young grandma ready to start chemo

I am in the waiting period, before the second surgery and before the Port.  I had a good conversation with my friend who has been through it all and she has completed all her treatments at this stage, and no more appointments.  I was angry with her at first because she told me too much, and didnt hold back on telling me how bad it was.  I can only hope the fact that I was healthy and not on any medication, plus reasonabley fit, not over weight, may work in my favour.  She was older than I, not fit, and already had health issues.  I am feeling great at the moment, because I had a very minimal surgery to start with.  The lump in boob 18 inch, and clear around it, but its the nodes that need second area removal.  I dont get too caught up in the medical terms, Im not a doctor, so Im not going to bother getting too involved with that.  I recall when I was 17 years old and had to get my Wisom teeth taken out.  Wow did I hear some scarey stories!  Then it was my turn, it was a breeze.  So, I am hoping to experience a bit of good luck along the way, and not be the one telling the worst story!  (smiling).  I have a blue sky out there today, and as Ive learnt here in Tasmania, that requires immediate participation, because you never know when the rain or wind will be back!  Good luck Tracey.  I will keep an eye on you, as youre only just a step infront of me!  We will face this together hey!

XX Bel

Thought I would just jump in and welcome you to this site.I've had breast cancer twice in the same breast.First time was in 2003 and then again in 2010.So,like you,I had to have a mastectomy and then chemo.I'm now on Tamoxifen for 5 yrs(2yrs down and counting).It does change you in many ways and like you,I felt I needed to get back to my creative side.I haven't painted for sooooo long and now I give myself permission to do lots of enjoyable activities for ME.I attend art therapy class each week and love it. We have a group on this network called "creative corner"that you might like to join.We share photos of our artwork and chat. It sounds like you have great family support and a positive mindset,all of which will get you through. Chemo is the pits but there are lots of ladies going through it and you'll get support and info here. At around the 6 week post surgery mark you may want to be fitted with a prosthesis and mastectomy bras.I felt alot more balanced and confident after that.Like you,I just wanted my cancerous breast off- the quicker the better. But it's later down the track that it might "hit"you.I was very brave but turned into a blubbering mess after I signed the chemo consent forms - sometimes it's the little things that make you come "unstuck".Anyway,just cry if you need to and vent here if you need to.Sending hugs.

                                                     Tonya xx

I was really worried a out putting on weight. I was already a little overweight and didn't exercise much due to really busy work load. So as soon as I was diagnosed and left work I started walking, mostly at the beach with my dogs. Extra incentive. I tried to go everyday. I found it gave me a purpose to start the day while coming to terms with the journey ahead. I also wanted to be comfortable during recouperation and strong and healthy for surgery. I found during chemo that at first walking really helped with fatigue especially in the week after the session. Then I was pretty much fine everyday to walk but found it hard to fit in with socializing so much. The 3 last sessions I found was a different fatigue and I could hardly move for the week then was very weak nearly the whole time so have done heaps less exercise. I had really low heamoglobin levels and low blood pressure. Now though I'm over that and after taxol treatment yesterday have just done 1/2 hr exercise in the pool. I'm feeling really different, much better on this than the AC. Sounds like you have a great property for walking so that's great for you. Just do what your body allows. Rest often, drink heaps of water. The medical staff get upset if we try losing weight though. I also found that during the last 2 AC sessions I woke in the night starving hungry. Like the chemo took every last bit of sustenance out of me. Medical staff said to eat a high energy high fat diet to have reserves enough for chemo rather than depleat muscle and risk bad weight loss which results in looking tired and drawn out, sick. Kind of like feeding the chemo I guess. So I got up and ate. Also found then that eating raisin toast just before bed for the worst few days helped me sleep better. I could go on and on, good luck and let us know how you go. Don't skimp on the meds, drink heaps of water, exercise a bit and look after your mouth. Stay strong, you have a great family too, let them look after you. L:)