chemo question please?
Hi all, As some of you may have seen from my past post regarding the return of the cancer, or should I correctly say, it was never all taken at that time even though they said they had got it all with clear margins, still so angry . I'm now staring down the barrel of chemo afterwards, as part of my treatment from this round of surgeries, I wasn't required to under go chemo 1st time, so I dodged that, this time its not looking like I will have that same luxury, My questions are for all of you who have had to face this, how long dose it take for you to loose your hair, I'm just trying to do the best to mentally prepare myself, I fully understand each one of us are completely different, and each chemo session plan will be different form the next, its more of a general idea, like dose it start to come away after your 1st session, or do you get through all your sessions and then you see the hair starting to come away, I do have a great breast care nurse, who is lovely, we are just back at the early stages now biopsy's done, MRI done, PET CT scan booked in for this week, they have now seen another lump in the breast that could need another biopsy prior to theater, the list keeps going on this. But I have been advised by both the surgeon and y breast care nurse, chemo is a high possibility Is there any advice you can share on how to prepare both physically and mentally for this treatment. I have the worlds worse veins, so I've ben told about a pick line, that sounds fun, not! anything you wish to share would be very helpful, so I can try my best to mentally prepare for this stage Thank you all :)
Going through treatment and working
Hi Everyone, I am 44 and was diagnosed in August 2017 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (3.3cm). My surgeon recommended lumpectomy which I did but we did find during surgery that it was positive in the lymph nodes so had to take a heap out for testing. Thank fully it had only got into the first node and had not progressed much further which was a relief. I am oestrogen & progesterone positive. My treatment plan is 4 cycles of AC Chemo and then go to Taxol for 12 weeks and then radiation after that. I am currently on my 3 cycle of Chemo and except for my first 2 days after chemo I have managed to keep working. Work has been fantastic and I have been able to work from home and as I don't have kids (just Hubby and I) it keeps me busy. But I am looking to hear from people that are doing Taxol and if they were still able to work or did they find it to hard to continue? I know everyone is different but would be interested to hear how people went with Taxol and trying to continue to work. Thanks and Appreciate all advice.
How long should you keep working.
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with Mets in December 2018 and am having pleasing results to date, however I’ve been told that Ribociclib is only effective for a year, I’m hoping my Oncologist is wrong. I am working full time in a senior management position and feeling the effects of fatigue from the treatment. My work is my life and a distraction from the reality of this shit disease. I’m 57 and financially could consider dropping my hours and stepping down from my role. My fear is am I giving into this shit disease or is it time to start easing up and smelling the roses. The unknown of how much time I have and the quality of time is weighing me down and causing anxiety. I’m so tired of the uncertainty and inability to concentrate and even make decisions because of this shit disease... it’s hard work and it’s been a f... hard day 😩. Is there any hope out there, if so send it my way xxx
Radiation Therapy and work
Hi, I have recovered well from a unilateral mastectomy for phyllodes tumour. My team have recommended radiation therapy, still waiting to find out if it will be for 3-6 weeks. I am a primary school teacher and plan to keep working through my treatment. Should I maybe reduce my hours each day or take a day off each week to combat the fatigue everyone seems to talk about? Is the fatigue really that bad?
Newly diagnosed with DCIS - starting the rollecoaster
Hi all, I live in Geelong. I'm 41. Single mum to a 13yo son, co-parent 50%. I was diagnosed with DCIS estrogen+ on the 14th Feb. Luckily is stage 0, which eases my worries a bit. My mum and sister had stage 2, and they are in remission. So this gives me hope and keeps me positive. I am not scared of the surgery or radiotherapy...but just have lots of doubts of how is the process going to affect my ability to concentrate on my phd and thesis writing and my ability to work (part time teacher, looking for change in career). I'm considering taking an intermission from my phd, but I don't know for how long, and how I am going to support myself financially. Did anyone kept working or studying through the treatment? I'm a planner....but this doesn't have a timeline...and I think I just have to take a day at the time. I don't have a date for surgery and radiotherapy yet...I don't know how long is going to go for and how I am going to feel.....My guess is just go with the flow.....
Tips on working and treatment
Hi all, I will be starting Chemo soon which will be followed up with more surgery and then radiation. I know l will have moments where l will be tired/sick and anything else that goes with it. I joined this group in the hope of getting tips/advice from anyone that worked through out treatment when possible.time gap from surgery to starting of Radiation therapy
Hello everyone, I have a super quick question, from the time that you had your surgery, how long was it till you started your radiation therapy? and if the dates didn't a line with your life and needs, and how long was it before you could start, like 2 months etc before your treatment started, I'm asking as I'm looking for advice, as I'm struggling with so many things, thanks
Working - radiation and hormone treatment
Hi everyone - I feel a bit slack complaining that I am about to start radiation and I don't know how I will manage to continue to work when I hear of people working and having chemo. I feel overwhelmed by the thought of managing. How have other people managed? I am run down after surgery, working and day to day living. I am a widow and I am alone in this. Thank you for listeningDid you miss the Webcast: Managing long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment?
Hi all, If you missed the webcast on Tuesday night, you can now watch on-demand via the following link https://kapara.rdbk.com.au/landers/73f44c.html The webcast was well received and a topic that is relevant to many people navigating the side effects of breast. This webcast addressed common long-term side effects of breast cancer treatment and how you can manage them, explain why ongoing support and follow-up care is important, explore the role of survivorship care plans and why you might need one, and let you know about support and resources available to you. Registrations exceeded 3,000 and more than 1,000 people watched the webcast live. We welcome feedback from those who have already watched the session.
to work or not to work
I've recently had a 3cm lump removed. It was all clear around the lump, but there were minute traces in the sentinal node, but nothing in the next two nodes. It is hormone related in the ducts and at some stage I will be having radiation and going on hormone blockers, which I have no problem with. However my oncologist has suggested that I should also have chemo. As I have had chemo in the past (22 years ago for leukemia) I really don't want to go through that again. However it is looking like I should. My question is, and this is perhaps me desperately clinging onto continuing my life with some sort of normality, should I try to continue to work. I work as a part time (2 days a week) office manger/receptionist in a Physiotherapy clinic. I love my job, and there is some flexibility with working hours with the other reception staff. But wonder if it may be too much, trying to cope with the possible side effects and also especially in this day of Covid-19, to try to work through my treatment.
