About to start chemo

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21

Hi All

Glad yours went ok Louise, are you feeling ok now a few days later? Yes mine are every three weeks, so next due 5th March all being well, I have been told that Home Care will come and do the blood test at home and if it is ok will ring me to see the next day to tell me they are coming or not as the case may be. Are you still reclining in bed?

Hope you are doing ok at work Ann?

Know what you mean about work Gill I have been signed off since Dec and felt as if I could go in some days, but like you they are not flexible enough to be able to sign me off/on, however I am fortunate as I am on full pay for 6 months.

Tips on constipation well I have IBS so I suppose it comes with the territory, I had it a little this time but I suppose it was the least of my worries I felt on Mon and Tues as if I had been garrotted at the knees and kicked in the stomach, so I had to have 2 more days of resting, I am a really active person normally and I am even OH NO getting to like day time TV save ME!!!

Ok tips for the toilet I am sure you have tried all of these already but here goes

I had natural yogurt with fruit and seeds pumpkin, sesame and sunflower and oven roasted oats,

I also made a home made veg soup and put mixed beans, pulses and more beans in it, just had the urge to make a soup don’t know why!

Have you tried chick peas? or lentils? I also made tuna and chick pea burgers, they are great to freeze and re heat.

Obviously all brown bread, etc baked beans, and I have eaten loads of pineapple found it helps with sore mouth as others have said here, oatcakes,
I drink loads of water, and low sugar squashes, and I mean loads, once I felt like eating and got that lot in me well…
I am not vegetarian by the way it just looks like it from here. It also reads like a cookery lesson Hey Ho!

Love to all

Let me know if any of you lay the ostrich egg!!!

Sarah x

22

Hello all

I have laid the ostrich egg!!! But this is due to wholemeal bread and also a dose of that high fibre orange drink you can get at the chemist! I am now feeling less sicky but feel really exhausted and low in myself, I am telling myself this is a GOOD thing as it means my body is regenerating.I stayed in bed till noon and luckily had my teen son do all the ironing, but I did notice there was not a single item of mine in the basket so I didn’t feel guilty.

Sarah I am so impressed with your recipes, I could not be bothered with much creativity at the moment, I had porridge for brunch. Glad they can sort the whole lot out at home re blood tests etc, I must say that is better than me, who has to get two buses to the hospital and two back. Gosh the IBS must make it loads more difficult for you, glad you are ove the sicky bit now, though.

Gill How are you doing, hope the tum is easier?

Ann Hope you are taking it steady? I have six months sick pay but that is not enough for all my treatments so after this first cycle I plan to work week three of each one.

Love to all

Louise

23

Hello all

Yes, my chemo is fortnightly. Suddenly half way through this week I felt a lot better, did too much, and, you guessed it! Shattered again… It is good though, 'cos I feel as though I am ready for session 2.

This week I have been working till about 3pm. Next week I have booked to be off Monday and Tuesday, and we’ll see the rest. I only work when I think I can. A lot of my work has been spread amongst others, and I am just overseeing a couple of projects that are my specialty area, and normally would be less than half a job. That way I stil feel useful, but can stop whenever. I have only been here since last May, so I would have 6 months at 75% if I was off the whole time.

Sarah, I think I followed most of what you suggest - and still the ostriches. Oh well, all to be reported back on Monday. All food is rated as to digestibility - as in level of wind about to be caused.

Now to enjoy the weekend before it all starts again.

love

Ann

24

Hi All

Glad you laid the ostrich egg Louise! It is early days for you yet Louise and i didn’t start cooking till day 7, I had made the burgers before and frozen them. The two buses sound awful, a pity no one can drive you.

Take care Ann, I know what you mean about overdoing it but your body soon stops you, and I know what you mean about wind too! Hope it goes ok next week why are yours every two weeks I have not heard of that before.

I have just been out to meet a work colleague armed with wipes and hand gel!!! We had coffee, then I tackled a supermarket, isn’t 2.30- 3.30 wonderful when everyone is fetching children from work or working, I have never experienced this as I have always worked full time.

How is Gill?

Hasn’t this week gone fast? Enjoy the weekend.

Love
Sarah x

25

Hi girls

Day 4 for me today and was a sick as a dog this morning (am just on basic meds now, the strong ones have ended) so will be on the phone shortly to get something to help. The ostrich egg has now liquified as well (too much information, lol!)

