Australian Sisters
Comments
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Hi Amy and welcome. Trish has the best advice when she says stay hydrated as it's very important, even if you don't feel like drinking, take sips of water constantly as this will help to clear your system and do less damage to your liver and kidneys. It's a scary road alright but it can be done........any time you have a question or just need to talk to someone who has been there done that, please come here as we are always willing to share and support you any way we can.
I'm in South Australia about two hour drive North West of Adelaide in a small country town called Burra and it gets pretty cold here also.....but I love the cold so that is a good thing...lol.
Trish, the sleeve should be available next week when I go back to the city so am really looking forward to that. My new stove and range hood are being installed as we speak....yay!!! The only problem is that the gas fitter hasn't turned up so it's not connected........boo hoo! Guess I'll be waiting another day.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Chrissy - good news about the sleeve!! Bad news about the gas fitter lol
Sue - maybe we have synchronised hot flushes too lol
Amy - I feel pretty good at the moment. I'm still doing treatment, my cancer was HER2+ so I still go into the oncology ward every three weeks (until January) and have an infusion of Herceptin. It doesn't have the serious side effects of chemo, and I'm also on Arimidex tablets (for the next five years) and they can both cause joint pain, so I have a dodgy knee at the moment. Compared to chemo though - it's nothing.
About four weeks post final chemo I started to feel really good, and every week after that felt healthier and healthier. It's funny - the cancer didn't make me sick, it was the chemo that did that. Emotionally the chemo messed with my head a lot. I felt old, ugly, sick and very, very sorry for myself at times. When that happened, I'd just sit and cry - my DH is the best and he'd just sit and cuddle me and let me get it all out. About two weeks ago I started to freak out a bit, worrying that it would all come back and I wouldn't be able to handle it.
I've now decided that if the cancer comes back I'll deal with it, and if it doesn't then I won't have wasted a lot of time worrying about it lol. So both emotionally and physically I feel pretty good. I still look in the mirror every now and then and don't like what I see, but when I get more hair I'm sure I'll feel a lot better about myself. I got very excited when I realised I had my eyebrows and eyelashes back.
The Arimidex strips out the oestrogen in your body, so that messes with your hormones, which messes with your head. I think that also had a lot to do with my freaking out a couple of weeks ago, but as I said - it's all under control now.
Hugs
Trishxoxo
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Good to catch up with everyone's news as it is now weeks since I last logged in. Our daughter was married nearly 3 weeks ago. It all went very well and our visitors left last week. I have finally retired after working on the casual list for a few years. I worked 3 days over 2 weeks before Easter and decided it was time, especially as we now have 3 grandchildren who live less than half an hour away.
I have one more Herceptin next week and then I am finished, just the Femara for 5 years.
My hair is growing slowly and is still curly. I stopped wearing my wig a few weeks ago (1 year since I started wearing it). The hairdresser did it for the wedding and it looked OK, just not how it looked before Chemo.
My husband has just looked up on the Tax website and found that since 1st July 2010 the rebate starts from $2000, sorry about the bad news.
Take care everyone.
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Hi Vicky
Great news about your final Herceptin!! Yay for you :-) I'm looking forward to finishing Herceptin, still have 6 months to go though. It's more an inconvenience than anything, going in every 3 weeks. Did you have a port? If so - when will you get it out?
Bummer about the rebate threshold - that sucks. But I suppose when you look at it, you only get 20% back and 20% of $500 is only $100 lol - but I'd rather it in my pocket lol
Congrats on retirement too :-) It will be nice for you to see your grandchildren more often.
Hugs to all
Trishxoxo
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Hi Trish,
I didn't have a port. The Chemo nurses are very good at accessing very small veins but I will be pleased when I finish as they only use my left hand and the veins are getting more difficult as they have been damaged by the Chemo. They try not to use the side where the cancer was, even though in my case the surgeon said I was not at risk of getting Lymphoedema.I agree with you that the Herceptin is more of an inconvience than anything but I still have neuropathy from the Taxol. On another Topic site people further down the treatment road have said that you feel different 2 to 3 months after finishing Herceptin so I am looking forward to hopefully feeling more my true age and the neuropathy improving.
I must thank you for starting this Topic as I have found it a great support. Glad to hear that you are starting to feel better now.
