Hi all you saphhires
Finally found you again after searching thru google as it seems to be the quickest way
Had my final dose of fec yesterday yippee!! Am so glad it is over for me and I have to say it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected as luckily my se’s were minimal (just lots and lots of very tropical moments!) so just hoping the lastone isn’t the worst one. Got my rads planning on 28th Dec and then 4 weeks of rads starting on 9th January so still lots to do but hopefully the worst is over. Hope your all nearing the end now and we can all start to look forward to the new year.
Lol
lollol01 - congratulations on your last chemo session. Good luck with the rads too.
I’m just about to leave for my chemo dose number 6… only one more after this, then rads 
The last chemo hit me hard, so they have slightly redused the dose of Tax in my Tax/Carbo mix… I am hoping I won’t be so ill this time, but hey… there will be another Christmas next year so it doesn’t really matter if I miss this one. They have also really dosed me up on steroids, so I haven’t slept well at all and feel slightly crazy… I’ll try to doze through chemo!
In case I don’t feel up to doing messages over the next few days… I wish you all as good a holiday-time with family and friends as is possible with chemo SE’s… eat nice food if you can, and enjoy good company… of maybe snuggle up with a good book or watch whatever repeats are on TV!
Whatever you do, and however you celebrate - have fun, make happy memories.
June 22
Hi Anne - my onc suggested staging down the steroids so taking 4 (2 twice ) then 3 (2 in morning 1 in pm) then 2 in the morning then 1 in the morning - gave me less of a dip after FEC 4. Just had FEC 5 and got 2 hours sleep Tuesday and 1 hour last night so have just called the doc who has prescribed some sleeping tablets!
I can thread hop too!!
Jayne x
Thanks jayne will ask next week when its fec 5 xx
Had my last chemo on Thursday. Yay! Unfortunately the event was marred by having a reaction to my second herceptin. Ended up having to be injected with more steroids and antihistamines. They successfully gave me the dose the next day (yesterday) by doing it over 3 hours. I have 16 more of these to go in the chemo ward so sadly haven’t seen the back of that place. But really really hoping herceptin will generally be an easier ride than chemo even if they have to take it slowly and give me extra drugs to get through ti. Think it’s pretty much the only treatment for HEr2+ so really hoping I can keep having it.
Happy Christmas Sapphires. I am just having a quiet one with OH. We have crackers and gluten-free CHristmas pudding!
Nicola x
Well done on your last chemo Nicola.
I’m off oop North today to be with my son and my folks so no internet for a while.
Happy Christmas to all the Sapphires and thanks for your support, advice and laughs (in the face of adversity!!) xx
Good to see your messages, sukie and Nicola, hope things with the herceptin are okay, my mate says it makes her forgettable but we’re good at that already!
much love to you all and thanks for getting through the hard times. wont pretend we wont feel like it again, but trying to switch off from the bc for now. saw my niece yesterday, and she says whos Aunite, Anne, she has no hair, only 2years old, so funny and a good tonic.
thanks again Sapphires, Merry Christmas, roll on next year when things will be sooo different,
we are getting there, in our own way, not easy but i have no side effects, can taste, so i have lots to be grateful for, and i must remember that.
Anne xxx
just wanted to drop by and say merry christmas to the sapphire girls - hope you are all able to enjoy some turkey and xmas pud on tuesday and to put BC to the back of your minds.
big congrats to those of you who have got through their chemo - it must be good to tick it off before christmas. sorry key features to hear about your bad reaction to herceptin. I also had a nasty reaction to chemo no six on thursday and ended up having oxygen mask etc so am now being switched to weekly paclitaxol. more fun and games! so another nine trips to the chemo unit beckon and no end in sight until late february. i have at least been told the side effects should be easier to manage as it’s weekly. first dose on NYE unfortunately so no celebrations for me but it does at least mean i should get to have a side effect free crimbo. bring on the chocolates i say!
take care and here’s to a happier and healthier 2013 for all of us…
sx
Just wanted to wish all Sapphires, and all reading the posts, a Happy Christmas and a Healthy 2013. May we all get good news in the New YEer - no evidence of disease, no chemo, Herceptin, steriods, Hormone therapy or any other treatment required. No suregery, not bits loped off or reconstructed or fiddled with. Hair will all grow back luxuriant and non-grey. All signs of any poxy cancer wil disappear and we will all be well and fighting fit. (It’s Christmas - a time for magic!)
