Maybe chemo needs carbs and junk to work properly - lol, which means we are all being really good and listening to what our bodies need, and are helping ourselves to tolerate the treatment Works for me!
I found that the cheese straws gave me indegestion in the end, but think that was more to do with the quantity I consumed…
Can’t believe you were painting and decorating Anna, I doubt I could tolerate the smell - muchly brave warrior
As you can probably tell Jayne, FEC is all about feeling pants, interspersed with eating anything and everything in sight. Then in week three catching up with ‘normal’ things and feeling quite perky, before starting all over again! Don’t be worried because even if you feel really rough things soon change. 24 hours makes a big difference…oh and sleep when you can - make the most of it.
Good luck to this weeks’ swampies, and to those that are feeling rough. And to the perky ones enjoy the junk, it’ll soon pass and before you know where you are you’ll be off it (nightmare)
I haven’t been on the forums for a while…can’t trust myself not to read all the posts that I shouldn’t & end up depressing myself!!
Think positive…isn’t that what every man & his dog that we meet tells us we have to do??!..am I the only one that struggles with this advice sometimes?
Trumpet1…I have the achey chemo arm too…it can get very painful & stiff. It’s just the chemo tightening & hardening your veins (NICE!)…I was told to put a heat pack on it after chemo to try & ease it a bit, but I’ve found doing the stuff I got from the physio after my mx helps more with easing the pain and improving movement.
I’m having a giggle at the food conversation! I’ve put on over a stone in weight since my chemo started…I crave mainly bread, beetroot (??), scones, tablet (and my Mum keeps making me more!!)& OOoh…my absolute favourite at the moment…hot apple pie with caramel sauce, cinnamon & lots of vanilla ice cream…Yummmmmm! PMSL!!
I’m so proud of myself for making the switch from white bread to brown tho…how healthy am I?? LOL
I also set out to use my cross trainer everyday…but have managed about 4 sessions!..in fairness tho…it does make a lovely stand for my 2 wigs…that I never wear!!
I’m dreading trying to shift the weight that I’ve gained & am in a panic at the thought of becoming overweight…I’m right on the edge just now!! I don’t have the energy to walk to school & back very often so I really don’t get much excercise…and my onc won’t let me go swimming!!..although I’m not too sure how confident I’d be with my one boob & bald head getting into the water!! ;o)
…I’m just sooooo attractive right now!!
Anyway…best go get my wee girly from Playgroup…
Chemo number 4 tomorrow…EEK!..good luck to everyone else having chemo too!
I’ll repeat what many have said so far, thanks to you all for sharing the good (well funny moments really), the bad (at least am prepared if it happens) and the ugly (enough said).
Went for 1st FEC today, got a shock when saw the horse syringes! So far so good, had soup and toast for tea, just hope the anti-sickies keep working.
My sick note runs out today and am due back in work tomorrow after 3 months off (4 ops)and am really hoping I will be able to make it. I’ve been told your not allowed to drive day after, is this right?
Hi girls,
I’m not too bothered about the weight issue, I tend to lose half a stone in the first week of chemo and then put it back on during the second two weeks. I just keep thinking that my belly will probably be used for reconstruction if I decide to go ahead with it so there needs to be a reasonable amount there!!! Actually I’ve got plenty there for at least two good sized boobies. Who am I kidding?? Just bring on the cheese straws.
This feeling nauseous and food cravings, remind you of anything…?
Take care and love to you all,
Jane x
Cheese straws? Pah, that’s so lightweight, I ate an entire cheese and onion loaf yesterday.
And I don’t even have the excuse of needing the belly for reconstruction.
Does anyone else have the feeling that they are packing three weeks worth of life into the one good week of the chemo cycle? I find I mope around feeling sorry for myself for 10 days then have 7-10 days of manic rushing around trying to do everything I didn’t do in the previous 10 days plus trying to do things ahead of the chemo. I feel my life is somewhat manic at the moment. A bit like chemo bi-polar disease.
