Second round around the corner

Hi Olga... yeah that gastric reflux heartburn... I had it pretty bad on the first round (nothing like having waves of volcanic lava washing up your chest into your throat...) so on the second round I got some Mylanta tablets (24 hour use) and took one the day before my treatment.  Told my oncol and he also prescribed me some stuff which is awsome (Somac 40mg) - I take one the day before and then another one in the morning before I leave for chemo.  Haven't even had a yuccy hiccup since, so that's great. 

I'm really starting to believe what my oncol means when he says 'tell me everything that you're feeling, because everything can be managed - you don't need to suffer".  Too true.

I force myself to drink as much cold water as I can on the day before and the day of each treatment - the chemo has done its job once the bags are empty - we have the job of getting the poison out of our body.  I really think (as hard as it is, and mate, it's truely not easy) drinking that much has helped with my side effects.  I had a round yesterday, feel a little tired and achy today, I know in the next day or so I will feel fairly worse, but I have been so lucky not to have some of the side effects our other sisters have had.  It's normally a good 4 days for me.  Lots of sleeping / resting / dozing too.  But like I said, both rounds have had their differences, so it's a waiting game I guess. 

I'm not feeling too motivated about Christmas either, truth be told, but I am excited for my 3 year old son, he's just beside himself - I think he's got enough Christmas cheer for both of us!!!  I think knowing that I'm not going to come good for about a week and then have another round at the end of the month is weighing on my mind, but we'll get there.  And anyway, every round we have is a round closer to the end. 

I've got 5 rounds of AC/D left x 3 week rounds, then 6 weeks of daily radiation followed, finally, by 13 months of Herceptin via port x 3 week rounds.  I'm just really looking forward to getting the AC/D finished - look out March 2012!!!!   

What type of side effects are you having?  Do you have another round this month too?  Have you managed to get back to work?  Hope they're looking after you mate, it's so nice to know that you've support in that respect, but only do what you can!!  And hang everything else!! 

I really do like chatting with you Olga, being at the same treatment stage, it's great to be able to chat about this stuff.

Take Care,

Maxie xx