Maxine

Hi Well I had my first round of radiation on my arm then I followed that up with a session with social worker, Art therapy and last but least a yoga session. I should be feeling good but I'm a little flat, possibly because some things were brought up that I continually keep pushing down. Not sure. No pain with arm yet but they say it could get painful by the second round. It's much stronger than what they do on your chest/breast. I've got the panadeine just in case. Next round is tomorrow in the afternoon, but I have an appointment with Oncologist at 10 in morning so I'm hoping her news isn't to bad. Getting my hair done in between appointments then see Radiation Oncologist after radiation then head to Melbourne for a really flash night out with my husbands work. It's always much better when it's a free night out as well. Hope you've all had a good day. Cheers Annette

Hi Annette,

Hope the Radiotherapy goes well tomorrow and does what it's meant to do.  How good  to be able to share information with each other.

Maggie

Hi desire. This is your lucky day!! There is a Support Group that meets in Penrith at the Rowing Club 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Go the Dragonflies. Good on you Maggie, life is a struggle at times but as I've said, we are a very strong group of people, and are very supportive to one another. I have a couple of little posters of dragonflies on my fridge which I received from BCNA, they are just beautiful. I was suppose to start radiation on a met in my arm today but one of the machines had broken down so will now start tomorrow. The radiation people were so apologetic, it didn't bother me whether it was today or tomorrow that I started but they were so nice. Sounds like you have a great supportive group going there! Take care Maggie. Cheers Annette

So good to hear how you are all going and how you are getting on with your lives despite the anxiety and fear and ongoing treatments. It's always with us and sometimes it's hard to focus on the good things.  Scans, treatments, appointments etc are constant reminders of what we are coping with.

Today my husband and I went to a very large shopping centre in Brisbane and the neuropathy in my feet was a constant reminder of my illness and made me realize that big shopping centres are not for me anymore - on Shanks's pony anyway.  I'm in the middle of my chemo cycle and low blood counts probably also contributed to my limited walking - big rest this afternoon.

I went to my support group meeting yesterday and it was great to hear one of our girls talking about her trip to Morocco and France.  Six of our group met for lunch on Sunday and we had a lovely time.  We are fairly spread out geographically but have now decided to meet each 6 weeks for lunch and we have named our lunch group The Dragonflies.  Do you all know the piece on the Dragonfly - we have adopted it as our ?motto.  It is a theme that runs through our group and we have 2 get-togethers each year put on by our government funded support group.  One of our lovely ladies always gives us a gift with something that has a dragonfly on it - we are gaining quite a collection of items which features a dragonfly.

Trying to bring some normality to our lives isn't always easy.

Many hugs to you all,

Maggie

Hi Kerrie, The radiation is for pain as well as stopping the progression. Yes the waiting is the pits and thank you for your support About five of the girls are going to Sarasota Florida from the Ballarat group. Wow, I think I'd still be in the group if I was in your area, not that there's anything wrong with our beautiful lake Wendouree, just damn cold. I'm addicted to this site, I love to reply asap if I can. But I must go as housework awaits then a quick catch up with my daughter and g/daughter before I need to be at radiology. Cheers from Annette

Hi Annette Like you I have done this A about!! I just went and read your blog and then went to mine "zero". I'll get to that another day. Are you having Rads for pain relief or is it to stop progression? Hope it all goes well, and also fingers crossed for Friday. The waiting is the pits, It's a shame about the Dragons, I'm not competitive at all just out to enjoy my new found zest for life. In October this year a group of us are off to Sarasota Florida for an international event. Sooooo wish we could go now. If you are ever up Penrith way we can definitely organise a paddle, chat, coffee. We use the Sydney International Regatta Centre so just say the word and we are away. Take care. Kerrie

Hi Kerrie I'm the same, love logging into this website and chatting. The new radiation treatment starts today, as they found a new met in my forearm and I will only be having five doses. I'm quietly confident I will be fine. I've had 60 doses of radiation all up on my left breast now chest. I've only coloured up a bit, no burns, thank goodness. I'm also waiting for the results of a CT on my chest/abdo, which I had yesterday. I get the results of that Friday, I have everything crossed that I don't have anymore mets. It's so nice to be able to speak to people in a similar place, health wise, and know that they know what your talking about and know they really want to listen. I find it a little difficult to speak to some of my family members and friends because you don't know how much or how little to say to them, I can quite often see it going over the top of there heads while trying to answer a question they've asked me. I don't blame them whats so ever, if I had the choice I wouldn't be where I am right now and wouldn't be talking about it at all. I was in the Dragons as well and did enjoy it but it's so cold here in Central Victoria that I often didn't go or there was some other reason why I couldn't go. I never raced in any regattas so never had the competitive streak happening. I was more in it for the social side of it, I'd be happy if we could paddle our way around the lake whilst chatting and having a cup of tea. lol At the moment I am going to our Wellness Centre, which is fabulous. I do Art Therapy and yoga. Love it. Great talking with you. cheers Annette

Hi Chrissey I'm the same, love logging into this website and chatting. The new radiation treatment starts today, as they found a new met in my forearm and I will only be having five doses. I'm quietly confident I will be fine. I've had 60 doses of radiation all up on my left breast now chest. I've only coloured up a bit, no burns, thank goodness. I'm also waiting for the results of a CT on my chest/abdo, which I had yesterday. I get the results of that Friday, I have everything crossed that I don't have anymore mets. It's so nice to be able to speak to people in a similar place, health wise, and know that they know what your talking about and know they really want to listen. I find it a little difficult to speak to some of my family members and friends because you don't know how much or how little to say to them, I can quite often see it going over the top of there heads while trying to answer a question they've asked me. I don't blame them whats so ever, if I had the choice I wouldn't be where I am right now and wouldn't be talking about it at all. Anyway Chrissey you have a great day and hopefully we can chat later, cheers Annette

Hi Annette What a strong woman you are, you are right we are all so very strong not just for ourselves but for our loved ones around us. I really hope I'm here for the birth of any grandchildren, it's really keeps me going. But I must admit I don't think of not being here most days. I just wake up, get up and get on with it all. I sure do hope all your radiation goes well for you and that you don't suffer too much pain. We know what the burns at the end are like, not pleasant. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Christine