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  • Ausbear
    Ausbear Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2016

    Hey all,

    I watched that Catalyst program as well and found it really interesting. I am going to contact the research facility that is doing the study to see if they offer advice for people outside Perth.

    In your experiences with Chemo, do you think that you could have handled doing a workout on the day of the infusion - either before or after?

    Thanks for all the kind words, Im doing better each day. The drains came out on Sunday and what a sweet relief that is. I felt tethered to hospital by those things and now am free! It is remarkable how quickly the swelling is going down. My husband can't believe his eyes!

    Big hugs

    C

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited May 2016

    Claire everyone react differently to chemo and the effects of chemo are cumulative so even though you may feel well enough in the beginning that may not be the case by the end. The best thing to do is take it as you find it and give it a try.

    Great that your drains are out and the swelling is receding.......it certainly is a good feeling to be free of the tetherinf.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • bluekoala
    bluekoala Member Posts: 73
    edited May 2016
    I've had four cycles of AC, and so far they have all followed the same pattern of side effects, but with different intensity each week. First and third the worst. I had treatment yesterday and feel nowhere near as bad as the same time last treatment.

    I watched that Catalyst episode this afternoon. It was interesting. It is only new research, of course. I've just been trying to keep my life as normal as I can, but I am just so tired, and I feel quite ill on chemo weeks. I start Taxol next, so I will see if I can manage more than walking to the other end of the house! It doesn't help much that I am still running around after a thre-year-old!
  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited May 2016

    BlueKoala, I did AC and then 12 weekly Taxols. The AC knocked me flat - but the Taxol was much easier. I was really sick on the AC, but didn't really need anti nausea meds for the Taxol. I found that sucking on icypoles during the Taxol infusion also helped minimise the taste change. Don't be surprised if you don't get your energy back though, Taxol makes you really tired. I'm three weeks out from my last Taxol, and feeling so much better. My hair started to grow back on Taxol too - although my eyelashes and eyebrows fell out!

    Trish

    xoxo

  • bluekoala
    bluekoala Member Posts: 73
    edited May 2016

    I'm hoping fatigue is easier than feeling sick!

    I haven't lost all my hair on my head - I had a lot to start with. I didn't shave it, because there is still enough to look like I have hair out the bottom of scarves and hats, and it's less confronting for me at night time when I don't have anything on my head. My eyebrows were pretty thick to start with, but have thinned a bit. I'm expecting to lose a bit more yet

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited May 2016

    Fatigue is much easier - although I didn't have a 3 year old to run after! Have you had constipation or diarrhea with AC? I got the big D very badly during the whole thing. Only time I felt sick on Taxol was with the D. My appetite wasn't great on Taxol either, and it's only starting to come back now.

    Trish

    xoxo

  • bluekoala
    bluekoala Member Posts: 73
    edited May 2016
    bowels all over the place! Doesn't help that I had been spending the months prior to diagnosis trying to work out what causes my bowel problems and was getting somewhere when I have decided to throw in the towel and eat whatever I feel like eating now! As long as I don't eat too much junk, I'll just eat whatever I can stomach.
  • Tammy_M43
    Tammy_M43 Member Posts: 565
    edited May 2016

    Some very sad news, one of my paddling buddies past away last week. She was diagnosed with mets in February this year and given 3-5 years but it was more aggressive than predicted. Adding to everything her daughter- in-law had passed away from BC just 3 weeks before. Her son was brave and inconsolable at the funeral.

    This disease is a very unpredictable beast and I value everyday and hope that I am one of the lucky ones.

    Take care everyone (((hugs)))

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited May 2016

    Oh Tammy, I am so sorry to hear this. .......such devistation for one family! Yes this disease has a mind all of its own and no matter how much we learn or how many treatments there are there is always those few that cannot be helped.

    Sending ((((((((((hugs)))))))))) of comfort for your sorrow.

    Love n more hugs. Chrissy

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited May 2016

    Oh Tammy, I'm so sorry to hear this ((((hugs)))) It's such a bitch of a disease

    xoxo

  • Tammy_M43
    Tammy_M43 Member Posts: 565
    edited May 2016

    Thanks Chrissy and Trish, we are having a special paddling ceremony, "flowers on the water", on Sunday to show our love and respect.

