Starting treatment on Monday. Nervous.

greatUndertakings

I received the news that I had bone Mets in December. Starting treatment on Monday Jan. 11(Zoladex, Inbrance, Fulvestrant, and Zometa). I had my first Zometa infusion in December and that went well. I’m ready to get the ball rolling but I’m also feeling scared. I want this to work, obviously. I know side effects are different for everyone and generally I’m a optimistic person. It all feels so surreal. I know that cancer isn’t going to take me today and I have a good support system. I just still feel alone. I’m a single parent. I have a 9yr old boy. I don’t like to wallow or “be the bummer” so it’s hard to break down especially seeing the people I love break down too. So I smile and focus on the present but inside I feel...I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s a lot. I feel shaky inside.

annadou

Hi there

Keep smiling you will get through this. We have to. I fully understand your feelings. I think for me it really hasn’t sunk in yet

Onemonth ago I was a normal person now everyone is collapsing around me and I end up supporting them! Give your support system things to do that will help you and your son It will help them as well as you

I will be starting the same treatment as you within possibly 10 days ( just waiting for formal approval as it’s so expensive )so if your up for it we can compare notes/complain/rant whatever helps.

Keep well!

Hugs

Ann

KBL

GreatUndertakings and annadou, I’m sorry you both find yourselves here. The only thing I can comment on is I started, as we all do, with the 125mg Ibrance. After one cycle, I immediately dropped to 75mg. The fatigue was great and my ANC was way too low. Just be prepared to possibly feel extreme fatigue on the 125mg. I know it doesn’t affect everyone the same, so I hope neither one of you deal with that.

I am on Zometa as well and tolerating it well after the first infusion knocked me out of commission. I was prepared for it.

I’m thinking of you both. I can’t imagine having a young child. My daughter is grown. I’m giving gentle hugs.

Anonymous

Its tough, mentally, even though you know you need the treatment its like crossing a threshold. But its ok, you will get the hang of it and not every time will seem so momentous

Pro tip - don't look at the Zoladex needle. I mean at ALL. Not even when they are taking it out of the box. I just stare at the wall until they are done. And while Im not on fulvestrant, I have read there are a few tricks to that one - you may want to dig around for the proper thread. Something about taking your weight off the leg while they are injecting and then walking it off helps a lot.

At least the Ibrance you just have to swallow a pill!

Good luck and know that there are ladies here ready to listen any time to concerns or questions.

greatUndertakings

Thanks ladies🙂,for your kind words and your “ears". I know the people in my life care and mean well but unless you're going through it, you just don't know and it really is too much to explain. Annadou I am absolutely up for it. Thanks for reaching out.

moth

It's weird how soon it sort of becomes your new normal but Stage IV is a big adjustment. I don't know how not to wallow sometimes though!

I'm always surprised by people who don't, as it hits me quite frequently with waves of "wtf?" and "this is so unfair!".

Support groups, therapists, meds are all avail if/when we need them. I can't imagine doing it with young children. With my adult children & family & friends, I do not feel really much need to keep it cheery. It's up to them to keep their mental health steady. I'm too busy keeping myself steady. GreatUndertakings, I would really encourage you to start looking for therapists for both yourself and a your child right now.

I hope you have a good strong and long response to your treatment but even if all goes as well as possible, this is *big* and it's a lot to tackle emotionally.

annadou

Hi there greatUndertakings

How did it go today? There a time difference between our countries so may you are not done yet

I have a load of admin stuff to do tomorrow to get meds approved but it's all going th . It's a full time job having cancer

Sending you warm thoughts

Anna