Back again - can’t sleep for the heartburn grrrrrr
Quite agree with you Cally - I never took so much as a paracetamol before - with the chemo and the anti-sickness stuff and the heartburn stuff etc etc etc - I have pumped more into my body in the last week than I have in 46 years!!
Nae wonder I spent the first half of the week in a complete daze lol
Night night this time - hopefully!
Margaret x
Hello
Hope I can join your discussion.
I am waiting for my oncology appointment -had post surgery appointment on Thursday and was told I would be having chemo, not sure how long till I get the letter -presumably sometime this week.
It is so encouraging reading these posts particularly on how you are all coping with hairloss, sickness etc.
I looked at Ninanoo’s article on the Leicester website which was very encouraging particularly as I am also in Leicestershire.
Best wishes to everyone
Karon
Hi Cally, Lorna, Louisa, Anne and anyone I forgot,
Cally your chipmunk purchase made me laugh out loud for what seems like the first time in days. Off for second FEC on thursday, feeling quite apprehensive as the first one was OK, just felt very tired, bit hot and cold some days and almost as if I was drunk which I suppose can’t be a bad thing.
Very up and down mood wise - some days I feel fairly normal and other days very teary think it depends how tired I am. Hair is still holding out - used the cold cap and so far it seems to be working.
Wedding on Friday was lovely a combination of a western wedding and an indian wedding, it really was something to see, beautiful sight. Just about managed to keep up with everyone although my OH dragged me off the dancefloor at one point as he said I needed to rest - and as usual he was right !!
Don’t you hate it when that happens ???
How are all you ladies doing, I haven’t posted for a while so I have lost the thread of where we all are - chemo brain again I think.
Its great to see everyone is still posting - feel like I have let the side down a bit but its nice to know you are all still here posting away frantically.
Its nice to be back - let me know how you are all doing and I will post again later today, just off to get some supplies
Jackie xxxxx
Hi All,
Welcome Karon! hope you’re doing okay after your surgery, I started chemo 4 weeks after my node clearance (which was two weeks after mastectomy) I think they aim to start 3-6 weeks after generally and depending on how well you are healing.
Margaret - I had sore head for about a week before my hair started to fall out, felt like it does if you have a tight ponytail in for too long.
Good to hear the wedding went well Jackie, personally I’d have to be dragged on to the dance floor, not off it so good on you!!
My meal out was nice, just the family to Pizza Express (youngest son’s choice as always!) and just the one glass of wine! Cheap date now!
Have ventured back to the gym today - have decided to make most of the time I feel okay and actually wasn’t too bad, although probably won’t be saying that in the morning when I can’t walk!
btw - just a thought about showering - now I have no hair to wash/condition or underarm or leg hair to shave off my shower in the morning takes about 3 mins. What do men do in the shower for so long?! Or is it just my OH? regularly spends 15 mins in shower - maybe he’s singing? maybe shouldn’t ask! lol!
Big hugs to everyone,
Take care,
Love Louisa xxx
Hi all
Welcome Karon - I started my chemo 15 days after mastectomy & node clearance - seems to be the way here - I was hoping they would let me recover from op and leave it till after xmas but no such luck. I have now adopted the stance that the sooner it’s started the sooner it’s finished!
Jackie - I admire you needing to be dragged off the dance floor - it’s all I can be bothered to do at the moment to go for a walk, never mind dance - so well done you!
Thanks for the hair comments Louisa - I couldn’t remember bumping my head or anything so was assuming the pain was to do with chemo but wasn’t sure. I don’t expect my hair to last long anyway as I am very thin on top on a good day - I have the finest hair I’ve ever seen so maybe this will be the silver lining and when it does grow back it will come back all thick and wavy!!! Let’s live in hope lol
And I think I’d go with the ‘maybe shouldn’t ask’ on the shower thing haha
take care all
Margaret x
Hello everyone,
I really don’t know what I’d do without you all. I would feel so alone. Day six after first FEC today and took a bit of a dive mentally (as predicted) so just went to bed for afternoon. Just felt a bit kind of anxious and wish I could have a good cry. But generally feeling OK. I think I got the steroid withdrawal last night (wild dreams). Although I took the last lot Saturday lunchtime!
