Hi Everyone, Hope everyone is doing well today. I have decided to put up my Christmas decorations this week, as I have my second chemo next week and might not feel very "christmassy' then. I'm not feeling very christmassy now, but i'm trying to talk myself into it. I have had a couple of emotional breakdowns the past week, more out of frustration I think. I hate that my whole life revolves around chemo treatments. Can't do this at this time it's just after treatment, Should I be going to a concert day 10 with all those people around? etc....etc. Even Christmas day is a downer, I have chemo on the 22nd, so having the 18 family members at my house is out his year. So online shopping mostly I think for me. So we decided to have Christmas the week before at my sisters house. Not the same, but now I just sound like a pouting child! ha ha ha . Apart from that, it's day 14 and my hair is still hanging in there, I'm feeling pretty good and for that I am grateful. Love Penny xx

Gee,xmas is stressful enough as it is without throwing chemo in as well.You poor darl -how awful to have a chemo session on the 22nd.They didn't time that too well.It's really hard to make arrangements for outings/parties when you are having chemo because you just can't predict how you'll be.I would just wait(don't commit)and see how you are on the day.Go with your gut because the last thing you want is to end up in isolation ward for xmas.I did a 4 day stint there and it ain't no picnic!! Glad you are holding onto your hair,you never know. It's good that your sister is having early xmas- you can just chill out xmas day now.Good luck with the shopping,I've barely started as am preoccupied with new house. Tonya xx

How is the new house coming along? I am going to buy tickets for Ronan Keating (5 days after chemo) in February and hope I am feeling good. I can always give the ticket to my niece if I'm not well enough. I just don't want this bc to take over my life! If that makes any sense. I haven't said yes to anything else, and will wait and see how I am.

Oh no! That is a pain Alison! When do you finish work? Will you be on holidays then? Having the ulcers really gets you down, so annoying isn't it. Did you try the bicarbonate mouth wash? Woke up this morning with very sore hair/head, so I'm guessing it's not long til I say goodbye to my hair. Have a great day Love Penny xx

poor penny, having chemo right on xmas ! and your hair is about to fall out also? i was terrified of my hair falling out. it thinned over chemo and i ended up looking odd with my cap on, but it was summer, so head was not cold. ( take a few photos ) my family did not mind what i looked like. i did not wear a turban at all. i bought a short brown wig, but only wore it once! i just wore the cap and did shopping etc, then home mostly. everyone is different. if you feel up to going to ronan keating in february, then go. i wondered at the time, how i would get through it all, but i did. you will too, but it may not have " hit " you yet, and the treatments can take a toll, so be kind to yourself for a year or two..... till you adjust, is my advice. the emotional journey is as important as the physical. i think i might have been in " denial " about some things, and was reluctant to acknowledge, even to myself, at the time. i did eventually, and now, some years down the track i feel life is chugging along mostly, and back to a new normal. it has been enriched also, but i have also had some struggles. you will have ups and downs, meet new people, maybe cry a lot, especially in the beginning, but hoping you will also have some laughs as well. things do settle down in time, but to feel overwhelmed / shocked/ angry/ sad, and other emotions, is normal, as your life is put on hold. do ask, and accept help when needed. go with how you feel. some days will be harder that others, as the chemo can effect you physically and emotionally. take it day by day.. it made sense, and i use it to this day. all the best, kathy.

Christmas | BCNA Online Network

12 Replies

TonyaM
Member
12 years ago
It might be better to start a new post with Avinitor as your heading.Tonya xx
Rubes
Member
12 years ago
I am anxious to speak to ladies who are on Avinitor, I am needing to know how you are dealing with the side effects.
Jacqui
Member
14 years ago
Merry Christmas to all you lovely ladies and thanks for your good advice. I also find its easy to stay safe in side , especially when your skin becomes very sensitive and you lose your hair. Fortunately I will still have my hair for Christmas, but will probably lose it again new year. I did most of my Christmas shopping online also much easier when you dont feel well, but also germ free! Amazing how germy everyone seems when they are all in a crowd and touching everything and coughing, sneezing etc all over everything!! Yuc. My aim this Christmas is to relax and enjoy as much as I can. Last year I was on AC and was very nauseus, this year I hope to just sit back and let everyone else run around.

