Sorry - Thursday is good for me too!
That sounds perfect!! I have a blonde wiggy!! Look forward to putting a face to the name! Lots of places we can go for coffee in the town, see you Thursday! Wendy.
Hi cassie and welcome to you, good luck with your chemo tomorrow, am sure you will find this thread a big help !
Hi Cassie and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the support here our helpliners are on hand with practical and emotional support for you on 0808 800 6000, lines are open weekdays 9-5 and Saturdays 10-2 so please feel free to call
Here’s a link to the ‘treatment’ pages where you will find further information and support ideas which I hope you will find helpful:
breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment
Take care
Lucy BCC
Morning ladies, Rosie , hope your wig is trimmed to your liking today, you will hopefully be much happier with it after a good thinning out!
Nellie, I had the same thing last week, I wasn’t sure if it wasn’t the injections or the Tax itself causing bone pain either, some ladies have recommended piriton , it apparently helps, maybe worth a try, other than that , 2 hourly parecetemol/ibuprofen which I think you are already doing! Hope it improves today for you.
Have a good day ladies, whatever your plans?Wendy x
Nellie, just a thought, if you ask your g.p you could try Tramadol or there are several other stronger things to help, at least you might get some sleep without bone pain, x
Morning all
Hope you are all as well as can be and that anyone who didn’t feel great yesterday feels better today.
I feel good today and so decided to tackle the task of putting together a new BBQ … Only to find its in about 5 million pieces with a picture book of instructions that is only slightly shorter than war and peace but am persevering. To be honest I didn’t realise how very unfit I am, not in terms of aerobic fitness but just bending, twisting, lifting stuff etc … Feel very wimpy and am quite shocked. Going to need to sleep for a week after this but it I will have a finished BBQ by the end of today !!!
Posting this while sitting on the garden, the first day I have felt able to enjoy this lovely weather. Only remaining TAX problem apart from foul taste in mouth) is my hands, the right one looking as if it has been burnt and the left one additionally being swollen so I have to keep it elevated as much as possible. Although I have TAX so trying, on the plus side little nausea, my eyes aren’t weepy and light sensitive and my lips haven’t blistered. FEC still wins out for me though.
My return from the undead really happen ended yesterday morning after a pretty good nights sleep from which I woke feeling rested and energised. So I was able to go to the introductory session the local cancer support centre. It was very interesting and enjoyable. First a talk from a doctor about how cancer cells are usually destroyed by the immune system (fascinating speeded up film of this taking place in a lab) and the factors which undermine the immune system. Then input from a dietician with Q and As, followed by tai-chi exercise and then relaxation. All that plus opportunist to meet with other women. I hope to go again but husband is suspicious about the holistic approach-I didn’t even tell him about the candles. The information about the centre came from the hospital, so I assume they are OK but have agreed we will check it out with the oncologist on Thursday.
The centre is very keen on acupuncture. Has anyone tried this since being diagnosed.
Cassie. I would reinforce what Jos said about the PICC line in that the procedure is very straightforward and not painful and it doesn’t get in the way. You will need to get a waterproof cover so you can shower and bath. I got mine from the hospital shop but you can also get them online. If you find the dressing is have a irritating your skin, tell them, they have alternatives. Good luck.
Good luck also to Jos, hope the side effects are minimal and pass quickly. If not, they will pass. Do not feel you have to put up with the pain. If paracetamol and ibuprofen don’t work, ask for something stronger. What a pity about your holiday, you must have been gutted. I have gone down the dark nail varnish route, though plum rather than black. My oncologist was quite happy about it. Even if it doesn’t work I rather like it and my granddaughter, aged 4, thinks it’s
Nellie, hope the pains have subsided. It really is a miserable stage
Rosie, sorry you have hit the pains. Hope you start feeling better soon. I am full of admiration for you doing that drive, even at 30 mph, and it’s good that you are pleased with your wig. There was one young woman at the centre yesterday with beautiful long blond hair and I thought it was such a shame she would be losing it. I was gob smacked when she said it was a wig.
Rolicarpit, you are bonkers but well done. Enjoy.
Tomorrow going out for lunch with a group of ex- colleagues I last saw the day before my first chemo. We have been in regular touch by email so they are sort of prepared for what to expect but I confess I am getting a bit nervous because I look such a wreck and there is not much I can do to conceal it. Ah well.
