Australian Sisters
Comments
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Ronda, good to hear you are doing ok. As for going back to work don't push too hard as chemo is cumulative and your immune system suffers. Try to avoid being where there is likely to be lots of people who may have colds and flu.
Hoping each day brings improvement.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi Chrissy
Thank you my dr did say the same thing, I just don't have a lot of leave & with bills etc it is hard. Of course my super doesn't have the income protection either only my husbands but I will try to put my health first.
Feeling better again today, day four but maybe starting to get constipated so I may need to get some natural fix today.
Thanks again
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Hi Ronda.......yes the constipation.....ugh!!! Some people go that way and others to the other extreme. If you think you are starting to back up please get something to get you moving. If necessary the chemist has suppositories to soften things from the other end but I hope you won't get to that point........but they do work. Prunes are good as is prune juice but you may need something a bit stronger from the chemist.........eacg of us is different in what works well.
Check with your doc but it may be worthwhile you checking with Centrelink re a sickness benefit while you are doing treatment and organizing with your work to take the time off. I think there is a workers protection in place that will stop you from losing your job because of going through cancer treatment. Trish will probably know more so hopefully she will pop in..........but it's well worth you checking it all out.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi Ronda
I know exactly how you feel regarding bills etc, and not being able to work. I would imagine that if your husband is working, then you won't be entitled to anything from Centrelink, but it's worth checking out. I was a bit constipated at times on chemo, and found Senecot tablets from Woolies or Coles worked very well. Then of course I'd go straight to the big D. I'm really not sure which one is worse lol.
Chrissy has raised a good point about going back to work - your immune system is wrecked right now - and being around anyone who has a cold - or God forbid, the flu and you will be in big trouble. Is your work something you can do from home? While you are doing AC, you really do need to rest as much as possible, it's really hard on your body. As for your super - if you are over 55, you may be able to release some of it while you aren't working, if your job is something that you can take say six months off while doing treatment. It's worth thinking about.
Sending you hugs
Trish
xoxo
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Hi Trish & Chrissy,
Sorry still running around with the kids etc life doesn't stop. I am feeling great but a still a little constipated so I might try the tablets from Woolies, Nu-lax worked but I don't want to have it every night. I feel so good it is strange, yes I am tired & I have been listening to my body. I can't really work from home due to privacy etc but I am away from most people, I will be careful, time off does sound great 👍
Thank you hope you are both doing ok
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Hi Ronda, I'm so liking that you are feeling okay. ......hopefully it will continue. Yes fatigue comes with the territory and unfortunately will get worse before it gets better.......just keep listening to what your body tells you.
Keeping everything crossed that work will be okay but please keep in mind that you can talk to your boss re trying to stay away from people particularly as your treatments start to add up. You may find that there maybe something he/she can do to make it a little easier on you.
I'm doing just fine on the cancer front but my GP has picked up a heart murmer so it's off to the Cardiologist next week for a Halton Monitor and Echo cardiograph Stress Test. ......oh what fun. ....not.....lol. This surely is a gift that just keeps on giving.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Rhonda ..glad you are going well..you're right ..life doesn't stop ..and in a way it's probably good ..( I guess ) ..other things , and people , to think about and organise ..
Chrissy ..what a bummer about having the Stress Test ..hope it all goes well for you !
So busy here ..grand kids staying during the school holidays 😃
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Ronda, I'm so glad you are feeling great! That's wonderful! I'm keeping everything crossed you stay that way. You might need to take 3 or 4 of the Senecot tablets to get moving
Chrissy - keep us informed please! Will talk to you later!
Lucy - enjoy those grandkids
Trish
xoxo
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Hi ladies - just joining this feed - TNBC - I have four weeks left of Taxol and then a little break before radiation (trying to get it of it) thanks Trisha-Anne for inviting me to join you all xx
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RHONDA - I'm here - I'm going through the last stages of chemo - I have done my AC and am now on my 8th Taxol and working - however I'm doing it from home and the office. I am more than happy to answer any questions or support you in any way... just reach out xx
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Welcome Abloorable! I'm so glad you joined our little group
So - only 4 Taxols left!? Yay! I found AC the hardest part and Taxol was not so bad. Not sure if anyone has suggested to you to suck on an iceblock during the Taxol infusion - it helps with that horrible taste in your mouth - not completely, but helps a lot.
Good on you for working during this, it does help to take your mind off things, I didn't work during the last time, but the first time (seven years ago now) I worked through chemo and it can help.
When is your next treatment?
Trish
xoxo
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Hi Abloorable, welcome to our little group! Good on you for managing to work during treatment, a feat not easily achieved.
