I’ve sent a facebook request to Hazel and Al (don’t know anyone else’s surnames. Having said that I don’t use it very often, need to get my daughter to train me up as I usually just e-mail.
Good luck to everyone this week - Helen hope you are feeling ok.
Loocie and Helen - can you let me know if you felt that the acupuncture helped?
Lots luck to everyone this week
Lynn x
Hi Linbin - would say acupuncture has helped. I can’t believe I was well enough to even leave the house yesterday. When I arrived at the hospice I felt all heavy and pooped out, but after the acupuncture I felt much lighter and energised. Been sleeping for most of the day today - but just went with what my body needed. I’d recomend acupunture to you - has been great for me and really hope you get the same benefit if you go for it. No vomiting - heaven!
Running off now, will seek you out on FB when my energy has increased. Lotsalove for now xxx
Hi All
well, back in the land of the living with the chemo delayed till next Tuesday because of poor bloods - I’m neutropenic apparantly, with neutrophils too low for the chemo. So a 4 day wait and then onto the granu whatsit injections for 7 days every cycle to try and keep the bloody bloods up.
I’m peeved - just want to get this over and done with, and the delay now puts all my weekend plans out of joint. grrrrrrr.
Linbin, don’t know yet about the acupuncture, I was feeling fine when I had it yesterday - it was prevention rather than cure. My next one was supposed to be tomorrow but I will now delay until after my next chemo so will let you know how it goes.
I saw the onc who has got my GP to prescribe the Emend drug - the Onc isn’t allowed to prescribe but the GP agreed to - he rang him up and arranged it all personally for me - what great service! He also said that my symptoms were fairly weak so now I’m feeling a totally whingeing wimp! Lol, I don’t mind if the new drug works.
Found two lumps in the underside of my arm just above my armpit last week and waited to see the BCN today to ask if they were significant - referred immediately to the breast surgeon who did my surgery - fortunately she said they are an aspect of cording, probably as a result of small infection in my SNB scar which still hasn’t fully healed. They should go away on their own in a while, so glad that’s not something else to worry about.
Off to enjoy another SE free weekend - might have to do some housework for a change!
Helen.
Helen - sorry that your chemo has been delayed, especially when you are feeling fine too!
I was surprised to hear that your Onc couldn’t prescribe Emend for you - it was the reverse for me. The Onc prescbribed it without hesistation whereas my GP (who would have probably done it but had never heard of it) didn’t. Anyway whatever you have got it to try which is good.
I had cording (well 1 cord) a few weeks after my second op. It looked like a cord/piece of string that ran from my armpit to my elbow - you could see it on the surface of the skin. It did go after a few weeks but at the time I couldn’t lift my arm properly - which I can now.
Just having a break between the joys of housework - well I suppose I should as I haven’t done any for ages, but can think of better things to do, like post on here LOL
Lynn xx
Hey everyone!
Hope everyone is feeling good today!
Feeling a little pukish today but i think it’s because i didn’t get up in time to take the antisickness pills! haha hope it’ll be gone soon.
Somehow, because of the steriods, i’m able to sleep properly at around 5-6am.
Al - Firstly …YAY to being chemo buddies!!! 
i think being postive is half(or more) the battle won!! I also believe that it aids the healing process too so we should just try to be happy all the time and make the best of the situation ya??!!! Of course, I’ve some ‘off’ time once in a while especially when i’m having my tummyaches but that blows over quite quickly so it’s all good!!
The portacath was inserted the day before my first chemo. I had some trouble with my veins when i had my CT scan. It took them 7 tries before they found a suitable one at the back of my hand. I then mention this to my Onc and he suggested the portacath. You should seriously consider this, the procedure is just a little uncomfortable with quite a bit of pushing, and it’s just a little sore the few days after but a bit of painkiller would fix that in a jiffy!! During chemo, it’s just takes a prick and you are ready for the blood test and the chemo.
I had constipation on Day 2-4 and tummy was ok for a bit. However, eating certain foods have me a tummyache from about Day 7 onwards. Anything too creamy, buttery, rich would trigger it off. Beans, almonds, choco, fruits after dinner are a no no for me now. Hopefully it’ll be better this time round and i now know what i can or cannot eat.
Hope you’ll find a nice wig today! i haven’t got down to looking for one yet though i really should. May i know how you went about getting someone to come down to your house? Thanks!!
okies. Take care all!!
Hugs,
Sylvia
Hi Ladies,
Linbin, don’t know if everyone in my area gets a muga scan, as I’m 51 perhaps they thought they better check my ticker was up to it. I know its beating well because since my mx I can really feel it now there is no padding in front of it!!! Had to have 2 injections one clear, one dye and then a heart scan.
