hi how soon after chemo will i feel well again. i would like to know how soon i will feel like galivanting on hoildays i amd 50… also when will my hair begin t ogrow back.
thank u
julie
Hi Julie
I am glad you have added this thread, I finished my chemo 10 days ago and think I feel the same as you so am looking forward to the replies. I am also wondering about work when to return, I have a high pressured job and although my oncologist advised to return back to start 2 half days a week I am not sure how my company will be so may have to look for a new one!!!
Lesley
Hi Lesley / Julie
I had my last chemo 11 Dec 07 - not up to full speed yet but getting there. My hair has started to grow but pretty slow going! More on my chin than anywhere Ugh I too am desperate to have a holiday but start radiotherapy this Thursday so will have to wait.
Good wishes to both of you
Jean
Hi Ladies,
I have found that my hair is growing very slowly. I had my last chemo 15 Sept, and although I have a very thick covering of hair now (much thicker than before) it is still very short. I have given up wearing scarves when with friends, and people who know about my BC, but am still covering up when out & about as I feel that I would otherwise attract stares. I have bought some nice hats from Monsoon, and I now where these rather than scarves.
When my hair first started coming back it was a bit patchy, which worried me. However, after a few weeks it thickened up nicely all over.
Hello all
I had my last chemo on friday and can’t wait to get back to normal - whatever normal was! I’ve booked a holiday to Malta after rads finishes in April, and am really looking forward to some nice weather and a break away from all the misery of the last six months. I am not yet back at work - am gearing myself up for the end of April - my bosses have been brilliant, and have saved loads of office bound stuff for me.
My hair is already growing back - but the onc has warned that it may fall out again as a result of the last treatment! I’ve got used to not shaving my armpits - don’t want those hairs to hurry back. I’ve just bought a new wig though as I don’t think I’ll be confident to let it all hang out for a while!
Well done to everyone who’s finishing their chemo
Tracey x
Hi everyone
Just wanted to say that it depends on what you’ve had (whether it’s surgery, chemo, radiotherapy - all 3 or only some of them) as that will affect how you feel.
All I can say is don’t underestimate what you’ve been through and it takes a good year to a year and a half to start feeling ‘normal’ (whatever normal is!!).
Going back to work is another biggie - some people don’t understand what you’ve been through; emotionally as well as physically and a planned return back to work should be an essential part of you returning to work of gradually working up to the hours that you used to work.
Lesley - your company should be aware of the right procedures for you to go back to work. If they don’t there’s a website called ‘pointofdiagnosis’ which gives some info about how you are protected under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Pinkdove
x
Hi Julie… I see from different posts that each of us has a different take - it looks different for all of us.
I had my last Taxol on the 3rd of december. The tingling on the fingers is slowly fading, I am still occasionally tired - definitely not up to full speed - but I am feeling better everyday.
Hair is growing everywhere - lashes are almost there, legs and armpits need a shave (ugh, again), and hair is about 1/3 inch long (good coverage, but long from tresses…). I am starting to go around “commando”, simply because I am really sick of the wig and don’t like other coverages…
My nails and my skin got very, very dry after end of treatment, getting better now. Treat yourself to some really good skincare products…
Hi everyone
I finished 4 FEC and 4 tax on 31st December and still have surgery and radiotherapy to go. I was hoping to be back to normal by now, and even go back to work for the few weeks before surgery, but I am just not up to it yet. Its the leg swelling from the tax that is holding things up. My hair has a short grey covering and I have given up wearing my wig - I never felt comfortable in it, surprisingly most people hardly see to notice. You are right pinkdove, this is an individual thing.
I can’t wait for a holiday but I think it will have to wait a while yet.
Take care, Lois