new to all this-diagnosis, illness, treatment-just thought I'd introduce myself
Hi there to all you lovely and courageous women who inhabit this site-
just thought I'd introduce myself though I have already posted a couple of times so some may be familiar with me.
Doesn't life change in an instant! I'm currently 55 yo and until a month or so ago I was a hard working medical practitioner, sole parent to a gorgeous 17 yo son (I understand that at times this could almost be a contradiction in terms, him doing the teenage thing and all), a road and hills cyclist, home renovator and a reader and music player in my private life. I remain most of these things though at current time I have given up my three jobs as I now submit to the whirl wind of treatment that is enforced upon us. Currently on day 2 of second FEC cycle so please bear with me if I drop in a few typos. Oh yes, and the piano playing and voice are also pretty feeble.
I can pretty much book end my recent medical hijacking by the recent Rio Olympics. On the saturday morning of the opening ceremony, my cycling buddy and I were heading out for a training ride ride for Around the Bay. We watched a little of the opening ceremony and I disclosed some anxieties to her about my recent discovery of a lump, my visit to the GP and forthcoming referral to a breast surgeon the following tuesday. 'Anyway' I blithely reassured her 'probably nothing to worry about. They are mostly benign'
Underneath, knowing the shocking history of this disease within my family, I knew I was not fooling anyone.
From the following Tuesday, I was immediately swept up onto the very fast moving medical train of investigations, diagnosis, given a week to sort out my work situation and finally watched the closing ceremony of the Rio Games in post op recovery following the insertion of a port with first chemotherapy scheduled for the next day. And throughout all of this time, functioning (barely) through a torrent of incessant tears, sleepless nights and feeling like I'd been hit by a truck.
My medical picture; small tumour (barely detectable on mammogram) but highly aggressive and (some) local node involvement, Stage 2b (I think), Grade 3, Oest +. Prog -, HERS 3+. A bit of a mixed picture from a prognostic point of view but I am remaining positive and actually feeling positive at a gut instinct level. However, i have a massive treatment plan ahead of me with FEC times 4, Taxol and Herceptin, Surgery and then ongoing Herceptin for about a further 12 months. It's going to be a long road even with all going well, obviously longer if I hit humps and road blocks along the way.
My oncologist and surgeon have been excellent and they earned my trust with the speed and seriousness of their response to my situation, the highly professional and coordinated way in which they work together and their well thought out plan of approach. I also liked them being a bit bossy and taking charge despite my being a medical professional myself. As such, i am more than happy to submit to their clinical plan with my full confidence in their expertise in this situation. Doesn't mean that I wont have some specific questions for them when it comes to the point of surgery because I am developing some clear preferences myself as regards my options and they will have to present a firm evidence based argument should they be seeking to convince me otherwise. All questions for further down the track and perhaps yet to be further influenced by my response to treatment and the outcome of genetic counselling.
So, currently trying to not have my life defines as being a cancer patient though it does take over a big slab of life. I'm trying to use and maintain my own strengths in the goal towards my recovery. Still get out on my bike when I can to maintain my fitness and flush that chemotherapy right through my system and at any lurking cancer cells, maintaining my yoga practice though it this stage it is much more meditation than postures which has really helped to calm the panic and the dread, playing my piano again when I can as this soothes my soul and finding I have a lot more opportunities to connect with family and friends now that I'm not flogging myself over three jobs to pay for my house renovation. Sure the bills are going up but I've had to put health (and survival) before finances and allowed these to go backwards for a while. I count myself as very fortunate to have had a well paid job for so long such that I can fiddle this with the help from the bank.
And I'm enjoying the opportunity to immerse myself in the coming of the spring. I have kookaburras in the garden, bluetongue lizards lurking in my garage, a local parklands with an abundance of wildlife and nearby biketracks to transport me off in all destinations, though a nearby coffee shop is currently my usual preference. These delights are all very welcome distractions away from the general blah feelings of the chemo and my constant shedding of hair. if i feel too blah, i just resort to the Boxsets, currently watching Borgen. Very good viewing particularly when seeking to be inspired by some female empowerment.
Anyway, enough from me by way of introduction. Very open, welcoming of thoughts, comments, impressions back..