Best wishes
Vicky
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Hi Vicki, that's great news about the last herceptin! and congrats on your retirement....you are now a lady of leasure....lol....I'm way more busy now that I ever used to be and it's not just doc visits. Glad to hear that the wedding wet off without a hitch...lol and that the hairdresser could do something with your curls....they will disappear over time and your hair will be back to normal.
Amy, how are you doing today? are you amanaging to make a bit more sense of things? I sure hope so. If you have any questions, please ask.
Trish, yay for your eyelashes and eyebrows! Makes you feel good when you can look at something like BC and say what will be, will be and mean it.
Stove and range hood are in!!! Gas fitter is here right now so I thinking I'll be using the new stove tonight for the first time.......boy am I looking forward to that!
Love n hugs to all. Chrissy
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Hi ladies, thanks for all the welcomes
Chrissy, I am getting a lot of good advice and information from the thread, so thanks. I was actually wondering, does everyone lose their hair? Mine is quite long and if it's going to fall out, I want to get it cut short so it's less hassle. Also, does anyone know where I can get some good head scarves or hats?
I got my chemo date today, I will start June 24th, wish it was earlier, I don't want to wait another 3 weeks but at least now I know.
Trish, your DH sounds great! Mine is like that too, he knows when to just not talk and cry with me and give me a big cuddle! Only 6 months to go on Herceptin, you must be looking forward to finishing. What's Arimidex? Is that like Tamoxofin (spelling?) The Dr said I will be on this for 5 years, once I finish chemo. I'm glad you are feeling pretty good now. Oh, I didn't know your eyebrows and eyelashes fall out too! Hope do you cope with that! I'm so naive when it comes to all of this!
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Amy, Tamoxifen is usually give to premenapausal women and is an estrogen blocker. This drug works by preventing the cancer cells from feeding on your estrogen and so die, the others as in Arimidex and Femara and there is another as well work by stopping the production of estrogen and is normally given post menapausaly. Sometime the docs want to give them to pre menopausal women and so shut down the ovaries by other medication or by the removal of the ovaries. There are a few chemos that don't make you loose your hair but I'm not sure exactly which ones they are so, the sad news is that yes you probably will loose your hair and it will start around treatment two or three. Some women in the States have been using a product called 'Cold Caps' to save their hair but I'm not sure if it's available here.....it may pay you to ask the question when you see your onc. Yes, eyelashes and eyebrows go as well but false eyelashes work and drawn on brows work well. I have seen on some wig sites on the net that you can get false eyebrows as well but I don't know how they would work. For hats and scarves there are alot of web sites that do them just for cancer patients and they are not expensive and are very pretty and practical. There also should be some available from your cancer centre....they usually have wigs as well.
Oh my, I think I've just given you information overload.......lol.......take your time and read through.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Amy - see if you can find a "Look Good Feel Good" class in your area. They give you lots of free makeup and let you try on wigs, scarves etc. It's a great thing to do.
Sue
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This is what my excitement has been about......it's only been three years in the making!
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Wow Chrissy - looks great. I would love a new kitchen. I love the light/rangehood above the stove.
Sue
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Chrissy - I love your kitchen! And the new stove and range look fab! :-)
Amy - Sue gave you good advice - the Look Good Feel Good classes are great - also the Cancer Council has a lot of wigs and scarves you can buy. Once you know what your chemo regime is, then you'll know if hair loss is on the cards. Unfortunately, most chemo will cause hair loss, a lot of women buzz their hair really short (number 1 or 2) so that the loss isn't quite so traumatic. I did that, it was one thing that I had control over (when I was going to lose my hair) so I clipped my hair myself - with the dog clippers lol! Then when it started to fall out, it was only short strands, and didn't seem quite so bad.
My hospital had cold caps, but I decided against them. They operate at about minus 35 degrees - yikes the cold is apparently quite painful and there's no guarantee that it will work. So, I decided it wasn't worth it.
I dyed my hair yesterday lol I was sick of all the extra grey that was coming in. I found a natural dye at the health food shop - no chemicals, it has a vegetable base. And it looks much better. My DH said he didn't mind the grey (he's just too sweet sometimes) but I hated it.
Hugs to you all
Trish
xoxo
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Hi Trish,
I bleached (streaked) my hair - no problems at all. It was 9 months after chemo. The curls are still there but improving with each cut.
I asked about cold caps and my nurse just said "scalp mets" - they certainly were not supportive of the idea of using them and this is HOCA - a very big practice up here.
