Stopping Chemo
Hi, my mum 63years old is currently going through hell. She had her first chemo on the 26th March for invasive stage 3 breast cancer and hormone positive with lymph node negative. Mum had a lumpectomy and surgeon said they got the lot but suggested she have adjuvant therapy - chemo, radiation and then HRT. She felt good for the first 2 days and then pain, agony, fatigue and nausea, no taste buds, sore muscles and back pain she likened it worse than labour pains that came every 10 minutes. 5th April she woke up with sore throat, temp at high 36s, by 11am her temp had risen to 37.4, couldn't swallow, couldn't eat or drink, migraine headache. I called chemo unit at the hospital and was told to stop taking her temp for 4 hours and no pain medication for that time as well. Took her temp 3 hours later and it was 38.3. I drove her to hospital and she was immediately admitted in emergency. By that time her temp had risen to 39.4c, and she was tacycardic 119 beats, after they took blood and urine sample and 3 hours later found out her white cell count was completely depleted and she had severe tonsilitus. The nurses kept asking about where she had been and if anyone had a flu around her. Mum had been home bound from the Saturday after her 1st chemo because she couldn't get any energy to go out and felt so sick. She spent 3 days in hospital with 5 lots of antibiotics, endone every 3 hours for the pain of her headache and back aches,warfarin because they thought she had a blood blockage. Then they proceeded to give her a needle in the stomach to help boost the white cell count and informed us she would have to have one after every chemo treatment. Mum has her next chemo this Wednesday and she wants to stop it. And just have the radiaton and HRT. My question is can she do this, because seriously I don't think she will survive the chemo. Can anyone help or has anyone stopped chemo.
It doesn't matter as long as she is safe
Hi again, Mum has now had surgery twice and now offically doesnt have breast cancer now. But, she does now have to have treatment. She of course does have to have radiotheropy and may have to have kemo. I would and I am sure so would she love to not to have kemo. But, It doesnt matter whether she looses her hair and can not have any more children I just want my Mum to be safe and happy. I love you Mum xx
Nearing Cycle 6
So here I am, nearing the end of my chemo cycles. The last three have all been delayed a week due to low white blood cell counts and it has been b&*(^%y frustrating. I was also admitted to the emergency department with a fever a couple of days ago and in a few hours it had come down of its own accord, blood, urine and chest x-ray all clear - odd. It has been a bumpy ride to say the least. My tumour markers are down and the scans I had after cycle 3 showed that the small bone lesions I have apprear to be responding to the chemo. Why is it with all this positive news that I still feel so down? That I still look at my gorgeous 18 month old daughter as she is giggling and running all around the house with tears welling in my eyes? These damn bone mets. Where the hell did they come from. To never have "you've ben cured of cancer" as an option is just hearthbreaking. Even more so is that my daughter has no idea of any this. Although she does understand that I wear hats and scraves and that my "hair" is not attached to my head like everyone elses. Where is this magical "cure for cancer"? When is someone going to discover a way to reverse this destructive disease? Or discover a way forward so that none of us have to suffer through it at all? So with chemo to soon be behind me and radiotherapy about to start I am off to enjoy some more precious time with my family.
Day 5 blues
First blog here and really just wanted somewhere to write down that I am feeling quite sad today. Day 5 post chemo (I think this happenend last time too) and I just want to have a good cry and feel sorry for myself for a bit. I feel sad for my kids because it is such a beautiful day outside and all I want to do is go outside and play pretend shops and pasting and painting with them but I don't have the energy to do anything but lie in bed. It feels like such a waste of precious time. I know this is only a temporary feeling but it is sooo frustrating. Hubby has just taken the kids to the car-wash (to wash the car, not them ! ! ! ! ) which involves great excitment. Perhaps I could talk him into washing the dogs for this afternoon's entertainment. Feeling better already :)
