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tammyp26's avatar
tammyp26
Member
13 years ago

The next step...

Well I survived six rounds of chemo.  The last round wasn't so different - lots of aches and pains which I'm still getting now - will my body ever stop aching?

I started radiotherapy on Monday - the whole experience is more demoralising than anything else.  I have to lie on the machine topless while three people measure me with rulers and draw on me with texta and all with my arms above my head the whole time.  Hold on, this could be the next instalment of Fifty Shades....

The radiotherapy itself doesn't hurt and my skin is still normal - I guess it takes a few weeks to 'burn'.  It takes about ten minutes for the machine to whizz around and do it's thing.  I have radiotherapy nine days a fortnight, so my life revolves around that for the next six weeks.

I saw the chemotherapy oncologist this week as well and it looks like they'll start the clinical trial of maintenance chemotherapy towards the end of September, close to when I'm finishing radiotherapy - I don't think they like to hit you with two treatments at once.  I also get to have another liver scan in the next few weeks - so fingers crossed they still think it's a benign lump.

My hair has started growing back - yay.  My wig is really starting to annoy me - I'm sick of the style and now it's getting hotter it really is more irritating - I can't wait to get it off when I get home.  Hopefully in a few more weeks I'll have enough hair to ditch the wig.  It is kind of growing back in a witches peak - so here's hope the hair at the sides starts growing ASAP.  My hair looks like a balding man's at the moment LOL.

Emotionally it's all starting to get to me a bit - I think it's the constant fatigue and still feeling like I have to do everything.  I just want to put my feet up and have someone look after me sometimes, but that's not possible with husbands work, my work and two kids to look after!  I feel like I should be happy to have finished chemo and seeing the light with five weeks of radiotherapy to go but I just still feel so overwhelmed by it all - it's such a LOOOOOONG process.  And to add to it all, I see the genetic counsellor next week - so much to think about all the time!

Anyway heading away for the weekend and hopefully will get in a better headspace.  Does the fatigue linger for a long time after chemo and during radiotherapy? Do other people feel down towards the end of their treatment?

Any advice is greatly appreciated as always.

Love, Tammy x

1 Reply

  • pisces_tas's avatar
    pisces_tas
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Tammy, I lost my path results. I did not go on Tamoxifen. I think I was Negative Her, Oestrogen neg. and progesterone neg. receptors.. I had Chemotherapy.for3 months, then Radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks, then 3 more chemos each month, plus oral tablets at home. Going for blood tests and driving an hour each way for Radiation, I remember, even though it is some years back now.

    It does take it's toll on you, and it IS a long time for treatment. I also kept on trying to " carry on as I had always done, " but in hindsight, I think it is best to STOP, and take stock. Asking for "help " is OK.

    Talk to a social worker or someone, BC nurse, etc. There may be ways around things, like full time work. I also had severe flushing and achy body, plus depressive thoughts at times. The steroid can give you energy to keep going for a few days, but then you may slump. Time will pass, your life will evolve and you will bloom again hopefully. At this time looking after, and nurturing yourself and your loved ones, is paramount.

    I ended up on Zoloft 50 mgs daily, and still take it. It can help with reducing severity of flushing, and also sleep disturbance, anxiety and for reducing the " perception" of pain. You will know in two weeks if it is helping. There may be other medications, or just talking to someone may help.

    TC, Kathy.