Where do I go from here?

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PrettyBald49
PrettyBald49 Member Posts: 21
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi, I am new to this and trying to get better. Finished CAT chemo three weeks today. Lost friends, car, and who knows what else. Ankles swollen, finger and toes numb and tingling. Glad to be finish chemo, but when does it get better?

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  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #2
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    Welcome to these boards, its
    Welcome to these boards, its a great place to be when one has been thru what you and all of us have been thru to a greater or lesser degree. . I had 4 rounds of A/C, 1 1/2 rounds of Taxol, and 3 rounds of Taxotere. I couldnt take the taxol. My last chemo was march 30, 2010. I then had 33 radiation treatments. I was 66 when this all started and now I'm 68. We are all individual with different side effects, treatments and recovery. I just started beginning to feel like my old self again about 2 weeks ago. I'm sure age has something to do with it. I started juicing veggies and fruit in the fall of 2010 and just joined the gym 2 weeks ago. I still get fatigued but nothing like it was. I've noticed that I'm not as puffy as i was when i was going thru chemo. The numbness can last for a while, but you have been thru one of the more difficult forms of treatment and believe me IT DOES GET BETTER IN EACH INDIVIDUAL'S TIME. Hugs to you.
  • AMomNETN
    AMomNETN Member Posts: 242
    #3
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    Better
    Hi,
    I'm sorry you are having such problems. We've all been through it in one way or another. For me things started getting better about 3 months after my last treatment. It is a slow process all the way around. I'm about 6 months since last treatment. I have my hair back (could qualify for military), tingling and numbness gone, except sometimes I notice it in my feet when I shower. The swelling went away about 3 months. Took Laxic for that for several months. I know patience is hard but it is worth it. I was lucky to have good friends and family. Look for a breast support group in your area. Try the ACS to get info. Good Luck and keep on coming back here. There is a world of knowledge and experience from all the women.

    Janie
  • PrettyBald49
    PrettyBald49 Member Posts: 21
    #4
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    natly15 said:

    Welcome to these boards, its
    Welcome to these boards, its a great place to be when one has been thru what you and all of us have been thru to a greater or lesser degree. . I had 4 rounds of A/C, 1 1/2 rounds of Taxol, and 3 rounds of Taxotere. I couldnt take the taxol. My last chemo was march 30, 2010. I then had 33 radiation treatments. I was 66 when this all started and now I'm 68. We are all individual with different side effects, treatments and recovery. I just started beginning to feel like my old self again about 2 weeks ago. I'm sure age has something to do with it. I started juicing veggies and fruit in the fall of 2010 and just joined the gym 2 weeks ago. I still get fatigued but nothing like it was. I've noticed that I'm not as puffy as i was when i was going thru chemo. The numbness can last for a while, but you have been thru one of the more difficult forms of treatment and believe me IT DOES GET BETTER IN EACH INDIVIDUAL'S TIME. Hugs to you.

    Thank you for responding. I
    Thank you for responding. I am so emotional right tnow and constantly looking for support. I am looking forward to my 50th birthday on the 28th of Feb. I wanat to live and want my life somehow to be normal or whaever that is for me now. I did not have to do radiation,and scheduled for reconstruction the end of Mar. Still scared, uncertain, and trying to be strong for all those around me. It is good to talk to someone who understands.
  • PrettyBald49
    PrettyBald49 Member Posts: 21
    #5
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    natly15 said:

    Welcome to these boards, its
    Welcome to these boards, its a great place to be when one has been thru what you and all of us have been thru to a greater or lesser degree. . I had 4 rounds of A/C, 1 1/2 rounds of Taxol, and 3 rounds of Taxotere. I couldnt take the taxol. My last chemo was march 30, 2010. I then had 33 radiation treatments. I was 66 when this all started and now I'm 68. We are all individual with different side effects, treatments and recovery. I just started beginning to feel like my old self again about 2 weeks ago. I'm sure age has something to do with it. I started juicing veggies and fruit in the fall of 2010 and just joined the gym 2 weeks ago. I still get fatigued but nothing like it was. I've noticed that I'm not as puffy as i was when i was going thru chemo. The numbness can last for a while, but you have been thru one of the more difficult forms of treatment and believe me IT DOES GET BETTER IN EACH INDIVIDUAL'S TIME. Hugs to you.

    Thank you for responding. I
    Thank you for responding. I am so emotional right tnow and constantly looking for support. I am looking forward to my 50th birthday on the 28th of Feb. I want to live and want my life somehow to be normal or whatever that is for me now. I did not have to do radiation,and scheduled for reconstruction the end of Mar. Still scared, uncertain, and trying to be strong for all those around me. It is good to talk to someone who understands.
  • PrettyBald49
    PrettyBald49 Member Posts: 21
    #6
    Options
    AMomNETN said:

    Better
    Hi,
    I'm sorry you are having such problems. We've all been through it in one way or another. For me things started getting better about 3 months after my last treatment. It is a slow process all the way around. I'm about 6 months since last treatment. I have my hair back (could qualify for military), tingling and numbness gone, except sometimes I notice it in my feet when I shower. The swelling went away about 3 months. Took Laxic for that for several months. I know patience is hard but it is worth it. I was lucky to have good friends and family. Look for a breast support group in your area. Try the ACS to get info. Good Luck and keep on coming back here. There is a world of knowledge and experience from all the women.

