Chemotherapy or natural?
Tomorrow I go to see oncologist for first time after surgery removal of invasive ductal carcinoma (12mm) and finding cancer in the only lymph node they found. Had CT Scans and bone scan yesterday so g...
Forum Discussion
Hi, the ladies here are so awesome. I was very scared to come here but now that I am here, I actually found strength to be among you ladies. This is such a supportive place.
If you click my username you can read my posts. I struggled with going for chemo, from the first and even worse with the last. I was very inclined to use only alternative but i could not find the courage esp when what I saw are only people online, but i have several friends who went through BC and went through conventional treatment, and they are alive around me, real people you know what I mean? I was very frightened of the side effects of chemo before it started. I was imagining the worst. I planned - I bought my wig - I cut my hair so short before chemo as I did not want to see my hair fall out - I went to the dentist to have a clean out (I have gum issues and I know chemo possibly will affect my gums and I may not be able to floss my teeth the same throughout chemo and may have gum bleeding issues...)... so I planned whatever I could before chemo started.
I chose chemo in the end as I want to do what I could to be with my family years down the road. It helps to have supportive family members and friends. I found with all the support I have from them, it makes this journey easier. I am able to chat with friends any time I want and it's amazing how supportive they have been, especially when I was in emergency the hosp stay for chemo cycle 1 due to a throat infection and low grade fever, and had bad rashes in cycle 3. When unexpected things happened, the support you can get will make it easier.
I almost quit chemo 4. The ladies here helped support me with advice and their stories. I know I still have to be the one who makes the decision. My husband and brother were able to speak sense into me and helped me decide that i would complete it. I think I have made the right decision. One step at a time. One day at a time.
During chemo these few months, I made sure I get good nutrition to recover for the next cycle. I must say amazingly my appetite has been fantastic. Even though now (after the 4th cycle) my taste buds have been affected, I still get hungry easily and eat several small meals daily. I need to eat well to get well. My mum flew over to help look after me and my family. she's been my best friend. And I never once had nausea which was listed as a side effect. I realized every one may get different side effects listed. I had sore nails towards start of 4th cycle but two of my friends did not have that. Some have shivers and chills but i did not. One of them had bad nausea and poor appetite but I did not. One had bad tummy pain I did not. I had side effects that they did not have. I broke out in bad rash in 3rd cycle. All affected differently. So you may get some but not some. Make sure you take good care of yourself during the chemo period. Come in and ask and we will all help along if you are going to be prescribed chemo. :) When my breast surgeon came in after after my surgery and told me I needed 4 chemo and herceptin for 12 months, I broke into tears. But now I may even explore radiotherapy. One step at a time, I do not know how I manage to go through 4 hospital stays, numerous scans and so many blood tests, all the way from Adelaide where I was diagnosed to surgery chemo back in Melbourne...but I did. You will get through this too. I also complement chemo with good healthy diet full of organic produce. It makes me feel better eating organic to reduce the burden to my body. I am going to continue eating organic as much as i can.
I find getting informed and prepared helped me, plus all the support I get helped tremendously. :)
Sorry for the long post, typing as I go..time for bed. LOL. xxx
If you click my username you can read my posts. I struggled with going for chemo, from the first and even worse with the last. I was very inclined to use only alternative but i could not find the courage esp when what I saw are only people online, but i have several friends who went through BC and went through conventional treatment, and they are alive around me, real people you know what I mean? I was very frightened of the side effects of chemo before it started. I was imagining the worst. I planned - I bought my wig - I cut my hair so short before chemo as I did not want to see my hair fall out - I went to the dentist to have a clean out (I have gum issues and I know chemo possibly will affect my gums and I may not be able to floss my teeth the same throughout chemo and may have gum bleeding issues...)... so I planned whatever I could before chemo started.
I chose chemo in the end as I want to do what I could to be with my family years down the road. It helps to have supportive family members and friends. I found with all the support I have from them, it makes this journey easier. I am able to chat with friends any time I want and it's amazing how supportive they have been, especially when I was in emergency the hosp stay for chemo cycle 1 due to a throat infection and low grade fever, and had bad rashes in cycle 3. When unexpected things happened, the support you can get will make it easier.
I almost quit chemo 4. The ladies here helped support me with advice and their stories. I know I still have to be the one who makes the decision. My husband and brother were able to speak sense into me and helped me decide that i would complete it. I think I have made the right decision. One step at a time. One day at a time.
During chemo these few months, I made sure I get good nutrition to recover for the next cycle. I must say amazingly my appetite has been fantastic. Even though now (after the 4th cycle) my taste buds have been affected, I still get hungry easily and eat several small meals daily. I need to eat well to get well. My mum flew over to help look after me and my family. she's been my best friend. And I never once had nausea which was listed as a side effect. I realized every one may get different side effects listed. I had sore nails towards start of 4th cycle but two of my friends did not have that. Some have shivers and chills but i did not. One of them had bad nausea and poor appetite but I did not. One had bad tummy pain I did not. I had side effects that they did not have. I broke out in bad rash in 3rd cycle. All affected differently. So you may get some but not some. Make sure you take good care of yourself during the chemo period. Come in and ask and we will all help along if you are going to be prescribed chemo. :) When my breast surgeon came in after after my surgery and told me I needed 4 chemo and herceptin for 12 months, I broke into tears. But now I may even explore radiotherapy. One step at a time, I do not know how I manage to go through 4 hospital stays, numerous scans and so many blood tests, all the way from Adelaide where I was diagnosed to surgery chemo back in Melbourne...but I did. You will get through this too. I also complement chemo with good healthy diet full of organic produce. It makes me feel better eating organic to reduce the burden to my body. I am going to continue eating organic as much as i can.
I find getting informed and prepared helped me, plus all the support I get helped tremendously. :)
Sorry for the long post, typing as I go..time for bed. LOL. xxx