Yes, I can’t believe we are all nearly through it. Two months on from my last FEC and I’m feeling great, think all the chemo effects have gone. Just need to get rid of the third spare tyre around my middle now - two hours in the gym this morning will help, I hope, although exercise always makes me starving so I eat more.
Finished rads on Friday and now have a very sore and red boob, going bra-less at the moment - not ideal in the gym lol! Hopefully it should improve over the next couple of weeks.
Enjoying my last afternoon of freedom till I take my first tamoxifen tonight. The chemo hot flushes have just about gone so I will be really unimpressed if the tamoxifen brings them all back. Fingers crossed.
Does anyone have any thoughts as to when I could colour my hair again - it badly needs some highlights? I’d hate to highlight it and the hair all fall out after so much effort with the cold cap to keep it all. The bald patch on the top is growing back and all the little hairs stand straight up like I’ve stuck my finger in an electric socket. The other bits of me that were also bald have most definitely got a full something of hair going on now (much to the OH’s disappointment lol), although my legs don’t seem to be very hairy - long may it continue!
Did my tax return yesterday and I am owed all of 25p from HMRC - oooh, I’ll have to go and treat myself to a lolly!
Keep going all of you still in the swamp - there is life out there still!
Quick Question of all you Tax vetrans. I have my first Tax on Friday following FEC, which was not too bad for me. 1) should I paint my nails black to protect them 2) do the pre steroids keep you up all night and 3)I’m worried about possible allergic reaction first time has anyone experienced it? Any help appreciated. XX
Hi Ladies,
Welcome Mini, I didn’t bother to paint my nails because they are rubbish anyway and I am certainly paying for it now with bits peeling off everywhere. I think there are others here who did paint their nails so they may help you more on that one. As regards sleeping and steroids, my onc told me that I would not sleep and prescribed me mild sleeping pills. I don’t find the actual steroid days a problem but several days after and I still don’t sleep well even with the sleeping tablets. Don’t think I am active enough so it is a bit of a vicious circle. Thirdly, the nurses are very concious of the possible allergic reaction at my hosp they started it very slowly and kept checking me and then speeded it up slightly. I can’t remember if anyone on here has had a reaction, I think there might have been one a little way back. Good luck anyway.
Loocie, I have one very runny eye and I was a bit shocked when you said you still had it 4 weeks later. Hoped it would have gone by then.
Helen as regards hair colour, I think I read somewhere that you can only use a non chemical hair colour after chemo. My hairdresser told me a while ago that she was using one on a lady at the salon she works at. Her client there had gone through chemo. I shall def be having to use it eventually as my hair is coming back white!!! Suppose I should be grateful that it is coming back!! I don’t know how long you have to wait after chemo but I have a feeling there was a thread on this sit a little while ago about hair colours.
Good luck to the girls having cocktails this week, it’ll be another one done.
Love to you all,
Jane xx
I painted my nails very dark before my first Tax (1 undercoat & 2 coats of colour then a top coat just to be sure! lol)& have kept them dark throughout.
I’ve had 3 cycles of Tax so far & I can honestly say that my nails have never been stronger! My cuticles have all but gone & my fingertips do ache for a few days after treatment, but my nails are great. They usually break a lot, but they’re getting so long that I’m going to have to cut them…and sort out the chipped polish :o)
I didn’t have any sleeping problems with FEC, but I do with Tax. I seem to be late in bed & up very early for around 4 days when I start the steroids…I catch up when the fatigue kicks in tho around day 4 post chemo!
I’ve come to find that, for me, if I give in to it & take it really easy & sleep for a couple of days then the side effects pass quicker & are less.
I wouldn’t worry too much about any allergic reactions…the chemo nurses will monitor you closely for your first 2 cycles.
Good Luck Sarah for Wednesday…WOOP WOOP!!..last one too!!
…Congrats Helen for finishing rads! My Chemo nurse told me that the semi permanant hair dyes should be fine to use, as they aren’t as harsh or use the same chemicals.
I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel!..roll on a week on Friday when I should be thru the se’s and getting ready for my lovely rads tattoos!
Best of Luck to everyone else having treatment this week
so great to hear loads of folk at their last chemo dose - I have tax II tomorrow then 2 after that -roll on 15 March and I will join you in the post chemo club after 8 sessions then I move to rads and haven’t even started looking at that yet - I will as Scarlet O’Hara says think about that tomorrow
must paint my nails tonight - I can see some damage already.
I have to say that Epi was a breeze compared to tax but I have weeks not months ahead of me and will speak to the Onc tomorrow re the thrush and the nose bleeds to see if there is anything he can do over what I am doing already.