Warm vibes to all,
Fiona2
just thought I'd introduce myself though I have already posted a couple of times so some may be familiar with me.
Doesn't life change in an instant! I'm currently 55 yo and until a month or so ago I was a hard working medical practitioner, sole parent to a gorgeous 17 yo son (I understand that at times this could almost be a contradiction in terms, him doing the teenage thing and all), a road and hills cyclist, home renovator and a reader and music player in my private life. I remain most of these things though at current time I have given up my three jobs as I now submit to the whirl wind of treatment that is enforced upon us. Currently on day 2 of second FEC cycle so please bear with me if I drop in a few typos. Oh yes, and the piano playing and voice are also pretty feeble.
I can pretty much book end my recent medical hijacking by the recent Rio Olympics. On the saturday morning of the opening ceremony, my cycling buddy and I were heading out for a training ride ride for Around the Bay. We watched a little of the opening ceremony and I disclosed some anxieties to her about my recent discovery of a lump, my visit to the GP and forthcoming referral to a breast surgeon the following tuesday. 'Anyway' I blithely reassured her 'probably nothing to worry about. They are mostly benign'
Underneath, knowing the shocking history of this disease within my family, I knew I was not fooling anyone.
From the following Tuesday, I was immediately swept up onto the very fast moving medical train of investigations, diagnosis, given a week to sort out my work situation and finally watched the closing ceremony of the Rio Games in post op recovery following the insertion of a port with first chemotherapy scheduled for the next day. And throughout all of this time, functioning (barely) through a torrent of incessant tears, sleepless nights and feeling like I'd been hit by a truck.
My medical picture; small tumour (barely detectable on mammogram) but highly aggressive and (some) local node involvement, Stage 2b (I think), Grade 3, Oest +. Prog -, HERS 3+. A bit of a mixed picture from a prognostic point of view but I am remaining positive and actually feeling positive at a gut instinct level. However, i have a massive treatment plan ahead of me with FEC times 4, Taxol and Herceptin, Surgery and then ongoing Herceptin for about a further 12 months. It's going to be a long road even with all going well, obviously longer if I hit humps and road blocks along the way.
My oncologist and surgeon have been excellent and they earned my trust with the speed and seriousness of their response to my situation, the highly professional and coordinated way in which they work together and their well thought out plan of approach. I also liked them being a bit bossy and taking charge despite my being a medical professional myself. As such, i am more than happy to submit to their clinical plan with my full confidence in their expertise in this situation. Doesn't mean that I wont have some specific questions for them when it comes to the point of surgery because I am developing some clear preferences myself as regards my options and they will have to present a firm evidence based argument should they be seeking to convince me otherwise. All questions for further down the track and perhaps yet to be further influenced by my response to treatment and the outcome of genetic counselling.
So, currently trying to not have my life defines as being a cancer patient though it does take over a big slab of life. I'm trying to use and maintain my own strengths in the goal towards my recovery. Still get out on my bike when I can to maintain my fitness and flush that chemotherapy right through my system and at any lurking cancer cells, maintaining my yoga practice though it this stage it is much more meditation than postures which has really helped to calm the panic and the dread, playing my piano again when I can as this soothes my soul and finding I have a lot more opportunities to connect with family and friends now that I'm not flogging myself over three jobs to pay for my house renovation. Sure the bills are going up but I've had to put health (and survival) before finances and allowed these to go backwards for a while. I count myself as very fortunate to have had a well paid job for so long such that I can fiddle this with the help from the bank.
And I'm enjoying the opportunity to immerse myself in the coming of the spring. I have kookaburras in the garden, bluetongue lizards lurking in my garage, a local parklands with an abundance of wildlife and nearby biketracks to transport me off in all destinations, though a nearby coffee shop is currently my usual preference. These delights are all very welcome distractions away from the general blah feelings of the chemo and my constant shedding of hair. if i feel too blah, i just resort to the Boxsets, currently watching Borgen. Very good viewing particularly when seeking to be inspired by some female empowerment.
Anyway, enough from me by way of introduction. Very open, welcoming of thoughts, comments, impressions back..
Warm vibes to all,
Fiona2
