Well done Judy. Last one - yippee!
Just to let you know ladies the Genie bras are half price in BHS at the mo. £19.99 for a pack of 3. I’ve heard so much about them being comfortable I thought I might be able to wear them during or after rads.
Hope the SEs are kind to you all xx
Hi all,
I am concerned that some of you think I’m ‘brave’ going into work. When I’m in work and my colleagues say the same, I always tell them about this forum and that many of you are putting up with much more than I am. Judy is something of a legend with my workmates too!! I’ve been lucky and not had many of the side effects you have had and the portacath has meant I have had zero problems with my veins (I get a bit mad when I think this isn’t easily available on the NHS when it saves so many problems, that and the preventative anti-sickness stuff…… ). I only actually go in 3 days a cycle anyway – being able to work from home is a godsend, but I have only ever done 5 days in total,plus a bit of blackberrying.
If I feel ill on the morning I’m due to go in, I don’t, but this only happened once when I got a cold. During radiotherapy I’ll probably start by going in on Monday & Tuesday and seeing how it goes. My onc says it can make you tired, also there will probably be residual fatigue from the chemo to contend with too. I read somewhere (sorry, can’t remember where tho’) that it can take up to 12 months to get over chemo, so bear this in mind when you start discussions about going back to work!!
Tax3 Cycle 7 Yesterday
Chemo brain got me good this time! Wednesday was chemo eve so I took my steroid tablets like a good girl. I was sorting out the dose for the chemo morning yesterday and realized I’d taken 8 anti-sickness tablets instead by mistake! (both types began with D and ended with ose, were small round & white and in new packets since I’d never needed the antisick ones anyway!) I was tempted not to say anything to the chemo nurses in case it messed up the schedule, but decided that was stupid and fessed up. I got a bigger dose of steroid in the pre-chemo saline drip and was warned I’d be buzzing & probably not sleep well! Lucky escape though – I’ll have to be a lot more careful in future, although now I’ve finished the proper steroids, the only meds I should need are paracetamol/ibuprofen this cycle, hopefully.
Today is my last “good” day so getting lots of jobs done & went out for lovely lunch with OH. Fasting really makes you enjoy your food – although I was full well before I wanted to be!
Kate – Southend is a typical seaside town – full of children & hen & stag parties, fish & chips & kiss me quick hats! If you want a special meal, try a bit further along the coast Westcliffe or if you like seafood – Leigh old town has some nice specialist eateries -both a short journey.
Phillomena – hope you get your rads. I’m sure you’ll get the best of care either way.
Pics - loving them! Thanks!
I feel guilty about all you ladies sitting on uncomfortable station platform benches waiting for me! See if you can find a good pub nearby and I’ll see you there! I’ll be happy dancing on 22<sup>nd</sup> August – anyone else stuck on this rather empty train??
Love to all,
Roz
Final Tax, day 8
Just a quickie ladies, had a rough few days and today is one of the worse I have felt. Feel really sick (which is a first for me) and can hardly lift my head from the pillow. Sleeping on and off most of the time which is good but just feel completely drained. Temp ok but will give it another day and maybe phone the chemo unit. Mouth is horrid and can’t even take the trusted pineapple as too stingy. Taking Difflam and Gelclair but can only take water at the moment.
thanks for all your posts , enjoyed reading them even though I can’t offer much myself at the moment - should be fine in a couple of days
Hello to all those on the platform, take care Angels xx
ECMF cycle 5 day 8
Hi all
another one down today 
all went well. thanks for Difflam advice Judy. It sounds a really good idea. I asked at chemo unit but dr thinks I have oral thrush so more tablets instead, joy of joys. Am going back for Neulasta tomorrow and then back to Cornwall. planning to sleep all the way while OH drives.
Roz I’m definitely still on the very empty train until…wait for it… the beginning of NOVEMBER. I have 3 more 4 week cycles to go after this one. Feeling just a bit jealous of all you party people on the platform, but I’ll get there in the end! I’m having Rads at end of August before I finish chemo, so I think I’ll have one foot on and one foot off! I think we should sit in the same carriage and sing ’ I don’t wanna wait in vein (vein, get it?)’ by Bob Marley, or ‘When will I see you again’ by 3 degrees. Anyone joining us? Or is everyone there now?