Welcome newbies to our thread. I have found this forum invaluable, especially as a few members are about a week ahead of me so I can see what might or might not be in the pipeline.
Maybe I over did it on Sunday going to a BBQ because I paid for it yesterday. I was absolutely floored yesterday. Had to go back to bed after my morning shower. Got up about an hour and a half later and basically sat on the sofa all day. Even watched Coundown, Deal or no deal and Escape to the seaside.
However, feeling better today. Managed a walk and coffee with friends this morning and watched Eastbourne tennis on telly this afternoon. Have to admit I did nod off but managed to wake up in time to collect my son from school. Let’s hope things continue in the same vane/vein (?sp) for the rest of the week.
Hi ladies, I have found it interesting to read a lot of you have had issues with tasting food, I am lucky as don’t seem to have had that problem- so far!! , I have had very painful mouth ulcers which makes eating and drinking a challenge, but thankfully healing now,
Lisa, did you sort out BBQ? I find assembling things really irritating at the best of times!
Joan, your holistic approach sounds interesting, I think it really helps to treat the whole body and mind, I have a good friend who is very much involved in alternative therapy and at the beginning of this horrible time we are facing she was very good with advice to deal with my panic attacks and I felt a bit silly in some things but found a lot worked for me!! So if it helps then it can only be a good thing.
Cassie and Nellie hope you are finding this forum helps, it’s great to pick up tips and help!
Rosie, my mouth watered at your dinner last night! I do have sleeping tablets and take when needed, but have been sleeping not too bad at the moment, but I am getting more anxious now as chemo is coming to an end and more scans and surgery are getting closer!!
Have a decent day everyone x
Thanks fir all your good wishes ladies and input about complementary therapies. It’s interesting that so many of you have been that way inclined anyway. I confess I haven’t been, particularly after trying homeopathy and Chinese medicine for asthma without success. So I am naturally quite sceptical. We shall see what the oncologist has to say tomorrow. My hands are no better, hope he will be able to suggest something. One of the problems has been all the hand washing one has to do; I know I’m being more fastidious than usual. It got to the point where I was trying not to go to the loo because I knew it would sting like mad. Inspiration last night! Wear disposable plastic gloves. Magic.
Nellie, like Wildpurl I have also found the wheat pack invaluable for aches and pains in various places. Also discovered a new use for it yesterday- drying out my handbag after my water bottle had comprehensively leaked! I’m with you on the bald look but as Rosie says, everyone has to do what’s best for them in their circumstances. I have seen some women look amazing in scarves or turbans but I look dreadful. I have been struggling with a jigsaw for the last two months. I will probably finish chemo before the jigsaw.
Rosie, I have had recourse to sleeping pills since just after the first chemo when I decided I needed to get at least a modicum of sleep if I was going to be able to cope. I was able to limit their use during FEC, ie first few days then tail off but this time, with the first Tax and the complications, I have been on them 2 a night for about 12 days. Re surgery, I guess as chemo is coming to an end, hooray, our thoughts are naturally turning to the next stage. I expect, as with chemo, there will be different experiences, and some of it may be difficult, perhaps emotionally more than physically, but hopefully it won’t be the wholesale assault on our bodies which you in particular have experienced and coped with.
Cassie, it has felt to me that the steroids and the sleeping pills are battling it out and for the first night or so the steroids definitely have the upper hand. But without then, on my first FEC, I was literally awake the whole night.
Just back from the hospital again, this time it was to remove some remaining stitch that managed to find its way out after 14 weeks! from the lymph node site, the Mcmillan nurse was good enough to sort it out for me though hopefully thats the last of it, they are meant to disolve but not in this case.
I have had a lot of problems sleeping especially when the five days of injections start, very restless and achey more than at any other time but generally I have pretty poor sleep, I am 54 and was thinking that having to be on HRT for sleeplessness and memory problems was bad enough before the diagnosis, how wrong could I have been!
