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CMF Question

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Comments

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited May 2014

    Hi Ritajean and Mandy

    Feeling much more positive. Chemo tomorrow ( Wednesday ) and again next Wednesday then I'm done. Yippee!! Thanks for your help. Will check in when I can. Hoping for a better cycle this time :-)

    Hugs

    Lilly xx

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited May 2014

    Hi Lillypoppy!

    Hope that chemo went well today.

    Hope that any lurkers out there in treatment are also doing well.

    Hugs

    Mandy

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited May 2014

    Thank you Mandy. Usual symptoms today but bearable. Usually tomorrow when it kicks in. 

    One week today it will all be over! Happy

    Love Lilly x

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited May 2014

    Hi Lillypoppy

    Just checking in to see how you are doing.  You certainly are almost finished!!!

    Hugs to all.

    Mandy

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited May 2014

    Hi Mandy

    Very rough yesterday, bit better today however I think the cumulative effects of chemo really taking hold of me. All day today been saying I'm not going ahead with next week. But I do keep saying that then do it anyway. One day at a time. I wish this was all over. I have had enough! 

    Thanks for your thoughts. 

    Lilly x 

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited May 2014

    Lillypoppy,Hope you'll feel better in a day or two.  Take it easy and be kind to yourself.

    Hugs

    Mandy

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited May 2014

    Only one more Lilly...and you can do it!  We are all going to do the happy dance for you when you are done.  :-)

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited May 2014

    That's it!!!!  All done. Can't believe I'm writing that. SillyHeart

    Been a tough journey which I thought I wouldn't complete but you kind beautiful ladies have helped me push through 12 treatments! I remember Ritajean and Mandy - when I said in December 2013 that May seemed such a long way off and you told me to just concentrate at one at a time. That really helped. Thank you so much for all your kind words of encouragement, tips and advice. Your passion to keep helping ladies is inspiring and if it's ok with you I intend to hang around and follow in your footsteps! 

    Just need to recover now mentally and physically and look forward to getting my body back and feeling well this summer x

    Thank you so much. Xxxx

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited May 2014

    YEA!!!! You did it Lilly!  In a few weeks you will be getting back to your new normal.  There will still be lots of emotional issues to sort through but compared to the treatments, they're "small fry!"   See....you are indeed a strong person!  Hugs to you!   Please keep in contact and let us know how it's going for you.  We really do care!

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited May 2014

    thanks Ritajean for your lovely supportive words. I'm elated I've completed. I definitely will keep in touch xxx

    Lilly xxx 

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited May 2014

    LillyPoppy!  You are done!!! Congratulations!  Let us know how you continue to do!  I am doing cartwheels to celebrate (well in my mind I am doing cartwheels).  YAY and a big hug.

    Mandy

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited May 2014

    thank you Mandy and Ritajean.  I wish I could do cartwheels too! If I could I would!!! Still feeling rough but knowing this is the last time makes it easier! 

    I know I may be jumping ahead here and I guess you're going to tell me it's just time...... My body feels so battered and I want to get healthy and fit again. I can barely walk for 30-45 mins a day at the moment. Breathless, fatigued, muscle aches etc. 

    What did you find most useful after surgery and chemo? I  Feel my body has taken a huge battering with 2 lots surgery and 6 long months of chemo. Did you take any specific immune system building vitamins or specific foods etc? Once I'm well enough I thought I'd try gentle swimming and Pilates  (have nil upper body strength after surgery). Not sure how long I should leave swimming after chemo? Would appreciate your thoughts x

    Thanks ladies. Much love

    Lilly x

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited May 2014

    Lillypoppy: I sent you a private message.  Do not worry--you will get your strength back; it takes time.  Hugs

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited May 2014

    I hope everyone is doing well and that you all had a wonderful holiday weekend. I thought I'd bump up our thread so others could find it! 

  • Robin3
    Robin3 Member Posts: 93
    edited May 2014


    Lilly

    Congratulations on being done!!! Yay!!!

