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
Thanks for the information, I booked 7 days in October at Blue Wren Cabin in Towong vic. I am hoping all will be ok by then . It has given me something to look forward to and take my mind off up coming results and tests. Debbie
Isn't it amazing Lee how we are brought together by something like BC and find out that we all have these "other" lives too?
I have been studying photography for 2 years - I have taken this year off and am not sure I will return - I might focus on workshops to fill in my gaps. I have worked in health and marketing prior to having kids and became more and more passionate about photography after my last child was born. I have loved studying something artistic because it is so different to any previous study for me and opened up a new world to this fairly left brain sort of girl ;-). I was hoping to build something very small and home based mainly through word of mouth too. I love photographing babies and children. I would also love to do more maternity but sometimes find my processing skills let me down a little - I am so inspired by many amazing female photographers out there. I got into a bit of food photography last year but wow - that's hard work! Sometimes you think kids are hard - I spent an hour to get a shot I was happy with of a pomegranate - one shot! lol! I too am the local paparazzi!
My diary is a bit of a mismash as it relies on me taking pictures of myself. I have a load of iphone pictures and then some self-portraits as the mood takes me. I am glad I took some pictures of myself the day of my mastectomy - I wish I had the courage during that week to follow through and get someone to take a stunning (all because of the photographer!) nude of me but instead I have a couple of shots I took myself with my hubby on the morning of my mastectomy and in the weeks after - I'm still glad to have done it - I can't wait to take some really joyful ones too.
I love where these conversations go too.
Amanda xx
Yes I have checked out the Ottis foundation & was also amazed that people donated their holiday homes for us. I live in Sydney & am planning on going to the one in Pearl beach on the Central Coast after my treatment. What a wonderful organisation!!
Loretta x
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.
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