Leucite and Linbin, I also had cording after my mx, nothing you could see but a tight ripping sensation from my armpit to my elbow. It was really uncomfortable to start with but I massaged my upper arm when it was bad and it seemed to help. I don’t have much of a problem now although I still have a bit of a tightness in my armpit which is stopping me from raising my arm completely. I am 5 weeks post surgery.
I am now 10 days after my first FEC and still with very little SE’s. I reckon they are really going to hit me next time…
Joined the modern world yesterday and bought an i pod and have managed to download some nice relaxing music. My 13 year old can’t believe I managed to do it myself!!! Just got to work out Facebook now, people keep sending messages etc and I don’t know what to do with them!
Everyone seems to be a bit more cheerful this week, long may it last.
Hope you all have a reasonable weekend, love to you all,
Jane
Jane
Thanks for that. I am 50 in November (great 50th that’s going to be!!- think I’ll put that one on hold), so anyway might ask them about this muga scan.
Also LOL re facebook - just trying to fathom it out now. My daughter gave me a lesson on it last night! Bit of a technophobe or just old LOL!!
Lynn x
Oh Lyn, I thought it was bad enough not celebrating my 25th Wedding Anniversary properly in September but we will have a party on here to celebrate your half a century. Do let us know when it is.
At least we can all supply our own party hats!!!LOL
Love to you all,
Jane
Hi Girls,
Well I may have been a bit light on the side effects so far but I am only day 12 first FEC and my hair is coming out today. No such luck as being my leg or bikini area just my head. Its really sore tonight too. Def need to get the scissors/ razor out. Will start wearing my wig tomorrow.
Hope you are all good, just watching the X Factor, who will be out tonight??? I know who I’d like it to be!!!
Take care, love to you all,
Jane
Hi all
Well had first session of chemo on Friday. On 4 epi at present up to Christmas and then 8 x CMF. All went fine, not as bad as thought at all.
Was at hospital from 10am till just after 3pm so do not think I did too badly. Most of the time spent waiting to have blood taken and then wait for blood results, and wearing cold cap which I had on for about 2 hours. Although really cold at first, soon got used to it and it was OK. Did feel chilly all evening though especially in my head.
Helen - thanks for the advice of dressing warmly!!
Over the weekend been OK, slight nausea and feeling tired but not the washout of a weekend I thought it may be. I know everyone is different and every time is different but so far so good. I hope it continues.
Hope everyone else is doing OK. Best wishes to all.
Annie
Hi All
Had the Bowen Therapy on Friday (google it) and that night I slept for 12 hours (in two 6 hour shifts with wee break). This is unheard of I usually only sleep for 4-6 hours!!! So something has happened.
Hope it will also help with my 2nd FEC due tomorrow. Went for bloods today - neuts ok now - felt sick just walking into the unit. There is always something to humble us and help us count our blessings - I chatted to a young girl in her twentys and her mum. She has been having two years of treatment!!! I am pathetic only got 6 sessions to get through and then I can kiss it goodbye - I hope. Well done Annie your first one sounds so much less painful than you thought - hope the cold cap works. LOve to all you lovely Feccers and Epiers xxxx
Hi All
I know exactly how you feel Gemjunkie…I feel sick at the thought of going back into the unit on Wednesday for my bloods & Thursday for number 3 FEC & anytime I say the word chemo I actually feel physically sick too. I hope it’s something that’ll ease with time!
I have a funny wee jaggy plasticy bit on my wound this week, which is nice!..I’m assuming that it’s a dissolvable stitch that just hasn’t disolved…(better than my original panic at OMG! it’s spread!!).I’m now wondering how on earth they’re gonna get it out!
I’m sure whatever they do will be completely painless, given that I have no feeling in the area anyway!!..thankfully!
Good Luck to all the lovely ladies having chemo this week…me included!:o( …and hope everyone else isn’t suffering too badly with SE’s!!
Hazel xx
Hi Hazel
I had little jaggy bits annoying me too - my onc told me to pull them out with tweezers - yes they were dissovable stitches and were rubbing on my arm. I just got a grip on them with my fingernails and pulled out - very sterile!!!lol x
LOL!
Have already tried that one!! Pulled as hard as I could with the tweezers, but the damned thing is stuck fast!!..my surgeon must have been cracking at the old stitching…very secure!! :o)
Hx
Hi All,
OMG - unheard I’ve been out all day today afer 12 days of nausea. I can’t believe how s****y you feel one minute or as I said 12 days and then just about perfectly fine…so making the most of it this week.
Hazel and Lynb - I have to admit that I have that very same feeling of dread when I go in again. But we are all in this together so lots and lots luck to you both this week… will be thinking of you. Me next tues!
