Breast cancer update. I start chemotherapy next week, ASAP.
Just off the phone with the oncologist in Victoria.
They want me to start chemotherapy right away.
This is due to the lymphatic space invasion. I’m at a high risk, along with it being an aggressive grade 3 cancer.
Things have been stalled way too long (not due to me but the system) so this oncologist wants me to start immediately. I agreed. I’m terrified.
So next week I’ll be in Victoria for 2 days and will have my first chemo treatment and then come back home to Fanny Bay.
The next treatment will be in 3 weeks after that.
This way, poodle Teddy can stay in Fanny Bay as it will just be a quick 2 day trip away from home this time. I will not lose my pup through this!
It will give me time to get myself sorted out.
It’s no problem to transfer to Kelowna mid treatment later, with chemo so I can still keep my Okanagan (drier climate) dream alive.
Send me love and prayers and if you’re in Victoria, I’ll stay at the cancer lodge for my first treatment and use some of the funds raised to pay for my stay.
I’m fricken terrified.
Love,
Brenda
You got this! Chemo is scary, but it’s really not that bad. I’m 26 and just finished my chemo for cancer 2 months ago. The nurses at the cancer agency in victoria are so amazing and friendly, as well as the volunteers. They really so their absolute best to make you comfortable and get to know you. I felt at home there every time I went. I also had inpatient treatment in the hospital as well, so if you have to spend any time up on 8 south, they are also equally amazing. I was started on my chemo the day after when my oncologist made his decision, so it definitely freaked me out a lot, and I had a minor anxiety attack at my first infusion, but after that, it was a breeze. Even when my regimen was changed to a much higher dose of 5 drugs. As long as they’ve got you on all the right anti nausea drugs, you shouldn’t really feel too bad at all. After they finally got mine sorted out properly, I would come home and clean the house and cook dinner. Yes, I lost my hair, but I didn’t let it bother me at all, I embraced my baldness. Take it easy, really listen to your body, and don’t try to overdo anything. Drink loads of water all the time, and stay strong. You got this! Good luck. đŸ™‚
Thank you Sarah!
You made my day with your reply. Thank you for taking the time to write.
You are awesome, and I congratulate you on your bravery and on your courage, and I pray for you a cure and full recovery. You sound strong and you are truly an inspiration to me. Your encouragement means the world to me.
It has been a rough week since I finally decided to do chemotherapy, but it’s now happening all so quickly. I’ll have my first treatment in only a few days. I am trying to relax by going in the ocean a lot right now. It helps, as does time with my standard poodle puppy, Teddy. I am drinking lots of water already, as you suggest, and also making my own fresh juices, full of greens. It helps improve my energy, and I know I am doing everything I can to boost my immune system before they start trashing it and rebuilding it over and over again with chemo.
I am SO happy you wrote, and especially that you shared a personal experience with the Victoria centre. I have heard great things, so thank you for affirming that đŸ™‚
I’m going to do as you say, embrace the bald, and I guess summer isn’t too bad a time to be doing this. Bald and flip flops and shorts. LOL.
Thanks for the boost! I am sending love,
Brenda
I’m not going to tell you not to be afraid, because these are your emotions. But you can breathe through the fear, because it’s not bottomless, and it will not consume you. You’re going to get through the fear and the chemo and you are going to be okay. You’re not alone. You’re loved and treasured and so many are cheering for you.
Are you going to have/do you want company for your first chemo? Do you have someone who will be there with you—someone who will make it go easier?
Hi Renee!
What a pleasant surprise to find your comment here. You have framed fear, beautifully. I’ll keep that in mind. I suppose I haven’t died from fear yet, and this will be the same.
I am mostly afraid of the actual drugs, and if I will be able to tolerate it, as I have so many chemical sensitivities, and with fibromyalgia, it’s a challenge to get needles into me without extreme discomfort, but today I spoke with the chemotherapy nurse and she was fabulous. She put me at ease, and they already have a plan; a couple of options they will discuss with me, to hopefully make this process even easier for someone as hypersensitive as I am.
Apparently I am in very good hands, at the (Victoria) Vancouver Island Centre, BC Cancer Agency. Thanks for the love, and I am thrilled to know there are so many cheering me on.
Regarding my first chemotherapy treatment, it’s a long story. But to make it short, no, I will attend my first session by myself. Thank you for caring and for asking. I am certainly open to company, to not travel this road alone.
Love,
Brenda