I am not feeling too bad generally at the moment though but like they say its the calm before the storm, the Macmillan nurse suggested almond oil for the nails as the Tax will turn them black and dry, they already have plenty of white stripes from the FEC, otherwise I have been fairly lucky with the side affects so far, I have had a sore mouth for a few days after the first two FEC sesions but this soon passed with a bit of bonjela, I think the trick is to drink a lot of water, not appealing I know as it does not help with the dodgey taste buds, I am thirsty all the time though, so less calories for the ever expanding waistline.
I have alternating constipation and squits but this is all normal apparently. I find the overwhelming fatigue the worst I just think I should be feeling better than this and then get very frustrated with myself I know I am being unrealistic but its in my nature to be hard working and productive and I don’t think anything will change that, I will just have to learn to be more patient with myself and not be so hard on myself, I feel like I am skiving when not really well enough for work and then get all emotional as I am obviously not up to it which is just rediculous.
Thanks again for your support ladies Cassie86
Hi all and welcome new ladies.
Starting to feel better and even managed dinner out on Monday. Went to a take control course the other day some good tips six women on course all of us with breast cancer !
Also attended my first counselling course not as scary as I first thought useful to speak to a stranger
Also managed today to get to a drop in centre just down the road from me been trying to go for ages.
Cassie I have a picc line does not hurt you don’t really know it’s there
I’m on edge of london in the west if you want feel free to pm me there is a load of good support in london. Maggies is in Hammersmith at charing cross hospital not been yet. Plus I did the head sting course st st guys and I don’t get treatment there I am booked on an image course at the haven next week in fulham I am having a macecyy after chemo so won’t be a hourglass much longer lol. I think there is a sipport group at royal marsden and my surgery recon will be st royal free and they seem to have support. I am booked on lingere healthy eating and signs reoccurrence at breastcare london they are in southwalk. Hope this helps.
I have been told about penny brohm in Bristol anyone heard of or used them.
NB next tax is next Tuesday bye bye taste buds
Oh re waterproof cover for picc got mine at boots. Blue with drawstring sleave thing. Five pounds works well
Cassie , I am 52, I can totally agree with your impatience to do more, I have found the overwhelming fatigue very hard after my first Tax, I worked very long hours running my own little business, now I can just about work 3 hours a day!! It’s very frustrating.
At least you got your stitch removed and good luck with the pic cline, here in leicester they use the cannula, niot been too bad so far.
Rosie, another tasty sounding dinner on the menu, other half and myself are going to have crusty bread and fondue!! Glad you are feeling better Booksandwine, my next tax is next Thursday, oh joy!
Thankyou ladies for your reassuring words about surgery, I know Rosie and myself are facing the same time schedule in finishing chemo and surgery .
Hope you have had sunshine in your parts of the world today! Wendy x
Jackie wow talk about lack of compassion I got stocked up by my dr on painkillers try them if no luck with oncologist
Rosie 58 is not old I’m 49 but last week felt. 90 mind you You impress me with your trip to uk early in treatment.
Lovewine this is my first week three I could not face work. Feel guilty but could just not do it.
Only my first ok second alcoholic drink in something in should four weeks.
Everyone’s dinner sounds nice, my fondue was very good- a real throw back to the seventies but still love it!!
Jackie, not very good treatment for you, hope you get on better with your usual onc tomorrow.and Rosie I think you sound very young and 58 is young!! Although have it agree I felt 90 last week too! Booksandwine, I am lucky to be my own boss, you shouldn’t feel guilty feeling too knackered to work, our bodies tell us when we need to rest and I know I certainly have had to this time!!
Hi cassie, sounds like you have a very demanding job, I don’t think I could concentrate at a very good level in a responsible job at the moment as I certainly have chemo brain- can’t get my words out, forgetful, stop halfway through a sentence as totally forget what I was talking about, thought I had gone through this with the menopause, but much worse on chemo!
Oh Nellie, really sympathise with the lack of sleep, and yes it’s hard feeling this fatigued during the day, think most of us ladies feel the same, maybe try stronger sleeping pills, my G.p gave me Zoplicone , I find I get at least 5 hours sleep which is a miracle!! There are no effects the next day either.
Rosie, your 2 evening functions will be nice for you- think sometimes it’s a bit daunting mixing with lots of people again , but will be nice occasions, enjoy your little tipple- will do you good!
Lisa, am looking forward to seeing you this morning!
Jackie, hope everything goes smoothly for you today.