FF

So I'm coming up to 3 weeks from last chemo, and I'm glad that there arent any more sessions to go. The side effects have obviously built up over the 4 applications of Docetaxel.

I have Fat Feet, my new FF!

Jana calls them baby feet (like little baby chubby feet) - she's right on the money with that description. I have edema over most of my body, my knees are unrecognisable and I will soon be wearing John's tracksuit pants to work with thongs. My upper body doesnt seem as badly effected - so far. I cant fit into my skinny jeans and tire out very quickly. Now there is a dichotomy - they say that exercise helps move the fluid through your body, I mean a good sweaty workout!!! I cant even get my ankle to bend with the amount of fluid in it, also my heart starts hurting and I cant breathe, how am I supposed to do a sweaty high impact workout Michelle Bridges style??? I feel like the actor in Big Mumma's House at the moment.



All of the Oncologists must practice that "that's not a side-effect" shake of the head and changing the subject with patients when they go to University, as they all deny that edema is a side effect of this drug, even though its all over the internet. All they care about is treating the cancer rather than the side effects, unless the side effect impacts the drug treating the cancer. Anywayz.....I should be more grateful shouldnt I!!!

My finger and toe nails have survived, although very sore at the moment. They look bruised and have some ridges, otherwise not too bad.

Anyone interested in what the drug does, I have included a short paragraph below. They have attached the cancer with 3 different drugs, attacking it differently. This was the final drug:

GENERIC NAME: docetaxel

BRAND NAME: Taxotere, Docefrez

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Docetaxel is a drug that is used primarily for treating breast cancer. Docetaxel works by attacking cancer cells. Every cell in the body contains a supporting structure (almost like a skeleton) called the microtubular network. If this "skeleton" is changed or damaged, the cell can't grow or reproduce. Docetaxel makes the "skeleton" in cancer cells unnaturally stiff, so that these cells can no longer grow.

I always said I'd never have tattoos or plastic surgery in my life, but now have some little tattoos!

I went to the Olivia Newton John Cancer Wellness Centre for my planning appointment for radiotherapy. What a beautiful place by the way. It doesnt feel like a hospital at all, except for the occasional dr gown you see. Its all timber floorboards and inspirational artwork on the walls. Waiting rooms are like hotel lobbys. I had another CT scan and they tattooed the position of my radiotherapy points. They are only little dots so the machine knows where to follow throughout the daily treatment. They also made a mould for my back and shoulders for exact positioning every time on the bed. It all seems very high tech. I start this on the 14 December for 6 weeks over the Christmas break as well. Then, surgery is most likely going to be in March - 1st or 2nd week, waiting for confirmation from the Plastic surgeon and my breast surgeon.

The kids are excited for me to be normal again. Jana wrote me a letter saying she is looking forward to us being a normal family again - with my hair growing back and me not being sick every 3 weeks. Hopefully there will be very little side effects of the radiotherapy.

I'm now on a duretic to reduce the fluid in my system. I will be having a blood test to make sure its not effecting my kidneys too much in a week. In the meantime, I will try and stay home as much as possible so I dont have to roll around the place, until they start to work. Fingers crossed. :)