Thanks for sharing the good news that this too passes girls - really helps
Good to read all the posts on how everyone is feeling since finishing chemo. Its a good feeling but dont think it has registered with me that I have actually finished chemo. Have had a terrible time again, back in hospital with temp of 38.5 felt really rough. Had the normal tests done, doctor thought there was an underlying infection so on mega antibiotics now. Really dont think my poor little body could of coped with another tax anyway so its a good job that was my last one. Got my Rads planning on the 8th Feb then I start Radiotherapy on the 25th Feb I also have to have an echocardiogram on the 23rd as I am starting Herceptin after rads so it looks like Feb/March is going to be hospital, hospital, hospital. I am very jealous that you all seem to have started your keep fit regime. I still have to have a lie on the bed to recover from going up the stairs! Has anyone changed their diet? I was not one for lots of processed foods, ready meals or junk food but I am certainly going to look more closely at the food we now eat.
Anyway keep up the good work ladies. Keep well.
Lots of love to you all
Karen xxx
Hi Karen,
So glad you are back, was wondering how you were getting on.
You have certainly got on with your rads, I don’t even see the consultant until the 15th and will then have to have planning etc after. I was hoping not to start until March, looks like that is the earliest it will be.
I know what you mean about fitness, dusting the exercise bike is enough for me at the moment. It will come, we are not as far ahead as some these fitness freaks!!! I will get there but at my own pace.
Well I am going to bed, wonder what time I shall get to sleep tonight, it was 6.00am the other day and I had to get up at 7.30. Never mind I shall make it up one day,
Love Jane xx
Hey Hayz and Sarah - good luck for Wednesday and Thursday, almost there, whoo hooo!! And Karen too - well done for joining the good riddance chemo club. Karen - I’m obviously not doing so well with my fitness campaign, managing to pull a calf muscle after doing some very light dance moves!!!
Mini - I would take hayz advice and paint your nails dark, just in case. Unfortunately I did mine too late and six have dropped off completely. Steroids also had quite an effect on me. Really buzzy the day before and night (didn’t sleep at all) and felt really tired when they had stopped.
Don’t think anyone has had an allergic reaction to Tax on this thread and it is fairly rare…the nurses will keep an eye on you so don’t worry.
Helen - well done for finishing Rads…you’re quite a bit ahead of us. I was told not to use hair dyes for 6 months following chemo but there may be variable advice on that one.
Now I am almost 4 weeks following last Tax dose I am filling up my days seeing friends etc - I have been holding onto the Tamoxifen since last Tuesday trying to work out when I should start as the side effects are putting me off…and I want to see my friends without feeling nauseous etc. Don’t think I could do nausea again after FEC.
Off to get ‘tattooed’ tomorrow - thought I might ask for something a little more interesting than a few dots…really will have to stop myself saying ‘come on surely you can be a little more artistic than that’.
Most of us are nearly there now, and a few getting there… and the few getting there remember it does go so quickly.
Lynn x
Well its the start of another week and I am soooo pleased to hear so many of you are nearing end of gunk stage. You must be really looking forward to it. ROCK ON!
Interesting to read about painting nails dark for Tax, is this because they normally go that colour or to help stopping them drop off. Does it have to be black or can a plum colour do. Otherwise I shall have to go out and buy some.
Read on an earlier thread that there is a natural hair colourant available from Holland and Barratts which is supposed to be gentle.
Still waiting for my hair to start falling out yet but it has now gone very dry.
took my first tamoxifen last night and … nothing. Forgotten I’d taken it all day! My OH says ‘don’t hold your breath, the side effects will probably kick in after a couple of days’. Lol, thanks for the encouragement! Although I do think one of the long term side effects I’ve got from something is to become a shopaholic - I don’t seem to be able to stop. Not doing the bank balance much good, I must say. I’ll just have to head down the gym a bit more to keep myself occupied until I get some work.
Anyway, so far so good! I should really have plucked up courage and taken them earlier.
Yo ex and current swampers, isn’t it great talking about hair dye and nail polish rather than bowels, puking and thrush LOL, we knew the time would come, but it feel surreal.
You may have noticed, I had ten million different SE’s (well it felt like it), but my nails aren’t too bad at all. They were looking really dodgy a couple of weeks ago, but seem to have improved. I just keep them really short and well moisturised. And, miracle of miracles my taste buds are getting back to normal. I actually managed some melon, kiwi and pineapple today - first fruit for about three months!
Unlike some of you I didn’t have a problem with steroids - Mini, I took them at 0800 in the morning and 1400 in the afternoon (dose was 8mg Dexamethasone). I guess I was lucky that they didn’t make me buzz or keep me awake.
Pleased you got on OK with the Tamoxifen Helen - hope you do too Lynn. Yet to have the pleasure, but maybe after my planning on the 10th
Took wiggy for a walk in the park the other day, and it was better behaved than when I wore it for driving in. In fact it was lovely to see some hair floating about in front of my eyes - bought back memories!!!
Off to try out the old tastbuds on some hummus (with chopped sun dried tomatoes, alf alfa, basil and pine nuts) on toast. So in answer to your question Karen, yes personally I have changed my diet. All a bit vegan and earth mothery (dairy free too), but strangely seems to suit my ‘new’ body quite well!
Helen - That’s great news, no side-effects from Tamoxifen, must be such a relief for you. I was really pleased to hear it - right deffo will take tomorrow night now. I know I must take them but have been sitting on them. Just needed that extra bit of encouragement. I hope I will be the same… fingers crossed.
