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cassical's avatar
cassical
Member
15 years ago

Last of the Chemo

Well, yesterday was the last of the treatments. Five months ago I started. After the fifth treatment, I really didn't want to go back for the last. So many people said: "You must be so excited" or "You must be really looking forward to getting the last one over with".

Hmmm. No. Not really. Not when I knew I'd be feeling sick all over again, and getting tongue ulcers all over again.

But, it is over and now I'm trying to get it to sink in. The hardest thing at the moment is remembering that with the PICC line out, I can start using my arm again to pick things up!

I've been one of the lucky ones. The chemo has been good to me. Besides the nausea - which really hasn't been too bad - I haven't vomited at all (hate vomiting), the hair loss and ulcers have been the worst. Ok, so I also put on five kilos after working so hard to get under 80k, I'm back over it.

But, look on the bright side. I've saved on hair products and waxing. I've got a couple of beautiful wigs which I wear once in a while and look completely different. And I haven't had to shave in months.

Five weeks or so off, and then I'm in for radiotherapy. Wow - sit back and relax for a while and wait for my hair to start growing back!

Cass

4 Replies

  • cassical's avatar
    cassical
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi girls,

    thanks for your messages... i've just come back from a weeks camping holiday and beginning to feel almost normal again, although the last cycle is still coursing through my veins!   my tongue is the worst of it, as i've been getting ulcers on the poor little thing for all of the treatments...  so, it's still got some pins and needles in it and my mouth still tastes like butter...  however, i've noticed that hair is rapidly coming back - woo hoooo... my underarms have started to feel a bit bristly and i told my partner that once it's back i'm going to go feral for a few months, just to relish the fact that i have hair again!!   i don't care if i offend anyone with bushy underarm hair, because until they've been through it, they have no idea how much hair actually means  :-)

    anyway, about another three weeks - although i'm still waiting for a phone call - and then radiotherapy starts... and so will then begin the next phase...

    carol

  • cher54's avatar
    cher54
    Member
    15 years ago

    Congrats Cass on completing your chemo, good to see u were relatively lucky with side-effects. Cool that u get to have 5 weeks or so off before the Radiation starts, gives your body a chance to recover - the drs said I didn't need radiation so I haven't any experience with that side of treatment. Thank goodness too, as I suffered enough with the chemo.

    Even now I'm still experiencing tiredness/exhaustion and numb tingly feet, but for the most part I do have my taste buds back so food tastes pretty much as it should but not all (eg: chocolate, coffee). My hair is also starting to grow back, albeit  v e r y   s l o w l y......LOL, and I too looked at hair loss as a way to save on shaving & hair products <big smile>. It's been 4 months now since my chemo ended

    Now it's 5 years of Femara which I suspect may be contributing to my numb tingly feet - oh the joy, the joy!

    Anyways, just dropped by to say hello & wish u well with your treatment

    Cheryl xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    Congrats Cass! You should be awarded a medal or something for getting through that 5month slog.Radiation is no where near as bad as chemo. You will get your hair and your life back bit by bit now.

                                         Tonya xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    Congrats Cass! You should be awarded a medal or something for getting through that 5month slog.Radiation is no where near as bad as chemo. You will get your hair and your life back bit by bit now.

                                         Tonya xx