23rd Dec my last chemo session

[Di57]

Hi

Back in late June early July I was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breast.  I have been through 6 months of chemo and immunotherapy.  

It's been a hell of a ride. Couple of over nite stays in hospital due to high temps and then a week in hospital again high temps.  These last  12 weeks I have been having chemo every 3 weeks  with my last on the 23rd Dec. The break has been good. Surgery has been booked for the 13th Feb and I am going for a full mastectomy. I don't want to go through all this again. 

I will tell you one thing the neuropathy had been the worst especially in my feet. I find it hard to walk and the pain in my feet after doing some walking is really bad.  

That's where I am at but I am doing good.  I am only doing good because of the amazing support from my family  the oncology nurses and my oncologist.  Amazing people 

Dianne

[Felicity_CCNSW]

 @Di57 Hi Dianne,

Thank you for sharing your journey—it sounds like you’ve been through so much with incredible strength. I’m glad you have such great support around you. I’m sorry to hear about the neuropathy, that must be so tough. Wishing you all the best for your surgery in February, and please know you can call 13 11 20 at Cancer Council and speak to one of our health professioals for support and information. 

Take care,
Felicity 

[Milo01]

Hello Di57,

 I read your post and wanted to say Congratulations on getting through your chemotherapy. And all the best for your upcoming surgery and recovery. And I sincerely hope you never have to experience any of this again.

It is really helpful to hear that even though your chemotherapy journey was tricky, you made it through to the other side. And right now, I needed to hear that message.

6 months is a long time. Please take good care of yourself.

All the best,

Milo01

[Cindi54]

Hi @Di57 ,

So sorry to hear your news, I do hope you got through your chemo, it's hard I know.

I just realised you are going in tomorrow for your surgery.

I wanted to let you know that I've been through that too, double mastectomy , and came through well.

I didn't get a re build, just stayed flat & have never regretted it. But you may prefer to have fake ones done. Do whatever makes you happiest.

I'm now on Anastrozole, a hormone blocker, which isn't too bad ( I tried others but this one had the least side affects I found)

Good luck, I so hope it all goes well for you.

Hugs from Cindi xx

[Di57]

Hi Cindi

Yes tomorrow I am going in for surgery and I too will not be having reconstruction after my double mastectomy. 

I am not looking forward to the hormonal blockers as I have heard of some terrible side effects.  How long ago did you have your mastectomy and did you have any lymph nodes taken out?  

Cheers

Dianne 

[Cindi54]

Hi @Di57 ,

I had my bilateral mastectomy done in September 2023 & had 7 lymph glands removed.

Don't worry about the hormone blockers, the only side affect I get from my ones is hot flushes, but it's not too bad, so much better than cancer.

Which state are you in? I'm in Sydney.

Good luck, trust in your doctors you'll be ok, the breast cancer nurses are wonderful aren't they.

I'll be thinking of you.

Cindi xx

[Di57]

Hi Cindi

I am in Victoria in a town called Warrnambool. 

I was supposed to have my surgery yesterday but it had been postponed to Monday due to me having a stomach bug and my house hold having gastro.

I am feeling better now. 

So not looking forward to this. 

Dianne 

[Cindi54]

@Di57 

Hi Dianne,

Sorry you've been sick but glad your better.

Try not to think the worst, think of it as a battle, and you're having this operation to beat the cancer.

They will give you medication to stop the pain, and I found as the days went by the easier it became, as long as I kept up the pain meds for a little while ( mainly at night time), it healed pretty quickly.

After a couple of weeks I started walking around my area, and after 8 weeks post op I was back in my gym doing light exercise. It really helps.

Also you'll find medicare will help with a lot of things, ask the bc nurses, they'll fill you in.

I know Warrambool, I visited there once when traveling in Victoria, lovely place.

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and look forward to hearing how it all went when you feel up to it.

If there's anything you want to ask privately, you can always private message me if you like.

Good luck

Cindi xx😘

[Di57]

Hi Cindi

So it's day 4 after the op. I have 3 drainage tubes 1 on my left and 2 on my right.  What a pain in the arse they are.  I am not in any pain and yes I too are taking the meds more at night time so that I can have a restful night.

I was told before I left hospital that I may need to also have radiation therapy. ???? I hope not. 

Will find out hopefully next week as I have immunotherapy next Tuesday. 

Dianne 

[Cindi54]

@Di57 

Hi Dianne,

Glad that's over and you can now start healing. Oh I remember those drains, yes they are annoying but they are doing their job. That's great that you're not in any pain.

Have you been assigned your breast cancer nurse ? those nurses are wonderful.

I didn't have radio therapy, and I hope you don't have to have that, although my cousin had that and she said she felt nothing, so she found it ok.Everyone's diferent. But maybe you wont have to anyway.

Have they explained to you about the immunotherapy?

Things will get better and better now that you're post operation, keep pushing, I really hope all goes well for you.

Cindi xx