I still think you are fantastic to be able to get to work AT ALL, Ann, I am a very strong person with a steel constitution and this has knocked me for 6. Good luck for Monday and enjoy the weekend in between.

Sarah well done for your foray into the Real World. I get two buses to the hosp and my husband meets me there so I am not so badly off. Hope you have a good weekend.

love to all

Louise

26

Hi Louise

Sorry you have been sick, know what you mean about strong constitution, I am normally like that too, I must admit after my sickness I stayed on toast, and plain biscuits, nat yoghurt and boiled egg for 3 1/2 days as I could not face being ill again. I currently have a poor appetite unusual for me, doing wonders for the diet!! Mouth is very sore, off to Onc on Tuesday with my hypochondriacs list of ailments, (forgot to mention breakout of acne all over face too, look like an alien, also very heavy pro longed period aint life fun!!!) I don’t know which she will tackle first, and to top the lot my mother has a stinking cold/cough and I live with her so I’m in isolation in the house!!!

Did they give you anything for the sickness Louise, I had phials which were administered by the district nurse when I was sick, I also had steriods and 2 lots of anti sickness tablets and I took the lot for 4/5 days.
Hope you got some relief?

So Ann, you going to work I admire incredibly, keep it up if you can.

Wonder if Gill is ok?

Hope you all have a good weekend

Love Sarah x

27

Hello again

Yes I finally got two new lots of tablets last night and perked up, even managed a couple of fish fingers for tea, lol. I was in bed early thinking oh right now I will turn the corner but this morning yuk yuk again, am feeling better now (lunchtime) What if it is actually morning sickness and I didnt know I was pregnant? (dont even go there Louise!)

Sarah poor you, especially as your Mum is ill and you can’t be looked after as well as you need. So the period and the acne, that sounds like mega hormone upheavals, see what your Onc says, what a lot of aspects there are to this blasted BC! I am not really eating much but don’t look any slimmer, probabaly cos I am not doing any exercise! Managed to change the bedsheets today though and have a shower and put a cheerful outfit on so I must be on the mend.

Gill and Ann, take good care and hope everyone is able to enjoy at least part of the the weekend

love Louise

28

Ann how did your chemo go this week? how are you feeling in comparison to last time?

Sarah Good luck for yours in a few days, I am sure having it at home will really help

I am A1, just tired but hey, I dont mind an extra nap every day

Louise x

29

Hi Louise

Glad you are feeling better, I know what you mean about being tired!!! Have had quite a busy week, and my internet was down also. Saw the Onc on Tues and they are changing my tablets he said it was very expensive and I said well I don’t mind paying if it stops me being sick!!! But apparently I don’t have to apart from PPC card payment. The nurses have just rung and hopefully its all systems go for Wed can’t wait!!! If my bloods are up the one was low and is supposed to be higher than 1.5 mine was 1.1.

Hair is starting to drop out and I am feeling low about that, the wigs have arrived yippee, got to go and have it fitted think I will have a wobble about that.

I have to say it is going quickly though, how about you do you feel that too?

Wonder how Ann is and Gill?

Have a good weekend I am just going shopping, I even went to the gym on Mon to keep fit!!! I have started taking Manuka Honey, and the jury is still out on Natural yogurt. I asked the ONC about that but he was a bit vague and I also asked about grapefruit he was vague about that too. I am going to start taking Co enzyme Q10 as I have read that helps.

Have decided to treat myself to a day out Mon before it all starts again Tues onwards

When is your next one you were a couple of days later than me weren’t you?

Sarah x

30

Hello Sarah

I am glad you are having a day out, you deserve a break. Did you manage to avoid your Mum’s cold?

My next one isnt till 11th, I am 6 days behind you. I have some Manuka honey too but havent taken it yet, I think it is about time. Make sure you get one that’s at least 10 strength.

Sorry about your hair. I have had all mine cut off in readiness but am still not looking forward to the bald patches. How do you feel about your wig? I am not going to bother, I wear turbans for casual and buffs to go out in, I have several different patterns and they are dead easy and no danger of blowing off as they are slightly stretchy material, you can get them online or they have them at camping type shops (mostly fairly masculine designs in the shops though)

Hvae a good weekend

Louise x

31

Hello all, sorry to be slow in posting this week

Chemo 2 went ok. seems easier when it is less frightening. Had some trouble with findining veins, but don’t feel too much like pincusion now. New medication for indegestion has helped on the burping front, much calmer this time.

