Anna, I took diazepam before I had an MRI scan once; I don’t think it had any affect though! I wouldn’t bother if I were you, like Jayney said I’d recommend taking an iPod or a book to read to try and take your mind off it. The best of luck today. xxx
Hi Anna
i took diazepam when i was first diagnosed as i was so anxious about everything and was a bit out of control.
its what they often give you as a premed before surgery to help relax you a bit… it can make you feel a bit sleepy… so it may benefit you today… hope it has been bearable.
Lulu x
Hi Anna,
If you don’t feel you want to take the diazepam then don’t feel you have to. Try relaxation techniques - you can get CD’s that teach you learn how to relax. For example 7 11 breathing is one I know of. If you feel panicky breathe in on a count of seven through your nose. Breathe out through your mouth over a count of eleven. If you do this several times it activates your parasympathetic nervous system (quote from my CD) and aids the process of calming/relaxation.
After my first FEC I was very sick and had to be admitted. I was given half doses of lorazepam whilst in there and it helped me to get over the nausea and just the stress of being so ill I guess. This time around I am going to power through it!
Try to keep positive and do things that make you feel good and happy. I have tried things whilst feeling well and it does help. Let us know how you get on xx
Hi everyone, back from my 1st dose of docetaxel, all is well. Guess what, usually my consultant is very non commital, today after examining me he said he thinks the tumour is smaller and definately softer, he went on to admit that he has been concerned but is now pleased with progress, so yaaaaaay, fantastic. Will have to put off celebrating but yay. Thanks for everyones support.
take care
anna
oh anna thats excellent news woohoo!
Thanks lulu, i was so great to actually get good news yesterday, my consultant has only ever been non commital before saying that he promises to try his best, and he was very pleased yesterday so that goes along way. I think its possibly my first real bit of good news since diagnosis. I have had my 4 EC and even though yesterday was my first docetaxel, i just feel sooooo happy. And just wanted to share the good stuff too as i am usually moaning.
take care
anna
Great news Anna!!! Isn’t it nice to hear something positive in the midst of all the cr*p?! It’s amazing how these things can lift the spirits even when we’ve still got such a long and uncertain road ahead. And why not go and celebrate now??? I would!!! xx
Hi thanks for that, i have a bottle of red wine in the cupboard, its waiting! i only had my 1st dose of docetaxel yesterday so will see how that goes before i have a drinkie, maybe at the weekend or next weekend, we will see. Ive been too used to the sicky EC i think so lets see. Yes its sooo fab to get good news, i can picture myself getting to the other end now, i will soon be back training and getting back to life again. Im so thrilled.
take care
anna
Anna fantastic news…am so pleased for you! Doesnt this illness take you to the extremes…you can be so low and so desperate and then a glimmer of good news and you feel on top of the world and ready to take whatever is thrown at you !
Keep positive and strong…long may it last !
Oh and Ive updated my profile to a new pic of me wearing my wig…hmmm ha its looking very shiny !!!
Hi, yes i like good news. The wig looks great, i dont think i would carry one off though. I like the parting in it, very nice. The shiny bit may be more the glare off the camera.
take care
anna
Hi All,
Thanks all for asking how I got on wasnt great! First FEC over and its taken a week to feel any where near human.
I too was very sick couldnt keep anything in and none of the anti sickness made a slight difference but last few hours have started to feel human again (only 7 days later) must be if ive been near the PC and thats a miracle for me!
They are admitting me again overnight next time as they think 4 operations in 3 months then only 3 weeks post bi lateral mastectomy then Chemo was a wee bit much for my body! Also they are talking about sedation which sounds like some of you have experienced it.
Well only five to go now. You all keep so positive and must admit this has really got to me. The nurses keep saying next one will be easier but not so confident!!
Hope everyone else is okay
Great news anna so nice to hear something positive, SalSal I love the wig it looks fab, I had the cold cap as well last week and already hair on day 7 is coming out think i’ll be phoning the wig lady!! Does anyone know where to get pre tied bandanas as I had a go myself and made a right mess, looked ridiculous!!
Been a very tough week
Nicki XXX
Just popped on for a quick hello (as had a couple of glasses of vino and lemsip (I have a cold, it’s not some dodgy cocktail, honest).
