Post-chemo encouragement.

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SheilaR
SheilaR Member Posts: 10
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all:

I had my last chemo treatment of taxol (I did ac/t) on Feb. 13, my birthday! I cannot believe how those four months flew by.

I just wanted to offer some encouragement to anyone who is about to start chemo. You CAN get through this! I was worried sick about side effects - would I be nauseous, would I "look" sick, would I lose weight, would I get a bad cold. Everyone is different so try not to freak out (like I did) about side effects until they happen. Even then, try not to freak...

While chemo is no picnic, my worst side effect - well aside from losing my hair and looking like a cue ball - was acid reflux and burping. Oh, and these darn hot flashes. Pepcid AC took care of the burping and feflux and I forced myself not to eat my favorite spicy foods. I never threw up, stayed the same weight, was only mildly tired. (I was a little anemic at the end) Honestly, I wore such cute wigs that folks at work STILL think "Sheila is at it again with a new look" not "poor Sheila, she has cancer." I look forward to getting my hair back, I admit. But I now kind of like wigs.

Again, while chemo is no picnic, you can make it. Be kind to yourself - let friends and family help - have fun on those off weeks, listen to your doctor, eat well, listen to your body, do not overdo it but don't lock yourself in the house, either. Most of all: LAUGH.

My journey is not over; I have to decide if rads are for me (I am in a grey area). But whatever I decide, I know the tears that streamed down my face on my birthday after I got home from chemo were not tears of fear but those of relief and thankfulness that I made it through eight chemo treaments.

You can do it!

Sheila

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2013

    Sheila, thank you for your encouraging post! There's nothing like hearing positive feedback from someone who's been there.  Smile

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  • CameraKim
    CameraKim Member Posts: 81
    edited February 2013

    Sheila, what a wonderful idea. I too finished with chemo just two weeks ago and want to encourage all the people just starting that they too will get through it.

    I had dose dense AC/TH...and you're right, it was no picnic. However, for me, the side effects weren't as bad as I had imagined they were going to be. In fact, the worst side effect for me was the mental anguish.

    AC caused weepy eyes, hair loss and mouth sores...Taxol brought hives, achy bones and wicked hot flashes. But, during the whole ordeal, I was able to keep teaching my exuberant class of 4th graders which allowed me to keep my mind away from scary thoughts.

    I listened to my body...I ate what tasted good, I took naps when I needed to. I allowed myself to sleep in an hour later each morning since I didn't have to fix my hair :) I ended up not minding wearing wigs and hats, and honestly I've gotten pretty good at drawing in my eyebrows now, too. These are all just temporary setbacks.

    I'm not done with this whole journey yet...not even close. I still have surgery next week to remove the tumor and nodes, then I'll move onto radiation. But for me chemo worked! My tumor shrank by 85% and my nodes look to be clear. We'll know for sure when we get the pathology report back after surgery, but I'm feeling more confident than I have in months.

    Good luck to all you ladies out there wherever you may be along this road!

    ~Kim

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited March 2013

    Wonderful posts ladies!  and so good to hear from you.  

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  • 35_smiling
    35_smiling Member Posts: 90
    edited April 2013

    Hi Ya’ll, 

    I too finished my last chemo on March 13, 2013.  My family had a celebration for me and it a fun evening.  It was such a good feeling to be around family and friends.  I want to encourage those who are starting that remember everyone is different and their systems may be similar but not the same.  With me the toxal did most of the damage to my toe nails and finger nails and not to mention the loss of my hair, eye brows and everywhere else hair grows.  But you will get through it. I am also not saying it’s an easy road to take but you will feel amazing and realize how strong you really are once you’re finished.  Be encouraged for those who will be starting and those who are close to the end. (((hugs)))

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  • SheilaR
    SheilaR Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2013

    Hey again.

    I wanted to update those who finished Chemo recently and wonder "where is my hair." It took about a month and half for my head to start getting fuzzy. Chemo ended Feb. 14 and it wasn't until late March that I got some peach fuzz.

    Hair growth started picking up mid-April and though it is not growing fast it is still growing. It's a different texture - curly, wavy - but it is growing. And the hair is back everywhere else.

    Be encouraged....

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