OMG I agree with you about the shopping - it’s like a whole new world out there waiting for me to spend, spend, spend. Haven’t been properly shopping ie for clothes for around 7 months. Near Xmas went to a NT garden and ended up buying a Robin (not a real feathered variety lol) just because I needed to buy something, not because I really needed another fake Christmas decoration cluttering up the house! Really peed off last Thursday when I had a nice trip out planned to get some boots and I pulled my calf muscle exercising - I think someone up there knew that I might be out of control with the cash!
Went for Radiotherapy planning today and got the ‘tattoo’ - 3 black inky dots under the skin. Starting Rads 18th Feb for 4 1/2 weeks.
Loocie when are you starting? MMMmmm your lunch sounded so good and healthy too.
OOOoooo - hair is growing back too. Look like I’m on a greenpeace march but hey it’s a start!
Lots of hugs to all those going through the s/e’s this week and a big Whoo Hoo to Hazel and Sarah (and anyone else) finishing this week.
Lynn xx
Hi everyone,just coming out of my SE’s I think it’s the smell and taste of chemo that’s worse, still things getting better. start new regime 15th what wonders will it hold LOL.
Hayz how’s your arm? and last chemo Hurrah
Helen, finished Rads well done I had tamoxifen I took it before bed and honestly didn’t have any adverse effects, I already had hot flushes so what ones I did have didn’t bother me.
Lynn I’m waiting until I finish before worrying about getting fit I read today that going up and down stairs for 15mins was a good work out, I’ve yet to try it YEA!!
Mini I reacted to 2nd EIP but was closely monitored so no problem after.
Karen hope you’re feeling better
Jane good luck with Rads and tamoxifen.
Well done to those who’ve finished chemo, good luck with Rads and for us starting or in the middle of chemo onwards and upwards.
Love Kath
Thanks for the laughs Hair nails catapillers etc
Hope you managed to have a good nights sleep, there is nothing worse than lying in bed watching the clock go round and listening to your oh snoring happily next to you! I have been sleeping a bit better just recently. I am still getting the awful hot flushes but not as many, thank goodness.
It still hasnt sunk in yet about no more chemo, I think its because I am still suffering the side effects of the last one. I cannot believe how quick the time has gone, I remember saying on a few occassions that I couldnt take any more and here I am finished! so pleased I stuck with it. So, a note to any ladies out there going through chemo YOU CAN DO IT!! I have been looking at the ‘race for life’ website today and am going to have a go at it. I wont be jogging just fast pace walking as I am very aware of my limits! My daughters and niece said they will do it with me, it takes place on the 27th June where I live so should be good.
Hope everyone is keeping ok.
Love to all
Karen xxx
I was like you in so far as I couldn’t believe the chemo was over, simply becuase the side effects were so draining. Four weeks post last tax and still coming out of the fug, but believe every day there is some improvement. I’m learning lots of lessons, have lowered my expectations and am guided by my limitations so that I don’t get so disappointed as I was getting, and it is working. I know in my heart that in a few months time I’ll be running up my hill, but am content to settle for walking up it now…last week I couldn’t manage that very easily!
Went to work this afternoon and will be going in each afternoon for the rest of the week. I really enjoyed it once i was there! I also managed to land myself a nice little project to ease me back into the work force. No pressure on this one, so will be able to take it at my own pace. I’ve got rads planning next week so will get the start date of treatment then and from there will really be able to plan out when I can start my return to work proper.
In the meantime…off to my bloomin bed as I’m pooped!
I am so impressed by you going back to work already. I am not due back until the end of May so well done you. I agree about being guided by your limitations. I hope in the next couple of weeks that my strength will return and walking up the stairs will not be so exhausting then I can gradually build up my stamina again. Rads is the next hurdle but Im not dreading it like I did the chemo, hopefully all will go ok with that. Keep up the good work Loocie. Take care
Love Karen xx
I’ve done it…finished chemo today…feel like crap but all done and dusted!! Had to have by bloods taken twice because the nurse didn’t supply enough the first time…so i had to let them stab me again!!! Then my neuts were slightly low (1.4) so had to wait to see what ONC said… I said I was chaining myself to the bed and going nowhere!!! Luckily?? he gave the go ahead…and precautionary anti biotics to take next week along with the dreaded neulasta. If that wasn’t enough the cold cap decide to break half way through… Oh and I was being sick throughout!!! what a fab day I’ve had!!
Good luck Hayz for tomorrow, just the SE’s for us to deal with over the next few days.
well done loocie for entering back into the big wide world!! Hope it’s not as scary as it seems. Slow and steady is def the way to go for a while…pretty much the only way in my case!!!
Love to all and thinking of you all - If I can do it anyone can, I never thought I would!!
Sarah congratulations - I’m sorry it’s been a horrid day but you are done ! Look forward to joining you in 6 weeks ! Feel pretty rough today (Monday was Tax II) but wanted to say Well Done You ! from here on in you only get better xxx
then I move to rads and haven’t even started looking at that yet - I will as Scarlet O’Hara says think about that tomorrow