Newly diagnosed and learning
I've read through some posts and realise I have lots of gaps of knowledge about what I have. I know I have breast cancer, it's about 8cm, I know its spread to my armpit lymphs and now the nodes near ...
Forum Discussion
Hey Lillian, Ive been up since 4 uuugh too. I remember the steroids eeeek but only took them for 2 days only hated it. They worked out after 2 infusions I was allergic to Maxolon, I thought I was literally going mad LOL the Head of Oncology picked up on it, it was like I was having this weird out of body experience sooo jittery anxious weird. So was much better once I stopped it. No anti nausea meds worked for me, the only thing that helped was Ativan strangely which they gave me before my infusions anyway. Nexium became my best friend with reflux and heartburn. Coloxyl tablets or pear juice for chronic constipation. I had long blonde hair so I got a wig synthetic it cost about $300 from shinywaywigs in melbourne OMG was just like my own hair and my hairdresser cut it into shape as I used to wear my hair. Nobody could tell, as it wore and mattered at the ends I cut it up LOL but I wore wigs for about 9-10 months, only wore caps or scarves to infusion was never comfortable in public and rocked it bald at home quite liked it LOL.
I didnt do the LGFB it wasnt something I felt I needed, Id always loved makeup and have always been well groomed LOL uuugh thanks to my Mum! Anyway, the only challenge I found through Chemo was when my eyelashes fell out and I couldnt even put fake ones on as they dont stay..interesting hmmm? though a line of eyeliner across the top of the lid you couldnt tell I didnt have lashes. These were the little things that helped me feel better.
My kids were 11 & 13 at my first diagnosis and I had only become a single parent within 6 months and moved us all from our home. It was a difficult time and my Mum had only passed 12 months before that suddenly. I cant imagine how difficult with the kids being younger in terms of their understanding. I was always up front and honest but basic and they seemed to cope well in 2011, in 2015 it was a little different my daughter was VCE and I had 4.5months of Chemo and was on my own with 2 kids who were then 15 & 17. My son was very frightened the first time but they walked everyday through chemo and I got my daughter through VCE even through her own turmoil of being diagnosed with Depression..we both conquered things. My son is now in VCE and its a tough year for sure, so as I have surgery on Monday and a long recovery after 6 hard years ive had to let my kids go live with their dad...oh boy another major hurdle and yet I know I need to do this for me and give myself time to heal...I cant manage through it with them here and all the demands they have.
Sorry for the Essay hahaha Im a planner also and always had to be ahead of things....I had it all planned out and it honestly went out the window due to being incredibly ill for 4.5 months. Basically bedridden in pain, eating was a problem and exercise ummm I couldnt even walk to the letterbox..so Ive come such a long way. The best thing I ever did once I realised I was going to struggle was to let go of all my planning and I stopped work which was difficult as am on my own and no assistance really. Took a year for a miracle LOL and found a component in one of my Supers of income protection so Im still on it til Jan 2018 and only work 3 days now but my Specialists have told me I have to give my work away that I'll never return to full time its far too volatile.
Its an incredible journey of self awareness that made me stop and I now never do anything I dont want to not for anyone...yet am selfless for my kids absolutely....but I put me first now because I finally realised I matter..Im not just a Mum..the ex Wife...the daughter...the sister...the friend...I am ME and its my time.
Big Hugs step at a time Melinda xo
I didnt do the LGFB it wasnt something I felt I needed, Id always loved makeup and have always been well groomed LOL uuugh thanks to my Mum! Anyway, the only challenge I found through Chemo was when my eyelashes fell out and I couldnt even put fake ones on as they dont stay..interesting hmmm? though a line of eyeliner across the top of the lid you couldnt tell I didnt have lashes. These were the little things that helped me feel better.
My kids were 11 & 13 at my first diagnosis and I had only become a single parent within 6 months and moved us all from our home. It was a difficult time and my Mum had only passed 12 months before that suddenly. I cant imagine how difficult with the kids being younger in terms of their understanding. I was always up front and honest but basic and they seemed to cope well in 2011, in 2015 it was a little different my daughter was VCE and I had 4.5months of Chemo and was on my own with 2 kids who were then 15 & 17. My son was very frightened the first time but they walked everyday through chemo and I got my daughter through VCE even through her own turmoil of being diagnosed with Depression..we both conquered things. My son is now in VCE and its a tough year for sure, so as I have surgery on Monday and a long recovery after 6 hard years ive had to let my kids go live with their dad...oh boy another major hurdle and yet I know I need to do this for me and give myself time to heal...I cant manage through it with them here and all the demands they have.
Sorry for the Essay hahaha Im a planner also and always had to be ahead of things....I had it all planned out and it honestly went out the window due to being incredibly ill for 4.5 months. Basically bedridden in pain, eating was a problem and exercise ummm I couldnt even walk to the letterbox..so Ive come such a long way. The best thing I ever did once I realised I was going to struggle was to let go of all my planning and I stopped work which was difficult as am on my own and no assistance really. Took a year for a miracle LOL and found a component in one of my Supers of income protection so Im still on it til Jan 2018 and only work 3 days now but my Specialists have told me I have to give my work away that I'll never return to full time its far too volatile.
Its an incredible journey of self awareness that made me stop and I now never do anything I dont want to not for anyone...yet am selfless for my kids absolutely....but I put me first now because I finally realised I matter..Im not just a Mum..the ex Wife...the daughter...the sister...the friend...I am ME and its my time.
Big Hugs step at a time Melinda xo