Debra apparently the sore throat etc is thrush. I don’t have the C as tablets. I have it as IV, with the others. I asked onc why and he said they found the tablets were difficult for people to take so lots ended up down the toilet! They give it all as infusions.
Hat off to you for managing to take them- don’t be tempted to flush them! You’re still on the train with me and Roz, but nearly done.
love and sleep fairies to everyone Mel xxx
Ah Pauline thats not good, hope you feel better soon. Dont leave it too long if you feel you need to ring someone even for peace of mind, do it. Keep an eye on your temp! Take care and get plenty sleep 
Loving the new pictures girls very inspiring, I have a little hair too, mostly grey but hey ho hair is hair!!
Dont worry ladies who are still on the train…we’re sticking together so more than happy to wait for you. Look after yourselves and pray for no delays…its nice here on the other side even if the last infusion is taking a little longer to get over. I still have really sore feet and ‘cankles’ if I’m on them too long.
Heading down to Warwick tomorrow for a few days then York on way home so hope my feet improve!
Best wishes to you all
Love Lori x
Pauline our posts crossed. sorry you’re feeling rubbish- don’t suffer, there are loads of drugs for sickness they can give you. If you’re not getting enough water down you can get dehydrated quickly. Phone them!
Mel xxx
Hey I am still on the train too, last one not until next Friday. Hope I’m not as bad as you Pauline hope you feel better soon . i should have finished today had I not been delayed for a week after 1st chemo but I will be waiting for you Csrol and Debra and anyone else who us on the train longer. My hair has started to grow too although you would not see it in a photo it is like a halo of white/ grey hair when the light shines on it don’t know if it will fall out again day 15 today. At least we know it is still there under the surface. Love to you all and big hugs to you if feeling under the weather Lynn x
Evening Angels, sorry your having such a rough time Pauline, hope your soon through it all.
dont worry Anglels who are still on the train, we are not going anywhere until we’re all off safe and sound.
I had a lovely day today as my grandson Luca who is 15 months old finally said Granny, so I am delighted. still no energy, hopefully will return soon.
sleep tight Angels xx
So sorry to hear some of you are struggling with SEs. You’ve had a rough ordeal with tax haven’t you Pauline? Last one now though!
Don’t worry if you’ve not finished your chemo yet. We’ll be waiting. We’re like the musketeers on here. 1 for all and all for 1. That’s what makes us an awesome team. 
Enjoy your few days away Lori and Mel. A change is as good as a rest they say. I’m looking forward to a trip to Portsmouth on the 16th for a week.
Thanks for your words of wisdom about work Roz. I remember reading the same post about chemo affects staying in your system for about a year. A frightening thought eh? Still as long as its done its job that’s what matters.
Philomena I hope you’re taking it easy and looking after yourself. Big hugs xx
Hi Angels,
Feeling a bit better today. Dont think I took last night’s anti sickness soon enough. Then not certain it stayed down. Took this morning’s at half six, then steroid at eight with the ginger biscuits and banana. So back down to earth today. All I’ve gotto show for the last session is chemo glow or is that steroid induced rosy cheeks and indigestion.
Sorry to hear you’re suffering Pauline. It’s definitely cumulative this chemo business. But it’s got to get better soon!
Mel, Caz and Judy, I love the photos. I too have the 3mm of hair but it’s white! Anyway, in a totally throwing away money sort of way, I’ve been and ordered a real hair wig. I felt it was justified because I’m going to a good friend’s wedding in September and I haven’t spent much on my outfit. Then, if we get a week away somewhere warm in October, I’ll still need to hide the white stubble.
Scuse me while I go and find a Lansaprazole…
Pauline so sorry to read your having such a rough time, feeling sick is awful, i would ring the chemo unit and get some anti sickness drugs, mind you you’ve got the worry if you ring them, they’ll may have you in, take care Hun, you know what’s best for you, hope you start feeling better soon.
I know Ii was moaning earlier about how much weight ive put on but I’ve just had the most enormous piece of homemade lemon meringue pie… It’s my favourite, we even had lemon meringue as our wedding cake.