Wishing us all a bright future and a great 2013. Here’s to us all girls - we’re worth it!
Merry Christmas one and all.
Howdy Ladies & season greetings!
Wow…it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted on here…I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas…
I coming to the end of Chemo treatments (next week…whoopie) & I thank God!!! I can’t wait to finish chemo then radiotherapy…I can now see some light at the end of the tunnel…I want my life back…I’m a it late by Spookmoo you post back in November had me rolling in laughter I know what you mean…yeah what did I look like before all this madness? Well I know for sure sporting a complete baldhead aint me…eye lashes and eyebrows seems to be a thing of the past…
Thank you Keyfeatures, Sukiem, Amd66 and Jo for your kind words of encouragements… to be honest I’m feel like am on a merry-go-round with the emotions …I’m even crying when I driving God alone knows why cos I don’t. Are any of you lovely ladies on Herceptin …if so how you dealing with the treatment…also how are you dealing with the hot flushes/sweats (these are taking it’s toil on me)…to be honest I AM NO READY FOR MENOPAUSE!!! I’ve read some where that it could last up to 3 YEARS…come on NOW arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggg LOL 
Ladies, let me take this opportunity and wish everyone all the very best for 2013…especially good health & strengh for the journey ahead!!!
Love Yibby xxx
Hi - been reading the posts for October but looked at diary today and realised that I started chemo in Sept so have started reading these posts and found that this is where I belong progress wise (definately got chemo brain!).
I had my last Docetaxol today and my third Herceptin - feeling OK so far but usually find the SE kick in day 5.
I had a problem with the steroids in that they made me horribly depressed - I was very scared for my sanity and safety - the onc reduced the steroids by half and this was a lot better - thankfully - it was such a comfort to know that it was the drugs doing it to me and not me losing it.
3 weeks of rads starting in Jan - should be free (except Herceptin) by early Feb. Will be interested to see how things go when Im on Herceptin only. Making sure I take a walk everyday - Im sure it helps with mood and fatigue. managing to do a little work for a few days every three weeks which is good for the soul too.
Here’s to a better year - best wishes to all for 2013.
Yibby, i share your feelings but cant seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel. i have resisted posting on here as i didnt want to bring anyone down. had a really hard boxing day back here, very very low and sad, wish it could be a big cry but it wont work like that. have been lucky enough to get the gp on the phone and he has put up my antidepressants. had 5th chemo yesterday and then have everyone saying you have done so well etc, and i just see the radiotherapy as a long haul after, with 50min journey there and back for 3 weeks.
i just want to feel a bit happier than this,
much love to you all
anne xxx
Hello and welcome to Yibby and The Knitter (I do like that user name) - there was a great article in The Daily Mail recently about how knitting got someone through breast cancer, . I am not sure if I allowed to post it here and apologies to the moderators if not,but it is a very good article and here is the link : Knitting your way out of a life crisis: How one writer fought cancer using this unlikely survival technique | Daily Mail Online .
Sorry Anne to read your post - you sound very down. I wish I could come and give you a big hug. (I would probably scare you half to death though - as I have put on more weight (enough already with the blooming weight gain!!!) Damn mince pies! And my hair has started to grow back so I have a bit of fluff on top and no eyebrows still and I look really rather odd! Also limping about a bit as still have really bad pain in my right hip (which I presume is from the last lot of chemo - which was 3 weeks ago now - really chemo - sod off please and let me get on with my life!). So I wish I could come and give you a hug and share my mince pies with you - I have lots, so many many mince pies, and stollen and cream and a chocolate traybake thing - I am trying to offload them now and went out and bought loads of fresh fruit! And also perhaps share a glass of wine with you - although I realised today I only have one bottle left so will be nuturing that!
