Forum Discussion
It's been a while
Hi all - It has been a while - about 4 weeks since I found out that the early breast cancer had spread to my lungs, skin and another node and what a ride! I wish I had enjoyed rollercoasters as a kid - I may have been better prepared for this.
I've had 3 treatments so far - my cocktail is Navlebine (vinerelbine) and Herceptin +2 tablets daily which are either Everolimus or placebo. For what it is worth I think I am getting placebo. At least I am getting the Navelbine - did you know that the Government won't subsidise the use of navelbine and herceptin together for breast cancer? What a croc! It is a fairly standard first treatment for secondary cancer in the the US! Only taxotere and Herceptin are approved to be used together and taxotere didn't work for me!
I am tolerating the weekly treatment well. The side effects are minimal - a bit of indigestion/nausea the evening of the treatment but nothing I need to take meds for. I guess I am a little tired but not needing to sleep extra either. I have just been out walking the dogs and taking my 4 year old son for a ride on his bike and feel fine. Last weekend my Husband took me to Sydney and we climbed the Harbour Bridge! To be honest - if not for the scans I would have no idea that there was cancer inside my body. On the upside the skin lesion appears to be shrinking and reducing in it's redness so i am hopeful that it is melting the tumours in my lungs and node away. I have a followup scan on the 15th of August. Had a scare with the bone scan showing "warm spots" but as my PET was clear they believe it is chemo induced inflammation showing on the bone scan - phew! Would like to keep the number of fronts that this disease is showing to as few as possible for now.
Day to day life has been a little difficult. I am running the gammut of finding people to help me through this - they have told me it is incurable, it is a chronic disease that we will aim to control. I still have hope that control for me can be "no evidence of disease" for a long time. I am seeing a wonderful counselor at the Gawler Foundation, have seen a psychiatrist which I also found helpful and then a couple of psychologists (yeah - overkill but I didn't know who would work for me) - the first psychologist was a disaster so I am glad I now have a couple of "professionals" in the field to help. I have changed my diet to a primarily vegan one - I am not finding it difficult. I am having Fish a couple of times a week, I'm juicing 7 times a day. I know it is not proven but I feel there is some evidence of it working for some people so it may help me. I am learning to meditate and dedicating a number of hours to that a day. I am also trying to find a complementary health practitioner that is willing to work with my medical team to support it - so far I haven't had success. I spoke with an Intergrated medicine dr yesterday and he suggested I hide any treatments he would give me from my oncologist - this is just not my modis operandi so the search continues.
I have signed up to learn Qi Gong and am spending quality time with my kids and family and reevaluating my purpose in this life. It sounds like I have been busy - it's not as crazy as it sounds - I just feel a need to address the body, mind, movement, energy and nutrition in managing this disease. In the process I have met some amazing people and some with amazing stories - I refuse to give up hope that I can be one of those stories too. I know that this will take time - it's not a "happen overnight" scenario and there are likely to be more hurdles but I aim to have my mind and body in the place to deal with them best.
I have had some pretty "blue" days still -perhaps even "black" but I am a pretty determined chickie. Chemo day is hard - the ward is depressing and my younger daughter has really been struggling with anxiety and fear - lots of tears and tummy aches - it breaks my heart to be putting my family through this and it makes me more determined to get through to another side of this. It's been done before and I live with the hope that I can do it too.
A big thank you to those of you who have me in their thoughts and prayers and are sending me positive energy. I genuinely feel it and plan to "give back" even more.
30 Replies
I love that idea that we are all like sisters...we are all together in this cause and this is simply fantastic...Amanda as I told you before you are in the right path, I am also doing Qi Qong and its fantastic, the juice and meditation help tremendously...I may see you in the Gawler Program....Be strong and remember Ian Gawler's story, if he did it...WE ALSO CAN DO IT!!!!...WE ARE PERFECTLY ABLE TO CONQUER CANCER SISTERS!!!
Love, strengh and light to all of you
I love that idea that we are all like sisters...we are all together in this cause and this is simply fantastic...Amanda as I told you before you are in the right path, I am also doing Qi Qong and its fantastic, the juice and meditation help tremendously...I may see you in the Gawler Program....Be strong and remember Ian Gawler's story, if he did it...WE ALSO CAN DO IT!!!!...WE ARE PERFECTLY ABLE TO CONQUER CANCER SISTERS!!!
Love, strengh and light to all of you
Hi Amanda
Don't ever be hesitant to get on here, you are truly amazing. I admire your focus and strength - even though you don't think you are strong. To take such an active approach to your healing requires so much strength, courage and organisation and to do this on top of being such a loving and caring mother and wife shows how truly special you are!
Your next scan on August 15th is the same day as my last chemo - so here's to a good day for both of us!
Take care and keep in touch.
Love Ann-Marie xx
Hi Amanda
Don't ever be hesitant to get on here, you are truly amazing. I admire your focus and strength - even though you don't think you are strong. To take such an active approach to your healing requires so much strength, courage and organisation and to do this on top of being such a loving and caring mother and wife shows how truly special you are!
Your next scan on August 15th is the same day as my last chemo - so here's to a good day for both of us!
Take care and keep in touch.
Love Ann-Marie xx
Hi lady just letting you know i have been thinking of you everryday and even though i am a semi retired catholic ha ha i have been praying for you and asking our guardian angels to help and give you courage and strength. you underestimate your self, you are one heck of a strong woman and i look up to you ,you are a huge inspiration to us all.
we are all always here for you . as the saying goes breast cancer makes us all sisters. so sis keep in touch okay.
xxxxxsorry didnt mean to send three times.aaaah!
Hi lady just letting you know i have been thinking of you everryday and even though i am a semi retired catholic ha ha i have been praying for you and asking our guardian angels to help and give you courage and strength. you underestimate your self, you are one heck of a strong woman and i look up to you ,you are a huge inspiration to us all.
we are all always here for you . as the saying goes breast cancer makes us all sisters. so sis keep in touch okay.
xxxxxsorry didnt mean to send three times.aaaah!
Hi lady just letting you know i have been thinking of you everryday and even though i am a semi retired catholic ha ha i have been praying for you and asking our guardian angels to help and give you courage and strength. you underestimate your self, you are one heck of a strong woman and i look up to you ,you are a huge inspiration to us all.
we are all always here for you . as the saying goes breast cancer makes us all sisters. so sis keep in touch okay.
xxxxx
Hi lady just letting you know i have been thinking of you everryday and even though i am a semi retired catholic ha ha i have been praying for you and asking our guardian angels to help and give you courage and strength. you underestimate your self, you are one heck of a strong woman and i look up to you ,you are a huge inspiration to us all.
we are all always here for you . as the saying goes breast cancer makes us all sisters. so sis keep in touch okay.
xxxxx
Hi lady just letting you know i have been thinking of you everryday and even though i am a semi retired catholic ha ha i have been praying for you and asking our guardian angels to help and give you courage and strength. you underestimate your self, you are one heck of a strong woman and i look up to you ,you are a huge inspiration to us all.
we are all always here for you . as the saying goes breast cancer makes us all sisters. so sis keep in touch okay.
xxxxx
Hi lady just letting you know i have been thinking of you everryday and even though i am a semi retired catholic ha ha i have been praying for you and asking our guardian angels to help and give you courage and strength. you underestimate your self, you are one heck of a strong woman and i look up to you ,you are a huge inspiration to us all.
we are all always here for you . as the saying goes breast cancer makes us all sisters. so sis keep in touch okay.
xxxxx
