Forum Discussion

helen_anne's avatar
helen_anne
Member
13 years ago

The Journey has ended....thank God!

Well firstly let me say that I hope this blog finds everyone well.  I'm sorry that I haven't updated you since mid January but I had a horrendous time with chemo.

I know that most people have some form of reaction to chemo but unfortunately for me, I seemed to get every single complication you could possibly imagine and was hospitalised each time (about 1 week after I received chemo).

As you may recall when I last gave an update I was just recovering from having a Port inserted because my veins had collasped and the PICC Line had caused serious blood clots.

As a result of the clots, I was now injecting myself twice a day with Clexane as well as taking up to 14 - 18 tablets of various shapes and forms a day.  Within a day or so of writing the last blog most of my hair had fallen out, and what was left was shaved off so my husband and I christened me "Chrome Dome"!   (hahaha)

Every time they gave me chemo, they did it thru the Port which was a godsend as no one could take blood out of me via my veins they were that bad.  Having a CT scan with contrast would have been a nightmare had it not been for the port - thank heavens I had that.

I suffered various types of infections, mainly bacterial each time I had chemo.  I had a bacterial infection in the chest, as well as contracting C-Diff in the bowel which absolutelu wiped me out.  I had problems with my heart (reacting to the chemo and beating too fast) as well as another bottoming with white cells (again!) and each time I was admitted I was also anaemic so I had to have blood transfusions. 

Sometimes I was put in isolation, other times I was in the ward with other patients.

I got to know the staff, nurses and doctors in the Oncology Ward and Day Centre at Box Hill Hospital VERY well!  They all used to joke with me that if something was going to go wrong it would happen to me!

I also had to try to eat (which was very difficult as my mouth ulcered all the time) and I couldn't taste anything....result was losing over 10 kgs...

I did however participate in 2 clinical trials - one about how chemo affects your taste and the other - still ongoing - about a drug they're looking at giving everyone (not just patients with secondary cancer as they do now) when they are diagnosed.

I am happy to say I have now finished chemo and I'm starting to get my tastebuds back!  My hair is starting to grow back too.

Now I have returned to work, I've been there three weeks - two weeks I worked reduced hours, last week the full amount of hours for my role (which is part time) of 23 hrs.

It's tiring at times but great to be there instead of the hospital!

I'm channelling my energy into putting together a cookbook as a fundraiser for the Box Hill Hospital cancer wards and organising a huge Trivia night for November for the Hospital too.  I hope to have lots of money raised to give to them as a thank you for taking care of me so well.

I want to thank all of you who have read my blog...I hope you got something from it. I shall keep blogging about how I'm going from time to time.

For anyone out there facing the fight, remember one thing - attitude is everything. 

Be very positive, never doubt your ability to beat the cancer!  I never ever thought this was a lost fight, even through all the hospitalisations.

Humour is a great weapon when faced with an enemy like cancer.

Luv Helen anne

  • chipmunk's avatar
    chipmunk
    Member
    13 years ago
    That sounds like a great idea re cookbook. Let me know the details and when the book is ready for purchase, I will have a flyer go around work and take orders. We,at work had an employee sell knitted beanies to the staff and then she sent the donation to the breast cancer organization. I can't remember totally, but I think we raised a few hundred dollars. We mainly have men and guys working where I work, so they took the whole fundraising thing with open arms. It's great to see that men/guys are softies at heart. great to hear that you are traveling well, and no major hiccups. Yes, it's hard to tell your own parents that you have cancer. I just lost my dad 12 months ago to Mesothelioma (a form of Asbestosis), so my dad never knew I had cancer, but my mum was totally devastated when I told her. I was flying back to Adelaide when dad was sick every 2 weeks on weekends for approx 18 months, and now my mum is flying up here to Brisbane every few weeks...... Very ironic. Getting quite fatigued as well, but doing a few hours a week at work. Not pushing myself too hard, as health is more important. Having a few complications at the moment, still taking tablets for the dreaded shingles, but also now taking tablets as I have an infected toe nail due to chemotherapy. Take care and sending you big hugs, love Julie xx
  • chipmunk's avatar
    chipmunk
    Member
    13 years ago
    That sounds like a great idea re cookbook. Let me know the details and when the book is ready for purchase, I will have a flyer go around work and take orders. We,at work had an employee sell knitted beanies to the staff and then she sent the donation to the breast cancer organization. I can't remember totally, but I think we raised a few hundred dollars. We mainly have men and guys working where I work, so they took the whole fundraising thing with open arms. It's great to see that men/guys are softies at heart. great to hear that you are traveling well, and no major hiccups. Yes, it's hard to tell your own parents that you have cancer. I just lost my dad 12 months ago to Mesothelioma (a form of Asbestosis), so my dad never knew I had cancer, but my mum was totally devastated when I told her. I was flying back to Adelaide when dad was sick every 2 weeks on weekends for approx 18 months, and now my mum is flying up here to Brisbane every few weeks...... Very ironic. Getting quite fatigued as well, but doing a few hours a week at work. Not pushing myself too hard, as health is more important. Having a few complications at the moment, still taking tablets for the dreaded shingles, but also now taking tablets as I have an infected toe nail due to chemotherapy. Take care and sending you big hugs, love Julie xx
  • helen_anne's avatar
    helen_anne
    Member
    13 years ago

    Thanks for enjoying my blogs.....and sorry it's taken a while to get back on to reply!

    I've been pretty caught up with work - learning the new job and getting to know the staff and I'm happy to say it's turning out great!   I feel that I might have finally found a job that I can stay in long term.