I know its hard and its all very well for me to say, its ok, you’re nearly there - 'cos I know we have months of hell still in front of us with radiotherapy and trips to the hospital for various things! And its not ok - it is stupid, horrible, rubbish cancer, and none of us should have to put up with it or the treatments, or the side effects, or people saying “I’m so sorry you’ve got cancer, it must be really hard for you”. Yeah - you think? No, it’s a walk in the park, a picnic, having an absolutely spiffing time old chap! I had a cousin leave me 3 messages yesterday - she thought I was on my deathbed as hadn’t been on FB for a few days posting about cancer!!!
Its a long old haul with no apparent end in sight. I got a new family planner organiser/calendar thingy for xmas from my daughter and have already filled in hospital appointments with stickers for January - pretty sad stuff! Its going to be hard my lovely, but you can make it, really you can. I found having the last chemo a bit of a let down at first - like, whatever, done that chemo thing, it was a blast (not!), now what I am gonna do?. But when it came round to week 3 today I woke up and thought - Yeah, no more poxy chemo!!! And I hobbled into town to do some sales shopping and eat a burger (my goodness - that will help with the diet). doing normal stuff - which is totally surreal because life hasn’t felt “normal” for quite a long time. So I do understand Anne, and I wish I could give you a hug, but you can do it, really you can. And if anyone says different you let me know and I will come and give them a bop on the nose! So sending cyber hugs. And wine and cake and mince pies! And remember, you rock! x (and apologies for the long ranty message - I blame it ALL on the cancer!)
amd66 - gosh you deserve a hug. ((((Anne))))
If you can, try to understand that this huge LOW of your feelings isn’t down to you… it is a side effect of the chemicals and the emotional ride you are on. The real you will come through this and return to normal emotions. It isn’t you, and isn’t easy to deal with, but change will happen.
Many people say the steroids give them a bad case of blues, so do mention your depression when you next see your oncologist, and maybe they can reduce the steroids a little to help you through.
You HAVE done well, we all have
At such an emotional time of year, it is hard not to get stressed out and frustrated at being unwell and not able to fully be yourself during the holidays, but … spring is on its way, and you WILL become yourself again.
Spookmoo - as always you made me smile with your message. Thanks.
No mince pies for me though… everything sweet tastes horrible to me!
the knitter - welcome… this is a lovely group of September ladies.
Right, I’m off to read the article about knitting. I started crocheting a scarf when first diagnosed and it is still unfinished… chemo brain didn’t give me much concentration to follow it on, but I intend to complete it.
June22
Hi Yibby,knitter, Anne and Spooky and all the sapphires.
Sorry you are feeling so down Anne-this is so hard and it seems endless. I was told today that I have to have my tissue expanders after my mastectomy pumped up every week for 6 fricking months! has to be done though. Please be easy on yourself and the forum is here for you to expressl whatever you feel and get support-we are here for you so no feeling bad about being down! You are a great support to others and give such a lot on this forum.
Knitter-I too had my last chemo today and had my PICC line removed (I was elated as I can have a bath with my arm submerged-small things make me happy these days!!)
Yibby-I know Nicola (keyfeatures) is on herceptin and has posted recently about it.
Spooky-what can I say I love your posts, always make me giggle!
xx
Hello Sapphires,
And welcome to the knitter, and any other recent joiners. Thought it was about time I posted. Like Anne, I haven’t done so because I have been feeling very fed up. In my case, it is the prospect of surgery and the fact that I don’t like the sound of the one reconstruction option I have been offered (LD flap with full node clearance). And I found out there was ADH found in the tissue removed from my “good” breast when they did the reconstruction four and a half years ago. Given that they didn’t even tell me, let alone monitor it, and that my first routine mammogram was clear, I am now seriously considering a bilateral Mx.
In my case, it is unclear whether chemo has done anything to shrink “the lump”, which seems to be bigger now than it was when I had my first FEC. I had a CT scan yesterday, and will find out next week whether I go ahead with my seventh (and final) chemo on 7th January or move straight to surgery. I find this terrifying as I hadn’t expected it until April or thereabouts - I was originally scheduled eight chemos and thought there would be a bit longer before the op - and still undecided about what I want to do. I have heard that some women have had success with implant only reconstructions despite having had radiotherapy, and would like to be absolutely certain it won’t work for me before I agree to sacrificing any of my back muscle.
