I've been reading threads old and new on this site for a few weeks now, some sad, some humourous, some heartwarming, ALL useful. I'm not usually one for talking to people I don't know, but I really see the benefit in sharing experiences and the support people give on here is inspiring and humbling.
I found a lump in my breast a week after a trip of a lifetime to India to celebrate my 50th later this year - SO strange because I had literally never felt as well as I felt then, for years! was whisked through the process at lightning speed, scan, biopsy, sentinel node followed by lymph node clearance. Now on my second cycle of six FEC-T (three FEC, three Taxotere) and although it has been mentally and physically challenging I have been able to console myself with the accounts of others and reassure myself that it is do-able - so THANK YOU all of you for talking about your side effects and how you are dealing with them, you are all incredibly strong people. I took extra anti sickness tablets the second time round as I ended up back in the unit on a drip on day 2 as I couldn't even keep the water down to take the tablets! :-( this time I felt rough but wasn't actually sick so they did the trick.
My question/current concern is this, my chemo arm is incredibly painful and i understand its damage caused by the drugs effectively scorching the veins? It's not until I try and straighten my arm that the pain is excruciating but I wondered if there was anything anyone could say to help me cope as I've got four sessions left and I'm worried I won't be able to straighten my arm when it comes to taking bloods. I think it's probably right to keep trying to stretch it out but it almost makes me cry so I avoid straightening it. Just another battle in this war against the side effects of the treatment - I am counting the days till it is over.
Thanks in advance for any comments :-)
Gina