Ronda, how are you doing? Haven't seen you in a while so just hoping you are okay.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Abloorable..Welcome !
Rhonda ..Hope everything is going O.K for you ?
Hi to everyone.
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Hi just popping in for a catch up and to say 'hi'.
Welcome Ronda and Abloorable. I am on the Central Coast Ronda 😊
Sending love to all xx
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Hi everyone,
Thank you for all thinking of me. I am sorry I haven't been on, we went on a little holiday down to Canberra for the school holidays. It was lovely for the kids change of scenery and just to get out & about.
I am doing well & preparing for round two next Wednesday 😜 My mouth is good still a little tired but all in all ok. Oh yeah & of course my hair is starting to come out in larger bits now so may need to do the big shave soon.
Thanks again & I hope you are all ok
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Rhonda ..great that you had a break away in Canberra..hope this round is going O.K..
Kyliet ...Hi !!
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Hi Ronda, how are you going? I wish I knew you were coming to Canberra! We could have had a coffee
Adoorable - how are you going?
I'm doing well. I finished my contract at Education, they wanted to extend me again, but there are internal mobility rounds going on for the permanent staff, and until that is settled, no contracts are being extended. So I've just had two weeks off, which is hard financially, but I've cleaned out lots of cupboards! lol. I heard on Friday that I secured a new contract with Social Services, which is wonderful, the offices are really close to home - I can walk to work! Not exactly sure when I'll be starting yet, they've just moved into brand new offices, and apparently even the existing staff are having problems with access cards etc. I'm hoping sometime this week though.
Hugs to everyone!
Trish
xoxo
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Hi Ronda and Adoorable.......hope you are both doing okay with your treatments.
Yay Trish!! Great news that you got another contract! How long is this one for? Super cool that it is walking distance....saves on fuel and running costs.....or maybe not, you nay well be wearing your shoes out a little quicker.....lol.😁
I'm doing fine although busy. I think you girls are aware that I'm involved with the local historic railway station? Well our latest project has finally arrived after a whole lot of drama. It is a 1917 Kitchen and Dining Car and it now sits proudly next to the platform.
It was a masdive job with loads of organization. On the day we had some dramas at the other end to begin with and then more when it got to this end........all I can say is thank goodness for the internet and the big hearts of kind people! It is through both that we now have everything in place and ready to begin the restoration.....yay!!
I have my appointment with the Cardiologist on Friday and I'll get a detailed report on the tests that were done a couple of weeks ago.......obviously nothing serious or I would have been followed up sooner.
Take care all and have a great week.......I plan to...lol.😁
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi girls it's been quite a while since I posted so welcome to the newbies Rhonda and Aussie . Rhonda I was reading your post about going back to work and it took me back to 9 years ago when I was starting chemo and was well enough to run but as soon as I went back to work part time I got every infection in the place. I had some LSL. and a little bit of sick pay but it was tough. When I got better I resolved to pay most of our debts off and almost paid our mortgage so that last year when I had a reoccurance we were in a far better financial place . I now have gone back to work from 38 to 18 and we live s more simple life. Good luck there is so much wisdom on this site judy
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Lucy I also meant to ask after your grandson any news? My prayers are with him . Does anyone else struggle with people's avatar names ? I keep forgetting names and keep having to go back and re-read the names lol. Also welcome Gin and anyone else I have missed I haven't been on the boards since June so please forgive me if I have missed anyone. Trish I am glad you have a new contract it must be tough to have that instability of waiting for new work contracts. My friend who has moved to Melb seems to move every 6 months to a new job and and she is trying to get a mortgage which had been tough for her. I think that society needs to wake up and realise that contract work is now thenew 'norm' I work for the state government and 50 % of our workforce are casual or short term contract. The days of working 40 years in a permanent job in Aust are long gone .
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Hi Judy - how lovely to hear from you! You've been in my thoughts
My new job is great! I love it. Yes - contracting can be hard, but it also means that I can "try before I buy" lol. If I don't like a workplace, it's not so bad as if I was a permanent employee. I can move on a bit more easily. This contract is until the end of June next year, but they are already talking about extensions, and I'll apply for a permanent position when the right one comes up. It's so much less stressful without the commute to work, it actually takes longer to walk from my desk to my car than it does to drive home. I haven't started walking yet, Bob is in a musical (Guys and Dolls) and it's production week, so I need to be home relatively early to get him off without him stressing lol. So - probably next week I'll start walking to see how it goes. It's 2km from my house to work, so should be relatively easy.
Chrissy - that Kitchen and dining car looks amazing! I'm looking forward to you showing it to me at some stage - yes, I'm still planning on a visit - just when is the question!