My your side-effects be minimal and your week be serene… yeah right.
Hi Everyone,
Gradually, this week, my hair has started hurting. Now if I’d admitted that to anyone else under any other circumstance, I would be cringing with embarrasement. What I was wondering is, does this mean the beginning of the end of my hair? (for now). I might be being paranoid, but I am finding hairs everywhere, not clumps, just hairs. I’ve only had 1 x Fec two weeks ago, and the side effects haven’t been too bad, though I know that the next one will be the killer. My hospital doesn’t offer the cold cap.
I hope everyone is getting through it, and I’m glad I’m not the only one with a craving for all that is to be found in carb heaven.
(and chocolate heaven).
My hair started to come out more than normal in the couple of weeks after my first FEC…but by day 13 I was able to pull out huge clumps of hair leaving wee baldy patches!!
I was lucky in that I didn’t have any pain at all when my hair was ready to go, but I made the decision to shave my head as I found it distressing after the initial…‘ooh…look what I can do’…wore off. I have to say tho, that I don’t have the shiny bald head I was expecting. I have 2 tiny little patches of shiny scalp above my ears now (I’m having my 4th FEC today), but I think my hair is actually starting to grow back already. I did have more of the shiny bald patches but they have all but gone now & I have a nice stubbly/fluffy head! LOL…I’m ready to superglue my eyebrows on tho…they seem to be rapidly getting thinner & thinner…and my eyelashes are a poor sight!
…on the up at least we’re bald over the winter & can hide it with woolie hats & not look out of place…no one realises that I have no hair unless I tell them, although I’m happy to go bald when I’m inside…way too cold outside! ;o)…I feel I’ve earned the right to have no hair! PMSL
LOL - deffo Hayz, it’s lovely having a bald secret isn’t it? I was out the other day wearing a beany and feeling a touch conspicuous. I then saw some lads walking on the other side of the road - also in beanies and was awash with a feeling of normalness! Was overcome with a desire to rip my hat off as I walked past - would have PMSL at their reaction.
At the moment, I make Kojak look hairy. And during chemo week my eyes look massive (in a boggly way) and I have a flattering yellow hue - Gok would be seriously stretched to make me over!!! Like you my eyebrows and eyelashes are getting seriously moth eaten and I think the Tax will finish the look, mmmm Duncan Goodhew is soooooo 1980’s!
Impressed with the cheese and onion loaf Helen - way to go!!! Yep, like you week three is packed with catching up on work, friends and life in general. Mad way to live isn’t it?
Off for sausage rolls, fried egg and last nights collision - ahhhhh my cup overfloweth!
Had to go have the Swine flu & seasonal flu vaccinations at the Flu clinic on Saturday…with every OAP in mt local area!!!
…all the men are bald, so I think ‘what the hell’ & take my hat off…looking around I’m feeling smug that I am the baldest person in the room…and chuckling to myself at the cheek of the bald men looking at MY head!! LOL
anyway…I sit down to have the swine flu jag & the nurse says to me…‘can I ask why you’ve been referred to have the swine flu vaccination?’!! She was suitably embarassed when I pointed to my head & said ‘well this isn’t my haircut of choice!’. She then asked…oh ‘are you having some kind of treatment???’…Sherlock aint got nothing on her!! ;o) …she then went into a blind panic when I told her that she couldn’t use my right arm for the seasonal flu jag (‘full ancillary clearance…oooh whats that?’)and started shouting on my Doctor who was at the other side of the room ramming a needle into some poor OAP! OMG…how embarrasing!
So…he comes over & decides that there’s no reason I shouldn’t have the second jag in my buttox…bearing in mind there are hundreds of people in this hall with me…I can think of a damned good reason not to!..so we then spend the next 10 minutes hunting the building for somewhere we can hide so he can give me this jag!..the best place we find???..behind the sand tray in the room the Playgroup use!! What an experience!! He then tells me that I need to do it all over again in 3 weeks time!!..I can’t wait!!
