Fec-t Cycle 3 day 9
Haven’t been on for a few days and missed loads of news.
Moira, congratulations on the birth of your grandson, Iam sure he’ll bring you so much joy
Kate, hope all goes well for you and your family today
Mel A, seems we get conflicting info about our affected sides. I had all my nodes removed and all the info states no needles or blood pressure. On my first cycle the nurse wanted to take blood from that arm and I refused. Had a chat with my Onc who advised its ok to take bloods out but nothing to go in or blood pressure. His point was that if we were struggling for a good vein why make it worse when we could use the affected arm. I made him promise me I would not get Lynphodema and he did. Having said that I only let them do it once as my arm ached for days afterwards. I also get aches in my arm aha sometimes feel I have a tennis ball sitting behind it.
Debra, sorry to hear about your broken arm but well done on kicking the red stuff
Spudgirl, glad to hear you’re back on board
Kipper, you have such a lovely stepson
Philomena, glad you’ve escaped and hope you’re ok now
Well done to all those who have been on the chemo train this week and Pauline thnk you’re Friday, hope s/e are mminimal.
no major s/e for me this cycle although nausea first thing seems to have taken a bit longer to disappear but ok. Been really emotional though and couldn’t snap out of it but today I feel I’ve turned a corner.
Sorry if I’ve missed anyone, take care ladies xx
hi all you angels havent posted since my 2nd fec last tuesday as have had some really bad s/e.have just gone through all the posts and think you are all amazing.i had to call 999 yesterday as i felt so ill and the only advice i got from the chemo helpline was go to a&e.dont really know why they give you a number to phone if it takes 20 mins to get through and then no help.paramedic was great but didnt take me to a&e as risk of infection.the chemo nurse told me on my second fec that i was getting a very high dosage think it must have been too high as i really thought my heart was giving out and as i live alone was very scared.feeling a bit better today and after reading all your posts feel a bit of a wimp.i am also on fect 3 fec 3tax so last fec coming up on 4thjune.will post more when not so tired,love from barb
Barb,
You’ve had such an awful time, must have been very scary for you, glad you’re feeling a bit better today.
take care and look after yourself xx
ECMF cycle 2 day 14
Hi all
Barb- thinking of you. you are definitely NOT a wimp. anyone who can get through this enormously challenging, life threatening journey is an absolute superhero, let alone doing it on your own. take all the help available from here and from all the medical services and look after yourself as much as you can. You are so strong, and you’re nearly half way through. hang on in there!
love Mel xxx
Fec t cycle 2 day 15
hi angels, hope you are well,
Mel A - day 15 cycle 2 - are you getting that neck and shoulder pain that you got last time? I think mines come back and its throwing out a tension headache from the neck pain.
Barb - i dont think anyone can understand what we have to deal with unless they have had to have chemo themselves, which i find is why sometimes we get passed on to other people, my doctor likes to send me straight to A & E for minor things, maybe theyre just scared in case they make a mistake. I had really bad s/e’s on the second fec but then i felt amazingly fit for a week, no reasoning to this game is there. Hope youre feeling better soon, remember we’ll soon be off it!
Sandy - good news 
and half way there too.
all angels, keep well,
angie xx
Fec 3 day 2
Mel - Now I know how awful you felt over feeling really sick and ill. Got back from chemo did my last post on here ok. Not long after I got the sickness feeling, stomach cramps, feeling of nasty drugs at the back of my throat, and so tired and down. Been in bed since. Just about feeling ok now but sooo worried for next time. Also with the oncologist upping the injections and being so rural the nurse rang to say could I come to the surgery to have the injections. 
I told her driving to the surgery wasn’t a problem however sitting in a waiting room for about an hour full of tourists at our nearest seaside town was. I suggested I or my OH try. 
Nurse came yesterday to show OH how to do it. He actually wants to and I’m so proud of him. He’s a farmer with large hands and ive seen him inject the cows (not pretty but essential for the unfortunate that need a stab in the arse as he puts it).
Im in the cattle crush at 12pm.
Will let you know how we get on.
Barb - Keep posting. If your on your own through this it must be a very scary place and like Mel says you are definitely not a wimp. Your part of our family and friends now. Lots of love and hugs to all of us. Sandy xxx
Angie - just caught your last post - thanks. x
Amber - Glad to hear your feeling better too. x
Hello Angels,
Feel like I haven’t been on here for ages. I did write a nice long post on Tuesday evening then lost the lot. Felt too annoyed to start again.
