Needing positive stories

I thought of you, too, Karen - it was a long haul of six hours at hosptial (sometimes like that, isn't it) - needed to re=do my bloods as potassium levels up - seems the food i tolerate are high in potassium (tomatoes, citrus, bananas...) but I wondered if it were that I had taken to ingesting half a Berocca a day ever since I got anaemic and then felt so tired with my 5th dose of chemo and didn't have much 'bounce-back'. Anyway, a repeat bloods put me clear (probably as i hadn't taken the Berocca that morning!). Hope you are going well.

Mandy - one positive thing I wanted to share with you as a result of seeing my replacement onco yesterday was that he mentioned my hair should be growing back - it does so after the 4th session, it seems, for that is the point our bodies 'adjust' to the regime and start to get in the swing of it (huh!), Anyway, that accounts for why I've been scratching my head so much - yes, fluff now visible on my scalp. Well, there you go. I thought that was a positive worthy of sharing, as I hadn't expected any signs of life up on my pate for months yet, as my regular onco said the chemo lasts in your system for a couple of months following the last session, and I thought that would include hair growth. I've put on some Bio-oil, hoping it can help. Hope you are looking into the options of someone to talk to - I see both Karen and I were on the same track,

hugs

Kate

I thought of you, too, Karen - it was a long haul of six hours at hosptial (sometimes like that, isn't it) - needed to re=do my bloods as potassium levels up - seems the food i tolerate are high in potassium (tomatoes, citrus, bananas...) but I wondered if it were that I had taken to ingesting half a Berocca a day ever since I got anaemic and then felt so tired with my 5th dose of chemo and didn't have much 'bounce-back'. Anyway, a repeat bloods put me clear (probably as i hadn't taken the Berocca that morning!). Hope you are going well.

Mandy - one positive thing I wanted to share with you as a result of seeing my replacement onco yesterday was that he mentioned my hair should be growing back - it does so after the 4th session, it seems, for that is the point our bodies 'adjust' to the regime and start to get in the swing of it (huh!), Anyway, that accounts for why I've been scratching my head so much - yes, fluff now visible on my scalp. Well, there you go. I thought that was a positive worthy of sharing, as I hadn't expected any signs of life up on my pate for months yet, as my regular onco said the chemo lasts in your system for a couple of months following the last session, and I thought that would include hair growth. I've put on some Bio-oil, hoping it can help. Hope you are looking into the options of someone to talk to - I see both Karen and I were on the same track,

hugs

Kate

Hi Kate ... I thought of you today ... Your last chemo! Congratulations , how do you feel ??? X Karen

Hi Mandy ...I'm. Having my second TC round just this minute but I saw your message and I so feel for you in your dark place....does the surgeon you see have a counselor attached ? Have they given you any anti anxiety medication ? My oncologist gave me some lorazepam to help with sleep and anxiety and it really helps. I think any time in life if you don't get proper sleep everything seems 1000X worse. Failing that do you get on well with your GP? It seems like you need a few troops rallied round to help you through this patch .maybe make an appointment with the GP and have a frank and open discussion with them. You don't need to keep feeling so bad . Help is at hand from all the staff involved in your care and we are all here xxx Karen

Thanks for the update, Mandy Lonely - yes, even when people around-- because they aren't going through it... I'm wondering if you are getting any counselling? I go to the Cancer Centre and speak to someone there every three or so weeks. It's my chance to 'offload', ask questions, and aim for advice. I take my notepad and take notes (though after Xmas I realised I d not followed what was suggested... and had a bit of a meltdown...) I joined another Cancer place where I thought i'd go for meditation classes (i went to one before starting chemo) but i'm just not well enough to drive until the last few days of each cycle, and Ihaven't got the gumption to catch buses like i thought i would (it was dream of mine to walk on the beach, but that owuld take a train ride then a tram) but i do borrow books from the cancer place, even when i have to renew -okay my line of chemo just got air so i'll stop typing - today is dragging its feet. are you getting good communication with your oncologist? take a list of questions with you and tick them off when answered. can you takeesomeonein with you to the appointmentns? they could tke notes for you. all the best kate

Hi Mandy - struggling is par for the course, I'd reckon. I sure know I am and have done. Deb is right that getting started at least gives a sense (well it did me) of _doing_ something. So tell us where you are at now with stuff of where you are at - 

hugs Kate

Sounds like a fun time with weddings and French epiphanies ! Not sure how you managed the neulasta pain with just paracetamol...you're a better woman than me . I have a great wig and a baseball cap with hair attached around the back which I've already worn walking ( I can leave the hair down or put it up in a ponytail ) because its a bit cold when the wind blows ! Otherwise I've ordered everything else from the US because I really liked a lot of their head wear options. I did "skin head"yoga today which was great bc I didn't have to worry about anything falling off ! Then I put my baseball cap with hair on to go to Norwood .... No probs ! I'll look out for your article and think of you Monday morning as I down the dexamethasone ready for Tuesday... Your last chemo ! Congratulations . Hope you've had a great time at your functions :) Karen

I can remember my early days and it was not a place I wanted to be . Hope you have people to help you cope with your appointments and to just be there for you. When do you have surgery or have you had that? I think we cope better once we get started with our treatment. Reach out to all the support you need this is all about you at the moment and please take care Deb

I can remember my early days and it was not a place I wanted to be . Hope you have people to help you cope with your appointments and to just be there for you. When do you have surgery or have you had that? I think we cope better once we get started with our treatment. Reach out to all the support you need this is all about you at the moment and please take care Deb

Hi Karen - I'm having my last chemo next Tuesday! At Flinders Private early in morning as it's not my usual day - today (Friday) would be but I've requested delay to fit in wedding tomorrow then my 12yo son has friend with French mother who invited our family to special meal (& a cake!) for Epiphany on Monday - how could I miss out? I'm jealous of the pain relief I'm reading about as I've survived (huh!) on paracetamol -needing sleeping tabs at night as that neulasta really kicks in... Re stuff for baldie head, check out the US site headcovers.com - it's great to have lots of options in our climate! I use a wig for work & some formal functions but love best my denim bucket hat otherwise. I recommend the terry towelling 'under cap' for bulk, comfort & soaking up sweat! It's good to have sleeping cap options too. If you look up the online newspaper InDaily, and search my name Kate Deller-Evans, you'll find an article I wrote about losing my hair... Oh, what exquisite challenges we face to keep us entertained. And, Mandy & Cas, if you are out there- my positive news today is I've finished drafting a poem that I will read out in the wedding tomorrow. Now to get to work & type up the final copy! All the best, Kate