LMAO…I hope you all have a less eventful Swine Flu immunisation experience!!
…Oh well…I’m off to be poisoned by the lovely Chemo nurses…my phone has just reminded me that I have a bucketload of steroids to take now before I go!..wish me luck!
Good Luck to everyone who’s joining me in the land of nausea!
LMAO Hayz that is so funny, you’ve really made me laugh. think I might go and join the OAP queue next week to see what happens. You sometimes wonder about some of these nurses - I get the same when the district nurses turn up to do my Hickman line care and say ‘oh I haven’t seen one of those before, what do you do with this bit?’ hmmm, gives you great faith and confidence.
Hope the next few days treat you well.
Helen.
p.s. some small masochistic part of me wishes that I had lost my hair just so I could join you in the fun of being bald. Only a very small part mind you… and I may get my wish by Christmas with the way the top of my head is going.
LOL Hayz - you did make me laugh. Good luck for today - hope the land of nausea is not so bad.
I wear the woolly beanie hats too mainly because my head is sooo cold all the time and I think they don’t draw your attention to baldiness like the scarves perhaps do. I had two hat comments two days in a row. One was ‘oh you look so snugly and warm wrapped up in your hat and scarf’ (she must of thought it odd as it was quite mild at the time!) and followed by ‘oh I like your hat, it has got lovely sparkly bits in it’ - both of which I wanted to scream ‘I am bald and have got Cancer’ and whipping it off to see what their reaction would be - but I wasn’t as brave as you Hayz. I didn’t want to give the old ladies in the NT garden a heart attack!!
Ses - my hair started coming out at the end of week three of the 1st FEC and yes there were hairs everywhere. I managed to block the shower three days in a row! Your hair will probably mostly come out - like Hayz I just have a few fluffy bits all over. You say that your next FEC will be the killer - I don’t think it will. I found that my side effects were virtually the same throughout 1,2 and 3, no better but no worse, so you will probably be fine. Keep that in mind.
Helen - Yeah I agree, the first 2 weeks are a bit of a write off and this week (3rd week) I am cramming it in. Have been out all week, out last night and just about to throw my wig on and out again. Looking forward to a large glass of wine or two - b****r I can’t drink my fav yet ie red wine, coz it burns but strangely can manage white or rose - bring it on!!!
hi Everyone,
Thanks for all your advice, it really does help. I’ve made a decision. Yesterday, my hair did start to fall out and has got worse, so I’m going to my lovely local hairdressers and having it shaved off. It’s so irritating and hair is going everywhere. I was going to leave it and see, but I’m taking the plunge before it gets too bad. I have a wig, and they’ll style that too.
Hi Ses, good luck to you on the hair front. You’ll be amazed at how clean you feel without your hair. I had mine cut short, then shaved with a grade 3 blade, then a 0. Like you, I was fed up with finding hair everywhere; really unwholesome. I wash my head with baby shampoo and then moisturise it with baby oil, which I find keeps the skin in good condition. I also ‘air’ it as much as possible in the day to stop it from drying out.
Quite enjoyed my little self today despite not getting out for my walk (persisting rain) - although I nearly had a bit of moment when I went to collect a prescription. I used to go to school with the girl that works in the chemist (we’re talking late 70’s early 80’s) and I haven’t seen her since I left. When my name rang a bell with her, she gave me such a sweet smile as she asked how I am…errrrrrrrr what do you think luvie? I wanted to point out the ble****g obvious but was most gracious as I growled that I am fine! I wish she had just stuck to a cheery ‘what you up to’ rather than asking how I was - which she more than likely didn’t really want to know, and was probably just patter! The annoying thing is that I ended up feeling really mean for not cutting her any slack - soon passed though
Been very bad on my five a day today, as I had home made vegetable soup for lunch. Managed to cram in some chocolate coconut slice this afternoon, so redeeming myself nicely. Can feel some sweet chilli sensations coming on.
Gosh what a waffly post - pleased some parts of my personality haven’t been changed by this cancer malarky!
