Good luck for today Wildpurl and Joan.
Joan - I still have my cough but no other symptoms and have been checking my temperature regularly - perfectly normal. I called the chemo unit and they said just to check temp and keep an eye on things.
Interested to read the tips on nail care. I hadn’t really thought of putting on strengthener as they have been fine during FEC. Better than usual actually.
x
Good news wildpurl! I was also worried I was going to go into some kind of shock! Today hasnt been too bad- hope we all continue this way! Joan hope you are doing ok too.
Rosie, you have a lovely weekend away, a change of scene will be much needed for you both after these last few weeks, and a very happy wedding anniversary and many more to come,?? xxxx
Dam confess not liking tax no sleep last night spent most of today in bed did manage a shower. Aches and yuck mouth and yuck taste buds. Was like this on first fec. Hoping this us crossover and not next mind weeks. Wishing it was over. Had injection hopefully that will be ok
They were right said it would kick in around today. Damit.
Best to all
Morning everyone, ahh books & wine yours has kicked in! Think it will be Tue for lovewine,Joan & myself?. So sorry you’re not liking it:( I still feel pretty normal so far although can feel a bit of soreness at the back of my throat & slightly achy shoulders - but not enough to take anything for or rest…for now! Hope it doesn’t last too long for you.x
Wildpurl glad you found it OK. I found it a bit scary just before the nurse was putting it in - saying what would happen if I was allergic etc! I was on edge the whole way through then & had to have herceptin injection in my thigh over 5mins but thankfully all went smoothly. At least the next two we will hopefully be more relaxed!
Welcome home Rosie! So pleased they have helped your poor body along the way. Even though you know you’re not going to feel 100% for a while still at least you know they can give u a boost each time & know what to expect. Hope you have a lovely time away - you blooming deserve it & happy anniversary!:)x
Hope you got all organized with your garden yesterday love wine - feels weird being able to do things straight after chemo doesn’t it! I got my house all clean & beds changed yesterday & hubby & I having a sort out this wkend so at least by Tue when I may feel grotty I won’t be on edge wanting to get things done!
Hope everyone else fairing well & just think we can start counting down the weeks now!
xxxx
Morning ladies. Like Wildpurl and others I was worried about the process of having the TAX but it was very straightforward and actually easier than one of the FECs, which made me really groggy afterwards. So far so good and managed to get a reasonable nights sleep, albeit with interruptions and two sleeping pills. The stuff the oncologist prescribed for dry mouth as suggested by Jackie also helped, for the first time for ages I didn’t drink a pint of water overnight and didn’t wake up feeling as if my I slept with my mouth open for a week. For anyone else troubled it’s called Biotene , it’s artificial saliva but in gel form so it’s easier to use, you don’t tend to swallow it, it’s doesn’t make you feel sick or dribble. I’m hoping it will help with the sore mouth as well, which I was told could get worse with Tax. Must get better organised with the ice pops though. Only took 5 in which it used up within 20 minutes and the had partially defrosted in the freezer bag and no freezer I could use on ward and nowhere to buy ice lollies in hospital or nearby. Nurse suggested just sipping cold water from dispenser but it was tepid and with all the fluid being pumped into me I just couldn’t face drinking any more. All well you live and learn.
Currently taking steps to prevent constipation rather than deal with it when it comes, so dined last night on prunes, yoghurt and Muesli. Ditto this morning with topping of All-bran. If no success it will be the go-cake. Hoping to make good use of the next couple of days lull before the TAX kicks in though I’m not planning to do an EAM and clean the house. Hubby is doing pretty well on that and I’m closing my eyes to the rest. But the garden does need a bit of sorting although from a distance the weeds are doing a pretty good job as ground cover.
I believe that some of you, like me are grade 3 triple negative. I noticed a new thread this morning from a lady in that position. I mentioned this thread but if any if you have the time to reply to her I’m sure she would be very appreciative.
Rosie, so pleased you are out of hospital and hope you have a great weekend. Pity about the restricted diet but just getting away will be a treat.
Booksandwine, sorry the TaX has now hit you. Hope the effects won’t last too long.
Re nails, I have gone down the dark nail polish route. Love them but aware that will chip and need to be redone every week. The salon recommended a gel polish, not false nails so should be OK and although initially more expensive last for three weeks and grow out rather than chip. Anyone any experience of these?
