Due to start chemo in one week

Good Luck tomorrow, and I am eager to hear how you go as i start FEC next wednesday for only 3 rounds, then three rounds of something esle but thats not weekly.

I agree with you, that drain was a nightmare....

I'm so so glad you feel better about it all. Good luck for next week! I'll keep you posted as to how I go. I've got 12 weeks of FEC (feck!!!!) which is for doses every 3 weeks. Then 12 weeks of one the one that starts with a P that will e delivered weekly. Then supposed to have radiotherapy post. I got a little hysterical about the drains post surgery, I think I channelled all my stress into freaking out about them. They were uncomfortable and awkward but manageable. The portacath bloody hurt for 3 days but it has settled. Take care!! Liz

Wow, very inspiring this 80 year old. 7 rounds of chemo and i am freaking out about 1!!!

I dont have a physio at the moment, but my arm movement is great and I am only 3 weeks post surgery, so I will keep an eye on it and see how it pans out.

Thank you so much for all your advice, this is probably the most positive I have felt since being diagnosed. You have all helped me beyond words can explain.

Hi Bronwyn, That is amazing that your nodes were clear with a lump of that size, that is fantastic. Not knowing is definately the hardest thingm but hearing of people's negative experiences is also hard. Although hearing from all of your and your positivity is leaning me towards the treatment, as I do believe i really have no choice.

I am very keen on hearing your thoughts on nutirition and chemo, as the doc says to change my eating habbits now will be useless, but if yu have suggestions on a healthy eating plan that can help me through chemo, I would be very grateful.

Thank you for your support.

Hi Bronwyn, I agree that it feels great to be proactive. Definitely agree we need to be easy on ourselves if we have a tendency towards self criticism.

I've found the Mayo Breast Cancer book (bought it on Amazon) fairly helpful. I can understand being worried about your 1 year old. Being a Speechie, I'm slightly fixated on the mucositis which can happen(sore mouth/mouth ulcers). The advice I've been given is: Oncologist & Breast Care Nurse: use sodium bicarbonate and salt mouthwashes My AO said she lived on Slushies and cold drinks The other friend said straws were very very helpful. So I went on a hunt for insulated drink containers with straws. About a week ago I found Woolworths were sticking 5 dollar insulated cups with straws. They'll be great for home. On an Eco shop site I found some thermos drink containers with straws as well as some silicon straws. They arrived today. I plan to write a proper review comparing each for how they go practically. Another friend said Slippery elm is a life saver, possibly more for the oesophagus. I'm feeling confident regular exercise can improve the whole experience (again this is the advice from others who have been through as well as being well supported by research). Because I had been travelling a lot for work prior to diagnosis I'd been doing no regular exercise, so this is going to force me into it. I had a goal of becoming a tai chi instructor in the next year. In some ways this whole experience might make it more likely, even if it delayed by 6 months -year. Re Nausea: apparently the meds are pretty good at keeping this at bay. My oncologist is very keen on magnesium and zinc apparently. Re Hair Loss: I had fun on ebay buying cheap colourful wigs ($4 each). I've ordered my 'normal' wig after trying several at a specialty wig shop. I've also been on Ebay for pretty head wraps. Just also discovered some bamboo night caps from a specialty shop in Adelaide and have crocheted myself a funky little newsboy cap. My friend and I found a wig of just a fringe with sides that we plan to attach to a hat, plus some long hair extensions we'll plait and attach to a different hat. My oncologist couldn't predict how the chemo will hit me, I do have to wait to have it. I would like to get to a naturopath who's had a lot of experience working with the chemotherapy. I did find an excellent US university site which summarised all the current evidence and precautions for various herbs including the effects on oestrogen. My Ca is oestrogen and progesterone positive, so need to be cautious with any herbs that might impact on hormones. The other advice I've been given is prioritise whatever is most important and shed whatever I can for the next six months. I had just started a small business, but that's mostly going to go on the backburner Oh, and last little story. My cousin, who is an emergency nurse recently met a lady in her 80s who is forty years post her initial breast cancer. This lady is convinced it was learning the ukelele which has managed her lymphedema. She also decided she would learn a new language each time she had to have chemo for a recurrence or new cancer and she is up to her 7th language! She has spent her time in between doing aid work in developing countries. What a legend. I play guitar, but my uncle, who recently took up instrument making as a hobby has started making a ukelele for me. I'm really looking forward to it! Have you got a good physio? How is your arm movement?

I've found the Mayo Breast Cancer book (bought it on Amazon) fairly helpful. I can understand being worried about your 1 year old. Being a Speechie, I'm slightly fixated on the mucositis which can happen(sore mouth/mouth ulcers). The advice I've been given is: Oncologist & Breast Care Nurse: use sodium bicarbonate and salt mouthwashes My AO said she lived on Slushies and cold drinks The other friend said straws were very very helpful. So I went on a hunt for insulated drink containers with straws. About a week ago I found Woolworths were sticking 5 dollar insulated cups with straws. They'll be great for home. On an Eco shop site I found some thermos drink containers with straws as well as some silicon straws. They arrived today. I plan to write a proper review comparing each for how they go practically. Another friend said Slippery elm is a life saver, possibly more for the oesophagus. I'm feeling confident regular exercise can improve the whole experience (again this is the advice from others who have been through as well as being well supported by research). Because I had been travelling a lot for work prior to diagnosis I'd been doing no regular exercise, so this is going to force me into it. I had a goal of becoming a tai chi instructor in the next year. In some ways this whole experience might make it more likely, even if it delayed by 6 months -year. Re Nausea: apparently the meds are pretty good at keeping this at bay. My oncologist is very keen on magnesium and zinc apparently. Re Hair Loss: I had fun on ebay buying cheap colourful wigs ($4 each). I've ordered my 'normal' wig after trying several at a specialty wig shop. I've also been on Ebay for pretty head wraps. Just also discovered some bamboo night caps from a specialty shop in Adelaide and have crocheted myself a funky little newsboy cap. My friend and I found a wig of just a fringe with sides that we plan to attach to a hat, plus some long hair extensions we'll plait and attach to a different hat. My oncologist couldn't predict how the chemo will hit me, I do have to wait to have it. I would like to get to a naturopath who's had a lot of experience working with the chemotherapy. I did find an excellent US university site which summarised all the current evidence and precautions for various herbs including the effects on oestrogen. My Ca is oestrogen and progesterone positive, so need to be cautious with any herbs that might impact on hormones. The other advice I've been given is prioritise whatever is most important and shed whatever I can for the next six months. I had just started a small business, but that's mostly going to go on the backburner Oh, and last little story. My cousin, who is an emergency nurse recently met a lady in her 80s who is forty years post her initial breast cancer. This lady is convinced it was learning the ukelele which has managed her lymphedema. She also decided she would learn a new language each time she had to have chemo for a recurrence or new cancer and she is up to her 7th language! She has spent her time in between doing aid work in developing countries. What a legend. I play guitar, but my uncle, who recently took up instrument making as a hobby has started making a ukelele for me. I'm really looking forward to it! Have you got a good physio? How is your arm movement?

Great tips, Thank you I will definately follow your lead and follow your suggestions

 

Thank you, it was hard but I had a lot of people help look after my kids, and my husband is very good with the kids also. My syrgery was only 3 weeks ago, and we have managed well.

There is no conflict in the house regarding the chemo, only tension, as you know, this is a very stressful time and both my husband and I are very tense. I have a big family also so I know what you mean, can be very overwhelming for my husband.