Ooops - accidentally pulled out a clump of hair today - I try not to fiddle with my hair but forgot and was twiddling it and hey ho off it came. Must remember not to do that again! Definitely got a bald top now, was wearing a hat for shopping today but had a hot flush and really couldn’t bear it so off it came too. Might just have to put up with the odd looks and live with being partly bald. Does anyone else find that you’re wig or hat spotting - never done it before but now noticing loads of women who must be having chemo (or maybe have alopecia) and are wearing wigs or scarves - I have to say I never used to notice so perhaps we all become that more self-conscious when we are ourselves affected.
Does anyone else find that their temperature control has gone up the spout? I used to really feel the cold, having to snuggle up under a blanket to watch tv in the evening but now I’m throwing clothes off left right and centre and turning the heating down. I’m beginning to turn into my mother which is somewhat worrying. I seem to have one permanent hot flush. Saves on the heating bills, I suppose.
I can’t drink red wine either, gives me instant indigestion. White is fine, and I had several glasses last night and feel a bit like a chemo day today, but no, just a self inflicted hangover so no sympathy due. Not sure I’ll ever be able to drink to excess again without being reminded of chemo sickness.
Had a fab full fried greasy builders breakfast this morning at the local taxi caff - just what is needed to deal with both hangover and chemo.
Making the most of my good days - next week is getting here far too fast.
Just a quick post to say not sure about the shiatsu - all to do with acupressure points and meridians ie like acupuncture with no needles. Didn’t come out feeling any different or more relaxed either. Mmmm might not bother with that one again. Must say have decided to work my way through them all on offer. Reflexology on Monday - am looking forward to that and Reiki after the next lot of swamp juice. Will report back.
My temperature control is a bit odd but perhaps not as odd as yours Helen - I am generally cold but on the few days after chemo I sweat at night. Then I am sort of back to normal.
Have a great weekend for all those in their good week and a best a weekend as poss for all those that have had the old juice.
I have been reading this thread a while and thinking oh dear me, everyone is having a bad time, what with hair loss, nausea, chemo brain, food cravings etc. I haven’t got any of those. Well, it seems to be starting on me now.
Had two doses of Epi so far, last one a week ago. Not had much nausea but really tired this week, can’t seem to stop eating but just wanting the unhealthy things, already putting on weight, getting forgetful and the hair is coming out. I have had the cold cap and hair started to come out just before the second Epi but only a bit. This week coming out a lot more, run my fingers through my hair and have quite a bit in my hand! Looked like someone had cut my hair in the shower the other day as there was so much. I have quite thick hair so it is still only thinning but have started to wear the wig I got this week. Went shopping to Manchester yesterday in it and felt very self conscious, was sure people were laughing at me. I know I will be better when got used to it. Hopefully be Ok by time of sister in law’s wedding next week. Have decided to get my hair cut next week though as it is annoying finding it all over my clothes just because I have touched my hair, it’s like I’m moulting.
Helen - feel similar about temperature control but the other way. I can’t seem to get warm some days and put the heating on only for OH to say it is roasting.
Hayz - really funny story about the flu jab. It is good to keep a sense of humour.
Annie, I ditched the wig! I felt way to self concious with it on too…felt like everyone knew it was a wig! I think I’ve had it on a couple of times & it just feels so fake (obv!!). I ended up with a crick in my neck from trying not to move?? & was so paranoid that I looked like a burst couch 'cause you can’t feel if it’s all over the place!..ooh & they get so tuggy…my own hair was never like that so it’s a real pain having to brush it all the time!
I’ll maybe wear it to a couple of Christmas partys with the kids tho…might look a bit odd with a woolie hat on & my eldest is understandably a bit nervous about my bald head around a lot of boys he doesn’t know well. He’s fine with his close friends, but I don’t want to have him worry about what the older kids are saying about his Mum’s baldy noggin!! LOL
I found some fab normal hats in Debenhams that I wear all the time…they cover your full head & you can’t tell that you have no hair…if it’s really cold I have stuck a wig on underneath for extra warmth and I have to say I look quite funky! LOL
I bought a few beau beau scarfs online from America too, which are lovely…but do scream ‘Cancer’!! so I’ve stuck with the hats mainly.