Having a crown and bridge break last saturday improves my looks no end - and no dental work allowed! I have to wait 2 weeks for a temporary denture. What is strange, normally I would have been really upset about looking like that for even a day, and now my reaction is, oh, well, whatever. Tolerance changes priorities, doesn’t it?

Stll have hair at the moment, getting ever thinner, but no bald patches yet - the rest will go when that happens! I cannot face the wig. I found I was getting more worked up about that than losing my hair. I’ll manage with scarves and hats - and am prepared to go into work without either! (I’m 53 by the way). Cutting hair really short has worked well so far, I have not had to cope with seeing the strands everywhere - it just goes down the plughole.

3 hours a day at work is about all I am managing at the moment, but it gets me up and warpaint on, which has to be good. When I get home it is to sleep!

Have a great weekend all

Love

Ann

32

Wow Ann you are coping really well and I dont know how you are still managing with work. I am working from home on and off but not for long each day and I dont have the travelling to contend with. Sorry to hear about your tooth, as you say you have a different perspective now. I, too, am finding tolerance for things which would have driven me potty before!

Have a good weekend

Louise x

33

I don’t think I am doing so good. Had the rest of the hair that was left shaved this morning. I think I am still in shock. So much to take in so quickly. Feeling low today.

My third is due on 10th - the 2 weekly cycle is strong, even if I appear to be a tough old bird. OH very supportive, and usually says the right things, but I can’t remember feeling as lonely. There is only so much positive talk that one can take!

Tastebuds have no relationship to the ones that were there before, they like different things, I was never a fussy eater, now can’t face a lot of what was staple stuff. (Pinapple is one thing that tastes right, and helps the digestion for me)

Sarah, I hope your week goes well, and the home treatment is good for you. I look forward to hearing how it goes.

Louise, thank you for the support - have a good week before it all happens again.

Love

Ann

34

Dear Ann

I am sorry you are feeling low and wondered if you have heard about Breast Cancer Care’s peer support service? The telephone service aims to quickly put you in touch with one of our trained peer supporters, who has had a personal experience of breast cancer. Our peer supporters are from diverse backgrounds and ages and have experienced different types of breast cancer and treatments. They are ready to listen, offer skilled emotional support and share their experiences and understanding. For more information about this and other support available to you telephone our helpline on 0808 800 6000or email: <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%69%6e%66%6f%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%22%3e%69%6e%66%6f%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script>.

Best wishes
Katie

35

Hello Ann

Sorry that today has been so hard for you. It is all very well knowing we will lose our hair, but when it actually happens then it is still upsetting. I can identify with your comment about feeling lonely: no-one can really know what it is like. And there is a tendency amongst other people to think that because chemo is an “additional” treatment then you have already “got rid of” the cancer.

I will share with you positive things/thoughts I have had about my hair loss, some or all may not be true for you, but here goes:
I don’t have to wash, faff, mess about with my hair any more
I am glad I didn’t get this when I was younger when I would have cared about my hair loss more
I look pretty funky in my buffs
My cancer hates my chemo more than I do
I have shaved my head to show this cancer that I am kicking its *rse
Hey, I wonder what it will grow back like?
Every day is a day nearer the end of my treatment

I hope one or more of these ring true for you. It is no wonder we can feel low when we consider the strength of the chemo that is thrown at us, and don’t forget that your regime of fortnightly is a gruelling one. Although at least it gets it over with a bit quicker.

Thinking of you and sending a cyber ((((HUG))))

Louise x

36

Ann Hope you are feeling a bit brighter !

Sarah Good luck for the blood tests today and hope tomorrow is more straightforward for you

Love to all

Louise

37

Louise

Thank you for thinking of me, and for your positive support. It helped a lot. The bald bit is ok now. I went in to work yesterday, sat at my desk and took my hat off. That is now how they have me until it is over. Felt good about myself!

Have had a niggling sore throat for a few days, so called the hospital last night, who told me to come in this morning to have it checked. It was discovered that my white blood cells had crashed, and I had an infection which needed immediate treatment, so am just back at home with yet more injections, throat liquid and amoxillin, and I must not go out until the end of the week! Each day is another step…

Time to pamper myself a little I think, and a nice long bath seems in order.

