4th chemo today & struggling

Hi Hun,

I have to admit, one minute you know you can do it, the next??? All doom & gloom!!!

Part of the process darl!!! I seen a psychologist during my treatment & it does help a lot. Cancer is a mindset & the right frame of mind is sometimes not easily achieved. I am in my third year of remission this year. Easy for me to say that you will be fine! But I told the doctor after my first chemo to shove it where the sun don't shine!!! I litterally told her I was not coming back to my husband's horror!!! They eventually talked me around & put me in hospital which made a big difference. I was still feeling like crap 10 days after the treatment & wanted to end it as a result!!! It was my fault because I thought I did not need the 'In Between' Medication!!! My mind thought it knew better? Lol!!! But it did not of course!!! New drugs are coming out all the time, & luckily for me they had a new one which made it easier to cope with the nausea. But just when you think everything is better, new obstacles hamper your treatment!!! I found using a diary to write down absolutely everything that happens including your temperature & side effects, helps the doctors to tailor your treatment better!!! A friend of mine form K Mart, whom I used to work with, is going through treatment as we speak. Poor Anna, is having the same drugs as what I had to endure, but is not suffering from nausea as much!!! It is the anti-nausea drugs I think? I had FEC-D. The doctor did say that if you suffered during pregnancy with morning sickness, then this can give you an indication of how you will react to chemo drugs! And don't forget to REST, REST, REST!!!

Everything needs to rest!!! Body, mind, patience, everything!!!

Just remember that the light at the end of the tunnel might not be a train after all but the end of your treatment, finally!!!

Take care always & let me know how your treatment & how you are going too Cook???

P.S. Asking for help is a sign of strength & not weakness OK!!! :)

Hi Cook,

 

Yes, I just want you to know that It does get better, just have a little more faith than usual in yourself ok???

If you want to cry/ Then cry!!! Punch a pillow!!! Scream at inanimate objects, what ever it takes!!!

This is the hardest thing you will ever do so don't think you have to act a certain way ok??? Other people have to make allowances for your pain, physical or mental??? Not the other way around!!!

Good luck and take careOXOXMiaOXOX

 

 

Hi Theresa, I'm so sorry to hear you are having a hard time with the latest chemo :(  I also recall feeling down in the dumps and really lethargic after my 4th chemo but something that kept me going was a calendar that we (as a family) would cross off as I got through each one, ie: 1 chemo down, 5 to go.... 2 chemo down, 4 to go and so on.  I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and it was a great feeling.  Let the tears fall and talk as much or as little about how you are feeling - whatever makes you feel a little better.  Listen to your body and rest when you can.

I am coming up to 3 years clear and am feeling better fabulous :)   I just want you to know that as hard as it is right now, you wil get through this. We are all here supporting you :)

Sending you lots of love and strength

xxxx

I have one more chemo treatment to go in two weeks time and like you this week I have been very teary.  A week or more is a long time to feel fatigued and unwell and it it is hard to think we will ever feel vitality again.  That is the question I have been asking myself the last few days.  I keep forgetting about the people I have met who have come out the other side of this and have gone back to work and are enjoying a full life. 

This is not an easy journey and you have every right to shed some tears and as said by Robyn and Deanne you will feel better for having done so.

Try to talk to a girlfriend, sister or mother  every day if possible.  Keep your mind distracted with reading, puzzles or what every you like.  Exercise and fresh air is fabulous.  At the end the day look back  and pat yourself on the back for the things you have done and give thanks and know that tomorrow or the next day will be even better.

Big hugs

Joy x

 

I am three quarters of the way through chemo now and just starting to feel the end is in sight and with that my mood has lifted. I haven't been posting recently either as I too was feeling pretty down and sick to death of being in a long dark tunnel with nothing in it but work and chemo. No time for fun, friends or anything except just getting through. And I was so fed up with never feeling well, especially when I went from three weekly FEC to weekly taxol. But things are looking better now. Just three more weeks until my last one and I know I can hang in that long. So I can really relate to how you are feeling, but all I can say is time does pass and we will get through to the end. I know that a rich and full life that I will be well enough to enjoy is there waiting for me when this is over. It is just hard to imagine it on the dark days. Hugs Viv xxxx

Like Deanne said,halfway is hard.You are neither here nor there.The cumulative effects of chemo really play havoc with your emotions,and this is where you are finding the tears are coming from nowhere.I can remember at that stage,thinking that I would never feel normal again!I used to cry for pretty much anything and nothing,and some days feel very sorry for myself.I think it's healthy to feel like this,and usually after crying,you will find that for a while,you feel a little better.Try to get outside,because fresh air and blue sky do wonders for the soul:) Take care,and stay connected on here,as we can help you through this.xoxRobyn

Halfway is hard because you are worn down with it all but still have just as far to go. Try not to look too far ahead. Sometimes I told myself it will be better tomorrow or in 3 days or whatever and tried not to think of how many more chemos to get through. It really does help if you can have some sort of reward, something nice to look forward to. It can be hard but there is usually something you can concentrate on that makes you feel a little bit better. It really is a roller coaster but for every down run there was always an up time too. Hope your up time is on it's way! Take care. Deanne xxx

Hi Theresa, Just remember "This too shall pass". Hard to believe, I know, but it is true. Just think of it as one less time you have to go. Be kind to yourself and keep on taking baby steps. Paula xx

Hi Theresa, Just remember "This too shall pass". Hard to believe, I know, but it is true. Just think of it as one less time you have to go. Be kind to yourself and keep on taking baby steps. Paula xx

as chemo is accumulative it does get worse as you go along. Its perfectly normal to feel the way you are and you are allowed a meltdown if thats the way your feeling. Just keep your fluids up no matter how tired you are and how sick of it you get keep drinking as it makes a huge difference.

Take care and sending you hugs

Donna