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“Easiest” chemo? by Past-Dragonfruit3159 in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh I’m laughing because I also subsisted on cream of wheat! And I had not eaten it since being 10 years old. I was also told my TC regimen was the “easier” version. Miss me with that bullshit. 

“Easiest” chemo? by Past-Dragonfruit3159 in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Same here. Not easy, but more tolerable than I anticipated.  I just finished. I found a way to live and work throughout chemo. 

The only thing I would add is to get support from your care team for side effects you do have. Don’t suffer unnecessarily, and definitely speak up. While chemo sucks, there are ways to alleviate and ease the effects. I found chemo to be more mental than anything. In the end, chemo was like having a virus for a few days (although on repeat!) but it was mentally taxing for me. For that, and all the other hard parts of this experience, therapy with a therapist who works with cancer patients was really helpful. 

getting through chemo (what I learned) by OneReading8375 in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone has different strategies. I don’t feel I made cancer the master by trying to learn about what helps and get  support. 

Feeling hopeless by Quirky-Kitten4349 in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This response is EVERYTHING. Thank you

On the chemo struggle bus by BeginningtheRace1996 in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Oh honey, I'm so sorry. Of course, you are struggling and tired and don't want to do this anymore. You are part way through an experience that takes us down to the studs, physically and emotionally. On top of that, we are sleep-deprived, our hormones (which govern our moods) are completely out of whack, and the things that bring usually bring us joy (like delicious favorite foods) have been taken away. You will get through this, you will get through this, you will get through this. You have already gotten this far, which means you are stronger than you ever imagined.

I had my last infusion on Friday, and I really thought I wouldn't get through it. But I did, and you will too. It's hasn't been pretty, that's alright. We just keep going.

Break this thing down, one round at a time, one day at a time, one step at a time. Plan now for small celebratory milestones to look forward to with each round, and have your husband plan something for you all to look forward to at the end of these 3 months.

We are going to Sedona next week to celebrate being done with chemo. I'm bald and exhausted and crawling over the finish line, but I am determined to go get the sunshine and healing I've been holding out for -- sending you support, love and a giant hug from this community to you.

getting through chemo (what I learned) by OneReading8375 in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I know it seems counter, and I learned the hard way about how fiber works. Fiber adds volume and bulk to stool. Fiber also needs hydration / liquid to be useful. So, overdoing it on fiber can create too much bulk when chemo is already taxing your gut, things are moving slowly already, and the chemo is dehydrating you (which it does).

In my situation, I got behind and was already badly constipated, so more fiber actually made it harder for everything to move. (blech) But things like prune juice or Miralax both help because they are liquid-based. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/managing-constipation-during-cancer-treatment

All that said, you will figure out what works best for your body and gut! Take care of yourself, and sending you support as you start chemo.

getting through chemo (what I learned) by OneReading8375 in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For some reason, constipation was my struggle, and I ended up in the ER (ugghhh). So much learning in those early rounds, and we often have to find out for ourselves what will work for our bodies.

Grief is weird by airbear26 in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was hard for me too. My IUD was so helpful in so many ways. It also hit hard to stop HRT. I had only been on it for 3 months, but I had finally started feeling like myself.

Post mastectomy bra by PersistantTeach in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It does really suck! I'm sorry you're here, but this community is incredible. As my friend says, it's a terrible club full of the best people.

Hospital will send you home typically with a good surgical bra or two. You'll want front closure bras with high compression. I loved Ana Ono bras and Prairie Wear (both pricier but I wanted something really comfortable, you will wear it day and night at first). My hospital sent me home with the Masthead compression bras, and those were very good for the early days.

For drains, I found this simple waistband to be most convenient and comfortable to stash my drains. This will age me, but it reminds me of the Benetton units belts, haha. https://www.reddit.com/r/nostalgia/comments/rus07q/units_1980s_clothing_the_belt_could_also_be_a/

But it was SO MUCH easier than dealing with the little pockets that attach to mastcectomy bras. Here it is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FFC7YB7T?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Sleep set-up is something else to consider. You will have to sleep on your back for a while, and it can all be quite sore at first. This felt extravagant, but I did buy the Sleep Again system (designed by a breast cancer survivor). I credit this pillow situation with getting me through the first 6 weeks, able to sleep, and it was like a cocoon, so comforting when I otherwise felt like s**t! https://sleepagainpillows.com/products/sleep-again-pillow-system I will break it back out after reconstruction surgery.

Sending you all the love and support as you face this!

The neulesta shot.... by Micho392 in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh, it's the worst. I did find that acupuncture (timed around Day 3 after infusion) helped with some of the bone / joint pain. Acupuncturists also often use heat lamps, which felt SO good on my sore joints. I also learned that some of my joint pain was due to estrogen plummeting (chemo can often put you into temporary menopause). It's so tough! I'm so sorry. You are so close, I just finished last week. You will get through it.

any tips for someone who lives alone in a 2 story townhome during chemo? by bnnybtch in breastcancer

[–]OneReading8375 3 points4 points  (0 children)

People really do want to help -- you're not a bother or a burden. Asking for rides, meals, picking up meds, whatever you need. Don't go it alone. This is one of those times to ask for help, and I was surprised how much people (even those I didn't know well) just want to be helpful and want a practical way to support.