Hello my name is Heather I have just been diagnosed with brest cancer last week for the first time (and last I hope) Both my sisters have had cancer,one died seven month ago Im a bit scared of what to expect with the chemo. Can anyone tell me how soon after the treatment do you start to feel ill? How soon do you lose your hair?
I had breast cancer 2 yrs ago, I was diagnosed just before my 31st birthday. My youngest was 9mths old and I was still breast feeding her, I took mastitus and that was when I found the lump, I say that breast feeding saved my life. I have 3 young children and when I went through my chemo, they had coughs and colds all the time. It just meant that when I felt the tinyest bit rough I went to the GP and they decided if I needed any antibiotics. It was harder for me as I could not move away from the children as when they are ill they want there Mum. My advise is if you feel really bad then minimise your time with Mum and contact. To be honest not 100% sure when the lowest point is, but if I remember roughly it drops just after treatment and then slowly climbs again untill your next round.
Follow the advise they give about flu, catch it, bin it and kill it. Other than that your Mum just has to be careful. Its all anyone can do when you have chemo.
Elaine is right. The day after you receive your chemo you "go down" for 10 days and then "climb up" for 10 days, just in time for the next chemo.
Remember this is just a rule of thumb. We all react differently. For example for the first 4 days after the chemo I could bounce off the walls! Its the steroids I take for 3 days immediately after the chemo. I presume your Mum is taking steroids? I then get a bit sleepy for a few days and then I'm fine. Tell your Mum if she feels sleepy not to fight it, just accept it and have a little cat nap and it fairly brightens you up!
As Elaine says, just be sensible re her picking up infections. We can't wrap ourselves in cotton wool. Just be careful.
One thing I would point out is that she should not come in contact with Chickenpox. Ladies of our age can contract shingles from Chickenpox and this is to be seriously avoided.
Just found out that I am not too old at 60 to claim DLA!!!
So I've asked for a form. Never claimed for anything in my life, but nothing ventured nothing gained.
What a morning! Just to set the picture. Last Friday I had all the carpets professionally cleaned. Yesterday I changed the bedding on our bed.
This morning I spilled a whole mug of tea all over the bed and carpet! So bedding, including the duvet and the valance, this time, have all had to be washed and the carpet sponged over. It's raining here so everyting has had to be tumble dried!
Awww Jean, what a pain!!!!! How dare they say you are too old for DLA! Surely there is an alternative for people over 60? I know how you feel about disasters, just after my mastectomy I lost a stone in a £10,000 diamond ring James bought me for my 4oth, 3 weeks ago someone went into the back of my car causing £7,000 worth of damage. I am hoping the saying bad luck comes in three's is right lol Funny thing though, as heartbroke as I was about the sentimentality of the ring I walked away from the car thinking so what I am still here lol xxxx
