Hello all
I start chemo on Monday.4AC followed by 4 taxol. Am scared witless, naturally. Had hair cut dead short yesterday. Family all supportive, but still feel lost.
Best survival tips much appreciated!
Hello Ann
I am about to start chemo too (6 xEC). There is a brilliant thread on top tips, I have just “bumped” it so you can read it ALL, lol. Good luck with your treatment
Love, Louise
Hi Ann
Welcome to the site - sorry you’ve had to join us, but you’re amongst friends here - the support, advice and encouragement is amazing.
Firstly, check out (if you haven’t already) the thread “Top Tips through Chemo” - this was started ages ago by Kelly, and I notice ladies keep bumping it back to the top, as its so helpful.
I was diagnosed on 4th April last year, age 41, and like you was shell-shocked - I didn’t know how I was possibly going to get through the next few months - but I have, and I feel great. I had 4 lots of EC followed by 4 lots of taxol, a mastectomy (and lymph node removal), radiotherapy and am now on Herceptin, and will be having a reconstruction in April.
Throughout this time, I have discovered who my true friends are, lost a couple along the way, and made some amazing new ones. The support has been wonderful, and the whole experience has brought me and my husband and two girls much closer. That’s not to say we haven’t had our bad days - especially at the beginning. You’ve done right to get your hair cut short - losing my hair was something I know I dreaded, BUT we get through it somehow.
You will find an amazing strength you never throught you had, and before long your good days will outnumber the bad - I promise ! I’ve also found that keeping a sense of humour has also helped (which you’ve probably lost at the moment, but again, it will come back !)
Ann, I wish you all the very best for your treatment. Good luck for Monday - please post again to let us know how you get on.
Lots of love
Julie xx
Hello Ann
My chemo started last September with 4 Taxols and next week I have my last EC, no.4. I can honestly that the time has gone really quickly. I think everyone is scared at first and I know I certainly was.
I would say take all the extras going. My hospital offered 6 complimentary treatments like massage, reflexology and cranial sacral. The treatments have been a big help to me. My hosp. also offered counselling which I still get about every two weeks. It has also been a massive help. Just find out what you can get through your hosp. and take advantage because it all helps to get you through.
Wishing you all the best.
Alison x
Hi Ann
I am starting chemo on Wed, 3 FEC and 3 TAX. I have been looking at the top tips for chemo and there are some really good ones, been and bought my stuff. I have also had my hair cut really short. I feel scared too, but strangely also calm at the moment. I have not been sleeping very well sinc being DX in DEC, and I was exhausted. I have just started taking valerian root, and it seems to help me sleep. I also take Siberian Ginseng, (until they tell me I can’t on Wed), I find these help with energy and stress.
Good Luck let me know how you get on, and you too Louise
Sarah x
Hope you will let us know how you’re doing, Ann. Thinking of you today.
Sarah, all the best for Wednesday. Sorry you havent been sleeping. I have done Ok with sleep but last night was dreaming about chemo (luvverly!) Know what you mean about scared and calm at the same time,. I think once we have done the first one of our particular cocktail then we will know how we react, though harder for you to do two difrent combis. Pleae let us know how you get on.
love to all
Louise
Hi all you lovely Chemo babes
I havnt posted alot lately but trying to keep up with everyones story by reading all the threads. I am having my 2nd EC on Wednesday not looking forward to it but like everyone says on this site it is ‘doable’, and I did ask to take it (as I was borderline) so really shouldnt complain. Biggest tip is to remember to take your anti sickness meds even if you dont feel sick and drink plenty of fluids (more that you usually do).
Thinking of you, Ann let us know how you get on. xxx
Louise & Sarah, keep strong xxxx
Take care everyone, we will get through this ((((((( x )))))) big cyber hugs
lots of love
GillMc
Thanks Gill, all the best for Wednesday, will be thinking of you too
Love
Louise
Hello All
Actually it went better than I expected. I think the worst was waiting for the drugs to come from the pharmacy, which took hours. When finally getting on with it, as said, it was doable. When home, and after a couple of hours experienced all symptoms of shock. When that wore off, not too bad.
Now, I suppose, it is a case of getting on with it. I intend to go back to work tomorrow, at least for a couple of hours.
Good luck Sarah, Louise.
Love
Ann
xx
Well done Ann, I was wondering how you were doing. Don’t push yourself too hard though!
Love, Louise
Thanks, Louise.
I went into work this morning, and by midday had had enough. Home and feet up!n
When do you start?
Ann
I am supposed to be starting on 19th. I had a delay cos my wound kept leaking, it is finally starting to dry up now and I am hopeful it will go ahead this time.
You did the right thing coming home. I plan to recline in bed for a couple of days afterwards! Hope you get plenty of rest.
Love, Louise
Hi All
Well it happened I am back in the land of the living. Unfortunately I was one of the unlucky ones and was sick all night, I stayed in bed all day Thurs and slept!
I was petrified at the thought and freaked out totally at my pre assessment the day before especially when I had to choose a wig I wasnt expecting that at that time. However after crying for a few more hours I calmed down and faced Wed calmly, I am hospital phobic, so I was very lucky they whisked me into a side room and my drugs arrived in 10 mins after a tricky canula insertion I was off, so that was better than your experience Ann of waiting hours poor you, I am having my next 2 at home too.