    Trish, are you still recovering or fighting fit

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited May 2016

    Tammy, that sounds like a lovely ceremony.

    I'm trying to get my fitness back gradually. I'm having my port removed tomorrow morning ... under a local anaesthetic! I'll let you know how that goes.

    Each day I'm feeling stronger and better Smile

    Trish

    xoxox

  • Delvzy
    Delvzy Member Posts: 454
    edited May 2016

    just reading along not much happening o share hugs to all

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited May 2016

    Well I had my port removed today - under a local and I didn't feel a thing! My bs was right, didn't hurt, all over in about 5 minutes. So now all my medical "stuff" is finished.

    Time to get a job now Singing

    Trish

    xoxo

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited May 2016

    Woohoo! Glad that's all done and dusted without discomfort! Time to continue healing while looking for that job. Fingers crossed that it doesn't take long.

    Loven hugs. Chrissy

  • aussie12
    aussie12 Member Posts: 421
    edited May 2016

    Hi all

    That's good news for you Trish.

    I saw the Oncologist yesterday and my blood clots in my lungs have gone and nothing showed up in the CT scan. So now I don't have to go back until February next year. I've also made an appointment with the surgeon to see when I can get my colonostomy reversed. I can't really afford more time off work so will have to see how much time I will need to recover from surgery.

    This is my 4th week back at work and I have been getting a really sore back as I'm just standing at the checkout all day. The good thing is that a few customer's have asked where I've been so that has been great.

    Carol

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited May 2016

    Wow that's great news for you Carol! Getting that sort of news is always wonderful. Hope you get some good news on the reversal as well.

    Would it be allowed to have a chair at the check out? Is it worth asking? Sure hope your back can be sorted.

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Tammy_M43
    Tammy_M43 Member Posts: 565
    edited May 2016

    Trish, great news! Take us easy getting back into work.....

    Carol, fantastic news for you too, yippee! A bad back is terrible, I hope you can get some relief soon....

  • Trisha-Anne
    Trisha-Anne Member Posts: 1,661
    edited May 2016

    Carol - so glad to hear nothing showed up on the CT scan. I'm not sure how long you need after the reversal - I'll be talking to my brother in the next few days - I'll ask him - he had his done five years ago.

    I spent seven hours yesterday doing pet photography at a grand opening of a pet store. 55 dogs and one cat! More of the same today. I had a ball. Really enjoyed it, and though I was pretty stiff and sore when I got home yesterday, not as bad as I thought I'd be, and feel normal this morning, which is good as I'm doing it all over again today lol. I really coped well with it all, and I'm surprised at how well.

    Mind you I've now caught DH's cold, so will probably be resting a lot tomorrow lol

    Trish

    xoxo

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited May 2016

    Awww Trish, tell him you love him lots but it's not necessary to share his cold with you.......lol. hope it's just sniffles and not the full blown icky sort.

    Yay for all your photography! It's so good to hear you soubding like your normal self.

    I've been busy again........we are celebrating having the old station open for a whole year so this weekend is open weekend where for $5 you can have home made soup and bread or devo n shire tea. I made seven dozen scones, two huge pots of soup and four long plaited loaves. I think im done baking for a while other than our bread every second day.

    I woke up with pelvic pain yesterday and it's still there. I'm nauseous and very uncomfortable. .......can I say not happy Jan?! Just as well I see my doc on Thursday so until then and if it doesn't ease off, I'll just have to up my pain pills.......yuk!

    Take it easy all. Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Ausbear
    Ausbear Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2016

    Hi everybody!

    Trisha-Anne, so great to hear you are well after all your chemo. You have bounced back really fast!

    Chrissy, hope your tummy pains are getting better.

    I have my first appointment with the Oncologist in a few weeks. Im looking forward to the next part of cancer slaying but a bit nervous about how Chemo will affect me. I guess I will just have to wait and see!

    Hope all you ladies are doing well,

    Clair

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited May 2016

    Thanks Clair the tummy pains have eased a little but are still there.......here's hoping they keep easing.