Philomena, how nice for you with your grandson, my sister in laws grandson calls her grandmazia, as in grandmas here, but he thinks that’s her name.
how many are left now, Lynne your next Friday, Kim are you done on Tuesday? roz your done on the 22nd August, Carol and debra when are you finished? Mel you poor thing, I didn’t realise you weren’t finished till November, how many sessions will you be having in total? And to have radiotherapy in the middle, you poor thing. Who else have I missed… Chemo brain and all that!
Roz, I’m surprised I’ve not done the same with the tablets mixing them up and taking the wrong ones, thankfully my chemo nurse started to write on each packet what days and times I took each tablet, I would them leave the box next to the kettle in the kitchen as I have a cuppa every hour, thawalks I would remember to take them.
How’re you doing Darth Vader aka Angie, I may be joining you in Steroid land, especially as my daughter and her mate have pinched my bed for the night that I use in the playroom … I use it to crash on when I can’t sleep during the first few nights of steroids, may have to doss on the sofa tonight.
Moira are you feeling any better?
mel enjoy the rest of your holiday in Cornwall. Take care philomena. The Rest of the angels, have a good night, don’t Hogg the sleep fairys, I may need one or two tonight. Best of luck with the s/e. Hope you can sleep with the heat we are having.
Ahh, that’s better.
Judy, yes I enjoyed Inferno. But felt I was being given a history lesson and travel guide rolled into one. Still it’s got me reading again. Just polished off the latest in the 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McAll Smith. I just love those books. So gentle. I’m now reading something at the other end of the scale - Rebecca Chance, Bad Angels - certainly keeping my interest 
.
That’s enough for tonight, time to play Candy Crush Saga (saddo me)
Moira xxx
Moira our posts crossed, can’t wait to see your new wig, blow the money, your ve been through a lot, you deserve to treat yourself after what you’ve been through, can’t wait to see the wig
Candy crush saga is a nightmare i started playing it when I was diagnosed I have been at level 125 for about a week cant get passed it arrrhhh…!! Lynn x
Judy thanx for sympathy, I will stop feeling hard done by eventually. I’m having 8 cycles, but the last 4 are 28 days long, and extra weeks for white cell recovery, rads and being hospitalized has made it even longer. BUT I dare any nasty little invaders to survive it! Onc is certain that this is my best chance so I’m trusting him.
Have decided to add my baldy to the collection- my son took it in the garden where i was wandering about in my pj’s on a bit of a steroid high. just ate a whole box of seasalt caramel fudge( I know I know) and 400gr of strawberries WITH sugar on. If I feel sick tonight I don’t think I can really blame the chemo.
I can’t remember who was talking a while back about claiming ESA, but I claimed as you can if you’ve paid NI and your ssp has run out. It’s not dependent on your income and I got a letter today to say I can have it. It all goes towards replacing the lost income, and is very welcome. Debra have you looked into this if your employers are going to stop paying you?
Nighty night angels hope sleep fairies are kind
mel xxx
Last docetaxel day 10
Hello Everyone,
Last and worst Tax, wiped out up till last couple of days. Told I’ll have ‘breast conserving surgery’ 19th Aug, then 4 -5 weeks rads.
Chemo has shrunk the tumour, but also fragmented it, so not sure how the surgeons know what they’re going to do with it when presumably this last dose will have further effect…
Philomena, sorry to hear about your cardiac issues. Have you had any more information back yet?
Mel, it was me asking about ESA, I’m self employed so dont get SSP, was wrongly advised by McMillan money advice I wasnt eligible for any benefits, so lost first few weeks of claim.
All the best to everyone for now xx
Hi judy,
I should be finished next Thursday - 8th August, yippee!
Couldn’t sleep last night and not even on steroids. Awake between2 and 5, ridiculous! It’s no wonder I sometimes find myself sitting down on the sofa and then waking up an hour later
Carol
Well I didn’t sleep too bad last night the sleep fairys obviously paid me a visit, I think I woke up about 3 times in the night. I’ve had all my steroids and anti sickness and painkillers this morning, rattling away now. Just the last of the injection in the stomach at lunchtime … That’ll cheer hubby up, I think it’s his payback for all the times I’ve been a nasty bitch and snapped at him over the last cycle. I asked the chemo nurse yesterday if its the injection that starts the aches and pains off in arms and legs, she said it does give slight aches but its the doxectal thats the main culprit. Something to do with platelets and red blood cells made in the long bones??? Chemo brain, can’t remember rightly.
