FEC-T cycle 1 day 8
Hello ladies, bad day today, woke up with worse skin than my teenage daughter, spots and dry skin that’s really itchy, plus the spots are in my hair which is really itchy. My mouth is like yours Angie, my tongue is so sore and even drinking a cup of tea is painfull. To top it all I have bad heartburn.
ive not rang the chemo unit yet but the thought of these symptoms all weekend was enough to prompt me to call them. Anyway they wrote a prescription for my husband to collect, I’ve got Difflam mouth wash plus gelclair oral gel which is mixed with water to make a mouthwash that contactable coating in your mouth. some Chlorphenamine for the spots and itchy skin, along with some e45 cream. And some Difflam spray for the back of my throat. The only thing I havnt got is something for the heartburn as my doctors didn’t get the prescription signed by a doctor this afternoon. So I will have to make do with the Gaviscon which is useless but better than nothing, until Monday.
I my hair feels really tight to my scalp so I’ve thinned it down a whole lot to ease my head, that’s worked a bit. I’ve not lost any hair yet but the scalp tightening maybe a warning that, that’s about to start.
Amber it’s good to read that your coping well with your second cycle, it’s very encouraging.
maiseicakes, sorry your having such a bad time of it, hope you have a better weekend.
Judy x
Maisiecake for some reason I didn’t see your post earlier. I hope you are feeling better now. I found the sickness was worst for me. I was told it should be better next time as they will change the sickness meds. Fingers crossed that it works and they do the same for you too.
I’m also a teacher (year 1 primary) and have been told to stay away from school. It’s a breeding ground for infections. Stay away, have a well deserved rest and look after yourself for a while.
Take care xx
Hi Judy,
Sorry you’re having such bad s/e. hope the meds sort you out.
My hair started dying off day 15, really coarse then comming out so by day 17 I opted for a Pixie cut. Day 19 my hair was comming out in handfuls and my scalp was sore, so my friend shaved it Day 20. It was such a relief, the soreness went immediately and it felt so much better, put some aloe Vera gel on my scalp too.
You may have few good few days yet, everybody’s different. Xx
hi judyd
i found ice cream slightly melting was very soothing and hot chocolate with a lot of cold milk was nice too. its awful, hope youre feeling better soon.
angie xx
EC cycle1 day 9
Evening Angels,
Had a really lazy day today. Enjoyed my facial this morning as Suzy chatted on about the dogs, her new car, her thinking of going to T in the Park near Kinross… oh the joys of pre BC chitchat!
Got to admit, I nearly didn’t go because like you, Judy, I’ve come out in what appears to be teenage acne and ,yes, with spots on my scalp too! Hope it’s only temporary. When I mentioned it to my bcn she said that most people see an improvement in their skin - sadly not me or you Judy. Will you let me know how you get on with the Chlorphen stuff.
Kim, you were right, got the phone call re appointment for wig. They offered me Tuesday at Ponte Hosp but because that is in my v low blood count time, I’ve decided to wait till later in the week and go to their shop. BTW, courgette and lime sounds great and bread! don’t talk to me about bread! I can’t get enough of it at the minute - keep sending OH on forays to the local bakers!
Bobbies girl, you made me laugh with your wig stories. I am quite a keen recycler so looking forward to using my newish kitchen floor mop in 6 or so months time when my head no longer needs it!
Poemsgalore, loved the poem - reckon it would make a good rap for Dizzee Rascal or Tinie Tempah! Glad you’re feeling better Linda good to have you back. Sorry you’ve been feeling down but I think sometimes you just have to give in and then you can start again onwards and upwards.
Maisiecakes, hope you turn the corner soon. Next cycle may prove better.
Angie, good on you for braving the No 1 cut! I’ve had mine cut pretty short but hopefully, since the wig is a short style, the transition won’t be too great.
Well, spent most of the afternoon watching catch-uo TV - poor lad crying on Masterchef! and that new Politician’s Husband with David Tennant. OH has gone out this evening - up the club with the lads. Life feels almost back to normal!
Have a lovely weekend everyone,
Moira xxx
Moira, I will let you know if there is any improvement in my skin with the drugs. I’ve also rubbed some antihistamine in to stop the itching, but it is quite a shock to wake up looking so Spotty. i normally get psoriasis but only during the warm summer months but I read that chemo actually cures the psoriasis while your having chemo. I was quiet pleased at that thinking, well at least my skin will look good this year! How wrong was I
Hi everyone
glad you enjoyed your facial Moira, this evening I have had a lovely visit from my niece who is getting married in 5 weeks time, it really is great spending time chatting and laughing at non BC things, it really lifts your spirits. She has been really thoughtful and arranged for me to have a room at the venue that I can use if I need to rest at any time during the reception. She has also arranged for me to have melon starter instead of the chicken liver parfait or goats cheese tartlet ( my favourite!) hope this weather warms up before the wedding otherwise I’ll need my thermals underneath my chiffon dress!
