Forum Discussion
Struggling through Chemo
Hi all,
My nurse has just introduced me to this group.
I’m hoping to connect and share my story and hopefully somehow feel better.
After being diagnosed and a short time later having a mastectomy and all lymph nodes removed, chemo started just before Christmas and I am struggling with it!
Ive got another 2 months of chemo before 5 weeks of Radiation…… would love to hear other stories.
I have a fantastic support group of family, friends and colleagues but they just can’t possibly understand what I’m going through.
My nurse has just introduced me to this group.
I’m hoping to connect and share my story and hopefully somehow feel better.
After being diagnosed and a short time later having a mastectomy and all lymph nodes removed, chemo started just before Christmas and I am struggling with it!
Ive got another 2 months of chemo before 5 weeks of Radiation…… would love to hear other stories.
I have a fantastic support group of family, friends and colleagues but they just can’t possibly understand what I’m going through.
Looking forward to connecting 😊
344 Replies
- The muscle stiffness was a bit of a surprise for me as I got very little of it during treatment, but now wake up in the morning and need to do some stretching, I can almost hear the creaking as I get out of bed 😬. My lower back is particularly tight, an old injury making itself known again. Once I get moving I feel ok again. I dread to think what I'd be like in the cold weather.
- @GorgyS you're almost there! It's a great feeling (mostly relief!) when you finish chemo...I also hope you have a bell to ring! 🔔
@Rona I had a chuckle about your music....I got music yesterday too but can't remember what it was...nothing memorable.... I'll have to ask if I can bring my own play list, not that you're there for very long! Have you managed to have your chinese meal yet?
@Katie46 enjoy your goat's cheese next week! We have to celebrate all the wins!
I'm still a bit stiff in the legs but it's very gradually getting better.... I'm getting a bit more energy and have been working a bit more (had my first day back on site this week). I'm keeping up my qigong and meditation,
Have a great weekend ladies! 😀 - Good to hear you are all doing well, congratulations @Coastiejas on starting your radiation. I haven't been called back for another CT scan, so hopefully they've been able to settle a plan for me and can get started on Monday. I was originally told I'd be given 3 weeks of radiation, but they told me it will more than likely now be 5 at the lower dose, which is a little disappointing, but it's only 2 weeks extra.
You're almost there @GorgyS! I hope you have a bell to ring 🔔
After almost 4 weeks of no treatment I'm feeling pretty good, I'm walking more and have been doing yoga. My hair is growing and I now have a soft fuzz, it looks blondish, but I think the roots are getting darker. My fingertips are feeling better, but still have a slight change in sensation, and my taste is almost back to normal.
Next week I can eat the Meredith goats cheese waiting for me in the fridge 🥳🥳🥳🥳🐐 - You’re almost at the end of chemo, congratulations Gorgys! I hope you have a bell to ring there. I’m feeling so much more comfortable with my radiation now….. almost look forward to it 😳.Whilst I was waiting for my treatment yesterday, the lady before me was having her last treatment. Here they play loud (whatever you want) music to take your mind off of it. They played Celebrate Good Times for her….. very fitting. My turn came and they played “She’s a Man Eater” 😂😂. I pointed that out today to the staff and we had a good laugh about it. I didn’t choose that song btw….. it was just the next one on the playlist 😊
Thank you, lovely ladies, for sharing your experiences with radiotherapy. My last Taxol treatment is next week. I have planned and scheduled my 'tattoos' for June 27, with my first radiation session on July 15, for three weeks. I saw my oncologist yesterday, and he was very happy how I went through chemo although I reported all the side effects. Anyway, my appointment lasted less than five minutes. He gave me a prescription for Letrozole to start after radiation and a referral for a bone density scan. He wants me to start an exercise program with a personal trainer during or after radiation. I'm very happy to do this. My next appointment with him is in eight weeks. The journey continues, but it is what it is.
- Congratulations Coastiejas, the end of the road is near. I have 14 to go! My skin hasn’t changed yet, no pain, just the chronic fatigue yesterday but I’m fine today.
I’m still working full time and have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. It is a 2 hour round trip to radio on my days off, I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally be home for 2 days when my treatment ends!I eyed off the bell today 😂
Keep us up to speed with how you are going. - @Rona good to hear from you!
I had my first radiotherapy today. After the chemo it's a breeze!
I had no problem with the breath holding, I didn't get the snorkel but a screen with a line on it that I had to keep in the middle with my breathing, a bit like a strange sort of game!
I did go bright red afterwards but that's partly my paclitaxel tan and just what I do when I'm nervous or stressed...
Onwards and upwards ladies! - Hi everyone, nice to read you are all going well.
Cee Cee, Christmas seems forever away but when I think about it, I’ve had treatment since beginning of December so that makes sense. Time has truly flown with all that we are enduring….. thank goodness.
Katie that’s a bit of a setback for you and yes, definitely enjoy your time off of treatment.I have just had my 9th round of radiation…… don’t ask me where the time has gone…… I wasn’t even counting and now number 10 tomorrow!
I really struggled with the breath holding, just pure panic took over and I couldn’t control it. I had to push the button (which is there in your hand if you need them to come in) twice. It’s a very strange feeling to breathe in an amount of air they have programmed and then feel it cut off, as in no more air with a mouthpiece in my mouth and my nose pegged off, I didn’t do so well the first few sessions. I tried relaxing prior but when I was left alone I couldn’t. Having said that, I’m a bit of a pro at it now and my advice for anyone going through the breath holding technique is to ensure you expel your lungs prior to taking the deep breath (easier said than done when the shallow breathing takes over). I have to do this 7 times per session and there is quite a long pause after the initial breath hold to Aline the bed prior to the radiation.
Ive got friendly with another lady going through the same thing, it was her last day today and she rang the bell….. very loudly 😂, yep, there’s more bell ringing to come!The fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks today, all normal according to the nurse.
Look forward to hearing what your Oncologist decides to do Katie.
Take care everyone ♥️ - @Coastiejas thanks for that info. I had the Port installed today in the chest, I’ve just read all of the info and still not sure how it’s going to work. I have my 2nd AC Chemo tomorrow so will find out all about it then, they’ve left bits hanging out for this purpose. My surgeon gave me the numbing cream but not sure if I should use it for tomorrow as it’s a bit raw. Guess I’ll find out more.
@Katie46 Love your positive energy. Wishing you all the best for your Radiation. - @CeeCee I have the chest cemo port, my oncologist suggested it and it was a good move! I remember the anaesthetist saying to me that I was about to get my new best friend just before they knocked me out to put it in...I'm needle phobic too so it helped me a lot. You still feel the needle going in when they access it but I was given local anisthetic cream to put on before I left home to numb it, I'd recommend getting that. I'll get my port out after I'm done with the radiation.
@Katie46 that's disappointing that your radiation didn't start but good they are looking after you! I start it tomorrow so I'll let you know how it goes.
@Paris_24 good to know you're going ok.
