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Finishing treatment



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tsayler

				          
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        			    August 29, 2000 - 11:09am			  			

			
			
I have just finished my chemo treatments and after a brief 'high' from being finished, I found myself unsure and wondering 'what now?'  Is this to be expected?


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vinnie

				      
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August 29, 2000 - 7:33pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
Congradulations.  I'm sure your more concerned  to speak to someone about the level your at right now, but if you get a chance could you let me know how your chemo went.  How did you feel, how long were you on it.  Were you able to function normally.  Stuff like that.

Thanks

vinnie



			
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tsayler

				      
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September 7, 2000 - 8:43pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
Vinnie, thanks for responding.  I was in chemo for 6 months.  Two cycle of 4 treatments (total of 8 treatments)

I went back today for my 'final check-up' and found out it is NOT my final checkup.  The doctor

swears that she told me I need 30 days of radiation and I SWEAR she DID NOT.  So, right now

I'm pretty upset with her.  I've lived these last 6 months thinking I would be finished now.  OF course

I can choose not to do it, so I just need time to think.


During my chemo though, I tried at first to work (I teach) and it became more and more

difficult because of the fatigue.  Some weeks I worked 10 hours, and sometimes more.  But

it was almost always very difficult.  I live alone so most things didn't get done around the house

unless my daughter (23 years old) came to help.  I'm sure part of it was depression - I did take

Zoloft for that for 3 months, and decided I was clearer headed not taking it.  Some days though,

it was ALL I could do just to get out of bed and put clothes on.  Some days I spent more time in the

bathroom - on the stool - than anywhere else.


Where are you as far as your treatment?  How are you feeling?



			
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bonnie

				      
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September 3, 2000 - 1:48pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
I too have just finished treatment and have the same feelings. My doctor said that I now get a "rest" til our appointment next month. I'm left with the question, "Will everything be ok til then?"



			
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tsayler

				      
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September 7, 2000 - 8:44pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
I know how you feel.  Did you say you will be taking Tamoxifin?  I won't because of the type of

cancer I had.  I am really, really, really going on faith and believing that I am ok now.



			
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bonnie

				      
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September 12, 2000 - 6:13am

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
Hi there! My doctor wants to put me on tamoxifen, but says that there is a chance of blood clots (I've already had one!) and he doesn't want that to happen to me again! I guess I can be happy he's concerned. They are going to try another medication (don't remember the name) that is very close to tamoxifen, but without the side effect. I guess we'll  hope for the best! I still have the cat scans, bone scans, etc to get, but we'll probably do that next month. I see the cardiologist this week to see if my heart is any better (heart failure from adriamycin). I'm hoping for improvement so that I can re-start reconstruction. Being "on hold" is somewhat frustrating. May God bless and keep you! Bonnie



			
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denise

				      
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September 3, 2000 - 6:30pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
Dear Tsaylor,

Hi, my name is Denise. I finished chemo one year ago. I remember when my treatments were finished I experencied the same high then Oh no, what now?

I kept waiting to feel like my "old" self and wondered how long till I felt better. I have to tell you HANG IN THERE! You will start to feel like your old self. One day you will wake up and realize that cancer isn't the first thought you have. I still don't look like before. For one thing my hair came in really curly. But I don't have the chemo glow, I'm not puffed up like the pillsbury dough boy and I have eyelashes again! It took me almost a full year to start feeling good again, but remember everyone is different. If I can be of any help please let me know. Untill then take care and God bless.

Denise



			
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tsayler

				      
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September 7, 2000 - 8:31pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
Hi! Thanks for responding to my message. It helps to hear from someone a year after treatment.  I woke

up last Sunday and for the first time in 8 months actually felt like 'myself'!!!

Today, though, I was hit with 2 surprises.  First the hospital decided that they would not

discount any of my $49,000. hospital bill (I have NO health insurance), then my doctor told

me that she wants me to do radiation.  She denied it, but she had told me at the beginning

that I wouldn't need radiation.  So today I'm bummed.  I'm going to have to take some time

to think about this radiation thing.  Maybe if I get some statistics about survival it will help.

The other thing I am doing is a little bit on the 'alternative' side, so I just need to think now

before I decide.  Did you have radiation?



			
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denise

				      
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September 7, 2000 - 9:15pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
Hi back,

No I didn't have radiation. It's a weird thing, not that I want any more treatments but then you think why don't I need it too? Do you know what I mean? I just want ALL the right treatments to be rid of this. I'm sorry to hear about your day. I had a few of those myself. I just tried not to let anything, except getting better, use up my energy. I will try to find out for you but I'm pretty sure that hospitals have to accept any minimal payment that you can make, so send them $5.oo a month. Maybe some resourses out there for you. Hang in there! Don't let anything but YOU matter for a while. Take care, God bless Denise



			
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jane38

				      
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September 8, 2000 - 1:12am

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
Oh yeah.  I had to figure out what I was going to be doing with every third Monday (the day I normally went for chemo).  And, how was I going to handle not being sick, not worrying about my blood counts?  It was like a void.  But, I muddled through it.  And it was quite nice.



			
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annepa

				      
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October 2, 2000 - 4:48pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
hi, I'm 9 years out- diagnosed at 42.  I had 6 mos. of chemo, then radiation, then 5 years of tamoxifen.  I worked, raised 2 children and worried.  I remember when the doctor said- well, go on with the rest of your life.  Wow, what would that be? I put the Christmas decorations away and cried and cried.  Would there be another.  All I could do was wait.  I began to try to physically get in shape working out, etc and promptly broke my ankle. I was fighting my body and I learned sitting in the wheelchair that I had to let it take its time and when my body was ready, I'd be fine.  About one year later, I woke up one morning and realized I felt like I used to before treatments.  My concentration was back, I found myself less focused on cancer and each year since, I am more and more joyous.  I know counsel women going through chemo and am about to face an empty nest.  I read somewhere: "Don't let what may never happen tomorrow ruin today."  Good luck.



			
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carla

				      
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October 16, 2000 - 9:24pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
I wish I could say that I was as far as you.  I

have been diagnosed with breast and bone cancer and my treatments are just getting ready to begin.

Iworry about my children and husband, too.  Carla



			
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ellen

				      
	        Posts: 141

	      
	      
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October 17, 2000 - 5:56pm

			
RE: Finishing treatment
			
Carla,

Hang in there with us.  Together we can all make it.  Otherwise it gets pretty lonely.  I have only radiation to contend with following my lumpectomy, I feel very fortunate and pray that all of us will experience good health again after the treatments.  There's a great group of people on this site.  Check back often! 



			
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