    I tried juicing at the end of my chemo. I swear, it did wonders for me. Just vegetable juices. I got kale, and broccoli and etc and put It through my Jack La Lane juicer. I swear, one minute i'd be laying on the couch and the other minute i'd get up. I did a lot of juicing with cucumbers and asparagus, cause it's one to clear out your system. I wanted the chemo to get through me. I can't believe how much it helped. Plus I'm a Zumba instructor, I taught two classes a week during chemo. The weeks I did not have chemo, i'd sub up to 5 classes total. I think it was 1) I was already very active  2) the juicing helped  3) even if I was tired, i'd get up and just try it. I'm not saying if you don't just do it, then you are not trying. I'm just saying I would talk myself through some of the classes. I'm back to teaching six classes a week and last week I was a year out of radiation. I've been teaching six classes a week since September. Give yourself time to rest when you are tired, but when you aren't, just try to push yourself to build your muscles back. I also went to a nutritionist. She has me taking Vitamin D. She had put me on a lower carb diet, high protein to lose the weight I gained with chemo. So now I eat lots of salads, nuts, and less bread to keep the weight off since i'm in menopause. You can message me if you want!

    Robin

     

    Robin :)

  • Macy
    Macy Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2014

    Lilly, I just wanted to chime in and say congrats on being done. I haven't checked in here as much as I should. I hope you are starting to feel better and the fatigue is starting to go away. By the end of chemo, I felt like you did but the muscle aches in particular got a lot better as did the general tiredness feeling from chemo. Take care and keep in touch!

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited June 2014

    Hi Robin and Macy and Mandy too

    Thanks to you all  for your support. 

    Just picking up now really. The exhaustion is overwhelming at times. I have found myself returning to some sort of normality and cleaning all the things I haven't been up to doing for 6 months. Then it exhausts me! I'm not moaning though. I'm so relieved that chemo is over.  Yesterday would have been my chemo day if it was due and I can't tell you how relieved I felt. My hair is still shedding. I think I've lost about 30% roughly. I really want to have my highlights done and I know I've asked this before but can't remember how long to wait. My eyebrows and eyelashes are so very thin now - did you find this after chemo? I'm not fretting as I know it's just time now. 

    Robin - I bought a juicer and have been experimenting with it. I love the advice and I'm determined to boost my immune system.

    I have lots of pain in liver / ribs (can't tell which) so my MO has requested a CT scan. Think I will feel relieved when it's done. I need to start drawing a line and moving on with "normality" and I'm sure you understand that. 

    Hope you're doing ok Macy? Is your radiotherapy completed? 

    Thanks to you all I completed the long 6 months and I'm glad I completed them all - there were times when I had had enough and wanted to give in. I'm writing this because if anyone else that reads this can get something from it - as you know each chemo mentally was my "last one" until the next time by which time I thought "ok just one more".  I remember Ritajean saying take one at a time and I surely did that! 

    Thanks to you all. Hope everyone is ok 

    Love Lilly xx

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited June 2014

    Hi Lilly and Macy.

    Glad you both checked in.  Hoping the new normal arrives soon and that you will be up and about as you used to.

    Hugs to all,

    Mandy

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2014

    Macy..so glad you are doing well!  Please check in often and let us know how it is going for you!

    Lilly....YEA!!!! It will take some time for your body to return to near normal.  Once we are through chemo we often expect instant results but our bodies have been hit hard and it takes them time to recoup!  I was also so paranoid.  I worried about every little ache and pain.  Take it easy for awhile yet.  Perk yourself up with a highlight.  (I did color my hair all the way through chemo with no problems.)  Pat yourself on the back! You've made it through the chemo journey and are indeed a survivor!  :-)  Hugs to you as your body heals from this process and your energy level returns.  There is good life after chemo!  :-)

    Rita

  • Robin3
    Robin3 Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2014


    I also colored my hair throughout treatment. Just the roots. I felt crazy on the inside there was no way I wanted to look crazy on the outside. and nothing happened. Nothing "extra" fell out, and nothing turned crazy colors. but my hair is brown and I just colored it brown. So go ahead and make yourself feel better. I just re-read what I wrote I meant last week I was a year out of chemo, July 31st will be a year out of radiation. :-) Just wanted to clarify! :)

     

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited June 2014

    Hi Mandy, Ritajean and Robin

    Thanks to you all for your kindness. I'm beginning to feel better and more my normal self.  Certainly am able to do normal things thank goodness. I started arimadex  last week. I still have bone pain and muscle aches and tire easily but overall I am definitely picking up day by day. I am walking an hour a day and hoping to get swimming next week. I am having a check CT Scan next Thursday 19th. I am seeing the breast surgeon 2nd July and then i really feel I can move on. I'm sure all you lovely ladies know how I am feeling right now. Emotionally wise I honestly was better during treatment and although overall I am fine I have had some really tearful days. Maybe reality of the last few months setting in?

