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Christine_Denni's avatar
Christine_Denni
Member
15 years ago

Progressing slowly

Hi everyone,

Its been a few weeks since I've been on to the site for a blog. I have been on regularly to see who is doing what etc. I just havent had anything to tell you all until after yesterday. Hope you are all ok. Hugs to all just for fun!!!

I am slowly getting organised. I had a huge day yesterday travelling from Bundaberg to Brisbane by tilt train 5am - 9:30pm for a half hour appointment with Oncologist to organise chemo and stack of tests prior to starting. Been out all morning today organising CT scan, Bone Scan, ECG tests. Also visiting my Breast Care Nurse (Margie) who is a sweetheart.

So the verdict is chemo, Total 6 treatments, every 21 days and hereciptin for a year. Then Tamoxifen for 5 years. Chemo is 3 lots of Fluorouracil,  Epirubicin, Cyclophosphamine and then 3 lots of Docetaxel.

The next decision i have to make is what form of intravenous delivery to go for. PICC line or Portacath. Have any of you darling people had these and what was your experience. I'm leaning towards Portacath but open to anything at the moment.

My chest scar is healing nicely after an infection in the wound but strong antibiotics knocked that on the head quick smart. Still getting aspirated fornightly but almost settled down.

All in all I'm in good spirits and wanting to get on with it all. The sooner I start the sooner I finish and move on. I must be really impatient.

My husband has been with me to most of the appointments and is starting to freak out about what I'm about to embark on in a week or two. He asked me "how can I be so calm about what you are about to put your body through?" I told him "because if I dont do this you will be a widow in 5 years or less, I'm not thinking of it as medication but a life choice, live or die". He was happy with that explaination. (WOW I thought that was really deep of me to think like that, something has changed in me since diagnoses and surgery I think.)

So I'm pooped..going to have a Nanna Nap for a bit, not too much or I lay awake all night thinking too much.

Hope you are all holding your own and keeping your chin up. I do beleive this is the best website for sharing experiences and information. Fantastic and congratulations everyone.

Love to all Chrissy xoxoxoxo

6 Replies

  • twinsforever's avatar
    twinsforever
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hello Chrissy,

    Thank you for the hugs! (smiley face) Its nice that your husband has been so supportive of you and your treatment it sounds like he loves you very much and thats a blessing. Although you have been through so much already and have a further road to travel your positiveness and love of life shines through.

    I cannot comment on Chemo to date from my own experience as I am having radiotherapy as you know for 6 weeks starting in January but Will be thinking of you.I'll let all know how that goes when the time comes. I beleive one gets very tired but he i'm partial to a good nap anyway. Take care

    Jennifer

  • kathy_m's avatar
    kathy_m
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Chrissy, You sure have been busy for the past few weeks. I had a portacath inserted at the beginning of the year and, if your veins aren't too good it is certainly the way to go. It can't be used for Bloods outside the hospital, which is a bit of a blow, but I'm not sure what you have available in Bundaberg, if you can get them done at the hospital the girls in Oncology will usually access the port for you. It certainly saves a lot of embarrassment as it's not good when the staff start hiding when you arrive!

    Wishing you all the best as you start this adventure in life,

    Kathy.

  • Christine_Denni's avatar
    Christine_Denni
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Tanya,

    Thanks for your reply. I hug everyone and also smile alot coz they cost me nothing and make me/others feel good.

    I will be having chemo in Bundy.  Yes after reading blogs from other ladies, I'm definately leaning towards Portacath. Dont fancy digging for veins in weeks to come.

    I booked in to go to Look Good Feel Good workshop in bundy on the 6th Dec. Looking forward to getting together and learning all sorts of stuff.

    Hope you are good and I'll chat with you again soon.

    Love Chrissy xo

  • Tanya's avatar
    Tanya
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Chrissy

    Thanks for popping in and letting us know how you are getting on and thanks also for your hugs.

    Well that is a huge day with lots of travel.  Will you have your chemo in Bundy or have to travel to Brisbane? I was like you and wanted to get chemo over and done with and couldnt wait to start, so I could be finished sooner.  I chose not to have a portacath cause my oncologist told me my veins looked good.  I wished I had had a portacath cause we spent so much time chasing veins and now to have blood tests etc is just terrible and requires lots of probing, poking and much blood and tears.    So the portacath would get my vote.

    Good luck with it all.

    Tanya

     

     

  • Tanya's avatar
    Tanya
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Chrissy

    Thanks for popping in and letting us know how you are getting on and thanks also for your hugs.

    Well that is a huge day with lots of travel.  Will you have your chemo in Bundy or have to travel to Brisbane? I was like you and wanted to get chemo over and done with and couldnt wait to start, so I could be finished sooner.  I chose not to have a portacath cause my oncologist told me my veins looked good.  I wished I had had a portacath cause we spent so much time chasing veins and now to have blood tests etc is just terrible and requires lots of probing, poking and much blood and tears.    So the portacath would get my vote.

    Good luck with it all.

    Tanya

     

     

  • Tanya's avatar
    Tanya
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Chrissy

    Thanks for popping in and letting us know how you are getting on and thanks also for your hugs.

    Well that is a huge day with lots of travel.  Will you have your chemo in Bundy or have to travel to Brisbane? I was like you and wanted to get chemo over and done with and couldnt wait to start, so I could be finished sooner.  I chose not to have a portacath cause my oncologist told me my veins looked good.  I wished I had had a portacath cause we spent so much time chasing veins and now to have blood tests etc is just terrible and requires lots of probing, poking and much blood and tears.    So the portacath would get my vote.

    Good luck with it all.

    Tanya