    I've also been very busy with the recipe book I'm doing (entering all the recipes into the format for the publisher) and organising the fundraiser.

    I really do appreciate your offer to assist with the fundraiser........I was thinking you might like to help out by purchasing some of the Recipe books I'm doing.  Each one is going to sell for $20 and will have nearly 300 recipes in it.   The more I can sell, the more money goes to the cancer ward at Box Hill Hospital.

    Perhaps you might like to ask your friends and family if they would like to purchase some and give me an order and I will organise it to be sent up to you.

    As this is for the Hospital, my husband (an auditor) and a friend of ours (a lawyer) advised me to set up a special bank account for the fundraiser and receipt of any monies the book sells so it's all transparent and accountable so once I set that up I can send the details to you.

    I am going to post another blog with all these details and inviting people to purchase them.  The bank account details will be on that.

    I am also setting up a Charitable Foundation which is a bit costly for me to do, but something I feel compelled to do.   All the legal stuff that goes with that is what I'm working through at the moment.

    As for my health I'm going pretty well, although I did get the dreaded lurgi (flu)....I thought I might miss out on it as i had the Flu Injection but alas no.....my poor parents (they're both 85) got a terrible dose and then I got it.  My husband was fortunate enough to miss out.  We live with my folks in a dual occupancy situation so they were really helpful to me when I was sick - they used to bring me dry bikkies and soup if i could eat (Bless them)!

    When I think back to the whole Cancer journey, by far the worst moment for me was telling my parents I had cancer and watch them both dissolve into a million tears.....OMG even now I get chokked up when I think about it.  I guess that's pretty much one of the worst things a parent can be told about their child.

    I think my husband had a cry too, but like most men - did it privately....he reaction was more of total and complete shock - he went pale and just sat there shakking his head.

    I don't know if it was the same for you......but just those two events have always stuck in my mind.....I never want to see them so upset ever again.

    But apart from the flu and still some fatigue (wish that would stop!) I'm travelling along ok.....and I really hope that you are too.   Keep watching for my blog - lots more news is coming.....

    Best wishes and hang in there...don't forget "think positively!"

    luv Helen

  • helen_anne's avatar
    helen_anne
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Leonie

    My apologies for the tardiness of my reply.....I've been flat out with work and finishing the recipe book.  I go back to Hospital next week for some more tests etc and will ask the name of the drug I'm on clinical trial for you.  I can't remember its name at the moment.

    I hope you tests had good results....I am thinking of you.  Just remember that whatever the news - turn it into a positive (Hard as that might) and keep that positive thinking and "determined to beat this" attitude going.....I firmly believe Attitude and your way of thinking/approaching this disease really does impact on your health.   And it's not like you're taking some quack type concoction that I've heard that some people resort to.....it's just the way you think.

    I am going to pick up the blogging from now on as lots of interesting things have happened to me which is very relevant to the BCNA site and our Breastie girls.....keep turned.

  • helen_anne's avatar
    helen_anne
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Serenity11

    I'm glad you found my story a positive one....I like to think it sort of reflects my personality in a way.  I'm usually a very positive person and I was completely convinced that I could beat this thing (cancer).

    It was this, and my absolute stubborness that I wasn't going to let anything get in my way for living a long and happy life that I think got me through.

    That's why I'm determined now to do some fundraising to say thank you to all the staff, doctors and nurses who cared for me during this long ordeal.

    Thank you for your kind comments

    cheers Helen

  • helen_anne's avatar
    helen_anne
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Narelle

    Thanks so much for your comment.  Yes I have been thru the mill so to speak, but I always use to view it as 'there was always someone worse off than me' (particularly when I was in Hospital).

    This and pure stubborness that this (cancer) was going to destroy my life helped me get thru.

    I hope you are ok and I wish you all the best

    cheers

    Helen

  • helen_anne's avatar
    helen_anne
    Member
    13 years ago

    Thanks Patricia for your kind words...there have been days when I could have happily given up, but I was really determined not to let this (cancer) destroy my life.

    And well done to you as well for helping an ex drug addict...that's a lot to take on and also very impressive.  I'm sure it can be very challenging at times but if the person continues along and becomes totally drug free they will always have you to thank!  I wish them all the very best.

    Every so often I'll pop on and update everyone as to the latest happenings in my life and how the fundraising is going.

    Cheers and thank you

  • memyselfI's avatar
    memyselfI
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi helen, When you said you would write an update I expected a short one, realising all you had been through. Meanwhile I got all involved in supporting (via phone) a friend who has given up drugs after being a drug addict for years, she was having a bad day but is still persistent about remaining off of drugs, so I am happy to do all I can to keep her motivated. So I have just got back to read your post and am so impressed with the progress you have made in spite of all the setbacks and wow you are back to work and fund raising too. So Wow and well done. Lots of love, encouragement & blessings Patricia

  • serenity11's avatar
    serenity11
    Member
    13 years ago

    And thank you for posting your story.  Your positive message helps us to remember the light at the end of the treatment tunnel.  Also thank you for putting you energy back into fund raising. I am sure that your efforts will be appreciated by everyone involved. 

    Glad to read you are returning to "normal" independence as well.

    Take care of yourself.

  • serenity11's avatar
    serenity11
    Member
    13 years ago

    And thank you for posting your story.  Your positive message helps us to remember the light at the end of the treatment tunnel.  Also thank you for putting you energy back into fund raising. I am sure that your efforts will be appreciated by everyone involved. 

    Glad to read you are returning to "normal" independence as well.

    Take care of yourself.