Hi I am new to this sort of thing not sure how to go.I have recently had a lumpectomy and today saw Oncologist for first time.I start 4 cycles of chemo on 31st May.I am finding it a bit frightening and quite dont know what to expect.Mazza41
Hi MAzza,
Anything really goes here. You will find a number of people who have shared your experience and sometimes it is just good to be able to talk.
We have all been frightened.
Samex
Hi Samex thanks for repling it feels good to talk to someone other than family.Everyone says think positive but its not always easy.Having been a sufferer of depression before it also worries me I might relapse back again.
Mazza
Hi Mazza,
I am currently dealing with depression, partly as a result of not dealing with the "new normal" (as we often call it here) of post chemo. Things are looking better and I wish that I had found this site while on treatment rather than when I had finished.
It's not possible to always be positive.
Thise of us who have been ther understand that.
Take care,
Samex
Hi there Mazza,
Welcome 🙂 I am currently 6 months post treatment for head & neck cancer & doing ok.
I understand what you mean about your family telling you to think positive & they do mean well but i found that it helps tremendously to be able to talk to other people with cancer cos until you've had it you can never fully understand it, so feel free to pour your heart out here cos you are among understanding friends!
I've been really lucky to become close friends with a girl i met on this site who has a similar cancer to me & she has been invaluable to me because she understands my feelings just so well :D
It's perfectly natural to feel frightened & possibly quite alone (depending on the person of course)because it is fear of the unknown, but be assured those of us who have been through it & have been where you are really do understand.
Take care...Mez 😉
Hi Mazza,
It’s perfectly normal to be apprehensive, as Samex quite wisely commented…its not always possible to be positive!
I had similar to you, I had a lumpectomy followed by Chemo and radiotherapy. I had a friend who went through chemo a year before me and she helped to take away the fear for me.
I hope I can take some of the fear away for you also. The nurses were wonderful and reassuring before and during treatment. Chemo did not hurt and my body tolerated the treatment quite well. I was given anti-nausea drugs before treatment and did not experience any nausea. Treatment took place on Friday, I rested over the weekend and was able to go to work the following Monday. Not everyone is able to continue working, it was my personal choice, it was important to me to maintain some normality and control in my life.
Chemo does drain your body of energy, I slept most of Friday and Saturday. It felt like recovering from a bad bout of flu, my body ached and my joints were sore.
During and after chemo you develop a metallic taste in your mouth, having an iceblock or sucking on ice during chemo helps to mask the taste.
Each of us is different in the way our bodies respond and tolerate treatment, I can only tell you that both myself and my friend came through quite well.
I found this site a couple of years after finishing treatment, I wish I had known about it long before then. It is reassuring to be connected to others who understand your feelings and experiences.
You can always come to this site for advice and understanding.
I wish you well in your treatment.
Regards,
Reindeer
Dear all,
PLEASE NOTE: This commercial post has been removed by the Administration Team as it breaches the terms and conditions of usage for the website.
Kind regards
Kate
Cancer Connections Coordinator
Hey Mazza
It overwhelming at times and this site is great for a lot of people to unload their joys and fears. I am sure you will get a lot of support from people here. The cancer council is great also as they have a lot of resources to help people out. You might find your cancer coordinator invaluable or your social worker at the hospital you are having treatment at. We all know what its like to be diagnosed and the initial feelings you go through, hang in and access any help you need.
Thinking of you.
Julie
Hi Chris and everyone - the offensive email was taken off very promptly yesterday - I agree with you it is disgusting - the people who send these things are disgusting and very very cruel - I sincerely hope they and others who promise the same false hope are severely punished in whatever manner.
Take care all cats