On a more positive note, I had radiotherapy the first time I had BC, and it really is a walk in the park compared to chemo. Don’t know if this will help, but I found it easier to cope with the journey by telling myself it was an opportunity to enjoy three hours’ peace and quiet whilst I drove myself there and back every day. Mind you, the fact that I was driving across Exmoor might have helped, so apologies if your drive involves fighting your way through the rush hour traffic.
Hoping for a better future for all of us. X
I had my last chemo (I had 6xFEC) on Thursday 27th - and had the PICC line removed which I’d been dreading but it was painless. (in fact I didn’t feel it being removed at all).
Next week I see the surgeon and get the results of the MRI I had on Dec 21st - I’m guessing it will decide whether I get just the lump or the whole breast removed. Hopefully I’ll get a date too so I’ll know how long I have to wait.
I put myself in solitary confinement for Christmas - partly to avoid germs, but mainly to avoid stress. My brother stopped by for a visit at the weekend, and I met with loads of friends the previous week - but Xmas itself was spent knitting! I’ll soon have a chemo-scarf to go with my chemo-cardie, and have already got the yarn lined up for the next project (probably a surgical sweater!).
Right now I have to remember that just 'cos chemo is over it doesn’t mean I can take risks or overdo things - I still have several weeks of feeling rubbish ahead of me. But I can soak in the bath! - well, I can until surgery.
I’m finding it hard to think about the year ahead - I’ll be on a reduced income till I can go back to work full time, so there will be no money for holidays, clothes etc. I think my new year’s resolution will be just to get to this time next year in one piece with a non-leaky roof over my head.
sdfmeg you have such a lot to think about, Im sure you will make the right decision, it makes my humble that you have been here before.
Sukie, june, spooky,sdfmeg, thanks so much for your wonderful messages, it was so helpful. Today has not been so low and I know that it is all the medication that is making me feel like this. I am also thinking that the tablets will start to kick in. Steriods did keep me awake though and did try and stay in bed for too long.
sdfmeg thanks for telling me about the radiotherapy, mine will be to Maidstone so some countryside and nice to know I could drive myself.
thanks for keeping me going
Anne xxx
Hi and thanks to Spooky for the link to the knitting article - I have certainly found craft to be a good way to divert my brain from thinking about this vile treatment. I have had to simplify my projects and do really simple knitting and sewing - the complicated stuff will have to wait for my brain power and energy to be restored.
Im on day 3 after my last chemo and the SE are starting to kick in - I know it is the last time but it doesn’t make it any easier to drag myself through - I keep wondering what I am going to do with myself when it is over. It is sooo nice to be able to shower without the PICC line.
Eyebrows are starting to go at speed - bizarre that I still have hair on my thighs but nowhere else!
All the best.xx
Hiiya amd66!! Girlie it’s tough and it’s surely not a walk in the park Spookmoo your right… This ‘clearance sale’ which I call these treatment really sends you in all directions emotionally. Throughout my life I’ve had to deal with a lot losing my mother to breast cancer when she was 41 then being diagnosed at 42 come now this cancer thing is becoming a pain…so when ever I’ve the energy I’ll dance around my living room (hey all by myself) talk to the TV & LOL…I cried so much yesterday and the day before that cos I know I’ve to let it out or it’s gonna drive me mad…
We have a saying ‘it might be for long …but it’s not for ever’ !!! So, be as positive as you can for yourself take each day a step at a time …girlie lets put our minds over this I’m so trying this cos my hair is growing back ‘grey’ so I let you know if the colour changes & grows back black LOL…
OMG I just realised this was the first christmas ever I didn’t have any mince pies… I am off to read the knitting article …gosh I wish I played more attention to my grand-mother when she used to knit!!! It’s the last of the chemo treatment tomorrow and it gonna the last ever in my life!!! I wish the same also to you guys… I’m start radio in Feb - I’ve a few weeks break for GOOD behaviour so I intent to travel …am so longing to detox my mind, body & soul… I’m tired of feeling broken mentally and physically…in one sense I’m glad am not working cos I really dont know how I would’ve coped… but financially it’s a struggle…life hey!!!
Speak soon Ladies xxx