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After coming home from hospital I still felt pretty ill. The anti-sickness tablets were controlling the sickness by the time I came home and I felt increasingly nauseous when another tablet was due, so I knew they were working. It was like having flu, and I dozed a lot. My face around my eyes was swollen at one stage. My vision was very blurry, and I found it very difficult to focus on anything. I wasn't expecting this as a side effect - something to ask the consultant about next time. It got better...
Oh dear - not a good week - started Tuesday with losing breakfast mid morning. Ditto Thursday - and then Friday lost breakfast and dinner. All episodes after really vicious stomach cramp and bloating - very painful
Spoke to chemo nurse - and now I'm back in hospital Saturday lunchtime for 'assessment'. Hopefully nothing serious - these blogs on this site maybe suggest Opremazole playing up
So today was the information session with the chemo nurses in the chemo unit. My husband came with me. We got to see where I'll be going. It's like a ward really with several bays and chairs instead of beds. There is a reception and waiting area and they call you through when your meds are ready. It all seems a bit crazy and hectic but I suppose there is some order to it!
A nurse did a power point presentation for me and two other patients. It was all about the practicalities, a lot of which...
I feel as if I'm entering another phase of my life when I start chemotherapy. It's a bit like preparing before having a baby (and also nothing like preparing to have a baby!). Hopefully the reality is that I will have some normal life in between doses, God willing. No amount of preparation can replace prayer and listening to the scriptures, but besides that I've been trying to do what I can to get ready; this list is to reassure me that I have done what I can, practically speaking!
Today I had an appointment with my consultant surgeon to discuss further the results of my last surgery.
I was told that I will need to have further surgery to completely remove all DCIS (pre-cancerous change) as the margins of tissue were not clear last time. Since they have already removed quite a large proportion of my breast tissue, this would need to be a mastectomy.
The surgery is planned for after I finish chemotherapy, God willing, probably 6 weeks after the last cycle so that I am fully...
I had my first oncology appointment Tuesday 9 Jan. They only told me about it the day before, so had to arrange last minute childcare and work leave for my husband. Granny kindly came up for the morning to have the children which was great.
I met my consultant who I will be with throughout chemo. We had a long list of questions to ask him and got some good answers. The chemo is delivered in cycles three weeks apart for a total of six cycles. The particular regime I will be on is known as FEC-T. FEC...
I have had to wait three weeks for the results of the re-excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Christmas was a useful distraction, although there was a big black cloud hanging over everything, and I was constantly reminded about the cancer by the pain in my arm.
The consultant immediately said it was good news, that the results had come back clear. The lymph node result was what I was dreading most as the presence of cancer in the lymph nodes would mean the cancer was one stage further advanced...
It's now a week since I had the re-excision. I've been up and down emotionally and physically and I feel that recovery hasn't been as smooth this time. Trying to get out for walks, but feeling couped up and frustrated all the same. The lymph node biopsy site is still quite painful, but the re-excision site is ok. It didn't help that I fell down the stairs and hurt my good arm quite badly! My parents have been here to help with the children so I can concentrate on resting - really glad that they can...
This operation was to remove the rest of the lump and to check the lymph nodes for signs of cancer. I had the same surgeon.
The operation went well. They kept me in overnight because the operation had taken place late in the day and they needed to observe me.
Like last time I came round afterwards feeling as if I'd had a satisfying sleep! Back on the ward however I started crying uncontrollably... think it was a lot to do with not having eaten since last evening, and it was now 5 pm!
Loved...
