Thanks for your kind wishes with the chemo. I was terrified at the hospital sat in a room being a good 30yrs younger than the rest of the patients with gardeners world and peoples friend to read (not a grazia in site!!!). I hated every second but it subsequently hasn’t been as bad as I imagined and im trying not to tempt fate (every things crossed). ive been a good patient eaten small regular meals and kept top side of my anti emetics will try without them tomorrow. If anything i feel mega anaemic very tired even when doing very little i guess this is normal??? My kids have been fab and ive been project managing the assembly of their new sand pit this afternoon whilst playing with the dog.
Well you sound like you are doing well - taking it easy and resting up, eating what you fancy, when you fancy it. I’m with Caro tomorrow, Chemo No 6 and still 2 to go. Feels like forever at the mo. Been having some councilling and although I was very sceptical to begin with, she is fab and given me a great visulization exercise - works for me. I think we forget sometimes and being dx is very emmotional and we all must “try and be brave and positive”.
Lulu - port-a-cath. Fab ONC has said I can have what I want, where I want! Yay! Downside is, my unit does not fit them, but they do maintain them. He is going to ring round to find out where I can have it fitted. Possibly Addenbrokes in Cambridge or Royal Marsden. He thinks the veins will last through the last 3 chemos, but agrees, won’t get through a year of Herceptin, but he says that they recover quite quickly when chemo is over. Obviously I’d rather persevere, but want to be prepared if they do pack up. Keep you posted. Waiting on a date for my scan before Herceptin and am ringing the Surgeon tomorrow to try and convince him to do my surgery (full node clearance) on 18th Dec!!!
Helen - like you, I am always the youngest, but try and not let it bother you. There was a lady with me (she had 8 cycles) and was 72 - she was fab and so positive and persevered with the cold cap too!!! Rest up.
Al and Reemie - good luck for this - so you guys have your chemo same week as Caro and I. Hope No 2 is better for you. Make the most of week 3 and enjoy feeling good. I was lucky that I managed to get 2 good weeks and only really had 4/5 days when I felt rough. Al, I had extra anti-sickness in vein and it worked a treat - worth asking the question. Also anti-sickness suppositries, work a treat just for first and 2nd night, as they get into blood stream really quickly. My weight has seemed fairly stable, I just feel blobby cos not doing anything! I’m a gym girl, but don’t have the energy. I have to take steroids with TAX and they make my face feel bloated and get a bit flused.
Lovely to read this thread girls, keep on chugging, we’ll get there together.
Just a short note this evening. I’ve had a pretty good day and went for a long walk in the autumn sunshine.
I’ve had some sharp pains where my surgery was - got me a bit worried but I’ve been told it’s just healing. I have a sore arm from my flu jab and think my hair is on the turn I thought I had come to terms with it, but deep down I haven’t. The vein I had chemo in last time is sore and I guess i’m on a downer about Thursday. I see the doc Thurs so we’ll chat about sickness etc then. This is so hard - just not fair.
reemie i had some really prolonged heavy periods on chemo which was strange as i havent had any for ages cos i have a mirena coil in but seems to have settled down again now. sorry your feeling a bit down about the hair loss but it does honestly get a bit easier after it has gone. i have had pains on and off in both breast still get odd pains in my right boob from surgery 3 years ago… 25% of women still have pain a year after surgery and 5% have prolonged pain 5 years after. the epirubicin does knacker your veins up unfortunately mine started to become sore from about day 10 but my physio has told me not to get too stressed over the veins as they will be sore until chemo ends and it maybe for even longer.
Caro i know what you mean about the risks from the BRCA and i guess ill probably consider my options more if i come back positive but my BS isnt too keen to do a Mx unless genetics indicate it… hes very breast conserving surgery… still planning on trying for a baby next year and may consider getting my ovaries out after that however my first less aggressive cancer was the one that was ER pos and the aggressive one is neg so not sure if it really is beneficial.
Al your hair is coming out about the same time as mine think it started about day 13 and huge clumps by day 16/17
im in on thurs for no 6 of 8… so getting nearer and nearer to that light at the end of the tunnel.
Hi Girls…just been catching up with all your news !! What a strong spirited bunch of women we all are eh! I had my 4th chemo on Fri…struggling with tiredness and nausea…nothing tastes the same at the moment…and the steroids have turned me into a spotty teenager…ugh ! Still positive thoughts…4 down 2 to go eh!!
How is everyone else getting on with their chemo’s? Becky you must be so glad to be finally out of the chemo cycle…any news on a date for surgery yet?
Lulu…my eyebrows now seem to have all but disappered! I appreciated your comments re the eye liner and dark eye shadow near the lash line. What do you do about your lack of eyebrows or do you do nothing? It really changes the look of my face…I look in the mirror and dont recognise who is looking back at me…its not me!Makes me real sad
Caro…was interested to read your comment that you dont think you’ll bother with recon. Really? Although ive made the decision to have them both removed…I feel sick at the thought of it…and the op and the recovery…and dont think I could manage confidence wise without a recon…
Jayeny…how come your having a scan before the herceptin? What surgery have you had done so far?
