I am new to the site but have been undergoing chemotherapy for five months now. For the most part, up until now, I have done well in staying focused on powering through the treatments and continue a pretty regular schedule. I am getting increasingly physically fatigued, which I had expected, but the mentally exhaustion seems to baffle me. I have weird mood swings and kjust want to cry a lot, and I am far from a cryer. I have always been one of those "rather die then cry" people because I never want others to see any weakness in me. Now I have no control over it and I guess I am just looking for some advice on how to stay positive and get over yet another hurdle. Perhaps this emotional mess was created because I have been going through these wicked chemo sessions for months, feeling worse and worse, and then I get the news in my check up that we need to increase the dosage because of a new spot on my breast. So frustrating, almost makes me feel like all of this has been for nothing.
FormerMember
It does come to an end... I had my 7th yesterday for BC and only 1 more to go then radiotherapy and hormones.
Have they said how many more you have to have?
All I can say is that I started to get very low around my 5th too.... there is nothing wrong with taking to bed and having a cave day to pass the time... but now that the nice weather is here, i do seem to have a spring in my step.
This website has been good for me to pass the time and its good you have joined.
Try and look back at how strong you were to start with and be proud that you have come this far and just keep swimming!!
hi there & wellcome to what now. i went through chemo last year following a bilateral mastectomy. your body has had a terrible battering with the chemo for the past five months i am not supprised you are feeling as you do .also with the added pressure of a new spot on your breast your mind must be in turmoil. i can understand how you feel about having your chemo increased though mine was the opposite i had mine decreased because the effects where getting dangerous i felt like you do in that way because in the end it was stopped eight weeks before it was due to be i felt as though i failed everyone. if your chemo has to be increased its better that way to make sure that all the cancer is killed off .don't be to hard on your self you are doing a great job in fighting this awfull disease. you have had this chemo now for five months which is a long time it plays havoc with everything in your body . chemo does make you very emotional it tires you out at puts your body at its lowest ebb so having a good cry is nothing to be ashamed about sometimes having a good cry & a good old rant does you the world of good . i found writting blogs helped as i could write down my frustrations things i felt i couldnt burden family & friends with or things i thought were silly . have you tried the chatrooms there are lots of people who understand how you feel on this site & who are willing to listen & help with great advice. just want to send you a big hug .i think you are doing a great job dealing with the chemo you are at the five month mark now. you don't say how long your regime is. or which one you are on . take care if you would like to pm me please feel free & just remember how strong you are & what you have already achieved lots of love n hugs theresa xxxx
there is no standard answer to your question smb, we all get through it the only way we know how and we are each different. i finished my first lot in september (8 fec 100) and have another round of taxotere to come and the only thing that helps me are the things i will be alive to see, 30th anniversary july first grandchild sept etc, so to me its worth it, no its not easy i dont like people to think i`m week either didn`t you know i`m wonder woman lol. but to me the benifits out weigh the price. i hope they will for you.
Thank you for your support! I was having a down day and to be able to talk to people going through the same thing really does help. I am hopefully almost done with chemo (dose dense adriamycin) and then start a 12 month cycle of Herceptin. My original chemo regimen was to be three months, however it got doubled to six, so one more month/two sessions to go. I haven't told many people about what I am going through because I don't want sympathy and I don't want to be treated as if I am sick and can't do something. Only a few family members and some close friends are aware, but at the same time I don't want to burden or worry them like you mentioned as well. Not to discredit them, because it is partly my fault, but they really have no idea what I am going through and how I feel. This website and others like it are a blessing.
It really is amazing how strong people can be and being able to communicate with survivors such as yourself is re-energizing.
