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Laura Smith

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Diary of a Cancer Patient: Getting a Bit Bored of Chemotherapy

Posted: 17/12/11 00:00 GMT

I'm now in month three of chemotherapy and I'll be honest, I'm extremely proud of how I am getting through it if I do say so myself. I'm not sure sometimes how I am finding the inner strength to deal with it all, but right now I've hit a bit of a lull.

Having hardly been able to work since being diagnosed its getting a little boring now, day to day I still don't know what chemotherapy will throw at me, I don't know if I will get a 'good' or 'bad' day. 'Good' where I might feel relatively normal, 'bad' where I could be so low and so exhausted and unable to do anything.

Everyday things such as watching TV or reading a magazine can be a struggle, well for me anyway. I don't have the ability to concentrate on it because of the chemo, it's difficult to describe. I thought having this time off I would be able catch up on books and DVD boxsets. I actually enjoy going into hospital for chemo because it gives me something to do.

I hope I don't sound 'woe is me', I always knew chemotherapy was never going to be a walk in the park but I miss feeling normal, so to speak. I should however be grateful that I am one of the lucky ones, that my cancer was diagnosed, that I am being treated and that its going well.

At a recent consultant meeting, I was given positive results which confirmed I have had an 'excellent response' to treatment, which is so rewarding to know that the previous two months of treatment are working.

I have to be strong, I find it hard though, it does feel like a prison sentence having a course of treatment ahead of me, especially at Christmas. I think in some ways its even harder as everyone is out socialising and having a nice time and I am stuck inside, whilst I know its for the best and am forever grateful the cancer has been diagnosed its not easy seeing the world go on around you.

At the moment it feels a bit like Groundhog Day everyday, not knowing what is going to be thrown at me. I'm sure it will go on like this until treatment is over. Last month I had a few days where I've felt relatively back to my old self and it was the most wonderful thing in the world, its funny the things you take for granted, feeling normal.

To have an 'end date' as such is nice whilst I still have four months of chemotherapy to go through then radiotherapy for a few weeks, after that I should be free from treatment.

I close my eyes and picture four months from now. I am already planning holidays and running marathons and charity walks/bike rides and that is the zone I need to stay focused on.

I knew it would change my life and I'm so excited about when its done, where I'm going to live every second to the full. It changes your perspective on everything, I had never thought about wanting children seriously until now, I just hope that chemotherapy hasn't killed my chances.

 

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I'm now in month three of chemotherapy and I'll be honest, I'm extremely proud of how I am getting through it if I do say so myself. I'm not sure sometimes how I am finding the inner strength to deal ...
I'm now in month three of chemotherapy and I'll be honest, I'm extremely proud of how I am getting through it if I do say so myself. I'm not sure sometimes how I am finding the inner strength to deal ...
 
 
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02:46 PM on 12/19/2011
I finished chemo in November and am now doing radiation. I have to say I was very surprised that chemo was not nearly as bad as I had imagined and radiation is going well. However, I decided at the beginning that I was going to take control of managing the side effects by having acupuncture and seeing a naturopath. I am convinced that these two things have enabled me to sail through this without any nausea - ever - and have kept my energy levels up to almost normal. I was able to work for 2 weeks out of every 3 week cycle. I am now in my 4th week of radiation which is when fatigue usually sets in - as long as I take my ginsengs daily and have acupuncture once a week. Apart from the chemo meds themselves, I haven't taken any pharmaceuticals to alleviate side effects.
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06:59 AM on 12/19/2011
I just had my third chemo treatment, and I understand how you feel. After the first one I felt miserable and sick, but I've had wonderful results with medication to defeat most of the problems. One thing, though, I still am totally dragged and devoid of energy, a lot of the time. If it weren't for that I'd feel almost normal.

It's a bit like being in a minimum security prison though. I can't get out and around and am pretty much of a temporary shut-in. I have a slow healing leg injury, that is taking longer to heal because of the effect of the chemo. My only outings are for chemo and the tests and doctors visits. My doctor says I'm doing well, though. I, too, am looking forward to the end of treatments, hopefully in spring. You are not alone. There's lots of us out there.
09:32 AM on 12/19/2011
Ha - its totally right. Minimum security prison!

My friends keep telling me I go onto 'standby' mode too when I doze off and come in and out of being 'with it'.

The first two months I was on more intensive Chemo and never really had a feeling of normality, I was pretty sick and not really altogether here. I have moved onto phase 2 now so on a different Chemo and its like you describe, I feel closer to normality but with a little bit missing!

Thanks for your comment
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02:34 PM on 12/17/2011
Hi Laura,

I personally have not gone through cancer and l thank God everyday, so l cannot say l understand how you feel. But having been in the Caring industry and looked after people and supported them, l can say how l admire your courage and the fact that you have shared your thoughts on this post. Also l wish you all the best whilst you have your highs and lows as sometimes all you need is someone to talk to and tell them how you feel, that l do understand very well.

So take care and God be with now and always. Ian
09:23 AM on 12/19/2011
Thanks Ian, really appreciate your comment. I thank God every day that this cancer was found, I don't think I had courage or am particularly brave,just getting through what I have to get through.

Talking to people around me helps and I've been blessed with a wonderful support network. Plus,writing out my thoughts and blogging has been therapeutic!

Thanks again
10:27 AM on 12/17/2011
apricot kernals ,,go to in5ds youtube post on cancer
09:28 AM on 12/19/2011
Thank you, will check it out. Appreciate alternative therapy advice, will always go with medical help but any additional thoughts definitely welcomed!
09:36 AM on 12/17/2011
Laura you are a brave girl and i guess you know better bored at 30 and alive receiving treatment which will hopefully cure and allow you to live a full and brilliant life There is an old statement "no gain without pain" Iwish you all the very best . From a recovered cancer patient.
09:22 AM on 12/19/2011
Thank you. I know I have to take myself out of the situation and think, its only a year of my life at most and am grateful its been found
02:16 AM on 12/17/2011
Hey girl. Went thru it myself........ Take care and stay positive. One thing I will say to u is take care after treatment is over. That is when the really hard part was. Post traumatic stress is something usually not addressed. That part was harder than the chemotherapy and rads. But don't worry you sill be just fine. If you need get a therapist ............ U go girl! I know u r gonna do great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
09:21 AM on 12/19/2011
That's really interesting as I am living for the end date. You sort of breeze past the thought of what happens at the end but I am going for regular counselling throughout and think its available after which sounds like it will help x
12:22 PM on 12/19/2011
I am glad to hear you getting thru treatment and seeking counseling. I always try to let people know to take care of their mental health thru this. I went to a psychiatrist for about a year after my treatment. She saved me.... God bless you , I wish you a beautiful long happy and cancer free life.
01:53 AM on 12/17/2011
Hi Laura, I went through chemo two years ago and totally empathise with your feelings, both emotional and physical. Hope you get through it all ok and achieve all the positive things you talk about. I got through it all with the support of my family, and 2011 has been a great year for me in lots of ways. See www.cheshirecats.org.uk as this was the ongoing project that lifted me up on more than one occasion in the last year. Look after yourself , Gail x
09:19 AM on 12/19/2011
Thanks Gail. Cheshire Cats project looks great! x
12:21 AM on 12/17/2011
All the best through the coming months. Thanks for sharing the steps of your journey.

Merry Christmas.