Al & Remmie…hope your both ok. Remmie sorry your on a bit of a downer…Im a bit the same myself today…the whole thing is so unfair. Little steps though and one day at a time…well get through this and come out stronger people in the end.
Helen and Nicky hope your chemo went ok…let us know how you are.
Hi lovely ladies. Well I survived my 3rd chemo this morning but brain feeling very fuzzy! Can’t believe I’ve still got another 3 to get through Was very down last night, crying into my wine! I guess we just have to accept the emotional rollercoaster as part of this crappy disease.
Sal, sorry you’re feeling rubbish after your 4th chemo, but, as you say, it’s one more ticked off the list! I did look into reconstruction before my surgery but didn’t feel that I wanted immediate recon because it would have been such a big op. I’ve decided to get the bc treatment over with and then see how I feel. Tbh, breasts have never been a big issue for me. My boobs were fairly small anyway (32B) and I always said I wished they were smaller!! I know it may sound a bit odd, but because I’m on the skinny side it’s not that noticeable. And anyway, if I wear falsies nobody but me and my hubby knows the difference! And it’s going to feel really good to be able to run without painful boobs jiggling around It was a daunting prospect for me too, but once I got through the surgery I adapted to my new appearance really quickly. I feel more sorry for my hubby, as he really loved the old fellas….
Helen, it is absolutely normal to feel tired. I’ve been feeling extremely tired since my 2nd chemo and also breathless at times. Don’t exert yourself too much, just listen to your body and give it plenty of rest.
Jayney, hope you’re feeling ok after your chemo today. It’s nice to know someone else who’s having it on the same day!
Lulu, not sure I’ll have my ovaries removed unless they detect a fault that puts me at high risk. Geneticist said that most bc+ovarian mutations are caused by one of the BRCA genes, so if they don’t find a mutation in either of those I probably won’t have the ovaries removed.
Good luck for Thursday Reemie. My vein has been really sore too. The nurse tried to use one on the other side today, so hopefully it won’t get any worse.
Al, hope the hair holds in there! Did you have the cold cap btw?
Starting to feel yukky after my lunch of beans and cheese on toast. Think the sofa’s calling me…
Love and hugs xoxoxoxo
Wow we’re all getting treatment so fast which is a good thing. The past two months have flown by!
I feel a bit brighter today - I have bought a little basket to put treats in when I’m resting on the sofa at home and getting my overnight bag ready in prep for chemo day. Just tips I’ve picked up from this site I suppose the only way we can all cope with this horrid thing is be good to ourselves (and each other on here ). I did a little online shopping for some lovely scarves as my head and neck are getting a little cold with my crew cut!
I get to see my new wig on Thursday so it’ll be nice to look after some hair I suppose!
Good luck to all who have chemo this week and those who have just had a cycle - take it easy xx
sal have you been to the look good feel better workshop? they give you a goodie bag of make up tell you how to use the products one of them is for eyebrows…
although my eyebrows have thinned they havent gone completely as they were mega bushy and very dark before but still losing some hairs every day so they may disappear so have practised with the eyebrow kit which is really effective and looks much more natural than drawn on ones.
glad your feeling ok after no 3 caro… hope you continue like that… about your veins though its unlikely that they will get better until chemo is over cos although it isnt been pumped directly into the sore vein its still going round your body through your veins in a more diluted form and will probably continue to irritate your already damaged veins until its finished and if you got sore veins on one side quite likely the same will happen on the otherside too
reemie i hope you enjoyed your cyber retail therapy ;o)
was out for lunch with the edinburgh girls today which was lovely.
Hi Salsal, I have the product that Lulu mentioned for eyebrows, I think it’s by Loreal. As I didn’t have chemo, I still have my eyebrows, so would be more than happy to send it off to you if you PM me your address. I attended the same Look Good Feel Better workshop as Lulu and we had a great time, so would definitely recommend it to others.
Love to all. I’m full of the cold with a head like cotton wool so can’t remember what everyone has posted, sorry!
Reemie, sending you loads and loads of hugs, we’ll get through this. What’s your wig going to be like?? Do you know? My wig lady finally called me today to ask about my current hair. She sounded a little bit bonkers if I’m honest as I explained that my hair is shoulder length and all the same length with a centre parting, she said she’d find me something with a fringe and a side parting - Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! Doubt I’ll wear it anyway. Hair still doesn’t really look any different although I seem to have pulled loads out.
Lulu - will be thinking of you on Thursday, you certainly seem to be plowing through them all - good for you.
Cara - congrats for half way through. Hope you don’t feel too bad over the next few days. I didn’t have the cold cap as I wanted the chemo to ‘go everywhere’ so am fully expecting my hair to go - just wish it would hurry up and make a decision!!
