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
Thank you Fran - I will have a look at these. XLeonie
SADLY OTIS IS ONLY IN VICTORIA / SOUTH AUSIE/AND NSW. at the moment
ONLY ADDRESS I HAVE IS FOR BOOKINGS BUT THEY WOULD GIVE YOU INFORMATION TOO. [email protected]
maybe try [email protected]?
SADLY OTIS IS ONLY IN VICTORIA / SOUTH AUSIE/AND NSW. at the moment
ONLY ADDRESS I HAVE IS FOR BOOKINGS BUT THEY WOULD GIVE YOU INFORMATION TOO. [email protected]
maybe try [email protected]?
Hi Fran, I live in Newcastle N.S.W. We have booked from the 10th of October for 7 days, hope by then all my up coming tests and results are ok. Sounds like what I need , really looking forward to just getting away no Drs , no tests. Debbie
Hi Debbie
I plan to go private with my reconstruction. I haven't met with my plastic surgeon yet so I am not sure of the costs involved - no doubt there will be substantial out of pockets :-(
Amanda x
Hi Amanda
My hair is coming out slowly - still no chunks, just thinning. I still haven't got up the courage to shave it off, we have a function at the kids school tonight and I was hoping it would last. I'll see what happens when I have my shower and wash it later, I'm thinking I will need my wig. I can't believe how much hair I have!! I've been wearing hats this week but am constantly finding hair on my clothes. I'm getting a bit anxious about having to go out tonight for the first time with the wig. I'm test driving it now - a friend just dropped in and said it looks fantastic, like I've just had a blow wave.
I did go into BreaCan in the city for my reflexology and it was lovely. She works on relaxation and releasing tension and boy did I need it. It really helped with the headaches I've been having. It's basically a lovely 30 min foot massage. They also have quite a few resources there and they do some interesting information sessions. My breast surgeon recommended the centre and I put my name on their email list after I noticed that my oncologist did the talk recently on breast cancer and bones. After registering they got back to me quickly and I have put my name down for the session on chemo brain next week and the one on reconstruction in July. Although not sure if I will make it next week as I am having my 2nd FEC on Monday (I did explain this to them and they said to put my name down anyway and just ring on the day if I can't make it). The ladies in there are lovely too. I met Nicole the information and support officer and have also spoken to some of the volunteers. The volunteers have all been through this experience and all have been great to chat with. They will also post out any info and resources if you can't get in there and most info sessions are recorded - I down loaded some podcasts recently and will try and listen to them next week while home on the couch.
My plastic surgeon has also discussed DIEP flap with me and I must say even though it is a bigger surgery it is the more appealing option to me. I also like the idea of using my own tissue rather than an implant. He recommended the following websites. www.diepflap.com and www.diepflap.co.uk I'm still looking at all options though and if all goes to plan I hope to do the recon in October. I want everything over and done with by christmas and start the new year afresh! And yes the Tummy Tuck is an upside!
Hope you are still feeling ok.
Keep Smiling
Ann-Marie x
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
