And then there were none......

Thanks for commenting Kristy. I am really grateful for support from the forum. It's made a really big difference knowing that others have been down this path and have managed well. I haven't been to the LGFB clinic yet, but am looking forward to it. First day home today and twoish weeks before chemo starts. It's funny how nothing changes at home! Kids still have the same needs. Thanks again, Monique

Well I guess that means you will not need the 12 months targeted treatment for the her2 now.

I have just had Cycle 8/12 of weekly taxol. And I have found it a real drag. The first 4  x21 day treatments were hard but then you got a break. Now its weekly bloods and chemo and as the weeks have gone on I just get more and more tired and a low mood. I also have suffered from side effects of the steroid which makes me puffy...and have gained a lot of weight....so this hasn't helped. But we are all different. Some breeze through, others don't. You won't  know how you will go until it starts. Tell the medical staff all issues as they can add in meds or take stuff out to help. Kath x

Hi Monique,

Sorry you had to join this website, it's great to hear you have lots of support around you but I too have found it so great to get support from other people gong through the same stuff.  And I can understand where you are at right now.  I'm not long past you.  I had a bilateral mastectomy in May after a lumpectomy didn't get all the lymph nodes.  I've now had 2 rounds of AC chemo, next one is on Monday, and then after one more, I'm onto 12 weekly rounds.  I'm one of the lucky ones, chemo is either being kind to me or I'm a tough cookie!  I've had very minimal side effects and feel good.  I'm so grateful and not taking one day for granted cos I know each treatment can be different.  My suggestion to you is to listen to your body, rest if you need to but also try to stay moving and active - I've tried to walk every day, starting with small walks down the street.  Now I can manage everything I could do before, and that's after a nasty bout of cording after surgery.  I started a Pinkmoves class yesterday and I'm going back to my old Pilates class in the next few weeks.

I did get a wig and love it - I went to the Cancer Council's wig library and got a free wig and a fringe.  The wig is so natural looking, no-one knows it's a wig, so it helps me feel normal.  It is slightly annoying, but I can wear it all day if necessary and swap is as soon as I get home for my soft fabric caps which are so comfy.  For short outings (picking up the kids from school or picking up a few groceries) I'm starting to wear my fringe with a cap or beanie.  (I've got a thing about my headwear not screaming "I'M HAVING CHEMO!").

I have 3 casual/part time jobs and I couldn't work immediately after surgery but 2 of them (office jobs) I started back a few weeks later.  You will only know once treatment starts whether you can work or not, because as I'm sure you've seen on this website before, everyone is different.  And I'm also worried about how I'll handle the 12 weekly sessions, only time will tell.  Fingers crossed all will be well and the only thing I'll complain about is spending the better part of each Monday at the hospital!

Take care, stay strong, you'll be fine!  You can do this.  My favourite quote at the moment is "Never be ashamed of a scar, it just means you are stronger than what tried to hurt you".

Donna

Hi Monique, sorry that you've had to join us here, but the plus side is, there's a lot of lovely supportive people here! Going down the wig route is entirely personal. I decided to get one before the hair fell out. I'm a Physio, so I've found it easier not having to explain things to new patients all the time. It is a bit uncomfortable to wear all day though I've found. I wear caps or scarves everywhere else though.

As a teacher, you would only need to explain once, and the kids wouldn't care what you wore. It's up to you. I'm not bothered by the occasional looks I get out & about rocking my blinged up caps. It's all about the accessories! Have you been to a "Look good/feel better" clinic yet? They're fantastic!

Take care,

Kristy

Thanks so much Cath. Xx

Hi Monique,

Sounds like you have been through a very very fast whirlwind of treatment. It can be so very confusing trying to get a handle on the very specific terminology related to breast cancer specially if you don't have the luxury of being able to look everything up before you head into surgery or treatment. In one way it is great because the worrying is kept to a shorter minimum and in another it's harder because you're heading into  the great unknown!! It must have been a shock to be told that you need further surgery to remove nodes. Certainly not what you want to hear. I'm quite sure that you will deal with it and then move onto the next phase of your treatment, that however doesn't mean that you have to like it!!!!! I think that one of the best benefits of this site is that there are soooo many who have walked the same path (or a slightly different path) before us. They understand what we face and if we need to let down the facade that we put on for family and others and let us talk about how we are feeling, whether it's brilliant, scared stupid or just totally over it!! I am quite sure that should you want to you will again go back to teaching full time, and look upon this as being just a small blip in your teaching career. All the best to you with your healing and moving on to the next phase of your treatment. Keep us in touch with how your are going. Xx Cath