Hi Girls,
Just off for chemo number 5… dreading it! My dose has been reduced to 75% so I’m hoping that will reduce the SE’s too!? Am I wishing for too much?
Julie - No, my abscess wasn’t in my mouth… I was sitting on it!! lol! Seems to have cleared up now. Small problem compared to some, so I’m counting myself lucky.
Love to you all.
Elaine.xx
hi all
been up to see onc hes stopped my chemo said wasnt getting anymore shrinkage and because ive had such a bad time with side e that he didnt think i would benefit from my last lot so pleased normall again just got to sort op date out now willl be back for info from you all then tc everyone gd luck with chemo xx
Pauline that gave me a giggle about falsh eyelashes!!! dont think i could cope have enough trouble with eyebrow pencil!
not so achy now, have actually showered and dressed!!! taste horrible, must drink more! water that is!
love to all Debs xxxx
Hi All
yes sally setroids cause increase in BP through salt and water retention, they can also cause diabetes for the durtaion of your treatemt, thin skin, styretch marks, hairy arms, poor healing, reduced immunity, shrinkage of gonads (balls to you and me) Try to watch your salt intake - hard if like me,. ur addicted to marmite!
Laura its good news for you to be off for the op now!
Pauline careful with that eyeborw pencil - you make me laff. I like the no wrinkles form the steroids but the red round face is something that I’m trying to hide.
I also had the heating on only the other day and elaine you poor thing with an abcess - I used to love lancing them when I was at work. Me and the sneior GP would play rock paper scissors to see who could do the honours and I would have a gr8 time - sorry i expect you don’t want to go there!
right what to eat now? love and hugsssssss xxxxxxx
Hi,Sally yes i deff feel the cold more i think is due to our anemyia low red count feels cold and then our body has been killed so many times now that i am giving up …i know the last one is going to be horrid and long time of recovery as well…Pauline i dont bother with any eyebrows lushes(have some)…too tired to do that just cant wait for the up going process…Rachel i noticed the NO wrinkles skin…but it looks like MASK not real one also skin v thin…and my toes not right this time …cant feel the middle one…take care everyone 30.09 for me …last one…
Hi you guys
I also got paid out on critical illness policy - I felt sad too and cried buckets - you can’t put a price on your health - I just want to better and not have the money. Also like you Pauline, made me realise just how serious this is. Just sitting in an account until this is over and then I hope to enjoy it - YES RACH A RAG TOP CAR!!!, but probably pay some mortgage off and be sensible :(. Just had 1st TAX today, so am waiting with baited breath for pains to kick in. Taking your advice Pauline and dose up on paracetemol and not let the time in between lapse - fingers crossed.
love to all
Jayney
xxx
Hi all,
I am a bit concerned about those of you who are taking Paracetamol. I was told not to take it as it masks a high temperature. It would be sensible if you checked this with your Oncologist. It is only 4 months since I finished Tax so I don’t think the rules will have changed.
E
Hi emmbee
Was told ok to take it as long as i take my temp before same as imbrufen…its a pain but i do it.
I long for the day i dont have to take my temp LOL
thanks
SALLY X
Hi all,
Hope all those been swamped recently are doing OK - pleased to hear some of you say 2nd tax was not as bad as first! my tax 2 tomorrow then only 1 to go!!! Getting major problems now with swolen ankles absolutely gross and get worse if standing etc. Wearing surgical tights to try and help; so sexy!
Onc prescribed paracetamol and codeine mix for me - said codeine would help counteract loose bowels which for me did seem to start at about same time as pains - after 1st few days constipation thanks to granisteron etc! Agree with keeping up pain killers - tried 48 hours without last time a big mistake…when owned up to onc he called me a “daft bat” Seems to have got my measure…Nurse today said try and keep pain level low and steady, if you wait too long before taking them it is harder to get back into a comfort zone. Had rather silly idea it would spare my liver; so just avoiding alcohol now. Interestingly he didnt say i had to, but when i said “well this is a tough treatment which is why i wanted to spare my liver the pain killers- he said well actually you can drink if you wish but i admit i probably wouldnt also!” Not too difficult actually as taste loss makes it less desirable.
Good luck Sally for Friday and Krisid hope you are over worst now. Pleased to hear some of you girls got the critical illness payout - yes it doesn’t compensate BUT it is better than not getting it. Plan a wonderful treat for when this is all over. I am dreaming of going somewhere warm and sunny in the early months of 2010 when it is so grey here and starting to recuperate there.
