OMG

Almost local OMG, I am just north of Hervey Bay. I sent you a pm for your Gympie McGrath nurse. They are 6th level nurses or some such and really know their stuff. Give her a ring.

Hi Micha!

thanks for the advise...love the name and practice for your GP..Cooran is only 30 mins away for me.

Lisa

Hello OMG,

I live in Cooran and I think my GP is very good.
Just let me know if you need more information.

Micha

I really am grateful for all the support and advise!Lisa

You are certainly a soldier!! Well done..I hope I can be as strong as you!  Lisa

Hi there,

i had a port put in as I had 6 months of chemo and 12 months of herceptin and there was just no way the veins were going to last. They used to draw the bloods from it and then use it for chemo/herceptin. I used to put emla cream on to dull the pain when they accessed it. The port was only ever used in the oncology wards as they have to be specially trained to access the port so if I had to go to accident and emergency or needed extra bloods done, it meant more needles. So maybe the picc line would be better suited for you. As far as advice goes, the first treatment is usually a bit of an anti climax as you don't tend to feel unwell straight away. If you can, take someone with you. The first one is longer and it can be boring. Fruit tingles and lemonade icy poles were my best friends during chemo. Even if you feel ok, take all the medications they tell you to when they tell you to to try and stave of side effects. Tell your onc's every single side effect as you will be surprised at the things they can do and change to make things better. I was dreadfully ill after my first chemo. I spent 4 days on the toilet with a bucket in my lap. I thought this was just how it was meant to be. If you have more than a day of not being able to keep anything in your system, don't be afraid to go back to the hospital. Watch your temperature like a hawk and keep anyone who is sick or who has been in contact with anyone sick away from you. Good luck with it all. Karen xox

Hi! I never get sick..so have never had a GP..I went to one in Cooroy for the first time to be given my cancer news...wether I want to shoot the messanger...but want to use someone else..she told me in 5 mins about my cancer and told me I would probably have both breast removed, chemo, radio then it is likely to come back! Then left me in a mess to drive home as practice was closing for the day!

Thanks for your help! Did you have any problems with family / friends treating you differently?Its like I am The Elephant in the room when I'm with my parents..even small talk is hard to find...and mum keeps STARING at me which is freaking me out! 

Lisa

Thanks for your advise..still a little lost with it all...what, how, where can I find a Breast care nurse? Do they help me if I still have my breasts at present? .? Lisa

I had a port put in after my second chemo mostly as my veins were a bit crap to start with (small and good at hiding) and I'm one of those always cold people which does not help when the nurses were trying to put the cannula in. The port is only for chemo though so if you are not a fan of needles maybe the PICC line thingy would be better.

The only advice I would give you in terms of getting through chemo is to assume you'll get through it with no problems (well maybe a couple ??) as opposed to having every side effect listed. I really think having a positive outlook is a massive part of kicking cancers arse and I just went with the attitude of until I feel a bit crap/tired etc I'm going to keep doing what I do and deal with the bad stuff if it happens ??

Good luck with your treatments ??