    Can't Wait for eyebrows and lashes to stop falling and re grow ......Going to colour my hair end of the month. Yippee! :-) 

    Kindest regards, hope you're all well x

    Love Lilly xxxxx

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited June 2014

    Thanks for checking in Lillypoppy!  Glad that things are starting to fall into place.  Keep checking in and let us know how you are doing.

    Hugs to all.

    Mandy

  • Macy
    Macy Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2014

    Lilly, yep, I finished radiation just over a month ago. I can't believe how time has flown since then. I have one more radiation post-check-up this week and that's it. I am on Herceptin until Nov/Dec but then is all and oh, and reconstruction at the end of the year. But I'm sick of all that stuff right now. I haven't done a consult yet, I'm just not ready. I want to just live my life without having to go to the doctor's all the time!

    I'm feeling good. I'm still tired and have some  lingering fatigue. I figure my body has been through so much this past year that it will just take some time. I've gone back to work full time (after working very part-time or at times not at all during treatment) which adds to my tiredness. It's okay though.

    I'm glad summer is here.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited June 2014

    Lilly and Macy....so glad you are both finished with the treatments and that you are gradually getting back to your "new normal."  Believe me, you will just keep getting stronger and more energetic as each day passes now.  You are on the uphill route now!  Please pop in often and let us know how you are doing.  Hugs to both of you!

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited June 2014

    Six years ago I was just beginning this journey.  I am forever grateful to Ritajean, Golfer, Julie, Socallisa, Harley, and the many others who helped me when I needed support. Now I am stepping in to remind the new-comers that there is life after chemo and that you will do well too!

    Many hugs,

    Mandy

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited June 2014

    Hi Mandy, Macy and Ritajean

    Hope you're all well. 

    Wow 6 years Mandy - well done x Macy, I hope you're herceptin is going ok. I understand why you're not ready for recon yet. Such a long journey for you. 

    Starting to feel better now. Had a little post chemo "ladies" party yesterday with 4 of my closest friends who have helped me through this journey and my mum and daughter. I gave each one a gift and it sort of symbolises the end of this part of the journey. The theme was "butterflies" symbolising new beginnings - and I had a lovely afternoon. 

    So feeling positive and trying to build the new me each day. Waiting for CT scan results and seeing surgeon Wednesday then that's me done. Yippee! Thanks to you all for helping me through this journey. 

    Love Lilly x

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited July 2014

    Hi everyone!  It's really been quiet on here lately so I decided to bump up our thread so it is easier to find!  Hope everyone is doing well!

  • mandy1313
    mandy1313 Member Posts: 978
    edited July 2014

    Hi Ritajean!

    All is good here. I am guessing that everyone is taking a vacation from bc.org.  But if you do have any questions about CMF or treatment in general, feel free to drop in.   Ritajean is our guru and she was most helpful to me some 5 1/2 years ago and to many others.  I also chime in when I can. 

    Hope everyone is feeling great!

    Hugs

    Mandy

  • Lillypoppy
    Lillypoppy Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2014

    Hi Ritajean and Mandy

    Well.... I'm beginning to get over the last 9 months of treatment. Today I walked 5 miles in the sunshine, along the beach with the dogs. I really needed that as I have felt so low recently ...did any of you feel mentally worse after treatment than during? 

    Physically improving apart from the bone and muscle pains.... Feel like a 42 year old in 82 year old body. I suppose it's just time. CT was clear 😊 thank goodness. I am changing from Arimadex to tamoxifen as I have start of osteoporosis. 

    Thanks to you for sharing this journey with me. X

    Eyebrows and eyelashes almost back to normal 😊

    Love Lilly xxx

  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,042
    edited July 2014

    Lilly...Congrats on the clear CT!  YEA!   I am glad that you're gradually getting back to feeling better.  The "down" feeling hits many of us when all the treatment is over.  For one thing, we're just tired at that point and for another....well, we've done what we've needed to do and while we were doing all the treatments, we were focused on getting through each day and yet we had some control over our situation.  When it's all done, it's like we're not actively fighting the menace any more and a mild depression sets in for awhile.  It will move out with time. I found that exercise helped me deal with that down feeling and I walked alot during the early post-treatment days.  Hugs to you!  You have done an amazing job with your journey and when you look back, it's pretty obvious why you're so "out of sorts" still.  We can't undo all the emotion and trauma that our body went through in just a few days.  It takes time, but believe me, it will get better!  :-)

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