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OT-Chemotherepy re-visited

Back in April I wrote about starting chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Here is my update for those who may be interested. Several of you replied before and it really helped at that time in my life.

I finished Chemo on July 13. I had about a 3 week break and then the radiation began.

Yesterday, Sept. 28 I had my last radiation treatment. # 34 and the one I was looking for (VBG).

So it is finally over! 7 months of it.

My hair is growing back fast and it looks like it will be silver. Still too short to be sure. That will be fine with me if it is a pretty silver. I had to start shaving my legs again. Naturally that was the first hair to come back...I hoped it would forget to.

I still get so tired so fast. I can't walk far yet but am working on it. These last 2 weeks I have mostly read and slept. Haven't even done any stitching. Maybe tonight I will. They told me that in 2 or 3 weeks I would feel significantly better, but it will still take about a year to totally get over the chemo.

I am working on loosing weight so my chances of developing Lymphodema will be lessened. The one thing that was consistent in those cases was being over weight. I sure don't want to loose the use of my right arm. I may be ambidextrous, but I am primarily right handed. I did drop the 25 pounds that the steroids they gave me to reduce the side effects of chemo put on me. Now it's just MY pound to loose. They're the hardest. About 50 - 70 should do it.

The end of Oct I see my Dr and get started on estrogen blocking pills. We haven't discussed exactly which one yet. I will have to take them for 5 years. Sure hope the side effects will be minimal! They did say that it would probably bring on menopause symptoms again.

When I told my DH that he said, "Didn't we just go through that?" I said, "Yes, 12 years ago." He said, "Has it been that long?"

He had been building a shop / studio in the back yard for several months being very particular with the material he was using and taking it slow so it would be just right.

After our conversation he went out to his project and started using whatever material he could lay his hands on. It sure is going up fast now. Reckon what got into him?

That's it for now.

Many Blessings to you and yours,

Naomah

Reply to
Naomah
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"Naomah" ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

So happy for you that you are through the worst bit and look forward to steady improvement. My husband lost his hair (which was white) but it came back in a youthful black, but soon turned white again, so it would seem colour is not consistent with returning locks.

Anything you can do to try and avoid lymphodema is great. Much Good Luck.

Sheena

Reply to
lucretia borgia

So glad you`ve won this battle. A friend of mine is just going through it with Ovarian cancer - I met her today and she looks so WELL! She didn`t lose her hair either, lucky girl.

Take it easy and get well properly - no need to try to rush things.

All the best

Pat

Reply to
Pat P

So glad the 7 months of chemo and radiation therapy are behind you Naomah. You are right that it will probably take a year before you get over the effects of both and get your full strength back. Remember to take it one day at a time and when your body tells you to rest try to listen to it. All the best as you recuperate.

Mavia

Reply to
Mavia Beaulieu

I am SO happy for you!

Hugs, hugs and more hugs!

Cheryl

Reply to
Cheryl Isaak

I had breast cancer, and the lymph nodes under the arm on that side removed. I've had little to no problem with lymphodema. I take good care of that arm, I exercise it fairly regularly, holding it up and flexing my fingers, and massinging the arm. I try not to get overheated -- I notice swelling the most when I let myself get too hot.

Other than that, I live a normal life. I've had no recurrences, and it's been almost 12 years for me.

Reply to
Jere Williams

Glad the treatments are over for you Naomah. Both my sisters who had breast cancer had their hair grow in grey and curly, if you can imagine. Only the boys, naturally, got curly hair in this family. They both enjoyed their shorter than short hair - hard to have a bad hair day that way. :-)) Good luck with everything - you will regain your strength, but you've been thru an awful lot, so take your time and just do what you can each day - you'll get there.

Sharon (N.B.)

Reply to
Sharon

Great news! Congratulations on finishing chemo and radiation.

Don't worry about taking a while to get your strength back from the radiation, it took my MIL over a year to recover (admittedly, she was very weak prior to the radiation). Each person responds differently to these stresses.

Try to get some exercise. From the studies I've read, regular exercise decreases the risk of recurrence.

Best of luck w/the weight loss. You've gotten through chemo and radiation, losing a little weight should be easy!! ;-)

All the best,

Reply to
mickey

Naomah,

So glad to hear that you've finished your course of treatment. Your spirits sound wonderful, and keep that up.

Here in the ex-burbs of DC - there is a women's gym & spa called Trinity Fitness - that has special programs for women undergoing chemo/radiation therapy. I believe they actually provide free membership to those in treatment. I don't know if it's possible in your locale, but there may be a fitness trainer, physical therapist or spa with a program that would be specific for your situation, and help you in the quest to lose weight and better health. This is a link to the trinity site:

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might be able to contact them - perhaps they could recommend someone inyour area.

Sorry - I actually belong to a different fitness place - but know some women who love this place.

Best wishes for your continued good, better health.

Ellice

Reply to
ellice

Congratulations to you Jere.

My DH had his cancer surgery in 1987 - and we share an oncologist/hematologist. When I first went to meet the doctor (5 years ago) he kept looking at DH. After about 5 minutes - said "weren't you my patient" and then for the rest of our day there - kept grabbing DH, and introducing him "He was my patient 13 years ago" . This spring will be 20 years for DH - amazing - he was just turned 27 when he fell ill.

We've been lucky, - my cervical was in '90, the ovarian issues in '96 . Now I just can't understand why someone who's never had the good part of menstruation is having night sweats!

ellice

Reply to
ellice

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