Treatment

Hi Mares, great to hear from you again and will be thinking of you tomorrow. Yes, family support is very important and hats off to your son and daughter. My daughter, only child has been in Boston this week competing in a national crossfit competition, verrry fit young lady. But even so has been in touch regularly and is on way home to Perth now, so looking forward to hearing her voice. She was wonderful when I had to go to Perth for biopsy and then the mastecomy.

My experience today has been ok, so now will just see what the next few days bring. Linda my nurse is always on call which is such a support. And yes it would be good to compare notes. Will be thinking of you on Thursday, and if you just want to chat, then I am here. Take care xx

Hi

I have bought some online - if you search topsy turbans and headcovers in google they are american and it works out a bit cheaper than the aussie sites. just have to allow about 10 days for delivery.  Lots to choose from. I am going to the wig library tomorrow for my appt so it will be good to have a wig for some occassions but I am happy with my turbans. 

I got my needle today - its in the fridge ready for tomorrow arvo. go the GP 

all went well today - only 2 goes to to get a vein and no allergic reaction. 

but in a few days I expect the fatigue to hit me as it did last round. just need to sleep it off!

wishing you luck x

Thanks Hazel, congratulations, you are almost there! I am planning to find a LGFG workshop near me. I have got a wig from the hospital just incase. I am not particularly looking forward to wearing it. Thank you for saying this is all doable and yes I am sure it's not great at times! What tips did you learn along the way besides LGFG?xxx

Thanks Donna. You are right, we are all different and respond differently. I can be an anxious type even though I like to think I am calm, but it doesn't always go that way! Interesting point about the cumulative affect of chemo. I will be very mindful of scheduling events over the next few months. A friend is getting married in July and I am not sure what I will be like thenxxx

Hi Margie, thank you for the tips. It is good to be as prepared as one can possibly be. I hope all went well for you today. It will be interesting to see how this cycle goes for you. I wish you a smooth as is possible chemo journey. Lucky that you haven't had nausea. Where did you get your cool scarves from? Interesting point about drop in blood count. I would be going to the GP too, not very brave with needles! Mind you I am getting better now that it's part of this journey.

You are right, the ladies here keep me from having huge meltdownsxxx

Hi Annie, it's nice to meet you even if under these circumstances. I will be thinking very much of you tomorrow. We can compare notes, maybe! I am sorry to hear that you lost your partner at such a critical time. I am sure he is with you all of the way in spirit. Glad to hear that you too have a good friend support. I am a sole provider with two teenagers. My son is happy to take me to the appointments while my daughter is happy to come in with me. so that is good. I too have a lovely oncology nurse and like you feel safe with her. All of the bestxxx

Hi Jen, lovely to hear from you again. I am really looking forward to the Look Good Feel Better workshop, from all accounts sounds like a lot of fun and a bright and cheerful happening for when we need it most. Also thanks for the advice on wigs, getting more and more info and options which is great. Have a beanie and woolly cap to start off and maybe tomorrow some more bits as a lady here does scarves, turbans etc and coming around in the morning.

Very interested to hear what your hair is growing back like, compared to before chemo. Some say it comes back to start with almost opposite to how you were before, and then gradually changes back again???

Hope all continues to go well with you. Take care xx

Annie,

I live in the country too and I was able to order a wig through Cancer Council - they get you to fill out a form, send a sample of your own hair and a photo then match it and send a wig to you for loan.

Just an idea as I understand how difficult is is for those of us living long distances from the city. I also did the Look Good Feel Better workshop and it was fabuous! Loaned a wig from there too so I had a couple to play with! (Eventually I didnt wear the wig anymore...too hot in  summer...instead my beautiful twin sister made me a heap of beautiful coloured scarve/hats.  Four months since my last chemo and my hair is growing - about 2cm length!

Good luck with the rest of your treatment.....you will be amazed how quick it will go for you!

Jen x

that was great fun - you try the makeup and do it there and get to take a bag full of make up home. there was lots there. they had someone with wigs there from sydney as we don't have much here on the central coast. I am not going to buy a wig - at our hospital there is a wig library and they lend them to you as I think I will find the wig itchy on my scalp but will be handy just in case. Its not so easy for availabiltiy in the country and for me if I wanted to buy a wig it would only be an hour and a half to the city. I have bought turbans and they look great and feel really comfy and some lovely people have knitted me beanies for warmth. I am happy with that. I have an appt at the wig library tomorrow - they fit them and cut them to suit you. 

having a nice breakfast this morning out with partner and a girlfriend -then I am up for the chemo at 1pm! tomorrow I have the injection to help my neutrphils then we see what happens on round 2. 

Good luck and keep in touch

marg xx

Thanks Marg, nice to hear from you and how the chemo affected you, everyone is so different. My oncology nurse mentioned mouth ulcers and her suggestion for relief was to suck a piece of liquorice, so have a bag of that on hand, just in case.

I also plan to have my head shaved when the time comes, and have bought a beanie and cap in preparation. Unfortunately being in the country getting access to wigs isn't quite so easy, but have a couple of leads which will follow up. Also am booked into a Look Good Feel Better workshop and believe they also have some for us to try, so that will  be a fun thing to look forward to.

Hope your second one goes well and will be thinking of you. xx