Forum Discussion
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
Hi all i don't know if Otis is in all states but i know it is in Victoria. will have to check. they have FREE holiday houses in different area's for breast cancer people to saty and rejuvinate all you need is clothes and food . you can bring kids and family or friends too. up to you we did it when i completed my treatment and it was wonderful., and to think people donate these homes just for us is amazing. OTIS in Vic's phone no is 03-54441185
don't know their on line address but look up otis foundation and it should show up . apparently they have houses in N.S.W/ SOUTH AUST. AND VICTORIA.
who wouldnt like a free holiday after what we have been through or are still going through.
Wow...I too am a passionate photographer, although teaching is my profession. For some time I photographed wedding to earn a bit of extra money (but mainly because I loved it!) and then portraits of children (an easy transition due to my primary school teaching background I guess) and then before I had my children (now 5 and 8) and particularly before my BC ( the 5 year old was 1) I was phtographing pregnant women and babies...my favourite portraits by far! NOw I don't go looking for photographic work at all ( actually, the word of mouth method has always been a fav of mine!!!) ..indeed I shy away from it these days and prefer to be free (!!!) ... but I don't say no when asked and have recently photographed a wedding and a session with my friend's 2 little boys.
These days I'm one of the paparazzi at school carnivals and excursions and I must say my kindy and pre-primaries I teach on a Friday are used to having a lens in their face too!
I love the idea of documenting the BC journey through a visual diary. Although I have many photos of my journey I hadn't thought of putting them in some kind of order formally...I love that idea. No wonder life is so busy...so many great things to do!
Isn't it amazing how one posting can lead to so many conversations!
Thanks girls.X
Wow...I too am a passionate photographer, although teaching is my profession. For some time I photographed wedding to earn a bit of extra money (but mainly because I loved it!) and then portraits of children (an easy transition due to my primary school teaching background I guess) and then before I had my children (now 5 and 8) and particularly before my BC ( the 5 year old was 1) I was phtographing pregnant women and babies...my favourite portraits by far! NOw I don't go looking for photographic work at all ( actually, the word of mouth method has always been a fav of mine!!!) ..indeed I shy away from it these days and prefer to be free (!!!) ... but I don't say no when asked and have recently photographed a wedding and a session with my friend's 2 little boys.
These days I'm one of the paparazzi at school carnivals and excursions and I must say my kindy and pre-primaries I teach on a Friday are used to having a lens in their face too!
I love the idea of documenting the BC journey through a visual diary. Although I have many photos of my journey I hadn't thought of putting them in some kind of order formally...I love that idea. No wonder life is so busy...so many great things to do!
Isn't it amazing how one posting can lead to so many conversations!
Thanks girls.X
I met Fiona as fate would chance it they day after I was diagnosed! Can you believe that? I first saw her images at the Australian Professional Photography Awards last year and was moved to tears. Then to get away from my diagnosis I went to a seminar put on by the Professional body and she was one of the speakers. She showed many more images - of her and others as a story of hope. The entire audience was in tears - not least me knowing I was having a mastectomy within the week. I went to speak to her and she has been an amazing support since - she has seen me in hospital after my surgery and kept in touch via text. I have also been keeping a bit of a visual diary of my "trip" too - nothing like Fiona's work but mine when I feel up to documenting it. I haven't done a self portrait for a while (since my profile pic a month ago which my daughter helped me with) so it might be time again. It is interesting already to look at the progression of images and the story they tell. I may ask Fiona to take a portrait too - it would be fun to be the other side of the lens.
Amandaxx
Thanks Lee - you are right - perhaps it is a bit of a turning point. I am learning much about myself and others. I too am focussed on being cancer free and better because of all of this!
Amanda x
Leonie - wow what a wonder woman you are. Your girls must think that you are the most special mother ever to have given so much for them.
Thank you for the taxotere tips - I am going to try and stay positive. I am hoping I am up to doing something on Day 4 at Mic's school - she is desperate for me to do it so I think I will have to grin and bare it to be there for her. It's only a couple of hours at their career morning but I missed the excursion last term and the teacher tried to organise this around me but I got the dates mixed up! (can I blame chemo brain?)
I think the looking after yourself is one of the bigger lessons in BC but old habits take time to break don't they. I don't know about the cold treatment - will be interesting. I've never been much of a nails girls but the new me might just have to be! I hope your treatment went ok this time. I too have a sinus infection but so far ok. I have been having the neulasta from the start and it seems to be working - hopefully it continues to do so.
I hope you are doing ok.
Amanda xx
Leonie,you are pretty amazing to have brought up 2 kids on your own. I do believe that constant stress might play a part in developing bcancer.With each time I got cancer I had 2 years prior of terrible stress. Just hope it's all behind us now.
Tonya xx
Hi Tanya,
If you don't mind me asking,what sort of reconstruction did you have?I have been thinking lately about losing the "good" breast and having reconstruction.Will do my research first- not in any hurry as it's only a year since the mastectomy.I'd had 3 ankle operations just before that so can't face any more surgery for awhile.Glad to hear you are doing well and planning a fun family holiday.
Tonya xx
Hi Mandy Moo
just read your bio thingy and said you were a budding photographer (not sure of the exact words). And made me think of another young women from Melbourne that was a photographer and was diagnosed with BC. and I had the pleasue to meet.
She actually took some pictures of me for a book she was doing with BC women. Her name is Fiona and she owns Passion8. Check our her website, not sure if you have heard of her or seen her book.
Just thought I would mention it. She is a talented lady and you guys have a shared experience and besides, you look so great bald it may make the front cover of her book....lol
xx
HI girls...I haven't read all the related posts but have read Mandy's first one from May 16 and Leonie's last one. That half way mark was the pits for me. I said to my Dad, who is a Radiologist and who kept himself very up to date with my BC and treatments etc, that I couldn't continue. Realistically I could have stopped because my cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes but due to the aggressive nature of it I was advised to have the full treatment of Chemo and radio. I was fed up...just like you sounded MAndy...and so so sick and sore with bone pain etc etc...you girls know thte drill(!!) but I didn't want to live with myself not having given it my best shot with the treatments prescribed to me. Ick...I kept going and just like you will, got through it and came out the other side witih many positives on top of being free of cancer. When a person goes through these hardships life becomes more precious, good friends become like family and new friends are made who truly understand where you are coming from. Best of luck and warm wishes to you, Lee.XXX
