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helen_anne's avatar
helen_anne
Member
14 years ago

Here's to my Journey!!

1/11/2011

Melbourne Cup Day

Although the weather left a lot to be desired we spent today with close friends having a BBQ and a good chat about what was ahead for me.  I think, and I hope, that it reassured them that I'm dealing with all of this pretty well and that I'm just waiting for the surgery to be over and done with and take it from there.

I had to ring a few more friends today and my uncle which was hard, as he lost his first wife to cancer.  He sounded very concerned but I did my best to reassure him I'll be fine.

I was given a heap of reading material yesterday some of which discussed chemotherapy.  I found this a bit confronting as I'm nervous about this side of treatment.  Not for the reason of possibly losing my hair (although that wouldn't be great) but mainly because I simply can't handle being nauseous.

If I get a stomach bug I'm a complete baby!!  I just can't stand feeling like I'm going to throw up or worse still - actually throwing up.  I cry like a 2 year old!  I know - very immature for a 51 year old but that's my one true weakness. 

I can handle severe pain, blood guts and gore etc but I simply can't handle nauseousness!!! 

Probably just as well that I couldn't have kids after all - I wouldn't have been able to handle morning sickness that's for sure!

So here's a challenge to everyone out there - I'm curious to know.....am I the only one out there who is a big sook when it comes to be sick (vomitting) or feeling sick?

I'm not referring to any sort of cancer treatment, but rather an everyday situation if you get a tummy bug or something.

How many of you out there would like to join my

" I'm a big sook " club!

So everyone out there...if you wish to sign up...please send me a comment and maybe tomorrow (or at the latest) the end of this week I'll count up how many people are just like me.

In the meantime I might sign off for tonight and wish everyone out there all the very best.

Hope to catch up with you tomorrow!

 

8 Replies

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi Helen Anne, I'm doing quite well now after my set back of 2 weeks ago. I saw the plastic surgeon today, and he is very happy, and has booked me in for expansions from next week. This is good, as it means my hematoma has only set me back 3 weeks, and that is nothing in the scheme of things. I will be back at work next Thursday, so hopefully nothing will prevent me from being there. My work has been so supportive, which is great, since I only started the at the end of July. They knew all about my cancer and my up coming surgery, and were OK with that. I love my dog. He is an RSPCA regect, and the best dog I've ever owned. He is a Kelpie / shepherd, and was obedience and house trained when we got him as a 9 month old pup. I cannot understand why he was surrendered, as he is such a lovely boy, and has never chewed anything that wasn't his. I think rescue dogs really appreciate being given a second chance. Polo (his original name) is now nearly 6 years old, and he shouldn't be on the lounge, but he often quietly creeps up to be near me, and I really don't mind that much. Good luck with your chemo. Love Chris xx
  • helen_anne's avatar
    helen_anne
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks Chris for your advice.   I was reading your blog and I just have to ask - how are you?

    You sound like you've really been through the wars you poor thing!   I do hope you are feeling better.

    Please let me know.

    Oh and by the way.....I just ADORE your dog - what's his/her name?   Such a cutie!

  • helen_anne's avatar
    helen_anne
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Monica

    Thanks for the reply and welcome as member No 3 to the Big Sook Club!   I'm trying to keep all this light hearted so don't take it seriously!  I reckon it'll be fun just keeping in touch encouraging one another as we all go through our various journey's.   I'm wrapt for you that you have finished chemo - well done!  Radiotherapy shouldn't be too bad and I'm sure you'll find the therapist lovely.   I love your photo too - looks like you have a very loving and supportive partner.  My partner is just trying to come to grips with this at the moment as it's all very new.  Well that's all for the moment....I'll put my update on my post later tonight so in the meantime take care and welcome on board Sook No 3!  (ha! ha!)

  • monica's avatar
    monica
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Hel;en Anne I am a very big sook when it comes to nausea and I was pregnant once nauseaus for 9 months and vomiting twice a day. So you can imagine my horror when I found out about having to have chemo and I already knew the side effect of chemo as I am a registered Nurse wotking with patients that have receive chemo and end -up in hospital, but I was lucky so far nil major nausea or vomiting , the doctors are giving you meds to deal with that and as someone else said here , is easier to manage the nausea before it sets in. Good luck with your treatment and I wish you well and hope that you'll cope as I did no major side effects not even the dreaded joint pain ,but I've been on omega 3 fish oil tablets for 6 months prior chemo and my team was happy for me to continuue with it so probably it helped.I just finished my  chemo yesterday last one of 4 cycles of Docetaxal and Cyclophosphamide I am over the moon with happyness waiting for radiotherapy to begin. You are strong and have the right frame of mind to deal with this so keep positive ask lots of questions and you'll pool thru. Ohh and yes I will join your club as well. Take care ,regards Monica

  • monica's avatar
    monica
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Hel;en Anne I am a very big sook when it comes to nausea and I was pregnant once nauseaus for 9 months and vomiting twice a day. So you can imagine my horror when I found out about having to have chemo and I already knew the side effect of chemo as I am a registered Nurse wotking with patients that have receive chemo and end -up in hospital, but I was lucky so far nil major nausea or vomiting , the doctors are giving you meds to deal with that and as someone else said here , is easier to manage the nausea before it sets in. Good luck with your treatment and I wish you well and hope that you'll cope as I did no major side effects not even the dreaded joint pain ,but I've been on omega 3 fish oil tablets for 6 months prior chemo and my team was happy for me to continuue with it so probably it helped.I just finished my  chemo yesterday last one of 4 cycles of Docetaxal and Cyclophosphamide I am over the moon with happyness waiting for radiotherapy to begin. You are strong and have the right frame of mind to deal with this so keep positive ask lots of questions and you'll pool thru. Ohh and yes I will join your club as well. Take care ,regards Monica

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi Helen Anne, My chemo also didn't cause me too much grief. If you take all the medication that they give you, hopefully you will be ok. Remember, it is easier to prevent nausea, than to cure it, so if you take the strong ones at the correct intervals, they should work. Yes, I did feel a bit ickky at times, but never vomitted. For me , the nausea was a little like morning sickness, and to try and eat sometime small, usually helped to fix the nausea. This is one of the reasons that some of us put on a bit of weight during chemo, as food often makes you feel better, so you can end up grazing all day. Sill, this is better than feeling sick. Love Chris xx
  • Julia44's avatar
    Julia44
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Helen Anne,

    I did have some nausea with chemo but it was kept under control with drugs.  I never felt like vomiting throughout my treatments at all.  I was on FEC/Docetaxel conbination. 

    All the best!

    Julia

  • Julia44's avatar
    Julia44
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Helen Anne,

    I did have some nausea with chemo but it was kept under control with drugs.  I never felt like vomiting throughout my treatments at all.  I was on FEC/Docetaxel conbination. 

    All the best!

    Julia