Judy - like you, I paid off all our debts after the first round of bc. It makes things easier financially not having to worry about a mortgage. Mind you the time we spent living on Newstart and the pension was not easy - it's not a lot of money even without debt. I'm working full time at the moment, trying to build up some savings, but luckily I'm enjoying work, so will continue while I still enjoy it. It helps buy the "extras" in life that we all enjoy.
I hope everyone else is going well!
Trish
xoxoxo
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Hey Trish! Sooo happy that you are loving your new position......work is so much easier when you enjoy what you are doing. Tell Bob 'break a leg' from me.......love Guys and dolls and did it many years ago.
I'm looking forward to showing you the carriage and kitchen when you work out when you can get here. ......lol.
Found out from the cardiologist that I have what they call Diastolic Dysfunction which means that my heart is stiffening and because of that cannot fill properly ready for the pumping beat. Apparently not a lot can be done about it just keeping a check. I am trialing a drug that has worked for some to help with the process. After other tests and scans to make sure there is no other reason for the breathlessness I can safely report that my lungs are clear of everything other than the proof that I was a smoker for a very long time. Can we say that I'm quite happy with that.
Hey ho to everyone! Hope things are ticking over nicely for you all.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi girls just wondering how u were all going? I was trying to back through the posts and see who started taking the new drug i have forgotten the name but I believe it may be for breast cancer spread t bone metastatic cancer
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Chrissy, not happy about your heart! How's the new drug going? Is it helping you?
Delvzy, how are you going? I can't help you with your question, but I have no doubt that Chrissy will know the answer.
I'm still doing well and still loving my new job.
Trish
xoxo
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Dropping in to say Hi , and hugs to all !
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Dropping in to say Hi , and hugs to all !
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Dropping in to say Hi , and hugs to all !
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Hi girls! Sorry I haven't been in, no probs just busy.
Delvzy that new drug you asked about, I've been reading about two new ones that are coming on line so I'm not sure which one you are asking about. I think I know the one but for the life of me I can't remember the name.....soooo frustrating!! I'll keep my thinking cap on and maybe it will pop into mu head as things do on occasion......lol.
Hey Trish, still trying to chase down what's going on. That new drug was horrible and my GP told me to stop it after a week as well as stopping one of the other drugs that I have been on for years. Between the two of us and not including the cardiologist, we have decided that perhaps I have been over medicated for the high BP but the level was fine while I was on the AI. Since I have stopped both the Spiractin and the Noten I am feeling much better. My heart rate is up but the BP is staying reasonably steady and the breathlessness seems to have eased a bit. I went for a walk with Arie down to one of the local Restaurants on Saturday evening and found I kept up with him and wasn't so breathless after the brisk walk as I have been. All in all I think, after I consult with the cardiologist again on the 1st, that we may be getting to the bottom of it. Don't really care one way or the other, my priority is feeling better......lol.
My brother from Canberra has announced that they are moving back to Adelaide on the 7th December and while it will be really lovely to have them all closer I will miss the added excuse to visit over there........not that that will stop me......lol. I have been having lovely conversations with both the girls via text and they just crack me up........Evie, the youngest, has already put in her order for a costume that she would like me to make so it looks like my sewing machine will be getting a lot of use once they arrive. I don't mind, it just makes sure I stay out of mischief as I'll be extra busy with no time to think of other things.
Hi to all you other girls and hoping that life and treatments are treating you well.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Great to hear u are feeling a bit better Chrissy. Hi to all . I am going ok but a little more fatigue than a few months ago . I am having a bit of a down day starting reading the bone met blogs and ending up more depressed. That drug started with
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Hello ladies,
I have been following for a while but did not post. I am on the GC - finished my treatment and riding ok on Arimidex.
Delvzy - are you asking about Ibrance ( palbociclib) - it is TGA approved ( so can be prescribed but it's infernal in cost) but not PBS yet - should get the go ahead any day now. The other two are ribociclib and abemaciclib ( this last one just hit the USA FDA approval - and it's a little different in that it causes more diarrhoea, drops white cells less, crosses Blood Brain barrier). Leapfrog posts on the Ibrance thread - she is Perth and has access through a trial.
The other thing, would be to add a bone strengthener to repertoire - biphosphonates or monoclonal antibodies ( Prolia - denumosab being the usually prescribed one despite its small risk (1-2%) of jaw necrosis) - I think there is some bit about actually having osteoporosis before they are prescribed - which is just silly because the boat has kinda of sailed by then.
If this is not what you were looking for - I spoke too much, my apologies - just keep scrolling,
😊🌷🐣
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