Progress update – 3 months since finishing chemotherapy

I say 3 months since finishing chemo, but to be fair, it feels like cheating when taxol turned out to be such a breeze (at least as far as chemo goes, with my personal frame of reference being AC!), especially given my hair – very slowly – began growing around 4 weeks into taxol.   So let’s put it this way; it’s been 6 months since I finished AC and 3 months since I finished taxol – and therefore chemotherapy.

So, I meant to write this post 2 weeks ago for those who are following on behind me and keen to know my progress at the 3 month mark.   Do keep in mind I am still having herceptin every third Friday and of course on tamoxifen daily for oooooohh about the next half decade but hey outside of that, this is life after chemo 🙂

• I now have short hair – no longer a blade anything, but enough that it is generally assumed I got my hair cut by those not in the know – it’s about one and a half inches, and definitely could be considered a pixie cut.  Of course everyone has decided my hair looks better like this than long.  But I am the judge and the jury and I am still out on that one 😉  Oh and in terms of chemo curls, I don’t think so, perhaps a little thicker though – and definitely a little grayer!
  
• My emotions appear to be back in check somewhat.  After an initial post chemo battle with the blues, I began running again and it profoundly helped my mood.   It certainly isn’t all smooth sailing on the emotional front but overall I am in a pretty good place – particularly since deciding to embrace a new post cancer life reality (see post)
• My boobs are now 4 weeks post the tissue expander exchange.  I am getting used to my new smaller, wider (what cleavage), higher set and eagerly awaiting the next stage – the nipple reconstruction.  In the meantime, I continue to embrace the temporary nipple tattoos, they are a winner (link)!    Actually I need to order more, in typically clumsy fashion I’ve damaged a couple along the way and I really don’t want to run out.  But I’m still wearing the damn band after the PS decided another 2 weeks couldn’t do any harm.  So over it, inevitably seem to rip it off half way through the night as I thrash around in discomfort.  Perhaps I should take on the project of producing comfortable post breast surgery strapping for fellow sufferers?!
• Hot flushes/flashes continue.   They certainly aren’t as noticeable as they were in the first few weeks post chemo/starting tamoxifen.   But they are a right royal pain in the butt just the same!  They occur most when I am stressed or worried, which must be a few times a day/night….
• Energy levels – I think they’re are pretty much back to normal.  I’ve always loved my sleep and that hasn’t changed.  My running times aren’t what they used to be but hey I figure if I can run 46.5km in a week 3 months after finishing chemo then I really can’t complain about my energy levels just the same.  Oh and I am about to start training for my first triathlon which happens at the end of October.  Scared!
• My weight is back to pre chemo levels – hallelujah!  I did have to work at it though.  There were 5 kilos to deal with, which took some concentrated effort to begin with.  Once I resumed a more normal eating/exercise pattern though it became kind of effortless, just the way I like it!
• Chemo-brain doesn’t seem to be an issue.  I can lack motivation at times work wise – but it’s more to do with ‘is this really so important’ than a lack of clear headedness me thinks
• Fear of intimacy and lower sex drive are definite concerns.  Except they’re not because I haven’t got a partner or love interest at the moment.  Actually I went to a young women with BC support group to hear a sexologist speak yesterday which was pretty interesting.  Will blog separately about that laters!
• Chemopause continues, am starting to fear it’s not chemopause but menopause 😦 shall keep you posted

Right so that about sums it up – hot flushes and slower running times are the biggest issues.   Let’s hope they have passed for my 6 month up date down the track 😉