Australian Sisters
Comments
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Thanks so much Jenn, Alyson and Suzie, I know this is silly, good grief, in the grand scheme of things this is small stuff.
I think it is just the reality of it all hitting home, glad to have you all to bounce off.
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It's not silly Ariom... We all know how crap this is. You don't ever have to put on a happy face for us if that's not really the way you feel.
Jenn0 -
Jenn, I hope you are ok. Re sleeping, try wearing an eye mask to block out light and make sure your mattress is comfortable.
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Oh Jenn - it sounds like you are really hitting a brick wall. I have never heard of a psych onc, what do they do?
I am glad you have had some sleep, but working like you do makes it very stressful. I am also having huge troubles with words and basic tasks. At first the family thought it was funny but it is fast becoming a huge problem. I have been putting it down to the tamox. because it is getting worse. Sending a big hug your way x
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Jenn - a drug free alternative for sleep assistance is Melatonin - most of us take it - also supposed to have bc preventing properties. You can get a script from your doc or order from Biovea.
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Hi Ariom,
Just wanted to add another voice to those saying the SNB is not that bad. I know it is scary. I won't lie, it does hurt, but it isn't even close to being unbearable and it is over pretty quick.
Best wishes,
Sandy
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Hi Sandy - it was great to meet you
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Oh Jenn.....you poor thing!I
I remember working through my first bout of chemo thinking I was doing just fine, only to find out at a later date that I was making mistakes......it was just no one said much (obviously they felt sorry for me LOL)!!!
I have to say I am so glad I'm not working now (totally different situation this time of course).....I had a really crappy day today & just lay in bed all arvo!!!! At least I don't have to stress about when I'll feel ok to go back to work......& as you say, not being able to sleep isn't as important when you don't have to get up & go use your brain!!
Thinking of you & hope things get better soon....:)
Karen x0 -
Aroim I had SNB just prior to the Mx surgery so I did not feel a thing. I am still recovering from surgery and the pain is not bad at all. I have really good arm and shoulder movement and am just under 4 weeks from surgery. The first day or two after the Mx was a little uncomfortable but it is very doable so please do not worry about the pain.
I agree with Trish and her comments are really spot on. I have been wearing my Berlei Bra this past week and it feels fine, although I did remove some of the padding. I initially wore a soft camisole for scar protection and wore scarves to conceal the indentation.
I do need to add that I am struggling with the fills and the shape of the tissue expander but believe that it will eventually look more like a breast with the implant exchange. At this stage I am questioning my reconstruction choice and just wonder if a tram flap would have been more suitable. I will not know my outcome for several months, meanwhile I try not to look at my chest. From the pain point of view however all is fine.
Sorry to hear you are having a bad time Jenn, sleep deprivation sure does interfere with healing and would be making the chemo fog so much worse. Hope you find a compatible sleeping pill soon!
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Jenn, do you have milo over there, as my my mum swears by a hot milky milo, even just the hot milk by its self too can have an effect. made her sleep heaps and stay asleep. just a suggestion, may help not having to take pills.
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Hi Sandy!
Kylie a psych onc would be a psychiatrist or psychologist who works with cancer patients.
My snb was done during my surgery. I did not feel a thing during or after. Not sure why other techniques are used as mine was so easy.0 -
Racy - the bit they are talking about is the radioactive injections done before you go to surgery.
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In my centre's case she is a psychologist not a psychiatrist. The difference is that psychologists can't prescribe... I'm due the at 10.30am and have also scheduled another appt with my GP this evening because the Normison is definitely not helping. Hopefully he can prescribe an alternative to try.
I have to have such a split personality here at my centre. I am already here this morning because I have a meeting with the auditors who are spending the next two days here auditing my site for my trial (work)...
Jenn0 -
Jenn can you ask if there's an alternative for tamoxifen? I had the same issues you are having when I was on Arimidex. Insomnia , chemo brain and joint pain. Now that I've changed meds those se's have gone. It's worth asking. You might be like me and do better on something else.
Well I'm home today, that tooth I was having trouble with on the weekend has flared up into an abscess - different tooth to the one a couple of weeks ago. I'm back on antibiotics and pain killers. Feeling a lot better now than I was yesterday afternoon thank goodness.
Hope everyone else is going well.
Trish
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Hi ladies, just dropped in to see how everybody's doing. Welcome to Ariom, you've found a great bunch here. Let us know how we can best help to support you.
Well I've just had a VERY DISTURBING exchange of emails with my naturopath, who is a pretty special guy and specialises in natural medicine for cancer patients. I first met him in 1997 when I was trying to help my mother through her BC metastasis. He was her doctor as well. Today we've been talking about DIM, which if you aren't familiar is a plant chemical (phytonutrient) which has been touted as being an inhibitor for cancer cells. Its method of action was being a "down-regulator" for estrogen receptors on cells, making it very much like tamoxifen only without the side effects. I was first given this supplement by another naturopath in Perth, 8 yrs ago when I was living there.
Turns out now that after lots and lots of research, it might not be the answer we were looking for. Drat. I hate it when this happens! I mean I'm glad they do the research, but very disappointed when the thing you thought was going to be a non-toxic answer turns out not to be. I had a whole page on my website devoted to DIM. Looks like some revising is in order...
In the interests of keeping you abreast (sorry for the pun) of the latest BC news, thought I'd share this in case anyone was on it. When I know more, I'll pass it along.
Looks like the Brisbane meet-up was a success - hope everyone who went had lots of fun!
Hugs to all of you!
