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lskelso's avatar
lskelso
Member
15 years ago

Waiting

I have had my tumour removed and was pleased that it was cleanly excised and that it was found early.  However it was fast growing and had found it's way to one of my lymph glands - so chemotheraphy awaits me when my drain is removed.  This is where the frustration lies in that it is now day 21 with the drain and I am still oozing more than 50mls - the magic number.  I can not have the chemo until it settles down and hence the waiting.  It also presents problems with planning the next couple of weeks.

My husband will be going away for 11 days to a big conference which he is heavily involved in and so my mother is flying down to stay with me for company or assistance if needed.

My surgeon's best guess is that it will come out on Wednesday and so I could start chemo on Thursday. 

I have prepared as much as I can for the process but the waiting is now getting a little frustrating.

At least my cathaport is having time to heal for the last week.  Also I enjoyed the Look Good..Feel Better workshop yesterday - a wonderfully kind service.

I have some work to do on Monday, which would be Day 5 after my first treatment and I am not sure whether to find a replacement as I do not know how tired I might feel by then.

It will be interesting to hear any feedback about this.  I know that everyone is different and has different treatment regimes. 

Regards

Sue

 

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  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Sue,

    My drain came out after a week then I developed a collection of fluid (seroma)under my scar and had to return twice a week to have 100mls syringed off each time.This went on for 5 weeks! Only after  that I could start chemo.First few days after my first chemo I was ok.Then day4,5,6,7 was  bedridden, felt like "road kill"from a mack truck!! A week later I was in hospital with no white cells in isolation.My advice is don't plan anything until you know how you react to that first round.

                                                Tonya

  • di-p52's avatar
    di-p52
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Sue,

    My advice to you is 'take it easy'.  If you push your body now, you will most certainly pay for it in the end.

    There are a lot of different chemo's out there, and of course, they affect everyone differently.  I have found the one common denominator with all (from talking to and reading other patients blogs) is that you will feel like you have been hit by a Mack truck - there is no getting away from this.

    I know of several people who continue working whilst they are having chemo, and even though the tiredness is overwhelming, they seem to cope OK.  I guess it depends on what type of work you do.  Also, there are many young women, with young children or babies, who still seem to be able to cope whilst on chemo.  The bottom line is, 'we do what we gotta do'.

    As for the drainage tube, if it needs to stay there - then leave it there!  Better that all the gunk drains out now rather than cause serious problems later on.

    Good luck with everything.

    Di  :)

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    15 years ago

    Dear Sue

    My first thoughts to you are "Whoa - slow down girl"  That's how I interpreted your blog.  You seem like a very busy person.  I was too but now work is the last thing I ever worry about. I am presently having radiation then when I return home (I'm 8 hours by road away from home) I have to wait 4 weeks to commence chemo.  I have had radiation before (4 years ago) but this will be the first time for chemo so I am no expert.  However many of my friends have had chemo and I have a pretty good idea what to expect.  Sure everyone is different but I'm looking at the worst scenerio whilst trying to arrange my commitments around chemo.  That way all the good outcomes will be a bonus.  It appears that the best ratio for chemo treatment, to gauge your life on, is first ten days are awful then the next eleven days are pretty good.  This is based on a 3 weekly cycle.  Take care and good luck XLeonie