Love to all

Ann

38

How awful for you Ann, hope there is much pampering going on in your house right now. yes you’re right, each day is another step along the treatment path. Well done for going “commando” at work!

I had what I can only describe as electric shock waves all over my scalp yesterday (really quite painful) then some hair came out but not much, so I will see what happens next.

Hope you’re soon feeling better

Love Louise

39

Hello Louise.

With a very short haircut I kept mine for a week into the second cycle. I understand the ‘shockwaves’ analagy. Then it started falling out at the top, and I promised myself I was not going patchy for anyone!

Your next treatment is Tuesday, isn’t it? Good luck for that. I wonder how Sarah got on with her home treatment… I hope she lets us know.

Have you sorted your indegestion? Is it just when on the steroids, or all the time?

I’m a bit better today, just tired, so pretty much back to normal. I have a BCC Headstrong session tomorrow, to try on hats and scarves, and learn how to tie the scarves I have. That and care of scalp. It sounds fun, and I am sure will increase the sartorial elegance!

Keep well
love
Ann

40

Hi Ann and Louise

I am a bit behind with all your news, I have had a busy week, what with one thing and another.

Firstly sorry to hear about your hair Ann (also sorry about your tooth too) and Louise, I had the tingly feeling in my head, I did have short hair but had it cut shorter but then it had a litle growth spurt. Mine started coming out big time Sat, I was going to the Destinations show with my Mum and Nephew, I felt as if my hair was flying out all over the place, probably going to all the holiday places I can’t go to this year!!! I have pulled it out and picked it up and vaccummed bed and floor yes it is everywhere, I cannot bare having head shaved yet, you are very brave Ann especially baring all at work, I would have loved to have seen that!!! I could not do that but I am off work any way and work with lots of girly girlies who would probably have a fit!!! I also work in lots of other places, so the thought of 100’s of people seeing me is too much, but you take care especiallly with infection.

I did get a little sniffle but my bloods were ok, I was having my next FEC at home and I do not want to put anyone of who is reading this and is having theirs at home, BUT, the nurse arrived I was de stressed meditation tape on photos on TV all prepared, she tried to get a vein for 2/12 hours need I say more, she called a colleague, who also came and agreed my veins were naff, well they would be by now they had receeded into themselves!!

I was hysterical, they suggested a PIC line which I did want, so very stressed I drove myself and chemo drugs to hospital, once they calmed me down, and don’t we disgrace ourselves I would like some dignity left after all this, the nurse came and wham she was in, unfortunately it burnt my skin I tried to grin and bear it, but she did not want me too, so she put another canula in and it was better, it was all over in 1 hour, so having started at 11.30 I got back into the house at 6.15, exhausted, I then had another night of it no sleep felt sick but was not sick so at least the drugs worked, then stayed in bed all day, but I am still standing!! Hey ho.

so that is 2 down 4 to go, I am going back to hospital for next one.

On another note I got wig on Tues, my friend came with me, it did look ok and was very like my hair style and colour, my mum thinks it is gorgeous and said I looked 20 years younger, well I must look about 70 at that rate! I also tested on my nephew aged 15 well they tell the truth don’t they, he was also in raptures about it, so I suppose it is just taking the plunge now, the hairdresser said he would shave my head but I could not face that yet. I have bought 2 buffs and 2 hats but I never wear a hat so when I tried the buff on weeks ago before my mum was really prepared I think she just looked at me and said well!!! So that put me off a bit she has not seen the hats yet.

Any way it is day 3 now i am taking the tablets and waiting for the crash again but am prepared for that now, I had less side effects although I had very sore eyes I have been reading about that elsewhere on here.

I keep going back to your conversations to catch up, yes Ann I agree with the pineapple, I also like kiwi fruit and Natural Yoghurt I know the jury is out on that one but still… Yes Louise get the Manuka honey down you, I am on jar 2 now I have found it in Morrisons for £6.

Any way good luck to Ann for Mon and Louise for Tues, I will be back on before then, I am stiil waiting for the broadband to be connected. can’t believe I ahve not been on since last Fri!!!

Off for some soup now.

Love to all

Sarah x