Judy - I found the diluted cordysol mouthwash and pineapple really helped my sore mouth. I really can sympathise with you about the heartburn - the meds from the doctor are like a miracle cure.
Angie - well done for braving the no 1. I’m taking my wig to the hairdressers next week for a trim.
Moira - I know what you mean about bread, I seem to have lived on it for the last week. I like you recycling idea for the wig. I thought it would be great on my steam mop…then I remembered it is not heat friendly which reminded me of my friend’s mum who MELTED the front of her wig getting the Yorkshire puddings out of the oven. LET THAT BE A WARNING TO US ALL GIRLS…NO COOKING WHILST WEARING WIGS lol
haveva lovely weekend everyone
Kim x
Judy, I know what you mean. I smell like a chemist’s shop - a combination of anthisan and Body Shop T tree oil!
CH CYCLE 1 DAY 1
Just typed loads out and lost it!! Where did it go?
First visit to hospital lasted 5.5hrs as chemo suite running an hour behind. Two attempts to canulate veins shot to bits from last time. considered a PICC line and decided upon trying hypnosis instead for my needle phobia. All seems to be going a bit too well.
My best friend took me today and she has never been to chemo with me before she used to take me to all my Oncology appts and hubby did all chemo visits. Anyway I was given a small sharps bin for the Filgrastim the Community Nurse will have to give me Tues-Sat. My friend decided to examine this bin and locked it…permanently. The older bloke in the opposite chair spragged on us , we got told off by a good natured nurse and given another one. She said she thought we’d be trouble.
Have a bit of ringing in ears and lots of visits to loo but nowt too bad_._
Have you all completed the form for free prescriptions that you are entitled to for the next 5 years? If not get a form and have it signed by your Oncologist on your next appt.Take care be positive Alex x
Hello all.
My mum had her first fec on Tuesday. we went wig shopping yesterday and she now has a racquel welch ! It looks lovely and she is really pleased with it. 3 days after chemo and she has just been really tired And a little sad. She said the shopping really cheered her up so I think the key is to just do as much normal stuff as we can. Me n mum often go shopping for lunch n coffee and that’s what we did. Try on all the scarves she’s bought also brought a smile to her face so I guess the think she was most worried about will be ok in the end. As her hair is quite thin & short anyway I’m hoping the itchy scalp and patchiness won’t be too bad.
I cannot thank amber d, pcmartin, Lori, and all of you enough. I’ve read so many posts that are helping. I ve already got a huge shopping list & suggestions for mum when s/e kick in. And I’m looking forward to telling her how you ve all had really good days as well as s/e.
i really hope you all have a good weekend . I’m off for a short walk with mum later if she feels up to it. Carry on as normal as poss. Take care all xx
Hi Keely
great to hear from you and that your mum is doing okay. The main thing to remember for your mum is for her to listen to her body…if she does too much one day do less the next and rest. I am 11 days post first cycle and have had no bad days but have planned things every other day to ensure I don’t wear myself out too much as that can bring on more SE’s.
good luck to you both
kate
x
i had the 3rd E CMF yesterday. Feel tired today so still in bed. One more of the red stuff to go then the CMF which I am hoping may be easier. Got my cavalier Louis with me and my fiancé is looking after me.
hope you all ok.
Debra xx
TCH cycle 1 day 19
Still no real side effects from the tax or carboplatin, just a few minor irritations, noteably mild diarrohea in the mornings. Had it not been for the neutropenic episode I would be happy. As it is, I am frightened of it happening again, and anxiety keeps rearing its ugly head. My thermometer will be worn out before long!
The district nurse is coming to take my blood on Monday morning. She rang me the other day to see if I have a bag of saline in the goody box she left for me because she would be flushing my portacath. I said there is no need as it will be done on Tuesday before my infusions, but she said she would be using it to get my blood. Apparently they all attended a training session on how to use portacaths that afternoon. Now call me a woose but I don’t want to be a guinea pig and find my port is damaged or infected (they require a special right angled needle and specialist care) so I told her I would feel safer if she used my arm as I have good veins.
Hopefully my bloods will be back to normal and cycle 2 can continue, but what tweaks my oncologist will make I have no idea until I see him on Tuesday.
Love and hugs to everyone, Linda xx
FEC-T Cycle 2 Day 11
FEC-T Cycle 2 Day 11
Hi Everyone,
Just been trying to catch up with all your posts and wanted to say hello, also wanted to update my profile pic…here’s to wigs are us!!
Debra - Glad you feel ok and that you have your OH and little Louis there to look after you, try and sleep through the worst parts if you can, take it easy, hope you have a better time of it this cycle.