Yesterday was my first visit to see my oncologist -what a nice man. Before chemo started - sign up day - I saw the registrar and this, 2 weeks after second chemo, has been my first follow up appointment. Nothing to report really: vein pain will go, stay with reduced doses of steroids because not affected by sickness, got a prescription for cold sore virus tablets - seem to be plagued by them while immune system low and then, actually got him to go through adjuvant online. Although my prognosis is reasonably good, I’d rather it was 99.9. Chemo doesn’t add much in the way of percentage points but the benefit is greater for the ten year prognosis. Gosh, I feel like a control freak having to know every last detail. OH was with me and of course it never dawned on me that I was setting out my mortality stats so cold-bloodedly in front of him. I got a lot of hugs yesterday.
Continuing to visit daughter and new baby most days. Her husband is taking 2 weeks paternity leave then one weeks annual. Hopefully by then she’ll be up and about. Baby is doing very well. The other two children love him to bits. And thanks for all your good wishes
Hope chemo and s/es aren’t too horrendous for those this week and last. The problems do seem to be mounting up though 
but so many now at the half way stage. Phew!
Was thinking of you yesterday Kate. Hope you coped x
Angie, you’ll be pleased to know, I’ve bought another wig. Will I be sick of this one after two weeks? Hopefully this is the one!
Take care Angels,
Moira xxx
Barbara - you it must have been terrifying going through that alone. I’m glad you’re feeling better now. I don’t think anyone on here can be accused of being a wimp with what we’re going through. Like my GP said yesterday in many ways the treatment is worse than the disease in making you feel ill.
Angie - I’ve not had that neck pain since, thankfully. I hope yours clears soon as it really is not nice.
Sandy I hope the sickness goes soon. I find that to be the worst SE.
Moira - Glad the baby’s ok. Don’t worry too much about statistics. They’re just numbers and you never now which percentage you could fall into. Live life to the full and enjoy it. Don’t worry about what may never happen.
I phoned up the chemo nurse yesterday to explain that I had phlebitis and still suffered some sickness last time and would it be worth considering a picc line. She told me to go in today so they could assess my veins. The outcome was that I’m already on the strongest sickness meds and as my vein was less swollen due to the antibiotics they will use a different vein in the same arm next week and see how I ho on. I’m a bit fed up about it all though as I’ve got cording in my right arm (op side) and sore veins in my pin cushion arm so can’t stretch to reach for anything. Oh well - good job it’s temporary!
On the lighter side I’m attempting a Jamie Oliver 30 miute meal for my husband’s birthday tonight. Now I’m not the best chef in the world and I’m quite sure it will take me a lot longer than 30 mins so if there is any sickness in the next day or so I don’t think I can blame the chemo at this stage 
hi moira
i found the shorter the better, its lovely ( is that your new wig, it looks like real hair ) its more like wearing a hat if its short. Good luck with this one. How come everyone seems to be seeeing their onc? i dont go until after 4th one, and thats to get measured for rads? have they forgot me again?
angie xx
FEC 3 Tomorrow
Hey ladies, been working a bit this week and feeling very ‘normal’ which has been great. Bloods yesterday and cycle 3 tomorrow - can’t wait My last cycle was on the bank holiday weekend as well, typical!!
Kate - hope yesterday wasn’t too traumatic for you and your family x
Sandy - not funny I know but you made me laugh - hope the cattle crush wasn’t too bad lol and glad you are feeling a bit better now. You too Shona (ps my brother just retunred from tenerife yesterday, we were supposed to be there, weather was crap for about 5 days…kinda glad we didn’t go now albeit a bit extreme to get BC to cancel it lol 8)
Angie - I’m sleeping quite well but really wish I could nap during the day sometimes ( I just can’t!), what is the secret? your cozy den??
Barb - what a nightmare, sounds like you are picking up a bit now, hope that continues x
Lori - you doing ok?
take care AAAs and have a great weekend, Thursday pre chemo cycle is the new Friday for me so looks like the vino will be out tonight …would be rude not to… xx
Angie - I haven’t heard a peep from my Onc since 2/3 weeks before my 1st cycle - that was the 1st and last time I have seen her! I’m sure she is getting updates and would see me if any probs - that’s what I tell myself anyway…
Mel A - I made the 30 minute beef fillet, it was lovely, only took about 45 mins so not not too bad and I don’t really cook much. Good luck. My mouth is waterning now lol, still cant stop eating. Had to take a deep breath to get work trousers on this week!!
Pauline xx
Hi Pauline
I dont sleep well during the day either, my nurse and a doctor told me that sleep is key when youre feeling under the weather and thats when i made my furry den. i have the double bed in the spare room with my two fave furry blankets (i’m getting a third one for my birthday too) ive got 6 pillows, a big square cushion, a light quilt and i just go there whenever i feel a bit dodgy. Ive got a few bits in there, lip balm, soothers sweeties, drinks, telly ( i have it on radio very low) and my dogs sneak in too. But it does work, i’m away with the fairies after a very short time. Ive got visitors coming soon and i’m already wondering where on earth i’m going to kip when they come! I helps as well between working days, i need to rest properly so i can carry on working.
