Chemo

Hey melg

you sum it up so beautifully, thank you.

Your honesty surpasses me and i appreciate that more than anything.  Good on you girl.

Stay strong and good luck on your journey.

Mich x

Hi all Chemo.... The c word that has given me more sleepless nights than that other c word. I too find it the most difficult thing to deal with... Having to be poisoned and made sick to be better. I had multiple cancers in both breasts so chemo and radiation was a given. I had a bilateral masectomy and bilateral clearance with 6/22 and 2/21 involvement. I started chemo on Friday 13th January. I had 4 three weekly cycles of AC. I won't lie... I found it very difficult with 3 hospital admissions including bilateral lung clots... It was doable but quite challenging. I have had 2/12 weekly taxols so far and found them so far to be much kinder to my body and mind. Days 3 and 4 I have had bone pain but I feel much clearer in the head on taxol. I am getting more out of breath after each cycle and feel constantly dehydrated on taxol but it is all doable. I try and remember that 6 mOnths of feeling ordinary is a small period of my life and if it gives me the best chance of a positive outcome I have to do it. I still find lots to smile and laugh about each day. Listen to your body and mind... Rest when you need to, cry when you need to. It's the fear of the unknown and loosing that bit of control that scares me. Take care Mel xxxxxx

Hi Julie

I wishing you lots of luck with your journey.  I am here if you need to ask any questions.  You can make me a contact and then it is easier to contacty me if you have any specific things I can help you with.

We are all different and travel the journey differently.  So far I have only had one outburst of why me and it isn't fair plus a few tears otherwise I have been fine.  I have a long way to go yet and not sure if I will stay so strong.  My attitude is if you need a good cry/scream/to vent then go for it.  We need to get it out there.

i will suggest that when your scalp gets a bit sore/itchy get your head totally shaved clean as I found that the prickles made it hard to sleep on my pillow.  Now all my hair is gone it is a lot easier. 

If you keep your oncologist and chemo team informed of any side effects  I have found they are very good at ensuring you the easiest road they can give you.  I have found everyone so wonderful so far.

I am changing my chemo from Perth to Geraldton only because i am finding the travel and organisation too hard now.  I will have to have radiotherapy in Perth as there is none in Gero.  I have found the girls all wonderful in Gero as well so far, Wednesday will be the telling point.

I am hear for you if I can help in any small way.

Sending you all good vibes.

Mich x

Hi Tammy

I hope all goes well with you. I am seeing my chemo specialist for the first time this Wednesday. I am quite anxious and nervous. Will find out about what cycle I will be on... and not looking forward to having side effects. Trying to have positive thoughts...

Thinking... what the hell... I shouldn't be sick.. I don't feel sick... why me?? , that also goes around in my head.

I am also about to have my hair cut real short, before the dreaded loss...too proud to have it fall out with the chemo.

and thanks to Mich post. that helps me as well, as soon enough this will be me.

Happy thoughts and hugs Julie XX

Hi Tammy

I hope all goes well with you. I am seeing my chemo specialist for the first time this Wednesday. I am quite anxious and nervous. Will find out about what cycle I will be on... and not looking forward to having side effects. Trying to have positive thoughts...

Thinking... what the hell... I shouldn't be sick.. I don't feel sick... why me?? , that also goes around in my head.

I am also about to have my hair cut real short, before the dreaded loss...too proud to have it fall out with the chemo.

and thanks to Mich post. that helps me as well, as soon enough this will be me.

Happy thoughts and hugs Julie XX

Hi Tammy

I was also not given too many choices regarding putting poisons in my body.  They were unable to get clear margins around my tumour and I had active lymph nodes.  I had two surgeries, one 22/12/11 lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy and one 19/1/12 which was the total axillary clearance.

I have had two cycles of FEC so far and due for my third this Wednesday.  I have them every 21 days.  I have found that day 3 and 4 after chemo I am a wipeout literally so if you have a family it is a good idea to have meals organised etc. for those days and things organised for your care over those days.  I find I tend to sleep the whole time, drink if someone gives me a drink, eat little, feel like crap but sleeping makes it easier.  The rest of the time I do have some side effects but nothing major.  I did have an injection for low white cell count the last time and that caused a lot of pain also for a couple of days.  All the little side effects are frustrating but bareable and you do get through them.  It is not fair that we have to go through this but as you say if you want to be there for your kids you have to do everything possible to see that you are.

I will be having 3 cycles of "T" as well after the FEC.  I am hoping that it won't be any worse than the FEC.  I am happy to become a contact if you wish so i can keep you informed on how I travel through the "T" regime.

I hope to have a little break to build myself up and then after that I will have to stay down in Perth as I will be having 7 weeks of radiotherapy.

I wish you strength and lots of love during your journey and I am here for you if you need me.

LOL Mich x