Talk about a 'wirl wind'. It's been 25 days since I found my 'lump' and I'm blogging about Chemo - Stage 2 of my journey...
Chemo starts next Thursday but still a bit to do before then... of most importance is my 'Chemo kit' (thanks Mel), I have to get my hair cut, as well as other stuff that scares the hell out of me. Even getting a blood test gives me an anxiety attack these days.
I did make one phone call that I'm proud of... I made an appointment to get Cancer Counselling. At least now I can say the words. I may be able to talk about it in a week or two!
Thanks again to all my new friends...the comments I get from people keep my spirits up... especially when they are down.. it's reasuring knowing that other people have been where I am and are going and can offer advice when needed.
thanks
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Hi Justtrina,
you will find that cutting your hair will be a wonderful experience as you have taken control for the first time in as you say "25 days".
Doing the "other stuff" becomes the norm an you will find yourself here at 2 in the morning chatting away as most of us have done, it actually become empowering as you can really say what you mean and we understand.
Family and friends are wonderful but they can't see the whole picture, it is just too hard for them and that is how we get each other through this, we all have a little bit of rock to move on this path so the next woman has a smoother path and so it goes on...
Regards
Cheryl
Hi
Thought of a few more things I've found great. Digital thermometer, those lion charity mints in mint or musk to take away that horrible chemo taste, ginger beer for nausea and don't forget to pack your good sense of humour to get you from the start to finish still smiling.
So glad to hear you booked an appt with a counsellor. I saw a physcologist my doctor suggested for a few sessions but she had no clue what we go through as bc patients so I stopped going. I might ask at chemo if my hospital has a cancer counsellor.
Keep smiling.... You are doing great
Take care
Mel xxx
Before cutting your hair, make sure that the chemo you are having has hair loss as a side effect, some chemotherapy regimines don't.
Some thin hair, and some cause hair loss (your oncologist and/or chemo team (nurses etc) will know if your chemo regimine will cause hair loss or not), if hair loss is giong to happen then YEP Get the hair cut, loosing long hair is more ANNOYING than you can know.
CHEMO TODAY
All good - in fact I'm feeling fine. It feels like a whole weight has been lifted off my sholders. I was more worried about my blood test results and the results of the bone scan than today's Chemo. Today was easy. I had a port put in last Friday and they used that. The nurse explained everything and answered many questions. Physically I feel fine (at the moment anyway)... but who in their right minds get's up at 5.15am to blog on a web site? I did have a slight headahe and a little nausea.. but considering how I felt a month ago (when I just found out the lump was infact BC) this is good. I still have cancer...but we found it early and I'm doing something about it - the shock is finally wearng off.
This site has been a mental life saver... the support I have had from when I first found out is amazing. I spend hours just reading and learning from other people's stories...I cry alot... but many of them are happy tears because people get through this... one step/hurdle at time.
One week on and a long way to go!
Wow.. it's been over a week since my first Chemo...and I'm amazed how 'normal' I feel... Not that the week was easy... nausea, headaches, mouth ulcers and I picked up a tummy bug from somewhere ... but I think the worst bit was having my hair cut really short yesterday... being in control (or at least trying) is hard... as many people have said.. loosing our hair is probably one of the things we dread the most... and like others I wanted it to be on my terms... and if it wasn't for the BC I never ever would have cut my hair... it is kinda cute now that I'm getting use to it.
Question.... what happens when your hair does fall out? Does it all come out at once... or is it a slow moult? Does anyone have any advice on what to do when it finally happens?
Mine started coming out in clumps (handfuls) on day 15, and it shed off over 2-3 weeks , leaving me with a few wisps that were sheddin slowly)(shaved the last few annoying wisps off the other day).
I had hubby give me a crew cut (number 2 - 8mm) the day after it began falling out with avengance), and then shaved the lasy few wisps off a coupl of days ago (I hacve cycle 3 of TCH on Monday (YAY! that will make me 1/2 way through chemo)...