HI,Chris i had codeine this time as onc say i have to have at least 2 day if not every6hr so i did my pain was ok BUT i feel so sleepy really hard with my son cos i still have to do things almost around clock as i dont like neglecting his food or nappy changing…so i did manage with almost no painkillers But yest was mine last inject so i decide to go without anything as you say try to spare liver and everything inside wich i know it does straglle with this toxic drugs-sooooo big mistake pain last night and during night as your nurse say if you miss the tabl thaen is difficult to catch with soo anyway i did tortured myself …hope better today with more energy my legs swallen as well never had that even in my pregnancy,skin v dry it does sound is not a big probl but once you having it you can see how annoying that all can be…i was in horrible mood last night as well just coudnt bare anymore that all…i was cry on the phone to my Oh …as we thought of taking our son to Dysneyland next year as is going to be his 3 Birthday …how much he has grown since i am in this c…p…sorry i didnt mean to be personal letter i wanted just to tell everyone how tired i feel of everything …Sally you are first to shout -I have finish…Julie,Pauline,Mumszy,Debs,Rachel all the less problems till finish that …
good morning all
krisid,i think it is very normal to feel very down at this time, we are all nearing the end of treatment and are fed up with the wat we look , the way we feel and we all just bneed to get over the last hurdle ,which we all WILL do , i find it hard with a 6 year old and a 10 year old, but think you are amazing to have a baby to look after through this horrid time,
only1chris, hope all goes well for you tommorrow, don`t show your tights off to much though.
jayney, can i have a ride if you get your rag top car lol
rachel, glad i have had my breackfast when i read your post
sally, how are you now, cannot beleive i feel sooooooo tierd this week and have also felt nauseas ,but taste is back mostly, so although se have not been so bad this time they are lasting alot longer,
pauline glad you are not feeling so bad at the min,long may it last, im going to see my lovely little nephew in abit, if i dont dose off
debs glad your not to bad, drink fizzy water as it taste better than tap,i found anyway
lisa, i hope rads are ok,
good luck to all and sorry if i havent mentioned all names julie x
morning all, feeling better today, stomach still a bit dodgy!
off to my look good feel better wrokshop this afternoon, looking forward to the goody bag! Hope I can drive ok!!
Chris I also had swollen ankles with 1st tax and onc said that you do get water retention with it and to sit with feet raised and maybe sleep with pillow under feet.Also got told about the codeine trick, in case imodium didnt work!!!
Julie will try fizzy water, everything tastes horrible!
only one more for so many of us, such a good feeling!
love to everyone on this thread Debs xxxx
Morning my lovely cyber friends, just wanted to try and reasure some of you, my second TAX has been a breeze compared to the first. I am up, dressed cleaned a little and just pottering around. I have not suffered with bad aches so only had 2 lots of paracetamol. My OC told me to take paracetamol with codine and ibuprofen, i just have to take temp first to check it is ok.
I have just watched the ‘my new breast’ on the iplayer, what a brillient programme, would recomend it to anyone facing recon.
Debs, have a great afternoon, will be on fb later so you can tell me all about it.
Julie have fun with your nephew, ah bet he is growing. need new pics on fb
Rach, hope your doing ok today, did you catch the documentry?
Chris 1 , my ankles swelled up too after first tax
good luck sally for friday, julie on monday, thats it girls!!!
krisid, my last one should be 1.10.09 so we will be able to celebrate together.
janey hope your doing ok, se not too bad i hope.
WE ARE NEARLY THERE GIRLS, KEEP GOING…
Luv to you all, Pauline xxx
Hi All
well been to see onc today for pre chemo check and bloods, all set for the LAST one on friday yipeeeeeee even though my blood pressure is still up she said its not the steriods, but im not convinced. start tamoxifen in 1 month, being refered to cardiac unit about palptations but echo was ok so going ahead with the herceptin as well.
Had extra bloods done today wanted by gp for diabetis, colestral etc so couldnt eat or drink since 9 last night so took sandwiches today so srtaight after bloods i sat and ate them got some funny looks as it was only 9.15 lol
oh got told today that im pre-menapausal… oh lovely!!! feeling cold is normal and so are the hot flushes.
Christina your doing so well and its had when you have young children too.
Debs glad your ok to, i didnt get tummy cramps just really bad trapped wind but when i blew by god did i blow lol
Pauline i found 2nd much easier and dont feel so tired at this stage either,
Julie were nearly ther so just put your feet up even though theres c**p all on tv
Jayney hope your ok for coldplay at weekend
sorry if ive missed anyone out but wishing everyone well
love Sally xxx
Hi all,
Just thought I would let you all know that Vicky had her second Tax last week and it was nowhere near as bad as the first. Kept waiting for the bus to hit but it didn’t call at our stop! Just had a bit of achiness and felt a bit tired over the weekend (day 5 & 6). So 2 down and 2 to go as the ONC decided her veins are not getting any worse.