Amy - have a look at www.planetbuff.com I used Buffs - no scarves no wigs just Buffs. I loved them and as they are not cancer wear you can use them later. You can order them here from some mob up on the Sunshine Coast - BCF also have them but not girly ones. I got a couple from the Aus place and then got a few from the US - much cheaper!!
Also, I had my hair buzzed as soon as it started falling out about 12 days after the first tx. Much less traumatic than waiting.
4 full days @ work this week - eeek!!!
(((((HUGS))))
Sue
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Chrissy - your kitchen looks great! Would love a new kitchen. My husband and I were actually planning on renovating (had the architect over the morning I went to the doctors about the lump) but now all our saving are going towards this stupid cancer! Grrrrr
Trish - I don't mind too much about losing my hair so I won't use the cold caps either. This sounds vein but I just don't want my eyebrows to fall out! I will look into the 'look good, feel better', thanks for that. I know there is one at the hospital where I will be having surgery but that is over 2 hours away, so I might see if there is one closer. I told my 5 year old that she could shave my head. Like you said, it's a little bit of control that we have in this whole out-of-our-control situation. And I think it will be less scary for her as she is worried about it falling out.
Sue - thanks I will check it out. My friend has offerd to cut off her (very) long hair and have it made into a wig for me but I just don't think I am a wig sort of person. Just thought I would use scarves. Will check the buffs site.
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Amy, I'm pleased to hear that you are taking the control back as mush as possible and I think it's great to include your daughter that way! I know she will feel as though she is helping is some way.
I've waited for the new stove and hood for three years and I'm so glad it's finally in and usable. Now all I need is to be able to spend a bit more time at home so I can use it!!!!.....lol
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OMG Chrissy - great stove. Is that an Ilve?
Hi Amy. I was 36 when I went through chemo. My two boys were four at the time. I didn't have any issues with infections although my white count did drop after the first treatment. They gave me nulasta (sp?) from then on. My kids had great fun PULLING my hair out. It didn't hurt and it turned it into a game.
Take care,
Sandy
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Sandy, it's a 'Glem'. Australian design, Italian built.
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Hi girls!!! Everthing is sooooo quiet! Hope all are doing well!
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi Chrissy!!! The yanks go quiet on the weekends, but I'm here. Just had a lovely roast chicken for dinner. Did a bit of gardening today - good for the soul.
I'm doing full time at work after next week - eeek!!!
It's cold here but not as cold as down there!!!
Sue
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Hi Sue, your dinner sounded nice.....DH made us pizza for tonight...and that was yummmm. He is complaining about the new oven....duh!......he says he liked the old one better.....you got to be kidding me!.....I told him he just has to get his confidence up and get used to this one.....lol
Oh yeah! it sure is cold here at the moment although today was not as cold as it has been. Good fire weather!
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Still wating for the melatonin from Biovea - I wrote to them and it did ship from overseas on 29th May - looks like it might have been seized by customs - we'll see, I ordered 120. Chrissy how did you find out you had a seizure by customs? Did they write to you? Lucky it was only $20 worth.
I'll be doing 5 days a week starting next week - I'm going to miss those days off all right. Going out to lunch tomorrow to celebrate my last day off.
How are you all?
Sue
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Hi Sue, yes I got a letter from them giving the details of what they'd siezed and why. Don't panic on the melatonin, I got mine but it did take a few weeks just as I was about to give up it arrived. I've been using it and I'm having the same affect as I was getting from the other one so I'm about to order more so I don't run out.
I'm off the the city in the morning to see the dermatologist to have the stitches removed from my face. Hopefully I won't be too tired and I will be able to drive straight home again. If I'm too tired I'll stay the night with DD1 and come home on Thursday. I will admit that I'm really looking forward to being able to wash my hair as it is driving me nuts at the moment........one more day....just one more day.......Yay!!!!
Hope the 5 day week doesn't knock you around too much and you'll be back to looking forward to the weekends!
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi Chrissy,
How big a bottle did you order? We can only order 3 months supply as an import, so I was worried about the size bottle I picked. It's good to know it's the real one and not homeopathic.
I must have missed you having surgery on your face - what did you have cut out? Enjoy Adelaide!!! I really love that place.
Sue
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Hello All
Good luck Sue with your first five day week :-)
Chrissy - good luck too, hope you don't find the whole thing too tiring!