Sal, just wanted to say your wig looks fantastic,and you still look beautiful. Hope your parcel arrived okay.
Love and hugs to you all ((()))
Shenagh xx
sal your wig is gorgeous it looks so natural.
shenagh have just texted you… hope your feeling better soon would be lovely to see you again… enjoy your wine.
nicki sorry you have been feeling so poorly i hope they can sort out your meds for the sickness sounds like a good idea to have a night in hosp and hopefully will be able to get it under control… but your body has been through a lot.
anna im glad your feeling well from what i have heard the taxotere has a kinda delayed reaction and i think a lot of the girls say it hits you about day 6… hopefully it wont hit too hard and glad your not feeling so sick.
i had chemo no 6 today its my second lot of cmf and was still awful getting the cyclophosphamide but only 2 more to go… it doesnt seem to floor me quite so much as the epi…
had major vein problems this week… 2 attempts to get bloods on tues and neuts were low and was 3 attempts today but neuts up to 1.64… i just hope the veins and the neuts last for the last two cycles… as my neuts are the lowest they have been on chemo day.
anyway did a bit of retail therapy after chemo which has becom ea bit of a tradition with my sis and i and got some cosy hats for the winter.
love to all
lulu x
Hi Anna
Glad you went on ok and great news from the consultant.
Sal - the wig looks fab!
Hugz to all!
xxx
Yes Lulu, i can feel something creeping in. I was soooo tired yesterday, and do feel a bit sicky, nothing like on the EC though… yet. I even managed to make my own porridge yesterday and this morning, couldnt do that on EC.
I hope you are all doing ok, my partner keeps laughing because i am now calling chemo swamp juice, oh and he also rather likes my dark purple nails that are in aid of stopping nails dropping off.
take care
anna
Hi Jayney, it was so nice to get good news,
hope you are doing ok, how is this cycle for you??
Hi to all you lovely ladies
How has this week been?
Nicki - hope you have turned a corner and starting to feel a bit brighter?
I’m doin ok - No 6 was Monday and so far the aches and pains aren’t as bad as last time - perhaps I know what to expect this time??? Anna - glad you are coping with the TAX - rest up honi.
Just wanted to wish you all a lovely weekend, take care and keep on chuggin!
Love to you all
xxxx
Hi ladies,just been catching up on all your posts, you’ve been a busy bunch.Sal - you look fab, ‘glossy’ rather than ‘shiny’ babes. I just look like something rather bedraggled at the moment. Hair is thinning rather dramatically, but there is still enough to not show any patches and am trying to make it hold out as my hubby is a ‘hair’ man and think he will be upset when it goes. He keeps telling me off for pulling it.Anna - so pleased you’ve had some good news, it really boosts you when the experts start making nice positive noises.Jayney - glad you are feeling ok, I’m due number 2 on Tuesday and dreading it.
Hi to Lulu and Caro and all.
Al
xxxxxx
Al my OH is a hair man too and he used to play with my hair when i had it and he was upset when if came out… he didnt actually see it as i was staying at my mums because he was quaranteened at the time as he had been in contact with friends with ?scarlet fever or something like that. he did see the bin full of hair and he said that was what set him off and that was from me picking the flaky bits off.
my mum was the same but i was ok about it and thought it was kinda funny and actually have enjoyed being bald.
Anna hope your not feeling too swampy from your swamp juice
Jayney im glad your SEs arent as bad this time round.
had a crap sleep last night… steroid induced me thinks… finally fell asleep about 6.30am and was awake at 7.30 to wake kids for school and them OH woke me up at 9.30 banging about so im hoping to get some sleep tonight not sure i can keep going on 2 1/2 hours sleep.
my art therapy course started today and was quite good… looking forward to doing more over the next 10 weeks.
love to all
Lulu xx
Hi All,
Just wanted to say thanks for all your thoughts makes a huge difference, finally turned the corner yesterday (day 10!!)and feel amazing today (the way i felt last week never thought I would feel well again)
I am having a fab normal day today and even looking after my kids on my own first time since beginning of Sept and it feels brilliant to be mum again and in charge not sure they agree though!!.
Hope everyone is okay, Alison loads of luck for tommorow am thinking about you hope it is so much easier second time than the first.
Love a happy Nicki xx