Kate - Glad your doing ok with your SE’s, pacing yourself is obviously helping so long may it continue! I read you had a Guiness the other day - my other half did too but not for long after I found it to be really refreshing, must be the change to my taste buds cause I have never really liked it that much before…I drank the lot lol!!
Keely93 - Gad your Mum is feeling ok, sounds like she has a great support there with her and AAA’s are always here too! Keep in touch.
Bobbiesgirl48 - Hope yo do well after your fist cycle. Good idea to post the prescription thing, I got mine sorted but great reminder.
Another thing to check, if you have not already done so is if you have any policies that may have critical illnes cover, worth double checking.
Kim - Your an inspiration with all that baking you are doing…wish you lived closer! Good tip about the oven, they dont like wigs and another thing I was told was to watch out for getting caught in the rain, dont think they like rain water much either, might be ok if you were to wash it staight away but worth carrying a brolly just in case!
Judy & Moira - hope you are over your skin trouble soon! Good luck with your wig appoitment Moira and welcome to that club too!
Linda - hope you are feeling a bit brighter, those days are far from the best and the teary moments often creep up when you least expect them too. Hope your taking it easy and feeling more like you soon!
Amber - Glad you are managing your SE’s ok and still enjoying those food cravings. Good luck too with the run, well done you! I will be visiting your page soon to show some support!!
Pauline - Hope your weekend is off to a good start and you get some decent weather, have fun!
Maisiecake - Sorry your going through that horrible sickness part, I had that feeling but only for about 4-5 days its not pleasant. Good to hear you were picking up from Friday tho I hope that continues and you have a peaceful w/e.
Mel - Love the Pic! You’ve gotta laugh when you can it’s the best thing to see you through. Good luck with having building work done - not the best timing maybe but at least plenty folk there to make a brew!!
Hope everyone else is getting on ok and that you all have a great weekend.
Love Lori x
Lori, your wig looks great.
Debra xx
FEC-T cycle 1 day 9
hello ladies, I’ve just got to say, thank goodness for Difflam mouthwash, yesterday was just rubbish with a sore mouth but in the space of a day the Difflam has it sorted. Now I just need to find the miracle drug for my skin. Moira the Chlorphenamine doesn’t seem to be really doing anything as yet, I’ve put more antihistamine cream on the spots and that seems to help but I just know when my hair falls out my scalp is gonna look a right sight with all these lumps and bumps. The itching is driving me insanethrive read older posts and I think other ladies have said once they shaved there hair off the itching and sore scalp got better, so that might be my next option.
Lori your wig looks fantastic, I’d not really thought of getting a wig as I like hats anyway, but I may have to reconsider after seeing yours.
Debra, hope your feeling a bit better today x
Keeley your doing a fantastic job looking after your mum, she’s lucky to have you taking such good care of her, I hope she starts feeling better soon x
mosiecat is the tea tree oil helping at all, I know we have some of that in the cupboard.
My appetite has come back with a vengeance today,I keep looking in the cupboard and stuffing my face, I will be the size of a Ouse if this continues. I hope you all have a food day with as few s/e as possible.
judy xx
For spots, rashes and tiny blisters I have been using Sudocrem. It is an antiseptic healing cream and has worked wonders on the backs of my hands (badly affected but not now) and my face. It goes on a bit like plaster, but soon soaks in, acts as a barrier on your hands with all that hand washing, and really has worked wonders.
EC Cycle 1 day 12
Hi Everyone
Lori - your wig is fab 
My wig arrived today, It needs the fringe trimming a bit but I am wearing it around the house just to get used to it. I can’t remember when I blast had such thick hair lol
Judy - I’m glad your mouth is much better, sorry about the spots 
I know what you mean about the appetite. I didn’t really feel hungry at all until day 9 and like you it returned with a vengeance…I never really had a sweet tooth and now I’m eating buns, cakes and biscuits!!!
Keeley - your mum is really lucky to have such a caring daughter and I hope she feels better soon.
Amber - I baked the bread from scratch, I treated myself to Paul Hollywood’s bread book.
Debra glad you are taking it easy, just think you are half way through nth e treatments now
Tonight we are having a lovely Italian meal with a nice bottle of red. Hope you all hav a good Saturday night
Kim x
im glad your happy with your wig Kim. I’ve just been looking on eBay at wigs, wow, the voice is brilliant, I had no idea, half the wigs I’ve looked at actually looked ten times better than my own hair. I’m looking and thinking,I quite fancy a different one for each day, there’s one that’s blonde with pink ends, that is fab, my daughter would have a fit laughing if I bought it, but I don’t know, I just might. This might be my only chance to havindifferent coloured hair and hairstyles.