May 2023 Chemo Starters

 Trimbos , I’m really sorry to read about your  Mum and that must heighten your anxiety. Waiting for tests/ appointments/ treatments, is the hardest part, I feel better once I know. 
Receiving the call regarding your other breast won’t be helping either, when you were already coping with the bc diagnosis. 
I also found any appointments really made it real again. 
My husband is amazing too but I agree, they are also worried and want to make us better. 
Can you get any counselling via your BCN? It won’t change anything but might help you cope. 
Im sure we all have days when our heads have a wobble, you’ve done the right thing reaching out to us on the forum, you’re not alone, we are all with you, 

Sending lots of love and hugs and hoping you are feeling better today 

Take care x

Hi Trimbos

Sorry to hear about your Mum and that they found a lump in your non cancerous breast. What you are feeling is perfectly understandable you have been through a lot.

Wishing you the best of luck with your appointment and the rest of your treatment.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi Trimbos

sorry to hear you’re feeling so awful. You can get up to 6 sessions free counselling through MacMillan which might help. I’ve got some set up from next week - it just takes a phone assessment first - just a few questions. Might be worth a try xx

www.macmillan.org.uk/.../bupa-counselling-and-emotional-well-being-support

Good luck with your first chemo on 11th. Walking is definitely a good thing x just hope I can carry on when I start treatment x

I couldn't agree more. Even on the days when you really don't feel like it, push yourself, just for five minutes. You will definitely feel better for it. I was lucky to have my husband to chivvy me along when I dug my heels in. 

That’s interesting Amy, so you managed to most days did you? I really want to aim to get out as I have read how beneficial it is, just wondered how doable it is in reality.

Everyone is different. I agree it's beneficial but I just don't feel like it some days. I only have pavements round me and to walk to park and then round there would be too much

Hi Bec, yes, during four months of chemo, I missed 9 days, plus five days when I was in hospital with an infection. For me, it was a case of doing everything I possibly could to feel well, manage side effects, and reduce the risk of recurrence. I just had to discipline myself to get out there, even in the dark or wet weather sometimes. I couldn't have done it without my husband, so I realise it might be hard for someone on their own. Also, he was working from home, so he took flexible lunch breaks to walk with me and catch the best of the weather. Admittedly, I had very few side effects from chemo apart from fatigue and taste changes. And the best way to deal with the fatigue is to exercise! See how you feel and accept that there may be days when you won't manage it. You can only do what you can do. xx

Yes, I was lucky in that I didn't have bad side effects. I only have pavements and footpaths around here too and most days it's just walking around the block once or twice. At weekends we try to go somewhere different, local villages, river/canal, countryside if the ground is dry. Amy x

Just read your blog Amy.x