Half way

Thanks for this info re worrying. This is something I will need to address. At the moment though I too tired I think to worry or think straight - Iwill get chemo done and then I certainly need to address this issue. Di

Hi there

My naturopath has put me on a about 12 diff tablets to help protect the heart, gut, boost immune system, skin protection, cramps, etc. If you would like a comprehensive list I can give it to you - just let me know. I take prob over 20 tab each day and so far I've haven't had anything too serious. I must admit though my fourth treatment (this one being with Doxetacel which I will have 3) has caused a lot of joint pain and my mouth/throat has been quite blah -- no ulcers but I have some zinc lozenges to suck and these certainly help. My treatment was a week ago now and Im feeling better (though quite lethargic prob due to lack of sleep) so hopefully the next couple weeks will keep improving. have you finished all treatments and are you on hormone tablets, ie tamoxifen if your cancer was hormone postive. If you are how are those side effects - from other's comments doesn't sound like much fun. Do you have your story on a blog - I don't seem to be able to access it - might save me asking questions you've already put somewhere. Talk again soon, Di.

Hi again Di -  i know i said i hadnt made contact with anyone and wasnt sure what to do - and know i find myself posting my 3rd message to you in one day!  I read what you wrote about worrying - and felt i had to respond ASAP - worrying has been a huge hurdle for me to tackle during this journey...as it seems to be for you....i get it.......i have found it helpful to read some literature - have you read - The Power of Now - by Eckhart Tolle?  It is pretty heavy going and i can only read a few pages at a time - but the ideas stay with you and help to calm your mind - foucssing on on this very moment - and not wasting emotional energy on the past or future - i understand it can be a vicious cycle - i worried that i worried and stressed too much and might have caused the cancer - worried that i couldnt stop worrying and might make it worse!  I dont know whats true other than - we are here in this moment now and wecan control what we feel in this very moment - no more than that ....the feelings do get better - believe me. I felt very anxious during chemo and was told that it can be a side effect of the chemo drugs... - little by little, as each small milestone passes - you will start to move forward.  Louise Hay's - 'you can heal your life' is also quite good....hope any of this might help a little....take care

Chrissy

Hi there, interestd to see you mentioned seeing a naturopath - my oncologist only said - he had 'no objection' to me seeing one if i felt that was what i wanted - not exactly a ringing endorsement -but i must say she has been amazing for me - no skin problems/scarring at all after 30 radiation treatments - the radiation nurses and oncologist couldnt believe it. I still take all remedies now - she has modified them as time has passed - but have to say  i have looked and felt well most of the time and coped very well with treatment - so if it is working for you - go for it!  Still making vegetable juice  weekly (and freezing for a week) ater nearly 2 years - i truly believe it helps me.......what have you been taking....

Good luck with the next few treatments....you can do this...just be kind to yourself and say no to some things...its ok to nurture yourself a bit at this time - even though im sure you just want to press on with things the way you have in the past...

take care

Chrissy :o)

Hi Di, I can only echo Beth's comments re Reiki and Reflexology being a good 'time-out' from worry.   For me, massage does the trick, because it's an hour out when I can make myself switch-off from whatever's on my mind.  Meditation techniques are good, too if you can learn them. 

It's not easy, though -- I think I was genetically programmed to worry from a young age (maybe it goes with the name! ;)  and it's taken a lot of practice to be able to create a mental 'blank space'.  

Good luck!   Come back and let us know if you find something that works for you -- it might help someone else. :)

Hi Di, I can only echo Beth's comments re Reiki and Reflexology being a good 'time-out' from worry.   For me, massage does the trick, because it's an hour out when I can make myself switch-off from whatever's on my mind.  Meditation techniques are good, too if you can learn them. 

It's not easy, though -- I think I was genetically programmed to worry from a young age (maybe it goes with the name! ;)  and it's taken a lot of practice to be able to create a mental 'blank space'.  

Good luck!   Come back and let us know if you find something that works for you -- it might help someone else. :)

hi ladies, good luck with the rest of your treatment, hopefully you will get through it with not too many side effects, all going well,  Regards Moira

hi ladies, good luck with the rest of your treatment, hopefully you will get through it with not too many side effects, all going well,  Regards Moira

Hi Di

I'm abit with you on the well being side with treatment - week 1 pretty darn ordinary, along with side affects of immune booster, week 2 on the mend, week 3 able to do alot more, alothough still get fatigued in the arvo.  I've got treatment 3 on Monday, with another one on 15/12 of AC, then in the new year have 4 treatments of Taxalon, then radiation.

Haven't been to a naturopath, but have had Reiki and Reflexology - haven't had it before, but now I"ve had sessions - they are now my forced time out and certainly have helped with dealing with emotional side, being more relaxed about the treatment and not stressing about the whole journey - it is what it is, and we can get through it,..there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

take care

Beth