I see some of you are going out to restaurants, weddings et. How careful do you have to be regarding bugs and things. Could you go to a restaurant between days 10 and 14 for example. It’s our wedding anniversary and my birthday within that period so I really would like to get out.
Also, within that period. How do you feel. More tired?
Does anyone have any tips for the headache problem as described by Margaret. Should we be rubbing the scalp with something?
Love to all
Lorna XXX
Hi Lorna
I have had a completely different day six to you ! This is the first day where I have felt (relatively) normal again. I am now getting a really strong pain in my wrist though (the wrist above where the cannula went in). BN says that the E can cause irritation to the veins and I shouldn’t worry - but it’s so sore to touch (aa hubby says ’ well stop touching it then!)
As I do feel so normal - I am expecting the nosedive tomorrow lol - will keep you posted. Have to say my mouth is extremely tingly - I hope the ulcers aren’t going to kick in - I’m dreading getting them because I have false teeth, and if I can’t get my teeth in that will be me confined to the house!!!
My BN told me I could go out during low period, but to avoid take-aways - will see how I feel.
Are you getting the headaches too? Glad I’m not on my own - though not glad you’re having to suffer too obviously!
Take care
Margaret x
Hi Lorna
just to add that you will bounce back after your feeling low bit , doesnt seem like it at the time I know , but in a way you appreciate it more when you are feeling normal. I remember wondering would I ever regain my energy levels but as its happened twice now the answer is yes !
I have been going out to restaurants and wouldnt let it restrict you , my opinion but ultimately your choice . I also checked with the hospital as I was in danger of being too scared to go out the door but the chemo staff at the hospital assured me it was fine just to be careful to avoid people with colds etc. They kept stressing dont let it run your life … You sort of would assume the waiting staff at the restaurant would be healthy unless you go to a really dodgy place (seems unlikely for a celebratory meal 
My birthday is also in December and I will also be going to a couple of events including mums night out from school on day 7 ! but will keep it low key and disappear after the meal before dancing when room temperatures rise !
Just thought I’d share the fact I bid on a wig on ebay and won it. I knew the colour style etc as I had tried it on before but plumped for a more safer ’ me ’ look. The one I won on ebay was 180 quid cheaper than the price in the shop ! I am pretty chuffed but it hasnt arrived yet so my xmas wig is in the post (from the states I must add)
If you are looking at wigs remember a few of the names and makes as they are always popping up on ebay , brand new.
Cally xx
Hi all
Margaret - I have the same pain as you in my arm (my vein has also disappeared). It started in my wrist and has travelled up my arm to my bicep. Just to warn you if it happens to you. It’s not too painful now just a little uncomfortable.
Karon - welcome!
Louisa - LOL at why men spend so long in the shower! I know my hubby is the same (and uses half a bottle of shower gel in the process?!!! A bit worrying!)
Lorna - I’ve been going out whenever I feel well, including back to work, although I have avoided the younger children at school.
Cally - hope the xmas wig is good. What colour and style is it?
Vicky
xx
Hi Ladies
Here we all are at the end of another day of our long and stressful chemo journey !! I have also struggled with the sore scalp systoms but so far they have not amounted to anything - I am still waiting. Also had the heartburn, the aches and pains, the headaches and the ups and downs, always thought it was just me !!! But it appears once we actually start comparing notes that we all have similar symtoms - how wierd is that ?
I have also not let bc restrict me to where we go or what we do - I might regret that in the future but hey ho we have been to restaurants, shopping centres, parties, weddings etc - however I must admit whilst shopping the other day someone had the most almost cough - really bad chesty cough ( like someone who has smoked for 30 years) and I really felt like taking cover in the next aisle !!! (Please don’t breathe on me)
The thing that I struggle with most is the fatigue - think I am doing too much, we seem to have a busy day and it takes me 2/3 days to recover. Any tips ? Worried about my bloods this week, they weren’t too good last week and its chemo this week - well have to wait and see.
Have started my xmas shopping this week - all on internet. Thank goodness for argos and amazon. How are you all doing with your prep for Christmas ?
