Round 1

Obviously we need the steriods to help our poor bodies handle the chemo but the side effects of the steriods can be pretty awful. Yes there is the no sleeping, then the depression that comes when you stop them and then the increased appetite and cravings for food that can cause the weight gain. BUT, you can do something about most of this. If the lack of sleep is really a problem, there are tablets to help with this. I personally just went with the lack of sleep because I knew that it was temporary and I just went with it. I would have lots of sleepy days when the DEX wore off. This is one time in your life when you just need to concentrate on YOU. Stop worrying about everyone else they need to realize that you are the priority for now. Life cannot stay the same when you are having chemo. Everyone needs to help out and you need to let them. Exercise was my one thing that I put any energy that I had into. If I managed nothing else, I went for a walk every day that I possibly could. Together with eating healthy as much as possible (the week I had chemo I just ate what I could) the exercise helped me to maintain my weight (I only put on 2 kg and lost them once chemo ended). I felt most of the 'weight gain' was fluid which did go away once chemo ended. If you keep as active as possible and watch what you eat, weight gain is avoidable, in my experience. The hair comes back (unfortunately on the legs and everywhere else too) and my breast prosthesis does not droop like my real breast did AND you are lighter without a breast or two (they actually weigh quite a lot so this is actually some weight you will loose!) I hope that you will see that much of this will pass. Your life changes certainly but it can be good again. Meanwhile please come and vent your frustrations as much as you need to on here. We understand how you are feeling. Take care. Deanne xxx