Rozz I hope the 12 month getting over chemo doesn’t mean this leg ache and pain lasts for such a long time. A bit of tiredness for 12 months will be ok, but nothing else.
Moira, I’m relieved and pleased for you that the sickness has got better, I was panicking a bit thinking Pauline has come down with sickness, then you, I can cope with a lot but feeling throwing up sick i can’t do.
Mel, loving the baldy photo, do do baldy well. That’s a long time you’ve got left with the treatment, any idea why they’re doing radiotherapy in between the chemo? Your gonna be wiped out girl, it’s a good job joyous got your Cornwall break in inbetween.
Has anyone else ended up with an enormous turkey double chin, I have and with no hair to hide the horrible thing I’m looking more like a Carmel with the fat on my back and under my chin wobbling as I walk.
fecinora congratulations on reaching the end of your treatment, it’s good news that the cancer has shrunk, but blimey it’s not long is it before you have surgery. Had they always planned to do breast conserving surgery? I know that was mentioned to me at the very beginning but as the tumour rapidly grew they just said mastectomy. I don’t know what I would think now if they went back to there original plan as my tumour has shrunk down to nothing, but I don’t know if I would be happier if they just did the mastectomy and got rid of it. Mind you radiotherapy will mop up any remaining cells.
So Carol it’s you on Thursday, lynn on friday and Kim on Tuesday, all hitting the platform next week, were gonna need a bigger platform! The sleeping thing is rubbish isn’t it, I can’t remember the last time I just went to bed and woke up in the morning. Mind you, I don’t have dark circles under my eyes anymore which I used to. My skin has never looked so good. I still havnt had to shave my legs or my armpits. My psoriasis has gone for the summer. I suppose it has had it’s benefits.
have a good day ladies, I think we’ve got the sun again today.
Well done Fecinora for reaching the platform!
Judy I’m afraid I got the neulasta aches when I was on FEC. They’re not pleasant bu have generally lasted a couple of days. The tax usually extends it by a day for me, then I’m left with tiredness. I find the stomach cramps are worse for me on TAX but hey - last run
Loving the baldy look Mel. Your hair is starting to come back too isn’t it?
I’m not envying the surgery ladies but this journey has taught us that we can get through anything and we’re kicking bcs butt. Good luck with it all. When we meet up we’ll be over the worst of it.
Has anyone got any alternative ideas to spas to consider for the costume shy amongst us and the cancer shy providers? I’m not ruling spas out but it might be nice to throw a few different ideas together.
I’m off to watch my kiddywinks in yet another show later. They’ve done a drama workshop this week and are showing off their work. They absolutely love it.
Speak later. Mel xx
Oh Heck, I was sick as a dog at about half past minight but at least I slept better for the empty stomach. All this time I thought the ondansetron was doing some good. Now I think I just tolerated chemo well but I’ve got to saturation point!
Judy, I don’t get the wig until Tuesday. It’s from a wonderful lady in Morley (Hair Room). I’d reccommend her to anyone. At the moment she’s cutting it and styling it a bit shorter so the transition won’t be too great. I’ve evn got the facinator from Phase Eight, in the sale - it’ll be the first time I’ve ever worn one of them - I’m a big hats girl really.
Lynn, Iv’e been stuck on level 50 for days. I absolutely refuse to spend money on wasting my time away so I play the five lives then walk away.
Mel, good for you getting the baldy out in the garden. These pictures are so empowering! But it’s great to feel that little bit of fuzz when you wash your head, isn’t it .
Congratulations Fecinora. Glad to see you on the platform for a couple of weeks. Seems quite few having surgery afterwards. Hope all goes well.
Hope you’re starting to feel a bit better, Pauline. Can you contact your unit over the weekend? Hang on in there, not much more of this sh*t to go!
Hope you’re enjoying your ‘good’ weekend before last reatment, Kim. I haven’t got a start date for rads yet. I’ll probably find out when I go for planning on the 12th. Even had to ask the chemo nurse what was happening re hormone tablets. She went off and came back with my first months supply to start three weeks hence. Then I had to ask where I would get the next lot from and was told to get them on repeat prescription from GP. I really know nothing - but I’m learning.
Right, going to have a bath, get dressed and then wander into Thomas Cook to see what’s on offer for late October.
Moira xxx