    Yep, chemo treats everyone differently but a couple of things you can count on and they are hair loss and diarrhea, loss of appetite and tasre change. Just remember to hydrate well and rest. ......let your body be your guide. Good luck!

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Ausbear
    Ausbear Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2016

    Update!

    I just had the most amazing session with a Physiotherapist today! She is awesome :)

    I have some left over fluids in some places and cording in my right arm and torso and in just one session, I have significantly improved range of motion in both arms, the cording feels way better and the weird topography of my chest is smoothing out! She also taped up some parts that need a bit more help.

    We talked about exercise and chemo and she is adamant that if I listen to my body and adjust accordingly, that I can get back to weightlifting! Yay! I'm so so so happy. I have another session with her on Friday! Can't wait!

    Hugs to you all, big real ones now that I don't have TRex arms anymore :)

    Clair

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited May 2016

    Yay Clair! That's great news for you! So glad your therapy session went so well......doesn't it feel wonderful to have range of motion after being restricted?!

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • Tammy_M43
    Tammy_M43 Member Posts: 565
    edited June 2016

    Clair, I had cording in my arm and torso too and I think exercise definitely helped. Happy exercising!

    I attended a course today on writing your family history. I had an awesome Mum who had a difficult childhood and I wanted to tell her story so it is there for future generations of the family. It was a great day and I'm now ready to go

    Thinking about everyone, I hope all is well.

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited June 2016

    Wow Tammy, that course sounds great! Good luck with your writting!

    Love n hugs. Chrissy

  • melp27
    melp27 Member Posts: 295
    edited June 2016

    I'm having troubles with one of my friends. She keeps bringing up stuff from the past that ive done to hurt her when ive already apolgised. She says I cant use my illness as an excuse to why i do or not do things. Im a quiet person and i tend to listen more than talk. keep having to justify myself to her even though she says i dont have to but the mean things she says make me need to defend myself. Weve been friends for more than 10 years. When i first was dx with early stage she was amazing but now she seems to have changed. I have changed too obviously. I'm wondering if ive outgrown her. she says" I may not have a serious illness but my life is still hard" and "you don't know others struggles" "I have anxiety and i dont like confronting others I hold it all in." I said i dont think she realises how much cancer affects everything you do and say.

  • Lucy55
    Lucy55 Member Posts: 2,703
    edited June 2016

    Melp.. Sorry you are being made so upset by someone who has been your friend for so long.. If its an ongoing issue, maybe the friendship isn't worth the grief it's causing you ?? Dont let her upset you.. We know what a good, kind person you are, and I think none of us need friends who cause us grief.. Hugs..

  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 11,438
    edited June 2016

    Mel I was reading your post and even before I got to the part where she says she has anxiety I was thinking that for sure. It is a symptom of anxiety that the person always remembers everything negative and each little hurt and until she gets some proper therapy nothing will change.

    She is the one with the problem, not you. It is really difficult to deal with someone suffering anxiety and depression and if you are finding it too difficult my suggestion would be to walk away.

    The best way for you, should you still maintain the friendship is to not to defend yourself, just let her go with her ramblings, for that is what they are, and when it all gets too much for you then cut the connection for that day.

    I am currently studying this very subject and it sounds like she is a text book case, I am wondering if she has been properly assessed? And if so, if she has been offered counselling and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)? None of what she is doing is your fault and even though you have apologised many times, she will continue to bring up the subjects as that is where she lives in her head as the real world is just too hard to face and it reinforces her feelings of worthlessness.

    Sending love and Hugs. Chrissy

  • bluekoala
    bluekoala Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2016

    THought I would share with you that I'm past halfway through chemo: 4 dose dense AC done, and had my second Taxol today. Everyone at my clinic is really impressed how I'm holding up through it.

    I'm impressed, though, that I can barely feel the tumour anymore. It was a massive lobular mass - my MRI said about 10cm of tumour - that there was no way you could miss it. Even my oncologist said a few weeks ago that if she didn't know it was there she probably wouldn't have said there was anything there. I'm hoping this means really good news for my prognosis.

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