Hazel - (I am a nurse for my sins…but just as vulnerable as everyone else), but with regard to your stitch. Lyn’s Onc is right you can pick out a dissolvable stitch, but if you can’t do that get some really clean scissors and just cut off the bit protruding near to the skin as poss… actually just thought of something you may not be able to reach LOL and any other bits will work their way out on their own.
Best of luck to you both and anyone else with side effects at the moment.
Lynn xx
Hi folks, sounds like you’re all psyching yourselves up nicely for the next round. Like you,
the thought of going back was a mare, but I just kept telling myself it was a new experience and that it would be different. Seemed to help - I’m sure if I’d allowed myself to think it would be like the first time, wild horses wouldn’t have dragged me there. Good luck to you all facing your next dose - it’ one nearer the end ;0
I’m day 9 of round two and feeling ok. The worst thing this time was the dopeyness - I was away with the faeries for days! Was wicked looking back, but was horrid at the time!
Got a serious case of chocolate munchies, even though I can’t taste them! Must be something in the texture that’s doing it for me. Sadly tho, maltesers aren’t making the grade. I tried to follow your recommendations, but it just wasn’t happening!
Had a real crisis yesterday when TV broke! Fortunately Pop to the rescue, and now have replacement until new one arrives…phew! Could have been a serious setback.
Mind how you go peeps, lotsalove to you all
xxx
Hi
Sorry to be bearer of bad news but i am not handling this very well. I really feel like giving up on chemo…worse than first session, is it only me - most people seem to be doing better second time.
My onc cut my epirubicin dose by 20% so only 3 phials this time but as it went in I got the same reaction as last time - itchy back and a hive coming up on my other arm. Allergy? - I dont know but the sickness came on in the evening and was as bad as last time - I went to bed and had hourly drenching hot sweats but no temperature. Weeping and very sick and down. I was so depressed. - I can’t be upbeat all the time. I hope I am not scaring new chemo girls out there - not everyone gets it this bad. I have taken emend - ondansetron - domperidone- anti constipation drugs. I spoke to my onc today and he said he would think carefuly about what to do next time. I told him I feel like giving up and he said he understands and will try to make it easier for me. He told me not to take the steroids as I got the crazys last time. I hope I am well enough to go for my Bowen Therapy on friday!
Stayed in bed all day today - now 3 am and sitting in the living room hoping the ondansetron will work…stopped crying now but wish this was all over. Lynb x
Hi Lyn,
Sounds really horrible! We can’t be upbeat all the time it is very unpleasant stuff. Sure you have phoned your GP and the hospital to see if there is anything else they can do. Don’t give up, they will make it better, and even if you think you can’t get through it now, YOU WIll!! If any of those pesky cancer cells are hiding anywhere it will show them where to go!!
Sending lots of love and looking forward to your post were you say you are feeling better!
xx
Aw Lynb…sorry you feel so awful!
Sending lots of hugs :o)
I felt worse after my 2nd FEC & believe me I’m not looking forward to round 3 this afternoon…but I’ll get thru it somehow…and so will you!
Don’t give up on the Chemo…just think, if it’s making you feel this awful, what’s it doing to any wee random cancer cells??! I’m just looking at it as a necessary evil that’ll give me the best chance of seeing my 3 gorgeous kids growing up! It’s all that keeps me going on my worst days…I have days too where I sob constantly & feel so down that I don’t think I’ll get through this, but then the fog lifts & I start to feel a bit better…remember there are the few days where we feel ‘normal’ to look forward too!
Keep your chin up…we’ll all get thru this crap together! It’s awful, but every one is one closer to the end of this awful journey…and I’m sure it’ll make us stronger…I hope!! ;o)
Love Hazel xxx
Oh Lynb,
I am so sorry to hear that you are having an awful time of it. I am going to ditto what trumpet and Hayz have said but I too felt worse 2nd time round. I falsely thought the nausea was better on day 1 and 2 than last time, but actually it wasn’t - it almost seemed to get worse and lasted for 12 days. I don’t think I was upbeat or smiled in the 12 days - all I did was whinge and moan! I felt that I had lost the ability to smile or laugh. I have had exactly the same thoughts as you… I said to my OH last week that I was going to ring them and stop further treatment as I felt so rough. I then woke up Sunday afer 12 days of yuk and felt fine. However I too have spoken to the docs this morning to ask if I could have a dose reduction. I don’t think she was too keen but said they would talk about the pros and cons on Tuesday.
I keep thinking I CAN’T DO IT - but then you start feeling ok again and then you say to yourself, it’s horrible its crappy but I CAN! It’s good you are going to try the Bowen therapy - I phoned my local cancer charity this week and am going for some hypnotherapy tomorrow morning with regard to the nausea. I just think any help you can get is worth a try.
Don’t be hard on yourself - take any support you can get from anyone, and hope you feel better soon… Lots of love and hugs
Lynn xx