Hi ladies, well those of us starting our first Tax seem to be not too bad( fingers well and truly crossed)!! As Booksandwines has been a little in front I expect Eam and myself to hit side effects sunday( my birthday!!) and Joan and Wildpurl on monday! I feel more tired this time and a little sick, but not as bad as on Fec. Start my 5 day injections on Monday which always give me bone pain, so expecting a double hit!
Managed to go to shops for an hour yesterday and some gardening, but tiredness kicked in and had to abandon it after a while.
We can see the end of chemo not too far away now- can’t wait, it does get you down as you all know too well?
Have any of you lost eyebrows/lashes yet, do we still lose same amount of hair on Tax? Still hanging on to mine -just!!
Enjoy the weekend everyone and hopefully not too many side effects. Xx
Lashes/ eyebrows- hair fell out on first Fec !!!
Hi everyone, rolicarpit, my pre chemo appt is Wednesday 25th June at 11.45, chemo following day at 12.45!
Hope you are still having limited side effects? I felt awful Saturday- really felt sick and no energy at all, with the added joy of coming off steroids too, which made me very tearful, so far not too bad today and feel a lot less " down ".
Hope you ladies are coping well, looks like it’s going to be a fairly good day- maybe sat in the garden in the sunshine will be the height of excitement!!( it’s my birthday today)!!
Eam, Wildpurl and Joan hope your Taxing hasn’t kicked in too bad so far? Xx
Happy birthday Lovewine. Looks as if it’s going to be a lovely day weatherwise. Hope you are feel well enough to get out tree and enjoy it and that the side effects due today aren’t too awful. My eyebrows have definitely thinned on FEC but since they were pretty thick they still look OK. Not looking forward to losing them altogether though or eyelashes. Since my eyes get sore I cant use eyeshadow so not much I will be able to do about the look except perhaps sunglasses.
I had a stonking day yesterday on the steroids, shopping, gardening centre, gardening, more shopping, washing stuff and still awake to watch Wallender. But then awake all night despite two sleeping pills. No nausea so have stopped the pills but seem to have lost my sense of taste which wasn’t affected on the FEC. off to see the grandchildren this morning, hope I have enough energy to cope.
Booksandwine, hope youre beginning to feel better.
Wishing you all the best possible day wherever you are in your treatment.
Hi ladies, thankyou for the birthday wishes ! Unfortunately my birthday was a non event as I spoke too soon about side effects!!- I started to feel worse as the morning went on yesterday- felt really faint and groggy, bone pain and no energy whatsoever so spent the day either in bed or on the sofa!!
Hope you are all coping ok x
Hi all and thanks for kind words.
Well had thought yesterday was starting to feel better slowly coming out of fog but last night another very little sleep night found temp at 37.6 normally I’m consistent 36 so we monitored it through night debated about calling it in. Still with aches by this morning it’s back to 36.
I literally have no energy and move bed couch seat in garden. Hopefully from later today will start to feel normal. I also have a rash down side of my neck anyone else with rashes?
My eyebrows have now pretty much gone i kept them with fec and eyelashes are partchy and sparse. Re nails I’m keeping well moisturised putting hardner and cuticle cream on
Sorry your birthday was quiet Lovewine. Double celebrate next year
Tempted to ask for some sleeping tablets if lack of sleep continues. Anyone using any that are gentle ie feel ok in morning.
Moany me sore ish mouth more the fact nothing has really a taste not really had the no taste before had taste change ie wine vinegar but no taste a new one.
Ok enough moaning sunny day birds chirping my temp is down I must be on mend. Best to all of you. C
Booksandwine, my temperature was the same as yours yesterday 37.5 and I am always in the 36s , today it has gone back down to 36 - seems we have similar effects! I was given sleeping tablets at diagnosis which I take sometimes- they are called zopiclone and do not leave any effects at all in the morning, In fact they are quite a mood lifter too! Maybe worth a try? Wendy x
Hi ladies I have had round 3 FEC and quite honestly just want to die. Feel awful always asleep every thing tastes vile and aches. Wondering if should call the emergency number as its awful. Really hard to envisage surviving 3 more rounds x
Louise, so sorry you are feeling so dreadful. I think it would be worth ringing. They may be able to suggest something but if not give you some reassurance. I think lots of us on this site found round three the most difficult and had to keep reminding ourselves that it means we’re halfway through.
