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Symptoms during chemo
A little sum up of my symptoms during chemotherapy in case you are going through something similar. Every person has different side effects and a lot of other things can affect how you feel. Try to stay positive and focus on what you can affect! My first three treatments consisted of epirubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide, repeated every third week, total of three times. Just before the treatment I had to take a potent tablet to avoid sickness. During the first four days I received corticosteroids as well and after that injections stimulating the bone marrow for a week. Main symptoms during the first week: fatigue, needed to sleep a…
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Happy New Year
Trying to recover after last chemo. It went quite well. Had a ‘quiet’ Christmas… I guess I’m not doing so much quiet after all this! During my last doctor’s appointment I had mentioned that I was worried about my other breast. We went back and forth discussing if there was or wasn’t something. I insisted on having a new ultrasound. And I got an appointment… Two days before new year’s. Arriving there I had to show what I was palpating. The nurse was eager to point out that I was doing it the wrong way. Well…my response wasn’t that nice. Though I started with the sentence ‘don’t mean to be…
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Sixth chemo and five month ‘anniversary’
It’s official! Last chemo (hopefully), check! I was so looking forward to this day but it doesn’t feel as I thought. I still don’t have a clear plan for the near future which makes my insecurities wake up… During Christmas holidays of course! On Christmas day it’s been exactly five months since my diagnosis. Well time flies! Not in a fun way but it’s definitely been an experience. One that nobody should go through but it seems like that day is not close yet! As for the advice ‘live as usual’, it was very good in theory. In practice, f- cancer puts a stop to everything! Not being able to…
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Beauty tips!
Not a beauty expert but according to my experience! Hair: like it or not it’s probably going to fall! In my case it started with itchiness and then more and more coming off when brushing. I had read somewhere that it’s a good idea to cut your hair in advance. And that’s what I did, just to start getting used to the idea of having less hair. When it started itching and falling though it wasn’t fun to experience! The itchiness stopped right after I had it shaved and I couldn’t see it falling that much anymore. It’s a good idea to cut your hair early if you are getting a…
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Fifth chemo
Getting closer! It feels as if time passed so quickly… Even though I wasn’t as ‘busy’ as usual. But my mind was probably busier than ever.Fourth chemo wasn’t as kind as the previous one (new drug)… had two tough weeks but I’m not complaining. There are those that are worse off! Third week was kind of ‘bitchy’… Not easy being with people 24/7 under such circumstances. The positive side… Christmas decorated apartment! And cookies! Plus sunny days in December! Met more friends and fell in love with a little guy last week!! Life has to go on… Fifth chemo a couple of days ago. More or less same side effects…
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Chemo number 4 already
Fourth chemo! Not bad… New drug (as planned from the beginning) so trying to find out what to expect! And until then drugs in different forms and administration ways (sigh)! My hemoglobin is getting low on the other hand…not fun! Almost like living in a 70-year-old’s body. Not a healthy such! First week’s symptoms: extremely tired and flu like aches all over. On the fun side of life, I’m expecting more visitors soon! I just hope the ‘bitch’ part doesn’t return and the side effects are not too many… As it seems right now I’m missing the Christmas party at work and not traveling over the holidays for the first…
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Beauty and the bitch
Last week before my next chemo. The highlight of this week was a makeup course for women with cancer. I was expecting this for months! The timing was perfect…my eyebrows are getting thinner and my eyelashes are waving goodbye! Luckily it’s happening very slowly…for now. Got a lot of products (for free!) and advice and above that met women my age also fighting breast cancer. We had a chat in the end. In some way it felt so comforting hearing lots of my thoughts, fears and reactions coming from someone else’s mouth! I’ve been sceptical about joining groups or attending meetings for patients. I was mostly scared that I would…
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Chemo nr 3!
Third chemotherapy check! I start feeling it more and more… But still trying to hang in there. Not easy though! I could really use a trip right now!! I miss travelling soo much! And there are so many people I’d love to see! The reason I’m not doing it is because of the risk of infections… It’s autumn so high season for such! So for now I’m happy even for short excursions. I’ve had some challenging weeks lately. Turns out focusing on others’ problems wasn’t that smart during the first chemo week. I felt irritated this time and I don’t know what caused it. Exercise helped later on… But the margins…
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First week after chemo
Less dramatic than I expected. Just sleep disturbances from cortisone. The worst part was probably not knowing what was going to follow. So I kept trying to ‘push’ myself… Not able to plan more than 24 hours ahead though! Decided to surprise a friend on her birthday. She’s been my closest person this past year so I couldn’t miss it! I really had a great weekend with a couple more friends. Best mood so far! Is that expected or autosuggestion? Doesn’t really matter… Just be thankful! Besides surprising someone I had a surprise myself. An appearance from the past in a new version. One that got me doubting myself… But…
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Day after chemo
They ‘ve warned me that side effects will probably start after 4-5 days. That means enjoy while you still can! Well, it’s not for sure I’m going to have any after just one treatment but you can’t know until you have seen it! So I’m taking my sister and going to the hairdresser’s to talk about wigs! Not as fun as i thought but let’s just get this done! Spent the rest of the day trying to do fun stuff and pushing myself a little bit further. *Sister: the person who gave up everything and is taking care of me (as if I’m a baby…) although she’s younger! Isn’t the…