I'm a new member - just registered. I had a double mastectomy May 28, 2008. I did not get reconstruction at the time of my surgery. My surgeon recommended I wait until after chemotherapy treatment. I completed my last taxol treatment Nov 29. Am now thinking of reconstruction. I am only 39 - am very self concious about how I look in the mirror. I don't like it much! I have applied for financial assistance through a non-profit organization as I do not have any health insurance to pay for this. They want me to go see a surgeon and get a "written estimate" before they tell me how much they can assist me with(hopefully 100%). I don't know much about cost - if anyone can give me a clue??? or about the different types of reconstruction choices??? I keep saying prayers and keeping my fingers crossed that I can go for surgery as soon as possible!
FormerMember
was also wondering......how long before the sore body and fatigue starts to subside after completing the chemo?
i dont think you have to pay for it here in england its paid for by our taxes and NI contributions, where are you located???
As for chemo, i finished on 13th october and just beginning to feel well again, but still tired. I have been at work too for most of it on part time hours so that doesnt help i guess. I dont know where the line is from chemo tired or me getting lazy lol. I think once the warmer weather starts its great to just get out there and walk and build up strength again
I am in Florida in the U.S. We have a terrible health insurance system, it's totally unaffordable to middle class hard working people like me and my husband.
I too think I got lazy!!!! I have been trying to exercise at the gym, have been 4 times since comleting chemo at end of november. It's hard - my body just aches all the time. I have a Lot of joint stiffness and just bone pain. Did you experience that as well? I hope it subsides soon! It's very difficult to get any sleep at night, and when I get up in the morning, I'm slow and sore until I get moving for a few minutes!
its probably too soon yet, i woul leave the gym for a while and just gather strength. I aim to hit the gym around easter time i think lol and longer if i can put it off - it takes ages for the poison of chemo to leave the body, i had my last one on 13th October and two weeks after that i was in hospital in isolation with neutropenia which was annoying. As my hair is only beginning to grow again i would guess it takes ages so put your feet up love. Find a series of good books and just read away the winter, spring is around the corner and you will feel better xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
i was hoping to hear it just flushed right out of my system!!!!! Oh well - so I guess I was pushing myself a little too hard eh? I just want to get back to some normalcy in my life. I gained weight because of the steroids that they pumped into my body with every chemo treatment, and I feel so uncomfortable that I thought working out would help. I guess I just made it worse. I will definitely slow down. I may go and play some racquetball with my friend. I missed that while I was getting treatments. Thanks for your advice - will try to read more and relax and give it some time to get the poison out of my body. Take care . hope you get to feeling better also!
