8 weeks after chemo finished
Well, I now only have 3 more daily radiotherapy treatments on the general chest wall where my left breast used to be; then 5 days of booster treatments next week just along the scar region to target where the cancers were removed. My skin is very good - virtually no change so far. A bit sore and hot. Using Sorbolene every morning and evening after treatment. They do also recommend Calendula but I had already bought the Sorbolene and this seems to be fine at the moment. This treatment has been a breeze compared with chemotherapy. Takes only about 5 minutes from start to finish and no pain. I am starting to feel more tired which I was warned about. Sleeping like a baby most nights!
Hair is at last starting to grow back on the top of my head - will take a bit to catch up to the chemo curls on the rest of my head (about 2 cm long but not thick). Very comfortable wearing my wig constantly which I see continuing into next year. Don't wear any cover around the house and a cap when out walking.
I realised only a month or so ago that I had actually lost my eyebrows and eyelashes. Because I 'draw' my face on every day (my grandson's take on it) to help me feel better I hadn't really taken in that I was missing them! Was a bit of a shock cos I'd felt that I hadn't lost them - was a last minute thing rather than back when I lost my hair. Anyway NOW they are coming back with a vengeance! Eyebrows much more obvious and good strong looking eyelashes too! Going to try the false eyelashes though in a few weeks for my daughter's wedding - just for fun!!
Hair on legs and arms, underarms and down south is starting to come back - not with the same intensity as my eyebrows and lashes. Thank goodness!
Nails on large toes are 'dead' and need holding down with bandaids. Nails on two fingers on each hand are half dead with the dead section growing out slowly. Paint them all to hide the bruising colour.
Feeling wonderfully grateful that my journey to this point has been quite 'good' greatly due, I am sure, to not having to work, and having so much time to spend with my new baby grand daughters and my gorgeous grandson and their mums - my wonderful daughters I have also been blessed with strong ongoing support from my amazing friends and my partner.
I am starting to 'prepare' to go back to work in the new year after 11 months off. Daunting but I am looking forward to it! I'm excited about some changes that have taken place and the new learning that I will face. New challenges.
