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MandaMoo's avatar
MandaMoo
Member
15 years ago

Halfway!

Well treatment 3 is done and dusted - now a week later.  That is FEC out of the way! I have to say though that this one has knocked me a bit fatigue-wise.  I was all raring to go but I am not bouncing quite so quickly from this one.  It is only a week so each day should be a bit better - just muscle/bone pain and fatigue, no tastebuds, queasy tummy (not too bad). It's probably the weather too - it has been bitterly cold here in Melbourne and grey - not what a Qld girl enjoys!  :-)

 

We did the Mother's Day Classic - I was just so happy to be out there with my family walking - the atmosphere was wonderful despite the weather - at least the rain held off until we were finished. I was proud of my littlies - we pushed my son but he bolted across the finish waving his cap in the air!  I was supported by some of my amazing friends and their families too.  

I'm onto Taxotere next - spent quite a bit of time talking to my Oncologist about all of my questions and she was great.  I am a little anxious about Taxotere - I have done so well until now but feel the treatments taking their toll progressively and I'm not liking that at all.  She suggested that most people do feel worse on Taxotere and don't get the bounce that you do with FEC - I'm hoping I'm not "most".  Also discussed alcohol (that ad is horrible) - I don't drink a lot but enjoy a glass of wine and the ad makes me feel like I've caused my cancer.  Along with the other well meaning people who tell me that my meat eating/dairy eating/non-organic eating..... has caused this to happen.  Then there is the fact I don't exercise enough, colour my hair (when I had it!), had a spray tan once - sheesh! What's a girl to do!?  I feel like there is a buzz in my head - that there is so much information, so many options.  I don't know which way to go.  Surely getting cancer is a message of some sort that something in your lifestyle is not right - but which bit?  Help me out here hey?  

Anyway - I am happy to say that BC is now not always my first thought when I wake (probably my second lol).  I am now thinking about reconstruction.  I am now thinking about life after treatment. I am now thinking about who I want to be and what I want to become because of this.

I am a little blue this time - again probably those blasted grey Melbourne skies - I want my life back - preferably without the cancer anywhere in there at any point (cause I only ever talk about it in past tense) - I want to be blissfully living life thinking I will live as long as my grandmother (87).  I want to have the energy to get out amongst it all - mind over matter I suppose - so better get my mind into it! Everyone keeps saying how positive I am - and I am - it's not the cancer - it's the lack of control, the appointments, interruptions, lack of energy, lack of control - there's the crux.  Time....I'll get it back I'm sure - just give it a little time...

39 Replies

  • I knew I could count on you all to give me wise words!  

    I am planning a retreat somewhere - I was thinking of going to Gwinganna on the Gold Coast when my last Taxotere is over - oncologist said it was fine to do this with Herceptin and that we don't need to be so strict with the 3 weeks then.  I think by August I will be needing some sunshine and warmth.  My husband and I are also thinking about a holiday next year - just trying to decide whether it is the 2 of us or the 5 of us that go somewhere exotic.  

    Maria - I like your take on the river taking you - I do need to let go a little.  As Tonya said too - be patient, let the body rest.  I'm just not used to it - perhaps that is what I am supposed to learn. I know I will come out of this better - I want to come out of this better so I will.  

    I have woken feeling brighter today.  Yesterday I just didn't feel right - I am getting hot flushes during the day - at least I think that is what they are - I was out talking to my neighbour - it was about 10 deg and got all hot and dizzy - stripped to a t-shirt and was still hot!  I had a quite a few of these episodes yesterday on top of lying in a recliner all afternoon watching tv - not me at all - I usually don't sit down until after dinner at night - lol! Today I've had a good night's sleep and I feel brighter.  I have some distractions planned for the rest of the week too - and some rest too....

    I love that you are all so wonderful at saying just the right thing - thank you :-)

    Amanda xx

  • I knew I could count on you all to give me wise words!  

    I am planning a retreat somewhere - I was thinking of going to Gwinganna on the Gold Coast when my last Taxotere is over - oncologist said it was fine to do this with Herceptin and that we don't need to be so strict with the 3 weeks then.  I think by August I will be needing some sunshine and warmth.  My husband and I are also thinking about a holiday next year - just trying to decide whether it is the 2 of us or the 5 of us that go somewhere exotic.  

