her, and I know it will not change anything, but every so often I get childish and hysterical and deeply hurt in ways I don't usually. A woman at my Oncologists said: this is the new normal. Go with it, let reality be reality. .

Do you think it would help to tell your kids about Chemofog and Chemobrain, and put it to them that they have to be understanding of the temporary toxic effects this process has on the brain. And that you need both their sympathy and their assistance to remember things etc. (Stress does this to everyone's mind too).

Today is day 10 and I think I have got through the Valley of Death to a not bad place. Hope you emerge into this better space soon.