    Janie

    thanks for responding. I do
    thanks for responding. I do need a support group. Many people just do not understand, even my family. The friends I thought would be here are not, and I am so emotional and moody. My sister even said I am mean. Of course this makes me sad, but I feel like I have a right to be mad at this whole situation. I dont intend on being mean to anyone.
  • new2me
    new2me Member Posts: 177 Member
    #7
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    So sorry you have to go through this...
    I am 4 months out from chemo - still have numbness in my fingers but nothing like it was - It will get better in time - like the others have said - we are individuals with different side effects.
    I know how you feel, I felt the same way - I wnated my old life and the old me back in the worst way. but I have since found that I have evolved into a beautiful woman and I love the place where God has brought me. Yes, I am different but better different :)
    Everything is so much more meaninful to me now & I cherish everyday.
    Draw close to your faith - mine has got me through (along with my family)
    I turned 50 last year and then I was diagnosed with BC and I feel like i lost that whole year, but this year - turning 51 - is gonna be the best.
    Dear friend - if you can ... try try try to look at the positive, keep your eyes on tomorrow, & your attitude up and I promise... IT WILL GET BETTER.

    Love Always, Kelly
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #8
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    For me it got better after I
    For me it got better after I finished chemo. I was nauseous all during. Radiation had it's own problems but at least I wasn't feeling sick during it. Find as many pleasant things to do as you can and make new friends. You just have to heal so try to help your body by eating right and exercise when you can. You are still you inside. Hang in there.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #9
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    Marcia527 said:

    For me it got better after I
    For me it got better after I finished chemo. I was nauseous all during. Radiation had it's own problems but at least I wasn't feeling sick during it. Find as many pleasant things to do as you can and make new friends. You just have to heal so try to help your body by eating right and exercise when you can. You are still you inside. Hang in there.

    You know everyone is
    You know everyone is different. Last winter I finshed Rads and then herceptin and I am feeling pretty good right now. I am on Tamoxifen. I have the hot flashes, but it's all doable. I am sorry about the loss of friend and your car. There is a few of us who lost friends because of our DX. I hope it gets better for you. Hang in there.
    Kathy ~
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    #10
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    Welcome to the board..
    You will find this board very helpful. I am four months out from chemo. Still on herceptin till nest June. finished rads Jan first. I feel pretty good. I still get fatigued but it is getting better all the time. We are all different. But we will be here anytime you need us. Come often I hope you feel better soon. When you can you should fill out your about me page. What kind of cancer, when was you Dx's It just helps to answer your questions. Well take care darlin feel better Kay
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #11
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    JUST LOVE you name (pretty Bald) GREAT...
    I did not do chemo so I can't relate but just wanted to add my 2 cents-I HOPE things get better for you. So sorry you are going through all of this...I was lucky my friends stuck by me-I KNOW that must be hard. HAPPY one step is over & will being sending good thoughts your way!!

    Denise W.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #12
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    PrettyBald49 said:

    thanks for responding. I do
    thanks for responding. I do need a support group. Many people just do not understand, even my family. The friends I thought would be here are not, and I am so emotional and moody. My sister even said I am mean. Of course this makes me sad, but I feel like I have a right to be mad at this whole situation. I dont intend on being mean to anyone.

    mad and moody...
    so sorry they say that...if they have not walked in your shoes...they have no clue. I can't totally relate since I had radiation but can someone relate! MY co workers were not very helpful to me during...my treatment etc...and that hurt..

    good luck
  • Suzie-Q-Z
    Suzie-Q-Z Member Posts: 40
    #13
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    PrettyBald49 said:

    thanks for responding. I do
    thanks for responding. I do need a support group. Many people just do not understand, even my family. The friends I thought would be here are not, and I am so emotional and moody. My sister even said I am mean. Of course this makes me sad, but I feel like I have a right to be mad at this whole situation. I dont intend on being mean to anyone.

    Love your name
    But now I'm wishing you'd post a picture. I'm sorry you're having a hard time but just let me say "sheesh, of course you're emotional and moody" I think you have a right to be, we all do. I mean this is probably the toughest thing we'll ever have to go through and it's scarey. I think people distance themselves sometimes because they are scared too and aren't sure how to respond. I think giving them direction is good. Learn to come right out and say, I need help with this or that. Most people want to help but don't want to make you feel incapable or unable. Being willing to talk about what you're going through may make your friends feel it's ok to talk about it too. I've been so fortunate to have people offering to help and I think they are sincere, I just have to be willing to call them on it. As far as your sister, well, some things may be true but better left unsaid. Isn't it odd that the one who is sick often seems to be the one who has to buoey up the others?
  • PrettyBald49
    PrettyBald49 Member Posts: 21
    #14
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    JUST LOVE you name (pretty Bald) GREAT...
    I did not do chemo so I can't relate but just wanted to add my 2 cents-I HOPE things get better for you. So sorry you are going through all of this...I was lucky my friends stuck by me-I KNOW that must be hard. HAPPY one step is over & will being sending good thoughts your way!!

    Denise W.

    You ladies are awesome
    I am so happy I joined this network. I will post a picture soon. I thought of my name because so many people complement me on my bald head. It helped me get through losing my hair and then I had to convince myself to agree with everyone else. Now,I proudly wear my head bald. I am just glad to talk with ppl who can relate to some of my plight. I am tired tonight. I had a long day at physical therapy. I have alot of cording and my therapist worked me hard today. Just started wearing a compression sleeve last week but still dealing with swelling and pain in arm. Additionally, my ankles are swollen and keep me awake most of last night. They are better tonight then last night so I am going to bed earlier. Will talk tomorrow. Thank you again and Good night.

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