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Michelle_R's avatar
Michelle_R
Member
14 years ago

The next step!

Wow - what a month - April!  It passed in a blur with the diagnosis, bilateral surgery, scans and tests, meeting my Breastcare team and becoming used to the idea that this was really happening and not a bad dream!

I met my Oncologist last week, and the chemo cocktail will be Carboplaten and Taxol, every week for 18 weeks from May 10th.  Then he says that  Radiotherapy would be an advantage, followed by a hysterectomy when treatment is finished.  The good news was that all my scans were clear - but this type of cancer I have has a way of coming back, and quite quickly, so he wants to hit it on the head whilst it is reasonably quiet.

Had fun last week shopping for a wig and scarves, and have booked a LGFB workshop.  Today I met the local Cancer Support group and there was a brilliant speaker on Chemo Diet and Nutrition from the Uni. The women are all so friendly - it's a great atmosphere. 

Also had a portacath put in this week - one appointment seems to flow into the next!  The efficiency is impressive - if we have to take this journey, this is the time to do it - the back-up network is incredible.

I tell everyone about the support I have had from the wonderful women at BCNA, and they all agree!

Wish me luck on 10th!

love, Michelle xx

7 Replies

  • Shazinoz's avatar
    Shazinoz
    Member
    14 years ago

    Mine was sore at the start too, just fromt he surgery and the swelling,but that goes away. DEFINALEY ask for the EMLA and/or LMX4 I have both, and which one I use depends on when I wake up (If I sleep in I use the LMX4 becasue it only ytakes 30 min to work and if I wake up early/ on time I use the EMLA <LOL>). My chemo is as 9am on Monday mornings (every 3rd Monday) becasue my chemo tends to take all day for some reason - my 1st one took 7 1/2 hrs and my 2nd 7 hrs.

    The most i have felt is a little pressure when they access the port. Nothing much and definately NO PAIN., even the first time 3 days after I had it put in (put in on Friday, accessed on Monday).

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Jo,

    Thanks for the good wishes.  So glad you skipped this part of the journey!  Stay well and take care,

    Michelle xx

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    14 years ago

    I have actually been told about another wig and scarf store by my pathology nurse, so will check it out next week.  If it's good shall definitely post it in the directory for Gold Coast area.

    Thank you for your kind thoughts and good wishes :)

    Michelle xxx

  • Di_BCNA's avatar
    Di_BCNA
    Member
    14 years ago

    Definitely sending you 'luck' and good karma and best wishes for the 10th!   Let us know if you found some good wig/scarf shopping places that aren't in our Directory yet, and we'll be sure to add them. :)

    Di xxx

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks for the tip about Emla and LMX4 -  I am seeing the nurse today and will ask her if I can have it.  The site is sore, so "totally painless" sounds good to me!

    Michelle x

  • jo1234's avatar
    jo1234
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Ladies, Michelle you seem to have it all under control , well thats the way it sounds.  Behind the scenes you must be so scared still ,expecially of the  unknown. You both are very brave women to go through this BC and the not so good  treatment of chemo. I was one of the luckier ones who skipped the chemo and went straight to radiation and tamoxifen and i am ever so glad.  I wish you both luck on the remainder of your journeys and hope everything goes well.  Cheers Jo xx

  • Shazinoz's avatar
    Shazinoz
    Member
    14 years ago

    Good Luck for the 10th (not that you will need it).

    I am seeing my oncologist on teh 10th and will think of you. (my next chemo - taxotere, carboplatin and Herceptin is on the 14th).

    I also have a port-a-cath and LOVE IT. Did they give you some numbing cream or patches to put on your port before chemo? I was given EMLA patches and LMX4 cream with dressings this makes accessing the port, absolutely painless. If they didn't give you any, ask for it, it REALLY makes the process TOTALLY painless.