    Maria - I like your take on the river taking you - I do need to let go a little.  As Tonya said too - be patient, let the body rest.  I'm just not used to it - perhaps that is what I am supposed to learn. I know I will come out of this better - I want to come out of this better so I will.  

    I have woken feeling brighter today.  Yesterday I just didn't feel right - I am getting hot flushes during the day - at least I think that is what they are - I was out talking to my neighbour - it was about 10 deg and got all hot and dizzy - stripped to a t-shirt and was still hot!  I had a quite a few of these episodes yesterday on top of lying in a recliner all afternoon watching tv - not me at all - I usually don't sit down until after dinner at night - lol! Today I've had a good night's sleep and I feel brighter.  I have some distractions planned for the rest of the week too - and some rest too....

    I love that you are all so wonderful at saying just the right thing - thank you :-)

    Amanda xx

  • Hi Amanda,

    Congrats on being halfway there, same as me. I have my first docetaxel this Thursday & like you am a bit worried about it. I also found this last FEC harder than the others & felt a bit down too. Well we are both half way up that hill now & can help each other if we need a push. . . meet you at the top.

    Take care   Loretta xx

  • Hi Amanda,

    Congrats on being halfway there, same as me. I have my first docetaxel this Thursday & like you am a bit worried about it. I also found this last FEC harder than the others & felt a bit down too. Well we are both half way up that hill now & can help each other if we need a push. . . meet you at the top.

    Take care   Loretta xx

  • Hi Amanda,

    This cancer journey teaches us to be patient.We have no choice really but to get through each bit at a time,accepting the fatigue,giving in to our body's message to rest. When I first got b cancer 7 years ago I read every book on cancer,researched +++,talked to countless women in the same boat as me and you know what -  breast cancer doesn't discriminate.I've met health fanatics,athletes,vegetarians etc who still got bcancer. The only common denominator I found was that all told a story of having stored up grief/stress for around 18mths or so.Constant high levels of cortisol can deplete your immune system which inturn,may not wipe out a cancer cell.This is one theory anyway.I guess genetics may play a part in some b cancers.So this time around I've decided that shit just happens.It's something we are going to have to live with and keep an eye on.Lower stress,peace of mind is most important followed by excercise and eating healthy.But you don't have to be fanatic about it.Red wine a few nights a week is actually good for you.So don't feel you are to blame in any way.I try to tell myself that there are worse diseases out there and breast cancer is one of the more treatable cancers.

                                          Tonya xx

  • Hi Amanda,

    This cancer journey teaches us to be patient.We have no choice really but to get through each bit at a time,accepting the fatigue,giving in to our body's message to rest. When I first got b cancer 7 years ago I read every book on cancer,researched +++,talked to countless women in the same boat as me and you know what -  breast cancer doesn't discriminate.I've met health fanatics,athletes,vegetarians etc who still got bcancer. The only common denominator I found was that all told a story of having stored up grief/stress for around 18mths or so.Constant high levels of cortisol can deplete your immune system which inturn,may not wipe out a cancer cell.This is one theory anyway.I guess genetics may play a part in some b cancers.So this time around I've decided that shit just happens.It's something we are going to have to live with and keep an eye on.Lower stress,peace of mind is most important followed by excercise and eating healthy.But you don't have to be fanatic about it.Red wine a few nights a week is actually good for you.So don't feel you are to blame in any way.I try to tell myself that there are worse diseases out there and breast cancer is one of the more treatable cancers.

                                          Tonya xx

  • Hey Manda Moo - don't get too worried about 'all the things that could of caused your bc' - I am serious when I say, where do you start? Any way, life life to the full and enjoy - don't get hooked up on 'all the reasons why and wherefore' Some people live life like saints and don't do anything out of the norm, they still have heart attacks, and they still get cancer - so enjoy! That's what I say! x x x 

  • Hi Amanda. the whole journey can be a BIG downer at times , i still have shit days now and then. 

    you treatment is the same as annie 2 and she is young you should get in touch and compare notes.

  • Hi Amanda. the whole journey can be a BIG downer at times , i still have shit days now and then. 

    you treatment is the same as annie 2 and she is young you should get in touch and compare notes.