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Emma_T's avatar
Emma_T
Member
14 years ago

Special day for me - last Chemotherapy treatment!

What a big day it has been!!!  Exactly five months (to the day!) after receiving my diagnosis I completed my very last Chemotherapy treatment and please hope and pray this was the very last one.... forever.  Although I am feeling really tired and lethargic tonight I am dancing inside knowing that I made it through this gruelling treatment.  I had 6 sessions held at the Mount Hospital in Perth under Prof Arlene Chan - the best!  I can't deny that it has been both physically and emotionally draining at times but I made it this far with the love the support of my wonderful husband, little girls, parents, parents in law, sister, special friends and work colleagues.  I have the most unbelievably amazing support network - I am blown away each and every day with everyone's kindness.

Unfortunately the Chemotherapy isn't the last of my treatment.  I commence 5 weeks of radiation therapy on 6 December which will take me into mid January.  I was hoping to start the New Year a little differently but ce la vie!

I am sorry I haven't written on here for a while.  I have been keeping a separate blog to keep all of my family and friends updated with my progress.  The address is www.emmataylorsjourney.blogspot.com - please check it out when you have some time.

I hope you are all well and looking forward to Christmas with your families :)

Keep smiling

Em

xxx

5 Replies

  • louiseg's avatar
    louiseg
    Member
    14 years ago

    Yes, I am very glad that I finished my chemo at the December last year!  I now have a good head of hair and don't have to worry about the wigs any more :)

    Hope you feel better soon,

    Louise x

  • Jrova's avatar
    Jrova
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi Louise, just had to second your comments about Arlene. I love her! What would we do without her? Wishing you a lovely christmas. X Jane PS This hot Perth weather isn't very compatible with wigs, scarves and chemo sickness!! I'm glad I had my last treatment two days ago and just have to get through a few more days of feeling crap!!
  • louiseg's avatar
    louiseg
    Member
    14 years ago

    Well done Emma!  Arlene is wonderful, isn't she.  She is always so positive and straight to the point.  I hope this is your first and last BC experience!!

    Best of luck with the radiation treatment.  The end is in sight!

    Merry Christmas and a VERY happy 2012 to you and your family,

    Louise x

  • jo1234's avatar
    jo1234
    Member
    14 years ago

    Well done Emma, This really dreadful time in your life is nearly all over . You'll breeze through radiation, it's just the ritual of going every day that is the worse. Where are you having your Rads done?

    I am on my last 10 days of rads now at Royal Perth Hospital. Its been quite good as i have watched a full radiation department being renovated in 3 weeks while waiting for my treatments.(passes the time) It looks so clean and fresh now.   All that they are waiting on is the second machine to be installed in February.

    My skin is only showing a tiny bit of  a breakdown under the boob, but over all it is fine. I havent been the best  at using creams daily  and really i think it  depends on the strength of your treatment and your skin type as to how your body reacts .  I seem to swell up in the breast and under arm and have  pain on the breast bone after every treatment for a few hours. Everything else seems great so far.

    Good luck with the final step of your journey, i'm sure everything will be ok.

    Cheers Jo xx

    PS: At least you will get some breaks in treatment  over Christmas due to all the public holidays coming up. Believe me these breaks make all the difference.

  • Jrova's avatar
    Jrova
    Member
    14 years ago
    Congratulations Emma! I'm having my last chemo next Wednesday at the Mount too. Isn't Arlene the best? I trust her completely and feel so well looked after. She looked after me nearly 10 years ago when I had my first breast cancer, and she was the only one I wanted to look after me when this brand new primary popped up in July. Compared to my first journey, this time has been a breeze. My girls were little last time, but are 18 and 15 now. Don't worry about radiation treatment either; it's easy compared to chemo. Make sure you apply aloe vera gel before and after each session. I also ate alfalfa sprouts because I found a study that said it prevented skin damage from radiation treatment. I was the only girl there that didn't get burns and when I went for my six week check up, Dr Joseph said he couldn't even tell I'd had treatment! On a side note, did you know that Dr Wilshire is Arlene's husband? I only found out a couple of weeks ago! Wishing you all the best Emma, x Jane