I have taken all my drugs Gill and drunk loads, I read alll the advice on here too, unfortunately the ginger did not work for me I took some and was sick the mere though now its food association isn’t it?!
Hope yours went ok Louise it was Wed same as me are you feeling normal yet?, I went out briefly today and felt fine but kept my head down and sent my 81 year old mother on all the errands!! She didn’t complain!
You are brave going back to Work Ann, I have been signed off since being DX in DEC.
Any way I hope we all keep in touch, not too many horror stories, lets hope its “positive” yuk I hate that word lets say “refreshing” instead you know what I mean!!!
Hope yours goes ok next week Louise I will be thinking about you its Tues isn’t it?
Love Sarah x
Hello Sarah
I was wondering how you were doing. Poor you, to be that sick, yukky for you, get them to give you some different meds next time. How come your next two are at home, is it because you feel so phobic in hospital?
Gill and Ann How are you?
Mine starts Tuesday, fingers crossed (stupid thing to say, but fed up with it being postponed now) We can do this, girls!
Love to all
Louise
Hello Louise
Going not too bad so far. Get very tired though - I suspect that’s mostly my own fault. The anti sickness drugs were VERY effective. Fortunately just a 3 day course, as my bowlels are just beginning to recover!
I have worked each day just for 2 or 3 hours. They are being very good about it, and I can come and go as I need. It gives me a reason to get up and on with the day - on with the warpaint etc… then when I have had enough, I can stop. I realise how lucky I am to have such employers, but they are still getting work out of me, so I am not to deferential!
I’m sure Tuesday will be fine. Deep breath and its done - I was so scared, and now it is 1 down, 7 to go. All tell me that no. 2 will hit harder, but that is to be expected.
I chose the wig on Thursday - can’t say it filled me with any enthusiasm, but another preparation task out of the way. It is all just a process, that has an end. Getting there will be tough, but time will go on anyway. Hey, that is sounding very pompous - probably just came out wrong.
Let us know how you are after Tuesday
Love
Ann
Thanks Ann, I will. You don’t sound pompous, you sound as if you accept that we HAVE to go through this thing and we just plod on. That has been my attitude all along and I keep thinking “I WILL be well, it is just a case of what I have to do to get there”.
Glad your bosses are being so flexible. I am off at the moment but my boss has given me the option of some less demanding work to do at home when I feel up to it.
Take it steady
love Louise
HI Louise
The hospital I go to offers home care, so I jumped at the chance, I went from one hospital which is nearer to me to go back to this one, where I had the op originally. I am just one of these people who freaks out at hospitals! So I will let you know if it is any better having it at home.
Hope yours goes ok Tuesday Louise, will be thinking about you.
No Ann you do not sound pompous, I have been practicising visualiation, positive images of where you want to be and how you are going to get there, lots of self talking, I can do this, I deserve the best, etc. It was in this month’s Natural Health Mag. Good Luck with work, you are lucky they are being like that with you.
Best Wishes
Sarah x
Hi Girls
Well done Ann going into work I too have been signed off since dx in November. I am frightened about getting signed off to go into work just in case I dont feel well enough. Some days I feel quite human and could do some work, however I work for two branches of the same union one has been brilliant but the other wont pay me sick money (and thats working for a union, how do you explain that, they are there to fight for workers rights). So if I go back to one job I need to go back to the other which I really dont want, hope they sack me so I can get them on DDA.
Touch wood my anti sickness have worked, just felt slightly nauseous for a few days, today I feel human again however the constipation is crippling me, any tips???
Love to all
GillMc xxx
Hello all
I had to report the constipation to the hospital, as I was bent double!. Got through it this time. Am told will change the anti sickness next. Then rotten indegestion… what we put up with when needed,! Gaviscon is a life saver at the moment. A whole night’s sleep would be nice…
And all to prepare to do it all again next week.
Gill, did you find much difference with second?
Louise - looking forward to hearing how it went.
Sarah - it sounds really good to have the sessions at home. How does it happen with the blood tests?
Love
Ann
Hello Ladies
Well I got through my first EC yesterday, they were brilliant with me, I was in a little side room and there was a fab nurse who talked me through everything quietly and calmly. I had no effects during the treatment.
Went to bed when I got home, the nausea really hit home by late afternoon and I wasn’t due a pill till evening. But did have some plain rice for tea and so much water I felt like a paddy field lol. Couldn’t wait to get to bed, OH slept on a mattress on the floor, bless. No sickness yet but still nauseous, just like early pregnancy. Haven’t “been” yet and will be phoning for advice if nothing by teatime, my one dread is constipation. Went through all the palaver of mouthwash and E45 after shower, am up for a bit now. Have burning gullet (Gaviscon) but the worst thing is I am burping like Homer Simpson every 2 mins, haha.
Sarah - Hope the sickness has passed now, poor you. I am glad you can have the next one at home, you might feel more comfortable. Are yours every three weeks?
Ann -Are you still managing Ok? Don’t get too tired, you need all the rest you can get. Are your chemos every fortnight then?
Gill – Hope you have got your constipation sorted, it is the worst, isn’t it? I went on an Atkins type diet last year and felt as if I was permanently sitting on an ostrich egg! How did treatment 2 compare to treatment 1 ? (I was going to say “number 2” and realised there may be crossed wires in respect of constipation talk, eek!)
Love to all
Louise