I would like to start by saying a huge Thank You to everyone that has given positive comments and feedback about the article. I am pleasantly surprised and humbled by all the kind words of support and encouragement given to me on this journey and they are all very much valued and appreciated.
As mentioned in my first journal I was about to embark on my third session of chemotherapy at the end of January and had felt pretty well after the second.
The third treatment was the final one of the Docetaxel drug and the first week was pretty much a repeat of the last treatment. I was woozy and off balance again and my Oncologist advised to drink more water to help – something I am conscious of in terms of keeping hydrated as much as possible. I have been incorporating Linseed Tea into my regime on a daily basis as this is very hydrating and great for the kidneys, reduces fear and stress and is calming and soothing – as my Nutritionalist says, A Hug in a Mug! One of the many helpful tips I have picked up on the Eat Drink Move Think 12 week nutrition course I attended at Neal’s Yard last year. Many of the recipes have now been incorporated into my eating habits – one in particular, Homemade Granola (better than any of the products you can buy!) as well as Green Smoothies and my recently made smoothie – Ginger and Lucuma which is creamy and delicious and incorporates turmeric so helping on the Cancer front too! Have also been adding beetroot to my diet over the last few weeks as this is a powerful antioxidant and is shown to posses anti cancer properties. Have tried my hand at some of the recipes from the new Deliciously Ella book that I purchased also. I should possibly wait till my taste buds have returned to normal however, as making the Chilli and Beetroot Brownies I did put way too much chilli in even for me, let alone someone with normal taste buds! An excuse for me to eat it all though….! I have received lots of comments about how well I am looking, probably a mix of the steroids, which are making me eat all the time and all the lovely recipes, I have been making! I seem to be constantly eating which is probably helping and preventing much of the nausea!
After day one of the treatment I managed to attend my Yoga class and have been to a couple of Pilates classes. I am however feeling a lack of strength, particularly in my legs at the moment – feels like I am trying to walk through thick mud every time I take a step! Have taken to walking a few times a week around Moreton Hall just to get some exercise, as I am unfortunately not a gym person! Am also attempting to learn some Qi Qong, which is a gentle form of exercise composed of movements that increase circulation to the blood supply and lymphatic system.
Another side effect of chemotherapy is the ‘brain fog’ and I have noticed that my memory is lapsing (more so than normal!). Trying to string a sentence together when talking to someone without getting all the words mixed up is becoming increasingly embarrassing too. Who knows what I am going to come out with when I am having a conversation! When it comes to my hand writing and spelling, even the simplest of words are being spelt incorrectly as my brain seems to be 2 steps ahead of me before I can finish a word! Am trying to combat all the memory loss by using my phone for reminders and notes, writing on my wall calendar, I have a journal and a diary too – overkill?! Yet when I go shopping I still forget things that are written on my list!
Am still experiencing nerve issues with my fingertips and toes, but am confident this will go as I commence the FEC drug. I can also see changes in my nails as they are growing – my half moons are no longer half moons and they appear to be a different colour with some ridging.
For the first time since my diagnosis in October last year I recently decided to pick up some of the brochures that the Macmillan Unit have available to patients. There is an immense amount of good information to utilise for every aspect of going through all treatment of Cancer and I would urge anyone going through this to find out what Macmillan offer. I have booked myself onto a HOPE (Help Overcome Problems Effectively) course that is being run for 6 weeks and I attended the first one on 18th February. The course (which is free) is aimed at promoting self-management and looks at ways in which to take more control, manage stress and emotional issues, goal setting and problem solving. I am confident I will learn and gain some valuable help from this as well as meeting other people that have been through or are going through treatment of Cancer. I will keep you up to date with my progress in the next issue.
I also found out that the girls on the No7 counter in Boots are trained to help us women in terms of giving face to face advice about caring for your skin, nails and hair. I may pop along in the near future to see what they say (although I use ‘natural’ products myself); I believe you can ask for advice without having to purchase their products!
I have managed a couple of nights out this month. Went to the Fat Cat Comedy club earlier in February, which I usually try and get to each month but have missed on the last few occasions. I also had a lovely day out with several of my girlfriends where we had lunch and then went to see the much talked about 50 Shades of Grey at the Abbeygate Picturehouse. We took up the majority of the back row and suffice to say with a group of women, there was more chatting, giggling, drinking wine and eating popcorn that went on than watching the film (don’t worry I only had a couple of glasses of wine as I am on the Chemo!).
I had my fourth session on 16th February and this one plus the next two are the start of the FEC drug regime, which is a combination of 3 types of drug. One of these is a Red drug, and you guessed it…. turns your wee red! I managed to drink lots of water and flush it out that evening! The Hospital didn’t tell me that I needed to have an ECG before they could treat me. This was necessary as one of the drugs could effect your heart – thankfully my heart rate and rhythm were ok. Apparently nausea and sickness are more common with FEC so I have more drugs to take for anti sickness. On a good note, my steroids have been reduced and I only have to take these in the morning so I am hoping I will get some more sleep for once! Considering how well, generally, I have been since my third session, I am confident (she says fingers crossed), that this will continue. I am currently experiencing some nausea each morning so far, but am taking my little homeopathic pills to help as well as eating lots!
To keep you up to date with my 5 month old kitten Tillie, she decided to come into season the night before my Chemotherapy…poor little girl! A phone call to the Vets and she was booked in for her Operation. Am glad to say that the evening I picked her up she was full of beans and seems to be recovering well. My job now is to try and prevent her from picking out her stitches otherwise she will have to wear one of those collars!
To finish off, I still believe that I need to have a better understanding of the disease, the strengths and weaknesses of what orthodox medicine offers and then employ a raft of complementary and alternative therapies to my lifestyle during and after all the treatment and surgery. The statistics seem to be based on the ‘average’ person – I don’t want to be average! I need to take control of my life and rebalance my body, mind and spirit.
I have a long way to go and I am sure I will still go through all the emotional side of shock, grief, anger, despair, denial etc. I may not feel ill, but I do have a serious illness. I need to learn from it, whatever it has to show me – it’s a journey and an experience.
‘When I am Weak, Then I am Strong’