Anyway I think its time for bed, love to you all
Jackie xxxxxx
Hi Jackie
Just wanted to add to this thread with a link to ‘fatigue’ information on the Cancerbackup website which you may find useful, there is a section called ‘coping with fatigue’ so take a look if you get the chance as it may give you some ideas:
cancerbackup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Symptomssideeffects/Fatigue
Best wishes
Lucy
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care
Thank you Lucy I will have a look
Good night
jackie x
Hi Lorna,
Sorry to hear you’re feeling a bit low - I really suffer from ‘good days/bad days’ for no apparent reason (well apart from the obvious I suppose!). Keep telling myself am strong and will get through this - short term sacrifice for long term gain!
Re the day 10-14 thing - my onc said to try and carry on as near to normal as possible without obviously exposing myself to someone with illness - easier said than done! I did go out on day 11 this time as it was my husbands 50th birthday and we had tickets to the opera which we had booked months ago. If I had been sitting next to someone with a hacking cough or something I think I would have asked if I could move seats, but I have three children all of school age and I think it’s just as likely I will pick up a cold or cough from them really. I guess it’s about balance - if you can avoid busy shops, the gym, cinemas on those days then do so - but if it’s a special occassion or something that you have no choice over then do it without worrying too much. I find it hard myself to keep a normal life going without letting chemo take over, but six months is a long time and I don’t want to feel I’ve got to lock myself away. Tough one isn’t it?!
Not sure if there’s anything to help the achey head feeling, mine ached when my hair was blown by the wind and when I lay down at night and sorry to say didn’t get better till it really started to fall out. 
Well ladies, it’s my birthday tomorrow! am going out for lunch with my best friend and tea with another girlfriend - chemo has not affected my appetite whatsoever! Husband is in the US at the moment but have seen pile of pressies hidden under the bed! Am looking forward to breakfast in bed served up by my 9 and 10 year olds (will probably involve chocolate spread on toast if last year was anything to go by!).
Take care everyone, stay warm!
Lots of love,
Louisa (39 again!!) xxx
Hi Cally, Hi Vicky, Jackie, Margaret!
Good to hear from you, whilst I was composing last post about six popped up in front, so thought I would just say quick hello!
Am looking for another wig myself Cally, might give ebay a try. Am having mine cut on Thursday as still don’t like it and only wear it with a hat on top. Really want to get some fun ones for New Years Eve (we’re going to dinner at friends and the theme is a different style of headgear for each course, so thought I’d go for bright pink, silver and something blond and waist-length for the last course!)
Take care all,
Louisa xxx
Hi everyone,
sorry it has been ages since I spoke to you all!
Have enjoyed reading quickly through from pages 2 to 8!
Great to hear about all your problems, moan away please girls, it is really helpful!
Had 2nd FEC and completely surprsied myself by almost blacking out, so i got access to a really quiet ward and bed, but it took all day before i could leave. next time I get the bed, which will be great for my claustrophobia and squemishness which i controlled with hypnosis first time, then got too cocky ssecond time and thought i would be ok! More Fool Me! However, it just goes to show the hypnosis REALLY WORKS1
Sore scalp as my hair leaves it.
Also, now lost voice again!
Docs tomorrow, could be oral thrush. If so, wont the treatment for severe constipation contradict the treatment for thrush?
Am confused, and fed up with tablets, treatments, and just well, tedious ailments.
After reading how FEC devestates your immunity have decided that getting better is more important than theatre, cinema, etc.
They never tell me my blood count, should i ask?
How can I get my veins to stand out! Body building?
love to youall, sorry I don’t know your names yet. Maybe as the fatigue kicks in I will spend more time on here, rather than out walking!
Chin up Girls.
Jx
Hi all
Back again - thought the heartburn had stopped but it’s kicking in again - so not going to bed just yet.
Cally - I’ve been looking at wigs on ebay too - got one from hospital (though it hasn’t arrived yet) - not really sure whether I can ‘do’ wigs - I have so little hair to start with, it’s really fine and even before treatment it just kinda hangs from my head and you can see my scalp through it lol. The one I tried on from hospital felt like I’d got a hamster on my head - there was soooooooooo much hair on it !!
Vicky - thanks for the reassurance about the arm - it was beginning to bug me a bit - I find I’m like that now, everything seems 100% bigger/worse/etc etc than before !