Best of luck to everyone and hope you enjoy Christmas, Love Jacqui
pennyb
Member
14 years ago
Facials sounds good, but at the moment I have to admit I really don't go out very much at all. The first week after chemo I felt too ill, the 2nd week I was scared of getting sick, now its the 3rd week and I think I should really leave the house. That's one of the downers of working from home, it's really easy to hibernate and feel safe, no one can see you, but I have to make myself get out. Congrats on finishing chemo, I know exactly how you feel about the hair, I loved my hair! Probably another thing that is stopping me getting out. Look after yourself Love Penny xx
pennyb
Member
14 years ago
For the advice, I did buy my Ronan ticket today, and I am glad I did, I am excited! Xxx
Jrova
Member
14 years ago
Hi Penny, I finished chemo today, but I still can't be bothered much with Christmas. I know I'll be feeling physically good, but mentally, I just want to be selfish and cocoon with my husband and kids. We've told my husband's family they can come to our place (just a casual meal!!) and we'll just visit my side to open presents in the afternoon. Please take it easy and don't push yourself; easier said than done I know. Having treatment is really hard to fit in with our lives, but I just try to remember how lucky we are to have access to it. Still a pain though!! With regards to hair loss, this is my second time as a baldy. I had 6 months chemo in 2002 and that grew back fairly quickly but I had a short hair style back then. This time my hair was shoulder length and I'd just got it the way I like it!! Grrrr. Never mind, it will be back eventually. First time was during winter, but this time I'm finding it a bit uncomfortable as Perth has had some warm weather. Anyway, take it easy and I hope your treatments go quickly. I find having lots of facials and pedicures is cheering me up, but don't tell my husband. We're supposed to be saving haha! xx Jane
TonyaM
Member
14 years ago
I love Ronan Keating-hope you get to go as that would be a great concert.It's the loss of control and predictability of your life that is so upsetting when you are having chemo.It makes perfect sense that you don't want bc to take over your life.But reality is that the treatments for bc do tend to cramp your lifestyle for awhile.Hate to say it but sounds like your hair will fall out soon if your scalp is sore.Some women take it in their stride but I wasn't one of them! I hated being bald and covered up all the time -probably vain. Well we are just waiting on landscaping to be done now-paving and garden beds etc.Waiting on a delivery of a dining table and plantation shutters to front bedroom.So it's starting to feel abit more like "home"now.

Tonya xx
pisces_tas
Member
14 years ago
poor penny, having chemo right on xmas ! and your hair is about to fall out also? i was terrified of my hair falling out. it thinned over chemo and i ended up looking odd with my cap on, but it was summer, so head was not cold. ( take a few photos ) my family did not mind what i looked like. i did not wear a turban at all. i bought a short brown wig, but only wore it once! i just wore the cap and did shopping etc, then home mostly.

everyone is different. if you feel up to going to ronan keating in february, then go. i wondered at the time, how i would get through it all, but i did. you will too, but it may not have " hit " you yet, and the treatments can take a toll, so be kind to yourself for a year or two..... till you adjust, is my advice.

the emotional journey is as important as the physical. i think i might have been in " denial " about some things, and was reluctant to acknowledge, even to myself, at the time.

i did eventually, and now, some years down the track i feel life is chugging along mostly, and back to a new normal. it has been enriched also, but i have also had some struggles.

you will have ups and downs, meet new people, maybe cry a lot, especially in the beginning, but hoping you will also have some laughs as well. things do settle down in time, but to feel overwhelmed / shocked/ angry/ sad, and other emotions, is normal, as your life is put on hold.

do ask, and accept help when needed. go with how you feel. some days will be harder that others, as the chemo can effect you physically and emotionally.

take it day by day.. it made sense, and i use it to this day.

all the best, kathy.
pennyb
Member
14 years ago
Oh no! That is a pain Alison! When do you finish work? Will you be on holidays then? Having the ulcers really gets you down, so annoying isn't it. Did you try the bicarbonate mouth wash? Woke up this morning with very sore hair/head, so I'm guessing it's not long til I say goodbye to my hair. Have a great day Love Penny xx
pennyb
Member
14 years ago
How is the new house coming along? I am going to buy tickets for Ronan Keating (5 days after chemo) in February and hope I am feeling good. I can always give the ticket to my niece if I'm not well enough. I just don't want this bc to take over my life! If that makes any sense. I haven't said yes to anything else, and will wait and see how I am.