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Back from crying in the psychologists office this morning. They have a new psychiatrist starting next week and she is going to try and get me an urgent appointment with her next Friday. Couldn't make it any earlier since I may or may not have my right sided ooph next Monday if the gynae can squeeze me on the list.
Jenn0 -
jenn, i do hope everything works out for you and you get something to help you sleep. am thinking about you. warm gentle hugs. xoxo
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Hi Racy and Sue. It was so nice to meet everyone the other night. I am so glad I came so thanks for organising it.
Jenn I am sorry you are having such a hard time but I am glad you are being so proactive about getting the help you need.
Sandy
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Oh Jenn you need a big hug but its a bit far to give you a real one so this will have to do ((((((((((Jenn))))))))))) Be gentle with yourself.
This morning at the playgroup party DGD had marshmellows, a cupcake and some fairy bread - result one out of control child. Up until then she was playing beautifully with her friends. Think its the food colouring and I am horrified to find that even white marshmellows have colouring that's banned in Europe and Canada. So now to cut out artifical colouring - DS has a severe reaction to most colourings as does her mother.
Must get some things done -Christmas cards for one thing!!
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Hi girls I'm finally home sitting in my own arm chair!! What a trip!! Fabulous!! But now I'm feeling pretty exhausted so I'll just sit with my feet up. At least it's cool, well inside is ......lol....... as I have the aircon going because my welcome home temp was 34......it look like summer is definitely here to stay.
Arion as the others have said there will be pain and discomfort but it is short lived and there are some very good pain killers available to keep things going as smoothly as possible for you. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is, even though it will be painful to try to lift your arm using your shoulder please try a few times every day as you wil get a good range of motion back quicker. My breast nurse told be to try to walk my fingers up a wall a little higher each day, hold for the count if ten and then walk them down the wall again.
Oh Jenn you are having such a terrible time getting through all this. You really do need to give yourself time to heal both physically and mentally. I know you love your job but if it is causing you anxiety which will cause lack of sleep, then may be you need to ask for a leave if absence for a little while just until you heal a little more. What you have been through us massive so please be kind to yourself.
OMG Trish!!! Your poor mouth!! I sure do hope those anti b's kick in quickly to relieve the discomfort.
Well DH has just arrived home so I'd best go spend some time with him.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Just got to get to this Friday (if have surgery) or next Tuesday and then I'm off until the New Year because of our mandatory shut-down. At this point I think if I didn't go to work I would just sit at home and cry all day - work is at least keeping me busy.
No chance of giving up work as we are pretty financially stuffed. Not even $20 in the bank right now until payday on Thursday. The med bills and cost of living this year have wiped us out.
Sitting in the GP waiting room to tell him the pills aren't working. Will see if there is anything else I can try to tide me over until I can get in to see the psychiatrist next week.
Jenn0 -
Jenn hopefully he can give you something a little stronger so you can sleep.
Love n (((((hugs)))))). Chrissy0 -
oh Jenn that is so distressing to hear. As if being unwell is not bad enough but to have financial stress because of the medical bills is just horrible. It is no wonder you are unable to sleep as it is all getting on top of you. Just wonder if some anti depression tablets might help. Your family must be feeling the stress and unhappiness but try to hang in there things must improve!
Thinking of you and sending a big hug! Lola.
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Jenn Im so sorry things are tough at the moment. I wish we could hug you in person, but know that we love you and are here for you whenever you need us.
I have my fingers crossed that you got something super duper that can knock you out for 8 hours a night.
Chrissy so glad your home safely, hope it cools down a bit for you soon.
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Sue, yes I know what the surgery involves for snb. It was done when I was in surgery for lumpectomy; no prep. Am surprised if you didn't have same at Wesley.
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Jenn, thinking of you. Didn't know about surgery next week.
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Racy - I was sent to radiology for the radioactive injections and scans - then went to surgery for the removal of the sentinel nodes and lumpectomy - both times.
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Pretty sure my snb was during my masectomy at the Wesley. There were so many procedures before hand I could be wrong. But I remember them saying they would inject the blue dye while I was under and then remove where it lit up plus a clearance. I did the fingers crawling up the wall exercise but wasnt sure if that was to help regain mobility following the masectomy or from the removal of lymphs. That whole period of time is a bit of a blur with so much stuff happening all at once.
I do know I did my exercises religiously and have full use of my arm. Probably the one and only time in my life I have obeyed and did exactly what I was told by a medical professional haha.
Im hoping that as Jenn hasnt posted again she is currently in the land of snooze and will feel better tomorrow - gentle hugs Jenn
Hugs to all while Im at it, im feeling affectionate lol.
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My injection of radioactive tracer was done before my mastectomy, in fact I am pretty sure it was the afternoon before and I had the surgery the next morning. I didn't have blue dye, it was a radioactive tracer. My surgery was at a private hospital in Perth. Maybe there a couple of techniques.
I think it is the injection that is concerning Ariom. I does hurt but it is totally bearable. It is also very quick.
I also did the fingers up the wall exercise diligently after my mastectomy. I think it is the only physio exercise I have ever been diligent with and I have been given a few over the years!! I had to as I had twin four-year-olds and needed both arms ASAP. I am eight years out now so I can't remember exactly how long it took, but I think it was only a few weeks at the most. My young age might have helped but I really think it was doing the exercises so often that helped.
Jenn I really feel for you and what you are going through, that is very tough. I know it is annoying when people say this but I really do admire your strength continuing in your work, especially in such a demanding job. I know necessity is a great teacher but plenty of whimpier people (like me) would have given up by now.
Take care.
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Hi Lyndal I just read your post above mine...snap...we said the same thing about the exercises. Not intentional, I need to read before I type!!
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