Having fun on chemo

I am back at work after a wonderful 5 day holiday in Tasmania, spending my 59th birthday last Thursday exploring the north, then on Saturday paddling in a 41 kilometre, ‘Almost a Marathon’ dragon boat event down the Derwent River in Hobart. Now I am feeling great and ready for my 3rd FEC treatment tomorrow.

In my first chemo cycle I had almost no side effects but got a cough I couldn’t shake off and ended up in hospital for 3 nights with a fever and low blood counts (febrile neutropenia). The day after my second chemo, I had a neulasta injection to boost my white blood cells and it worked a treat. On day 11 my blood counts were at normal levels and I was feeling fine, so I quickly finalised arrangements for my holiday.

My partner and I caught the ferry from Melbourne and had a wonderful time, eating and drinking delicious Tasmanian produce, visiting MONA, and best of all getting back in the boat with my dragon boat buddies. I even managed to paddle the full 41 kilometre distance, taking a few more short rests than the rest of the team, but keeping going for 5 hours. I did this on chemo and only 14 weeks after a left mastectomy, axillary clearance and TRAM flap reconstruction. I am feeling very proud of myself!

I am organising another mini-break before my next chemo as well and think it is good to have something to enjoy and look forward to (one of Deanne's tips), though it is a terrible disappointment if you have to cancel, as I did in the first cycle.

I feel almost embarrassed to write this blog, as so many people are having such a hard time with their treatment. I am sure it is luck as much as anything else that determines how our bodies react, but for those of you starting out, it might be good to know things can go well. It is possible to have fun on chemo.

Viv

14 Replies

Viv_C
Member
12 years ago
Thanks so much Fiona for sharing that I am not the only one feeling 'treatment guilt'. They do say that some people breeze through treatment and we shouldn't feel guilty about being the lucky ones, but it is hard when you see other people suffering. Great to hear you are joining dragons abreast. You will love it!

Viv xxxx
Viv_C
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Anna, I kept thinking about you, sending up good wishes to the neutrophil fairies for me on my previous post. It worked! Viv xxxxx
Viv_C
Member
12 years ago
Great to meet you too Julie, and good luck with your packing. Loved your photo with the peas! Hope to see you in April. Viv xxxx
Viv_C
Member
12 years ago
Thanks, and especially for sharing your experience about the benefits of reward weekends, such good advice.

Viv xxx
Viv_C
Member
12 years ago
I know what you mean about overthinking and over-worry, I tend to do the same but am now trying very hard to just go with it and take each day as it comes, knowing that they can still be filled with joy. I'm sure you will find the next steps with chemo are not as hard as they seem before you take them.

Viv xxxx
Viv_C
Member
12 years ago
Hi Tanya, good luck today, I will be thinking of you as I get my third one and hope yours goes as smoothly as my first one did.

Viv xxxx
Viv_C
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Robyn, I remember your fantastic post with your new bike on your birthday. We certainly rock at this age. Viv xxx
fionaf
Member
12 years ago
Hi Viv You are doing sooo well with your treatment, you should be very proud of yourself. I know what you mean by being 'embarrassed' as I told my oncologist and surgeon that I was suffering from 'treatment guilt' as during my 6mths of chemo (after bilateral mastectomy) I was not sick once, my bloods were stable, not hospitalised at all and would have my chemo on a Monday and be back at work on Wednesday. I have now been on tamoxifen for 2 months and do not have a single side effect so far. So I say keep going strong, I am now 3 months out of chemo, have so much energy and even started jogging now. Am also joining dragons abreast next month. Take care Fiona
Merlins_mum
Member
12 years ago
Fantastic Viv and great to meet you at lunch. You are looking great. Julie. :)
Deanne
Member
12 years ago
I'm so glad it worked out this round, Viv. I think you just had a bit of bad luck last time with the cough. The Neulasta will keep you bouncing back. I've always responded well to a bit of positive reinforcement, so those reward weekends were like dangling a carrot for me! I so looked forward to them and they definitely seemed to get me feeling good more quickly. Whatever gives you energy helps! Good luck with round 3. :) Deanne xxx