Not what I wanted to hear

Hi Tracey

I can understand you feeling daunted by the chemo...I know I was!  I first had breast cancer in 2003 and didn't need to have any drug therapy at all (just mastectomy and reconstruction).  Then, this year, I was once again diagnosed and this time not only did I have to deal with another mastectomy and reconstruction but I was told that I have to have chemo too!  (I am 42 and have two boys, 13 & 15).

I have just had my second round of chemo and I must say that it is not nearly as bad as I expected.  I work a lot of hours each week (most days 9-3 then 6-10pm as well) but for myself rather than having to go to work (I'm an accountant).  I have continued working throughout so far but do take a few days off after my chemo to recover.  I have been having my chemo on Wednesday and taking the rest of that week off.  I have been a bit tired and my taste buds seem to have gone on holiday without the rest of my body but other than that I have felt ok.

My hair fell out right on cue - the oncologist told me that it would start to come out on day 18 after my first chemo and sure enough that's what happened!  That, to me, was one of the most daunting things about the chemo!  I'm not really a scarf/bandanna type of person so mostly go bald around the house and wear a wig when I go out.  I got my wigs online from America (2 wigs cost me $200) from www.makemeheal.com and I'm really happy with them.  The Cancer Council also supplies them free of charge for as long as you need them.  I got my boys to shave my head after about a week and a half and that made it easier for them to deal with a bald mum - they enjoyed shaving my head too, the little buggers!!

My husband and kids are coping really well with everything so far.  The boys keep asking me how I am feeling and give me lots of cuddles but I find that as long as I am positive and happy, then they are too :)

I did a Look Good, Feel Better workshop and found it to be great.  Don't worry though if you can't do one before your treatment starts as in my group there were people who hadn't started, in the middle and finished their treatment.

I look at the chemo as giving me an insurance policy that the cancer isn't going to come back.  I want to be here for the long term and spend a long time with my husband and kids and because of that I decided that I would do everything that I possibly could to fight this horrible disease >:<

Take care and if you feel like a chat, I'm always here :)

Louise x