Jackie - I’m the same with the fatigue, feel well and think I can do wonders - then realise I can’t and collapse for a couple of days - I’m off to read the coping with fatigue in a minute! I have done ALL my xmas shopping online this year, even the stocking fillers. My poor postman doesn’t know whats hit him!! But it’s been a godsend. A lot of the stuff I bought from the gadget type sites like IWantOneOfThose and Firebox - if anyone is using them, or any other internet sites for that matter, I almost always have discount codes that work so give me a shout (usually £5 off £20 or £10 off £30 spend so worth doing). Now all I have to do is wrap them all - ohhhhhhhhhh I feel some more fatigue coming on!
Louisa - hope you have a great birthday tomorrow - and a good lunch and tea!. Re the fun headgear my 9 year old thinks, as my hair is going to probably fall out just in the close run up to christmas, that I could probably get away with just a santa hat over the festive period!!! I did look at some of those lovely sparkly tinsel wigs though - I may be tempted yet!!
Take care - sleep well all (well as well as you can!)
Margaret x
Just a thought to people with mouth ulcers, i had these after first FEC, and was constantly rinsing with salt water, unable to eat, etc. then changed to sensodyne toothpaste, no change, then tried CALENDULA DENTIFRICE, ulcers disappeared overnight, fantastic! You can buy it at any health food shop, it is really pure and natural, tastes like aniseed.
Well done to all that go out socialising, and keep on working! I have enough on with walking in the mornings, sleep in the afternoon, then kids in the evenings.
As for a partner, not sure i could cope with the effort of having to take their emotions into consideration, but just having someone to give you a hug must be lovely!(And help wash the kitchen floor etc.!)
Thanks for all your wise advice and shared experiences,
Janey.
Hi Margaret, glad you are feeling slightly normal again. No I am not getting the headache really - just the odd twinge. I can really imagine what you mean though and I feel like I want to rub some really gentle shampoo or lotion into my scalp.
Cally - go on tell us when your birthday is! Mine is next Tuesday 11th. I should still have my hair by then! I don’t feel so bad today anyway. Had a good night’s sleep so hopefully I am on the way up.
Hi Jackie, let us know how the bloods go. Must start my Xmas shopping too.
Louisa - Thanks for all the support. I do feel better today. We are all strong and can all get through this together. Have a great birthday tomorrow! X
Janey - Poor you! I suffer from claustrophobia so I sympathise. If you had hypnosis surely it should have lasted for the duration of the chemo, not just for one. Did you feel very nervous before the second one?
I tried to relax all morning before the first one. Then I kept my gloves on for as long as possible to help the veins. How much walking do you do in the morning? Are we talking half and hour or a few hours?
Thanks for all the top tips.
Love Lorna XXX
Hi all
Well I’m absolutely shattered tonight. No nose dive today, in fact felt the best I have since chemo (apart from heartburn) - sooooooo I decided to do a bit of sanding and waxing of my doors lol - I’m renovating an old granite house and, prior to dx had stripped all the doors and architraves back to original yellow pine. - I so want to get my dining room finished for christmas! - anyway, took it very slow and steady - or so I thought - and I figured the up and down motion of rubbing in the wax would be good exercise for my arm lol - but I have a feeling I may well have overdone it - it’s all I can do to pick up a cup of tea now haha
Hubby came home from work and asked what on earth I thought I was doing…I said exercising in a fashion!
I’m off for a snooze - may wake up again before bed time- then again, may not!
Hope you are all well
take care
Margaret xx
Hi Ladies
Well managed a but more christmas shopping today with the help of my burly 14 year old son and I am so glad I took him with me - didn’t have to carry any shopping, which was just as well, can do the spending but can’t do the carrying. Lots of aches and pains as usual, feel about 90 some days.
Couple of tips for you all that I have picked up from reading other threads - apparently the best cure for mouth ulcers is pineapple - I know its hard to believe due to the fact thats is quite acidic but apparently there is something contained in natural pineapple that nutralises your mouth - its meant to be a fantastic cure !!! Try it ladies and let me know.
The vein problem for chemo treatment is helped greatly by warming up the veins, try and find a handwarmer you can buy them in camping shops, they consist of a little velvet covered box that you
put these charcoal sticks into - when the sticks are broken in half they heat up. The hospital that are treating me use a similar type of prep for the vein, as soon as the vein is warm it expands and makes the injection easier.
Oh well bloods tomorrow and 2nd FEC on Thursday - here we go again
Love to you all
Jackie xxxxxxxxxxxxx