Lovewine, sorry your birthday was not as you expected. I’m like you today, day 4, aching all over, groggy, no energy. Have managed a bath which has helped with the aches for a bit. Bed all day I anticipate.
Booksandwine. LikeLovewine I have Zoplicone. They worked pretty well for the first few days after FEC but less so with increased steroids with TAX. But I would ask your GP, we need all the strength we can get to get through all this. And I have found I can wean myself off them after the first few days and only then use if simply cannot get to sleep. I don’t think they make me feel any more whoozy than I do anyway on chemo. Like you taste largely gone, even water tastes horrible. As yet mouth not sore but since that normally takes a few days to kick in I’m not counting my chickens.
Decided to start planning a few days away between end of chemo and surgery. Getting very envious of all the lovely hols my friends are having.
Totally relate to you Louise. Really sympathise, I think we all just want to give up sometimes, I would call the helpline, thinking of you x
Thanks everyone especially advice re sleeping tablets Wendy and Joan.
Louise call for help I know how you feel I went and asked for counselling I have had initial appointment but will be three weeks before real consultations and choose to do this as need the strength to get through surgery and rads along with rest of chemo. Your not alone and it is tough. I never thought after halfway I’d feel so crap. I want my real life back and I’m not having fun and sick of being chipper but we can’t give up Please get help a call or book a massage.
Seeing plastic surgeon Thursday to see if it’s mediate recon or delayed. Hoping immediate but think they have made mind up already.
Best to all.
Rosie, so pleased you are at last free of the trots and feeling more normal. With you on the unwanted hair, had to shave my stubbly legs yesterday and elbows still hairy, bizarre.
Jos, what good ideas about covering up the PICC line. I’m afraid I have just either worn elbow length tops or let the NHS bandage show. Must try to be more creative, it is a bit limiting.
Wildpurl, very impressed with what you’re managing to do. I have struggled even to read today, which is unusual for me and haven’t managed to get out of bed yet? In fact I have just nearly set my bed on fire. Remembered that many years ago, for reasons I have now forgotten, I bought an electric massager. So fished it out and used it on my aching legs and tum, which did seem to help. Unfortunately I then managed to turn it on by accident, only realising I had done so by rolling onto it a couple of hours later and discovering it was rather hot. Woman incinerated by home massager would not make a good headline. Must make an effort to get up.
Louise, hope you have managed to speak to someone.
Rosie how great you are feeling much better, it makes such a difference to get away for a few days, even better without the dreaded trots!!
Think I will celebrate my birthday on another date, maybe later in year instead! My thoughts are turning to a nice holiday in crete maybe early October, but it would have to be a late deal as don’t know dates of operation and radiotherapy, which is depressing as seems such a long haul.
Joan, I can see the headlines now of your incinerating by massager!! Hope your aches and pains begin to ease off.
Jos, glad you are doing well, sounds like you had a busy weekend, which is so nice when feeling good.
Eam, how are you getting on? Hopefully still not too bad, and Kirstie too?
Louise, hope you are feeling a little better.
Wildpurl, Jackie, Booksandwine hope you haven’t had a too bad day, sounds like you had a good storm Jackie, we seemed to miss it here in Leicestershire, think we might not be so lucky tonight tho,
Rolicarpit, would very much like to meet up with you at some point, maybe nearer our next chemo can sort things out?
Take care everyone x
Couldn’t agree more!! Roll on July!! Can’t wait for the end of chemo, bl…y fed up with restricted diet, social life and feeling crap!! X
Evening ladies,sorry not had chance to come on. The tiredness has been the hardest for me! Was a bit achy & shivery last night. Have no taste buds at all & sore mouth but if wasn’t for the tiredness don’t think I’d be bothered about it - rather this than fec! Still feel like this could be the calm before the storm? Who knows! Trying ice pops,herbal teas & coke with ice for mouth & paracetamol for aches.
Yay Rosie so pleased to hear you have had a good few days!
Happy Birthday love wine - sorry it was not great but like many have said you can hopefully make up for it soon. Hol sounds good though:)
So sorry you are struggling Louise:( I was always bad for a week - which doesn’t sound long but in that week you hit some real down times I know - are you staying on fec for next 3 rounds? Hope you start to pick up - we are with you all the way.
Sorry for not replying individually - just can’t keep up & need to take the opportunity to sleep est when my daughter does.
Take care all xxx