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MandaMoo's avatar
MandaMoo
Member
15 years ago

Onto Round 2

Tomorrow is round 2 of my FEC treatment.  I hope it is as good as this one has been.  I had 7 days of feeling ordinary, with day 3 being the worst.  I have had ongoing fatigue and muscle and bone pain but not anything that I can't deal with. I had one day in the third week where I went downhill with tummy upset but then bounced back.  

My hair started to fall out on day 14 and we had a party on Friday night with a few friends and family to mark the milestone and give me a 0 blade.  My brother went first so I could get my courage up. Then it was my turn - after a glass of French bubbles (pity it didn't quite taste as good as it usually does) - we went through a series of wonderful 80's punk looks before settling on my crew cut.  I even braved the Melbourne Comedy Festival on Saturday Night sans headwear - It's not every day you get to rock the Sinead O'Connor look!

It is now falling out much quicker so I imagine it won't be long until I am bald but so far it isn't bothering me. 

It's school holidays so it will be interesting to see how we go with this one with the kids being home more while I am unwell. Life at least for the past week has been pretty normal.  I even got a couple of Pilates classes in but felt too tired to go today.  We have also registered as a family to do the 4 k walk in the Mother's Day Challenge this year (last year I did the 8k run).

I am having a port inserted first tomorrow and then my chemo and an overnight stay.  The ward has moved and I am lined up with a comedy to watch this time (made the mistake of Rabbit Hold last time! great movie just not that uplifting).

I am reading lots of the blogs and wondering if my just "going through the motions" approach to this is normal?  There is a lot of talk about fear and anxiety - I have had moments of these feeling but so far whenever they come now I just push them aside.  Everyone keeps saying how strong I am, how much of a sense of humour I have about it all etc... but I wonder if I am going to come crashing down in a heap at some stage - I just feel at the moment that the only way I can get through this is to power through it and not let any of the fear of anxiety enter my head.  

I guess we are all different aren't we and react differently.  To be honest, I am surprised at my reactions so far.  When I was pregnant I was as anxious as could be yet I am letting most of this roll over me like it is happening to someone else. 

I hope everyone is having a good week. :-)

Amanda 

7 Replies

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    15 years ago

    Today I feel great.  I have vacuumed and washed my floors, done all the washing , brought it in folded and put away.  I have also been in my beloved garden ie watering and a little weeding.  I have even felt excited about life whereas even over Easter visiting my sisters left me a little "how's your father" (disinterested).  Today is day 20 after my first chemo thus tomorrow I will "line up" for my second round.  What a bummer to be feeling so Great and having to go to battle again.  My sister says that this is a good thing to feel so good - I will be ready.  I have kept a daily diary so I know what I am in for.  Who knows it might be different this time and trick me.  I never threw up but was quite nauseaus most of the time.This time I will have the neulasta injection the day after my chemo so fingers crossed that I won't be off to hospital again.  Unlike yourself I have had week 3 over Easter so I have been able to enjoy some Gluten/Lactose free chocolate.  I've thought that I haven't done too badly through this but now that I feel great today I can "see" that I haven't been "top of the pops" .  My husband shaved my head today as I was sick of the "falling feeling".  I have taken a photo and it isn't too bad.  My head feels so.....oooooo soft - softer than exquisite velvet.  Quite weird.  Well must get some beauty sleep as we have to line up really early to get our bloods done prior to my chemo tomorrow. (hubby has to have regular bloods as well) Holidays have played havoc with the normal routine.Catch you soonXLeonie

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Amanda,  I was wondering how your treatment was going.  As the subject heading says "Good on you".  We are all ruled by our minds and if we use the mind as it should be we can "fly".  My daughter has told me to see the chemo treatment as "it is as it is"  and take it that way.  I will tell you the story of my first chemo (2nd one is 27th April).  I have kept a diary and it is good to look back on for reference.  My first 2 days were horrible.  The chemo messed with my head both physically and mentally which I found really hard. I try to not be emotionally teary in my life and come across very much in control.  Anyway I got over those days and by day 5 started to feel a bit "normal".  Day 7 I felt terrible and really sick so when I woke up on day 8 I said "I am going to feel great today and have a wonderful day"  Well I did however when I took my temp at lunchtime it was over the top. I was really peeved off as I was having a good day.    I ended up in hospital for the next 6 days and nights - in isolation until my bloods came back to
    normal".  But the moral of the story is "power of positive thinking" and it really works.  I am having a lovely easter - sick free and hair free.  Take care and keep blogging.  It is good to see how we are all "getting through"XLeonie

  • Debbie_J's avatar
    Debbie_J
    Member
    15 years ago

    Glad to hear you handled your first chemo really well and the 2nd one goes the same. Sending positive thoughts and big hugs .Debbie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

     

  • Di_BCNA's avatar
    Di_BCNA
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hey Amanda -- great to hear the first FEC was doable, hope it keeps going that way.  To be honest, I don't think there's any 'right' or 'wrong' way to handle your treatment. It is what it is, and whatever you're feeling at any given time is right for you.  

    Hope you have enough energy to have fun with the kids through the holidays. I still can't believe it's April already! :)

  • Loretta_d's avatar
    Loretta_d
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Amanda, Sounds like you are handling this chemo thing really well. I have also been lucky so far to have few side effects. I love your story about your head shaving my hairdresser gave me a mohawk before she shaved it off! I can imagine that you would look as beautiful as Sinead.

    I think it's great to try & have a positive attitude during all of this but if the day comes & you have a bit of a meltdown then that's also ok.

    Good luck today & hope that it will go as well as last time.

    Loretta xx

  • Samantha_Cunnin's avatar
    Samantha_Cunnin
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Amanda,

    glad to see ur coping with all the ups and downs with relative ease. I dealt with my chemo treatment in much the same way and found it easier to pretend everything was not as bad as it could be...i would remind myself that at least i had no other health issues, i am not pregnant/breastfeeding, i am not elderly or a child, etc..i had it pretty cruisy really compared to others who have those issues to deal with too. Combined with knowing an end date helps u to stay positive thru it all and able to visualise a great future ahead.

    I am just about to start chemo again (secondary cancer can just flare up-& it has), so knowing that i got thru it last time gives me strength that i can do it again.

    Good luck for not only ur next, but all treatments..keep smiling and enjoy the love of ur family and support network (us included)

    SAm  xx

     

  • Samantha_Cunnin's avatar
    Samantha_Cunnin
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Amanda,

    glad to see ur coping with all the ups and downs with relative ease. I dealt with my chemo treatment in much the same way and found it easier to pretend everything was not as bad as it could be...i would remind myself that at least i had no other health issues, i am not pregnant/breastfeeding, i am not elderly or a child, etc..i had it pretty cruisy really compared to others who have those issues to deal with too. Combined with knowing an end date helps u to stay positive thru it all and able to visualise a great future ahead.

    I am just about to start chemo again (secondary cancer can just flare up-& it has), so knowing that i got thru it last time gives me strength that i can do it again.

    Good luck for not only ur next, but all treatments..keep smiling and enjoy the love of ur family and support network (us included)

    SAm  xx