Stuck with the cold cap and amazingly her hair is growing and thickening up so started venturing out without wig/scarf/hat. Unbelievable but electricians had been to do work at the hospital over the weekend and left the freezer off so the cold caps were cool caps. She will be really upset if it all comes out now. If it does the electricians had better start running…
Hope everyone is doing well
Embee
I was told ok to take paracetemol, as long as temp ok before hand and wait a full 4 hours in between does. My ONC not a fan of ibuprofen, so told me to stay clear, as can cause liver damage?
Still waiting for the SEs to kick in and getting myself in a real tizz! Just now knowing what to expect is so hard.
Got beetroot head and neck due to steriods and sore throat, but that is it so far (only had it yday though).
Hope you all had a reasonable day.
Nite, nite
xx
Hi girls, did my look good feel great workshop yesterday, not sure if the look good bit worked but it was good fun!! fantastic goodie bag if you haven’t done one do!!!
was the only one sitting there with my wig off couldn’t see the point of clipping it back!!! got lots of help from the beauticians who couldn’t believe I’d got to 49 without ever havibg worn full make-up!!! the green stuff is great for the flushed steroid face!!!
love debs xxxxx
Morning
I have decided to enter back into the human race today! Feel totally different today and really happy to be getting dressed without wheezing. Throat bloody awful though - i think its thrush cos its a white out from tongue tip to the uvula. I wont describe whats coming out of my nose LOL
jayney Ibuprofen/aspirin/voltarol (called NSAID or non steriodal anti inflammatory drugs) damages the kidneys and can cause the BP to raise and not come back down on finishing treatment. NSAIDs are linked with increase risk of heart attacks too and then to top it all you should not take them with steriod therapy as you have a 15 x increased risk of gastric ulcers and or perforation compared to steriods alone. Cheerful huh?!
If paracetmol is not helping then ask for some co-codamol which containe codeine and will also help you to sleep. If that doesn’t work then tramadol is abit stronger.
Poor sally starved since 9pm, i do those bloods routinely and we only starve our patients for 10 hrs - don’t be surprised if you glucose is abnormal due to the dexamethasone. That should settle when you stop the steriod treatment for good very very soon huh honeygood liuckfor being chemo free!
Pauline your last one on the 1st oct will be my penultimate. I strongly suggest a meeting in th enew yr at ahotel with a spa (thorsby hall??? not far from selston) and we have a jolly good laff and cry!
love to you all xxx Rachel the human swamp thing
Hello everyone,
we are all getting there now! Good luck Sally and Julie for your last… yippeee!
Pauline Christina and Debs we all finish close together my last is due 6th October and on the 5th i go to my look good feel better session… that might take my mind off it a bit…
Thanks for tip Debs about sleeping with feet raised on a pillow at night - that has helped a lot; kept surgical stockings on too!
Christine sorry you are feeling so s…t; but only 1 more to go now and remember this will all pass and hopefully you will soon be feeling better. Slap on the body creams…
Anyone considering supporting their immune system when they are finished chemo? I studied Nutrition many years ago and feel it is important. The most critical time after the chemo is in the first 2 years… why do you think that is? Maybe one reason is that our immune systems are not as good as they were at dealing with any stray cells NOT zapped by chemo. I was told immediate chemo should zap 90+% of rogue cells and is better given straight after surgery while tumour cell load is likely to be small rather than wait and see if chemo is actually needed…when load would be bigger. As you all know, i am sure, they overtreat with chemo as they are never sure who will actually benefit but the % gains are quite small UNLESS it is you of course then they are enormous!
Anyway have been reading up on work done by Prof Bouic in Stellenbosch University and have devised a programme based on this for myself. Actually been taking them throughout chemo as my onc said it was ok… just omitted them for 5 days after treatment just in case! I feel you are all my friends here now; if anyone wants to know what has been recommended in his work please PM me… it is quite a lot of supplements so wont be cheap… Might be a waste of money of course but that is the worst scenario… certainly wont do any harm and might help get us through these first 2 years. Onc said after 2 years out chances improved with every year…
best of luck to all.
Love C
Hi all
just to let you know i went to gp today and my bp is down slightly, he said hes not concerned about it so im to stop worrying as it wont help it. the bloods he wanted all came back good, im not diabetic, my colestroal is fine and my kidney function is good. having bp checked every week to 2 weeks. so all in all ok
so thats me ready for LAST swamp juice tomorrow, oh i wish we could have it without the se then i would be over the moon and jumping about with joy, but im not…yet lol
this means most of us are coming to the end of our chemo so i would like to say a BIG BIG THANKYOU for all your support and getting me through this s**t i dont think i would have got past the 2nd if i hadnt joined this site and met all you lovely ladies on this thread…now im sat here crying lol…its the chemo makes me emotional ,well thats my excuse lol
hope everyone is doing ok and over the worst of the se.
love Sally xxxx
oh for those of us about to have rads theres another thread ive joined called ‘cooking sept/oct’ on the radiotherepy thingie