Forum Discussion

Janet_A's avatar
Janet_A
Member
11 years ago

2nd treatment

HI,

I wanted to share this. I did my second treatment on the 8th January, my first on the 18th Dec. I found a little daunting because of a reaction to the steroids, this time around I am really pleased with how I have handled this. Such a contrast to the first I have gained strength for the two remaining I have to do.

We are so used to a busy life and we expect to do the day with ease, its difficult to come to the realisation that you need to relax, chill out and ride it out until the fog clears and you start feeling better again. I did have a shot of neulasta to boost my white cells to prevent me from going to hospital again neutrapenic, sure I ached a little but I found doing pilates stopped the pain, I also walked on my treadmill when I could which has helped immensely. Drinking at least 10 glasses of water and lemon juice to flush it out and by Day 6 I was feeling pretty good, now I feel fantastic. We hear so many negatives about doing chemo that we don't hear the should I say success stories of getting through reasonably unscathed, am I lucky? Maybe, where your head is at is equally important as your fitness level.

I've lost my hair which was past waist length but I don't care it will grow back. Going out with a scarf has been interesting, I get a few looks and I don't think its the scarf, people are really uncomfortable with it which is a shame as there are increasingly good outcomes which go unnoticed in the media and public.

Janet xx

5 Replies

  • Janet_A's avatar
    Janet_A
    Member
    11 years ago

    I had long blonde hair too Justine and just found out where I can donate it too which I am really happy about. 

    I'm lucky I have such a supportive partner, I do miss my friends in South Australia,  I don't have family here but find myself keeping busy and slowly meeting new people. Yesterday I drove up to the marina in Mackay to join the Dragon boat racing, great bunch of girls who were so friendly and encouraging,  16 of us in the dragon boat doing laps of the marina, as I was introduced to the girls she mentioned how long it was since they had bc some 12 yrs, one even 27 yrs, this was exactly what I needed as I spend a lot of time alone on our rural property.  I will try to go again after my next treatment this Thursday. 

    Its my third and can't believe how fast time is going. We have decided to put in a pool this summer has been very hot around 35 with 80% humidity is very trying doing chemo I can tell you! Unfortunately won't be in until dry season. When it does rain as it does for hours everything cools down, the smells of the bush is very organic, the frogs down the back sound like balinese drums! Clacking in the bush to their own rhythm, i can watch my garden grow this time of the year!

    I am often up at 5 with the sun its a beautiful and cool time of the day. I feel so fit and healthy, grateful for keeping fit, getting on the treadmill most days when its not too hot and doing pilates on the floor of my bedroom under my aircon. 

    I'm not one for resting unfortunately so I think that is where I went wrong the first treatment,  best not resist when your body is telling you to rest! My partner shaved off the rest of my hair, I haven't lost anymore hair has anyone else found this, I thought I would lose it  completely?  I had cystic acne in my thirties, it came back, this time to the back of my head, great! How attractive!  Off to my doctor for some doscycoline i think you spell it, its now clearing up, geez anything else! 

  • Janet_A's avatar
    Janet_A
    Member
    11 years ago

    I had long blonde hair too Justine and just found out where I can donate it too which I am really happy about. 

    I'm lucky I have such a supportive partner, I do miss my friends in South Australia,  I don't have family here but find myself keeping busy and slowly meeting new people. Yesterday I drove up to the marina in Mackay to join the Dragon boat racing, great bunch of girls who were so friendly and encouraging,  16 of us in the dragon boat doing laps of the marina, as I was introduced to the girls she mentioned how long it was since they had bc some 12 yrs, one even 27 yrs, this was exactly what I needed as I spend a lot of time alone on our rural property.  I will try to go again after my next treatment this Thursday. 

    Its my third and can't believe how fast time is going. We have decided to put in a pool this summer has been very hot around 35 with 80% humidity is very trying doing chemo I can tell you! Unfortunately won't be in until dry season. When it does rain as it does for hours everything cools down, the smells of the bush is very organic, the frogs down the back sound like balinese drums! Clacking in the bush to their own rhythm, i can watch my garden grow this time of the year!

    I am often up at 5 with the sun its a beautiful and cool time of the day. I feel so fit and healthy, grateful for keeping fit, getting on the treadmill most days when its not too hot and doing pilates on the floor of my bedroom under my aircon. 

    I'm not one for resting unfortunately so I think that is where I went wrong the first treatment,  best not resist when your body is telling you to rest! My partner shaved off the rest of my hair, I haven't lost anymore hair has anyone else found this, I thought I would lose it  completely?  I had cystic acne in my thirties, it came back, this time to the back of my head, great! How attractive!  Off to my doctor for some doscycoline i think you spell it, its now clearing up, geez anything else! 

  • jussylee's avatar
    jussylee
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Janet

    I have just completed my 4th treatment, Only 2 to go !! Chemo hasnt been anything like i expected, mind you it hasn't been easy either. i have got better at managing the side effects. I find I have 10 days down and 10 good days, i sleep when i need it, drink plenty of water and try to live life as normally as possible. I lost all my long blonde hair and thought i wouldn't get  out of bed without my wig on and now I only wear it if Im going out socially. You are doing a wonderful job, keep checking in on the BCNA Network it helps.

    Love and best wishes

    Justine

  • jussylee's avatar
    jussylee
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Janet

    I have just completed my 4th treatment, Only 2 to go !! Chemo hasnt been anything like i expected, mind you it hasn't been easy either. i have got better at managing the side effects. I find I have 10 days down and 10 good days, i sleep when i need it, drink plenty of water and try to live life as normally as possible. I lost all my long blonde hair and thought i wouldn't get  out of bed without my wig on and now I only wear it if Im going out socially. You are doing a wonderful job, keep checking in on the BCNA Network it helps.

    Love and best wishes

    Justine

  • Rosanna's avatar
    Rosanna
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Janet

    You are doing wonderful, and take the lead back onto yourself.  Yeah, the chemo was nasty but lots of way to control and maintain.  You know how you feel.

    It's silly but I was busy and happy during chemo, because I was resting.  I've never ever stop working, I always doubted what a housewife doing without a job.  I made myself "enjoy" without work, without responsibility.  I let myself do whatever I like in a healthy way. I sleep and awake whenever, I eat and out whenever,  I just let the chemo work by itself.  For sure there were low and hard days, but it gone and it's quite controllable.

    Stay positive and be happy mood.

    Take care (huggingggggggggg)

    Rosanna