I know that the whole hair falling out thing is initially devastating & no matter how much you joke about it before hand & say you’ll be fine with it…it’s still a shock & I was gutted when it did actually happen. I shaved my head myself & it did take a bit of time, but now I’m neither up nor down with it. I no longer run for a hat when the door goes and happily sit in restaurants with the bald look…we’ve earned the right to be bald!..and I have to say other peoples reactions can be so so amusing!!
…as for the temperature thing ladies…windows all flung open one minute & the heating on full bung the next!! I can’t seem to get a happy medium!!..again…glad it’s not just me!
Well, I’m off to have a chip, bacon & beetroot sandwich!?..why?? I don’t know…sounds a weird combination to me, but it’s what I fancy…I’m not 100% convinced that I’m not pregnant rather than having BC!!..no such luck tho!!
Need some advice please. Since yesterday I have had an awfull pain just below my right ear/jaw bone which travels down my neck. Have taken pain killers but nothing seems to be shifting it. Im due chemo on Tuesday so panicking it may have to be cancelled. Has anybody else had anything like this?
Thanks
Karen xx
I had reflexology last week - it was soooooo relaxing. I didn’t want her to stop. I’ve had reflexology before when they really put a load of pressure on so it hurts a bit, supposedly to do some good. Not sure I believe in all that stuff, but this reflexology was basically a lovely foot massage with relaxing music. They should give it to us while we are having the chemo itself - would be so nice.
I’ve had aromatherapy which was ok but the strength of the oils was reduced because I was undergoing chemo and they say our livers are doing too much work as it is without adding the oils to it. It was pleasant but I felt very oily afterwards!
I also have acupuncture which certainly chills me out if nothing else. Don’t think I’ll bother with Reiki.
Isn’t it great that all these facilities are available to us and provided free by the likes of Macmillan and the other cancer trusts? I plan to raise some money for them when I finish treatment to give something back. Signed up for the moonwalk already.
Wills - don’t have any advice but make sure you phone your chemo nurses or gp on Monday or the after hours service today - they should be able to look at it and advise you. Don’t worry about delaying chemo - if it happens it’ll only be for a couple of days.
Hi all - warning for all of those with hair still…never underestimate the value of nose hair! Cooooo eeeee since mine left my nose has been so runny - guess there’s nothing to inhibit the flow! Caused me loads of drama yesterday in Marks and Spencer - nearly had to buy a handful of hankies, but fortunately managed to eek out the tissues I had. Tis truly a nightmare!
Was delighted to get out and about yesterday, even though it was only for an hour :0 Today has felt incredibly ‘normal’ too, complete with the ‘Sunday’ feeling (going in to work for a couple of hours each day this week). If only I wasn’t as bald as an egg…
Hope you’re feeling better Karen; thanks for mailing me.
Helen - yup the complementary bits are great aren’t they. I signed up with a local day hospice and they have been brilliant. I’m having accupuncture for the sickness and nausea (which I believe works) and will be able to go on and have a course of something once the chemo is over. The lovely thing is that my mum (who is doing most of the caring during chemo week and who is really struggling with my diagnosis and treatment) has been offered help too. She is going to get some counselling on Tuesday and will be able to have a course of the complementary therapies too if applicable. Although I’m OK, she hates to see me enduring this and as such can be quite tearful and stressed about things. I HATE the effect this bloomin diagnosis is having on the people around me and wish I could do something to alleviate their suffering. In the grand scheme of things I’m not suffering, so why should they??? Grrrrrrr!
Hope all those being swamped this week get on OK and that the SEs for everyone next week are minimal. Just think, another one nearer the end of all this - hurrah
Sending big hugs and positive vibes to you all
Loocie
xxx
Works for me!