Forum Discussion

Maayaa's avatar
Maayaa
Member
6 years ago

Treatment

Hi everyone  I don’t know how to start this, I was diagnosed with breast in 2017 when pregnant. My baby and I went through mastectomy, chemo and radiation together because she was still in my belly when I was going through all that, thank God she came out beautifully and strong. She is 20month and a very happy girl. But now unfortunately my cancer has metastasis into my bones and liver. Having chemo again with all that comes with it. I get really stressed and frustrated. The chemo knocks me down so hard I can barely get out of bed sometimes, can’t eat and am losing so much weight.. I feel like this cancer is winning but heal no am not going down without a fight.
chemotherapy
coping
mastectomy
metastasis
pregnancy
  • Michele_B's avatar
    Michele_B
    Member
    6 years ago
    Sending you love and strength @ Maayaa. I'm so sorry you have to go through this battle again, sometimes life seems very unfair. 
    Hopefully, someone here will be able to offer more in terms of advice around treatment so that you can enjoy life with your beautiful little girl . Xxx
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    6 years ago
    So sorry to see you here, @Maayaa - there is a group called Young Women - you can discuss ANY topics in private - ony members can see your questions & answers.  "https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/10-young-women"

    and Living with Metastatic Cancer - where you can put up any question re your condition.  There are advances being made every day in the treatment of Mets - and we have many members who have achieved between 10 & 20 years, living with mets.  Once again, this is a private group - so ask away!  xxx
    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/2-living-with-metastatic-breast-cancer

    If you are feeling down, contact our helpline here on 1800 500 258 .... 

    I hope that you have good friends & family to help you thru this treatment.   Wishing you all the best xxx
  • Tinks's avatar
    Tinks
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @Maayaa It is so good that you have felt able to
    reach out at such a difficult time for you and your daughter. I’m sorry to hear of your cancer coming back. 

    This is an amazing forum, Im quite new here too.

     Regarding your weight and appetite the same thing happened to me on chemo (I’m still on it)  I started losing weight and not eating much at all. I wasn’t hungry and I could not care less about eating. My hairdresser who had chemo five years ago gave me the best advice when he said it doesn’t matter what you eat just keep eating.

    I tried eating whatever I felt like day and night. It worked, I had ice cream for breakfast if I wanted and cake usually went down well. I wasn’t eating much but I was eating and I tried to keep up lots of different kinds of fluids especially water, cordial, tea,  chai, yoghurt, milk, chocolate milk etc. after a few weeks I started to try harder on small quantities of protein, eg milk, egg, high protein drinks, cheese in tiny cubes, etc and tried to have just a few mouthfuls every few hours. I’m now gaining weight again.

    Also keeping on top, really on top, of nausea is so important. Don’t wait until you feel sick, take whatever meds you need regularly. If your meds are not enough sing out straightaway, there are some very strong meds available if you need - but they start you on weak ones! 

    Hope this helps xxx
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    6 years ago
    Absolutely, well said @Tinks ..... @Maayaa - when my husband was going thru chemo he got down to 50kg (he had most of his stomach removed.) I was told the same  -  it doesn't matter WHAT he eats, so long as he eats!   I used to 'value add' to his meals too - heaps of cheese in my smoked fish pie and I added Baby Milk powder & protein powder to his milk to give him more calories.  He then took a liking to the KFC Chicken Wraps & the Berry Smoothies - so that's what he had a few days a week (being a triathlete, he normally didn't eat junk food!!)  He also loved our local pie shop pies - so I would buy 12 at a time & freeze them so I had them on hand when he felt like one.  

    I did a really mean smoothie too with bananas, adding custard & cream/ice cream to the mix as well as the egg & vanilla. It is Really yummy.  I tried different fruits too - adding apple & peach.  Be inventive.  Sometimes just drinking a smoothie is an easy way to get some calories into you - and very nice too!

    Yep - definitely keep on top of the nausea - just don't stop taking it - and as Tinks says, let them know if it isn't working!

    All the best xxxx
  • jennyss's avatar
    jennyss
    Member
    6 years ago
    Dear @Maayaa

    I'd like to send you some of my kilos!
    Best wishes from jennyss in Western NSW