Self-discovery through Triple Negative Cancer

  When diagnosed with cancer all you focus on is getting through it the best you can and fighting it into remission. Before I began the fight I was relatively healthy and had no signs or symptoms of even having cancer. It is such a big learning curve when going through the journey of cancer. I didn’t realise the extent of damage that the chemotherapy has on your mind and body. There is such a huge array of side effects from chemotherapy that can be short and long lasting.  I managed to get through the rough AC Dose dense drugs reasonably unscathed. Then I went onto paclitaxel and things took an unwanted turn as I experienced the side effect of Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN).  So what is CIPN?  Cancer Council of Australia (2020) informs that Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nerves. These are the nerves located away from the centre of the body, such as in the hands and feet. Unlike other cells in the body, nerve ...

  Half way You have to celebrate the small wins and the big wins. I have completed four rounds of the nasty red devil and survived. I had an ultrasound to see how the cancer has responded to the first four rounds and I can happily say the cancer has shrunk. Still waiting for confirmation from my oncologist as Easter holidays have impacted that, but the lovely lady who did my ultrasound informed me that the cancer has shrunk 2cm and is now sitting at 0.7cms. This was something worth celebrating which I did with my friends and family.  I had my follow-up appointment with my oncologist and after reviewing how I managed the side effects of the first drug he has decided to do dose dense treatment with my next drug. This means I will have more condensed treatment less frequently. So instead of 12 rounds weekly, it will be 4 rounds fortnightly. Hence finishing my chemo treatment over four months instead of the original six months. Pretty happy about that. Positives of this is only fo...