Glad youre feeling ok, good luck with the next one, i’m not due til next week, half way there !!
angie xx
Fec-t cycle 3, day 1
Half way there - tick that box. Really helpful to read all your posts. Attended ‘looking good feeling better’ session yesterday so I have updated my picture. It was a 100 mile round trip and my best friend did the driving. Fantastic goody bag. If you can get to one you really should go. Something empowering being in a room with 9 other bald women! Good laugh and learnt lots about applying make up. Came home feeling good about myself.
I have no trouble sleeping, I listen to the radio and just drop off…Wishing all the angels a se free night. You are all awesom and inspiring.
AC cycle 3 day 10
Hi Angels
I’ve been reading your posts on my phone this week, thank you for all your nice thoughts. its been a hard week but I have been okay with miminal side effects again, luckily. I have been shattered most of the time but I guess that’s the situation as well as chemo but I’m home again now for last night and tonight and then off cruising…sleep is on the cards for today! The funeral went well for my OH, he was pleased how many people turned up to celebrate his mums life and now he is home trying to get some normality for a week before we go back up to start sorting things out.
sorry to hear some of you have been suffering with bad side effects this week, hope you improve for the weekend and that the next cycle isn’t so bad. I definitely feel lucky when I read about all your suffering, wish I had a magic wand to help you all.
Kate
x
FEC cycle 2 day 19
evening ladies,
blood tests back, so all set for chemo on Monday. Here’s hoping you all have a great weekend and all s/e are minimal xx
Hi everyone.
Been off line for a while…so much to catch up on!!
Good luck ladies who have started or about to start cycle 3. I found my SE’s were the same but I seemed to take a little longer to get over them and break into my good days. Subsequently the good days were cut short by a heavy cold and now chest infection. Have antibiotics from GP so hope to shake it before hitting cycle 4 Taxotere on Wednesday!!
Congratulations Moira on your baby grandson - some great news!
Kate, glad everything went ok with service and that you and other half are home for a few days before your trip - I hope you both enjoy your time away, you certainly deserve a break.
Best wishes to everyone, hope you are all hanging in there and have a great weekend.
Love Lori x
Hi everyone
have been reading the posts over the last week and it seems that everyone is taking that little but longer to recover as each cycle progresses. Good luck Philomena and Pauline for the next cycle. I should have my 3rd cycle on tuesday but it has been postponed for a week so that I can attend a family wedding on Friday.
Kate - So glad everything went well on Wednesday, I know what your OH means about people coming to pay their respects, when my dad passed away 2 years ago it was lovely to know that he meant so much to so many people outside the family.
Have a lovely time cruising this weekend, but get plenty of rest in.
Moira - love the new pic is this a your new wig?
Lori hope the cold and chest infection goes before your next cycle.
Hope everyone has a great bank holiday weekend
Kim x
Hi everyone
I’m glad things went well on Wednesday Kate. Enjoy your cruise.
Kim - have a lovely time at the wedding 
Lori - I’m the same as you this time. I’ve not really had many good days and I’m also on antibiotics, initially for a cold and sore throat, but the infection has now gone onto my chest. Both my arms are really sore too. I helped my father-in-law lift a sofa yesterday and I guess it was a bit too heavy. My hand and arm op-side went a bit swollen afterwards, but I was panickibg slightly that it could br the start of Lymphodeoma. Luckily it has gone down now so lesson learnt - don’t try to lift anything too heavy Hopefully the infection will go before next Thursday’s poison.
Good luck to everyone getting theirs next week. I really hope the SEs are minimal.
Morning Angels,
Quick post. Beatiful sunny day. Off to London for the bank holiday. Back in time for bloods and chemo 3, cross fingers, touch wood etc. Have a lovely weekend one and all x
morning angels what a beautiful sunny day today.thank you all so much for your kind posts.i am feeling so much better today still a little shaky but getting back to normal.i sometimes think it may be easier living alone there are so many of you that have children to cope with i dont know how you do it and people working through all of this amazing.i always thought of myself as a strong woman but this second cycle floored me i think maybe i was given too strong a dose as i have lost a stone in weight and i dont think this was taken into account. when the chemo nurse was putting it through she said it was a very high dose.think i will speak to the onc about it before my next one.hope all you angels have a good bank holiday and good luck to all having next session soon.god bless love from barb xx