Good luck to all of you having swamp juice this week - rest up.
Sal - I had WLE and SNB at end of May. The biopsy showed 4 out of 5 nodes infected, but they wanted to get ahead of the disease and started chemo straight away. Have not had any scans, the scan I am referring to is the heart scan for Herceptin?? Sorry for the confusion. Sal - to date you are the only lady I know that is having Herceptin - I feel so alone and to think I will be back and to the hospital until Nov 2010 freaks me out. I just want all this over and to get back to normal (sorry for the moan!!!).
Al and Reemie - hope No 2 is kinder to you. No 2 for me was much better than No 1 - keep the fluids up and drink lots!
Lulu - good luck for Thurs - always in my thoughts!
Caro - I agree, it helps to know someone who is havin chemo on the same day!
Had no 6 yesterday, so 2 more to go for me with a finish date of 16th Nov all being well. Got the chemo in on back of wrist (ouch!) but managed. Still investigating the port-a-cath thing for Herceptin. Still no date for surgery for hoping it will be 18th Dec! Fun Xmas eh!
Going for my heart scan next Tues and will have my next chemo on Mon 26th Oct and then go back the following day for the Herceptin (2 veins, 2 days - ouch!). See how I go.
Lashes are still holding on, put really patchy and eyebrows are still there, but very thin and I’m useless with an eyebrow pencil - I look like Aunt Sally!!!
My nails are sore and starting the lift off a bit, but keeping the dark nail varnish on (high maintenance though), they just feel sore - I hope they don’t fall off as well - will feel like a real victim!
Just waiting for the chemo bus to stop at my stop and if its anything like last time it will be Thurs/Fri - keep everything crossed that this won’t be as bad as last time. Have my Mum coming down tomrorow til Friday to pamper me!
Talk soon and take it easy girlies!
Keep chuggin and just remember how far you have come …
Hi everyone, good luck with that bus stopping jayney, it would be nice if they miss a stop out this time. I have today started my steroids for the docetaxel tomorrow. I feel really whizzy, and soooo thirsty with it, but fingers crossed the docetaxel will be no worse than the EC. I hope your finger nails improve, do you think this chemo thing was thought up by men to shatter womens self confidence?? only joking im sure it wasnt, i would hate to lose my nails.
I hope your mum spoils you rotten
take care
anna
Jayney…I so understand ! Like you I cant believe Im gonna be going up and down the hospital till Nov 2010 for the Herceptin. They told me once my chemo has finished (Nov 13th - close to your end of chemo too? Celebration required !) that I can join the Tues aft Herceptin ladies gang at my hospital…oh joy…another group that Id rather not be in…still its supposed to be a wonder drug and we just gotta keep reminding ourselves that its all in a bid to try and ensure this illness doesnt come back !!!
And to be fair Ive had 4 lots of Herceptin now and its nothing like the chemo. The side affects are far less (infact I dont think Ive had any from that) and its much kinder on the viens. So in my head Im just thinking that my hair will be growing back…Ill feel quite well and it will just be half an hour out of my week…ha not much when you say it like that eh!
Hello to everyone else. Keep stong and keep smiling…this wont beat us !!!
Thanks for your fantasic positive post - when you put it like that it’s a small price to pay! I am just a little impatient. As you say, I will do anything to ensure that this doesn’t come back again!
Thanks so much honi!
Anna - hope your first TAX is ok tommorrow - thinking of you! Take your time, rest up and drink lots. I have hardly any nausea, but taste buds are shot and mouth horrid. Soft foods are good, scrambled egg, rice pudding, yogurt etc. The aches and pains are bearable - good luck.
xxx
P.S. as i am fairly anxious about tomorrow, my gp has prescribed 4mg diazepam to take 2 hours before chemo, im not sure i will take this as i am also worried about putting more drugs into my system, has anyone used this to help to relax for chemo??
No, I haven’t used anything like diazapan before chemo. Has the ONC said this is ok to take before chemo? I just try and treat it as a positive expericence and see it as medicine that will help me get better. If you have an IPOD, take that and listen to some tunes that make you happy. The unit I am treated it is very up-beat, bright and airy and the nurses are sooooo positive, it all helps. My OH comes with me and the hour is soon over. You can also watch a dvd if you choose.
Hi Jayney, thanks for that, no i was going to ring the ward in the morning and ask, couldnt get through earlier, i think best without really. This time tomorrow 1 more out of the way! and this 1 is going to shrink it big time yay
I thought I had come to terms with it, but deep down I haven’t. The vein I had chemo in last time is sore and I guess i’m on a downer about Thursday. I see the doc Thurs so we’ll chat about sickness etc then. This is so hard - just not fair.
It was a daunting prospect for me too, but once I got through the surgery I adapted to my new appearance really quickly. I feel more sorry for my hubby, as he really loved the old fellas….