Seeking chemo tips and advice
Hi everyone. I'm a 49yo single mum recently diagnosed with locally advanced Stage III ILC. I had the boob removed three weeks ago and it's healing fine. I'm now looking at six months of chemo (w...
Forum Discussion
I'm sorry for your diagnosis. You can do this.
This may not be a priority, but I always like to say, check if you have Income Protection Insurance.
A lot of people have this within their Superannuation. If you have this get your claim going if you want this. The claim process can take a while, but may be worth it.
I used IP, and took approx 11mths off work. My work is as a RN in a busy hospital. My diagnosis in 2020 was also the beginning of COVID. I thought it would be safer for me not to work. I also didn't have to stress about if I would be fit and reliable for a shift. At my work it is almost impossible to be replaced during a Night shift.
Hopefully you will have an education session prior to Chemo. I had an excellent session with a Chemo RN.
My treatments went quite well. Some side effects with Chemo, but all manageable. No nausea at all.
I did not lose my hair, I used Cold Cap and recommend it. It does increase the amount of time spent at Chemo by 1 1/2hrs.
I also had an Infusaport inserted for my Chemo. This allows easy access for blood tests and Chemo. This was recommended for me as my veins are not good.
I did not burn with my RT. I had Mepitel applied to the area 24/7 for my 5 weeks, and about week after.
I drove myself every day with no problem.
Everyone is different. I only mention my relatively good run, so that you don't assume the worst.
Read the literature you should be given, that will tell you of all the side effects possible. I had EVi Q sheets. They are available on the internet. They are Australian.
Report any issues to your Breast Care nurse if you are lucky enough to have one. And/or yo to our Oncologist.
Make sure you know who to contact if you have a problem. Like a fever after hours.
Have a piece of paper handy to write questions down as you think of them, to take to your next appointments. So you don't forget to ask what is important to you.
Take someone with you if possible to Drs appointments, as a second pair of ears.
This may not be a priority, but I always like to say, check if you have Income Protection Insurance.
A lot of people have this within their Superannuation. If you have this get your claim going if you want this. The claim process can take a while, but may be worth it.
I used IP, and took approx 11mths off work. My work is as a RN in a busy hospital. My diagnosis in 2020 was also the beginning of COVID. I thought it would be safer for me not to work. I also didn't have to stress about if I would be fit and reliable for a shift. At my work it is almost impossible to be replaced during a Night shift.
Hopefully you will have an education session prior to Chemo. I had an excellent session with a Chemo RN.
My treatments went quite well. Some side effects with Chemo, but all manageable. No nausea at all.
I did not lose my hair, I used Cold Cap and recommend it. It does increase the amount of time spent at Chemo by 1 1/2hrs.
I also had an Infusaport inserted for my Chemo. This allows easy access for blood tests and Chemo. This was recommended for me as my veins are not good.
I did not burn with my RT. I had Mepitel applied to the area 24/7 for my 5 weeks, and about week after.
I drove myself every day with no problem.
Everyone is different. I only mention my relatively good run, so that you don't assume the worst.
Read the literature you should be given, that will tell you of all the side effects possible. I had EVi Q sheets. They are available on the internet. They are Australian.
Report any issues to your Breast Care nurse if you are lucky enough to have one. And/or yo to our Oncologist.
Make sure you know who to contact if you have a problem. Like a fever after hours.
Have a piece of paper handy to write questions down as you think of them, to take to your next appointments. So you don't forget to ask what is important to you.
Take someone with you if possible to Drs appointments, as a second pair of ears.