Forum Discussion
I'm Done!!
Good Evening Ladies!
Just sitting here, typing away on what is to be the night before my last Herceptin treatment tomorrow and marvelling at the fact that I have finally reached what seemed to be an unattainable horizon 15 months ago. And my god, what a long haul it's been...4 cycles of FEC, 12 weeks of Taxol/Herceptin/Perjeta, surgery, 6 weeks of radiotherapy and then ongoing herceptin for a year in total. Not forgetting of course the side effects, the hair loss, the hair back again but completely different. And of course, just carrying on and dealing with what ever else life throws at you throughout all of this. I stopped work initially so had no income for the first three months. This was really inconvenient (understatement) as I was in the middle of a house renovation and the bills kept on coming. My elderly father (age 94) passed away when I was in the middle of radiotherapy. It was a peaceful passing and, he lived a long and full life, but it was still a shock and meant that my weeks prior were spent travelling between the three hospitals of where I worked, where he was and where I was getting my treatment. And through it all, the funeral, the house clean up, the grieving, I had to keep on attending my daily radiotherapy. The son is in VCE (second exam tomorrow) so that has been another thing to deal with but he seems to be going ok. So, older yes, wiser definitely and stronger, you'd better believe it. If the tsunami of the last year didn't knock me down (well actually it totally did at the start..and during..and a bit more recently.. but with a lot of help and support I found a way to get back up again) I don't think there could be much to fear from what else the future might throw up.
So goodbye treatment and looking forward to the next chapter.
Much love and my very warmest regards to you all and best wishes for your futures.
Fiona xx
Just sitting here, typing away on what is to be the night before my last Herceptin treatment tomorrow and marvelling at the fact that I have finally reached what seemed to be an unattainable horizon 15 months ago. And my god, what a long haul it's been...4 cycles of FEC, 12 weeks of Taxol/Herceptin/Perjeta, surgery, 6 weeks of radiotherapy and then ongoing herceptin for a year in total. Not forgetting of course the side effects, the hair loss, the hair back again but completely different. And of course, just carrying on and dealing with what ever else life throws at you throughout all of this. I stopped work initially so had no income for the first three months. This was really inconvenient (understatement) as I was in the middle of a house renovation and the bills kept on coming. My elderly father (age 94) passed away when I was in the middle of radiotherapy. It was a peaceful passing and, he lived a long and full life, but it was still a shock and meant that my weeks prior were spent travelling between the three hospitals of where I worked, where he was and where I was getting my treatment. And through it all, the funeral, the house clean up, the grieving, I had to keep on attending my daily radiotherapy. The son is in VCE (second exam tomorrow) so that has been another thing to deal with but he seems to be going ok. So, older yes, wiser definitely and stronger, you'd better believe it. If the tsunami of the last year didn't knock me down (well actually it totally did at the start..and during..and a bit more recently.. but with a lot of help and support I found a way to get back up again) I don't think there could be much to fear from what else the future might throw up.
So goodbye treatment and looking forward to the next chapter.
Much love and my very warmest regards to you all and best wishes for your futures.
Fiona xx
18 Replies
- Good on you Fiona done well good to hear a happy ending take care of you
- I am so happy for you! xxx
- Hi Coolnanna, identified, agreed with and loved pretty much all that you said on your introduction. Yes, our stories are very similar but for a few intervening years and I dearly hope that after your next two Herceptin treatments that it is also all behind you.
Can't say I have tingles in the finger but I do have some still ongoing in my toes following the Taxol. And like you, my pathology results of lymph nodes would use the word metastatic, which whilst technically correct did tend to panic me. For the purposes of prognosis and treatment, I believe that regional is the more appropriate terminology. Best wishes, Fiona - Wonderful to read your story. Mine is almost exactly the same, except I am 77 years old so my retired life is easier than someone still working. I have 2 more Herceptin to go, finish date 5th December. Looking back you can't help but wonder where the last year has gone, as it was not a lot of fun. I wonder if anyone else has pins and kneedles constantly in the fingers on the side of the mastectomy.
- thanks SoldierCrab and Primek. It is a fantastic sense of freedom, achievement and relief to be at this huge milestone. Onwards now with life..
- Congratulations @Fiona2 before you know it you will be at your 2nd then 3rd year anniversary....
Glad to hear how you see how strong you truly are....
Hugs
Soldiercrab - The finish line is here. Now to reclaim your life. Well done. X
- Best wishes to you Salpal as you face your current challenges. And they did seem huge and bleak from that side of the mountain but don't lose sight of there being another side and you will come out and stand on it one day, believe me. x
- As someone beginning their journey reading this post has given me an insight of what to expect and how to come out the other side stronger and wiser. Thank you and keep smiling x
- Hey lgray, I've gotta say that you are something of an inspiration to me and your motto of FU Cancer has now also become mine.. so FU Cancer :p