My DH just had his other eye operated on this week for cataracts. We've now both had both eyes done. Hopefully his eyes will settle down. He also has macular holes in both eyes, with the left hand eye being worse than the right. He'll go back to the specialist next week and see whether he has to go to Sydney to have the macular op. We are both hoping he wont, the actual op isn't too bad (similar to the cataract op) but afterward he'll have to lay on his front, with his head facing down for around 10-14 days. Not a lot of fun. His sister had the same op late last year, and she said it was awful not being able to sit up. You can only get up to go to the loo!!
Otherwise, all is well with us. I had a herceptin treatment yesterday, and after the drive back from the op (four hours) I sat in the chair and was hooked up and went out like a light. The nurse had to wake me up to unhook me. lol
Amy - will be thinking of you on Friday for your first chemo! xoxo
Trish
xoxo
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Hi Trish - I bet you're finding the herceptin a lot easier than chemo. I never had any problems with it.
Got the letter from the doc to go full time. I tried to fit as much as I could in to today as it was my last day off - boy am I going to miss them. Went out to lunch with a bc friend I met on here who incidentally lives very close. It was great to catch up as we hadn't seen each other for ages. Did a bit of gardening, a load of washing, fixed DH's pc at his workplace and watched Downton Abbey I'd taped on Sunday night - I'm totally hooked on it. Time to start preparing dinner.
Sue
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Sue I only ordered the bottle with 90 in it to try but I will order a larger one this time. I know about the import thing, but, I don't think it goes down as we who are importing as we have bought it through an Australian Company. I'd like to test that theory anyway and besides who says what dosage we take? How would they know? As a cancer preventative the dosage is 20mg + as a sleep aid it can be anything from 3mg up depending on how much you need to do the deed.
I had a BCC removed from the curl of my ear where it meets the cheek. It was done MOH and the graft for repair was taken from just in front of my ear from the top of the ear to the jawline and then flipped to be attatched to the ear. Hell of a process but it has worked and when fully healed will be hardly noticable at all. I had to have the graft checked to make sure it had attatched and to have the stitches removed. Home now but very tired.....I haven't driven down and back in one day for over a year but I'm over being in town for now and needed to get home as quickly as possible. Glad you enjoyed your last day of freedom......lol....before heading back to the old grind stone.
Trish, hope you find the herceptin much easier to deal with. I'm glad to hear that DH's cataract op went well.....I sure hope that he doesn't need the macular op.......the recovery sounds terrible! Keeping my fingers crossed.
Amy, good luck for your first chemo on Friday, we'll be thinking of you!
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Wow Chrissy - that process sounds awful - but glad when healed you won't notice it. Hopefully though you didn't drive yourself down and back - did you at least have company?
Sue, sounds like you need to go back to work for a rest lol.
Herceptin is sooooo much easier than chemo. I get a bit of a headache on the night of treatment, but nothing bad, and I get hard "boogers" in my nose the week of treatment. Apart from being a bit tired and my body being a bit stiffer the day after treatment I don't think I have any se's at all. Which is great. Could do it forever I think lol. Maybe not.
I love the fact that I can drive myself to the treatment, it only takes an hour all up, from hook up to unhook, and then I can drive myself home - or back to work depending on the time of treatment.
Trish
xoxo
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Trish - Glad you are coping with H well - it was a total breeze for me except for a very occasional nose drip. It is good being able to drive yourself, I remember.
Chrissy - Wait and see if my bottle turns up - still waiting!!! A friend told me yesterday, we can get it from NZ - that could be worth trying.
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Trish, I always drive myself and my company in the radio playing full blast!....lol That's still one of my fiercely defended independences and while I can do it I will. I know that at some point in the future I won't be able to and for me that will truly be a sad day and a scary one as I don't like the way my DH drives and I still have bad memories of it. Over the last 25 years I have always driven us everywhere for that reason even though the reason for me starting to do that is long gone. I'm afraid I'm a very bad passenger.
Sue when I say mine took ages, I mean mine took ages, like about four or five weeks! Don't give up yet! Can you get the name of the company in NZ? It may be a bit quicker than through Biovea.
Love n hugs girls. Chrissy
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Chrissy - it was sent on 31st May I think - so I haven't quite given up hope - sounds like it still might arrive. I didn't take the homeopathic one last night and DH said I was very restless. I guess I'll have to get some more while I wait.
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