Thought you might like my new hair! Borrowed from youngest daughter xx
Hi ladies,
I’m glad to hear the SEs haven’t been too drastic on tax. It sounds like taking the painkillers before hand is a winner.Well done for getting another one out of the way. I’ve been the same as you this time Judy - fewer SEs this time but so tired since Thursday and needing a sleep during the day. I went out with the family today to a sealife centre at the Trafford centre, but by the time we walked there from the car park I’d had enough and needed to sit down. To top it off it was a voucher day, with an hours wait to get in. Needless to say we went to plan b and took the kids to laserquest, where we could sit down and wait for them.
Philomena - love the hair 
Kate - glad you enjoyed the Boss.
Spudgirl - great news about the scan.
Good luck to anyone due their chemo this week xx
Fec-T cycle 4 Tax 1 Day 7
Morning Girls,
Been another lovely weekend, the rain stayed away, so nice to enjoy some sunshine. Apart from a few twinges and a fury mouth this cycle is gong well. Haven’t bothered with Paracetamol/ Ibprofen last couple of days. The only thing I would say is Iam very tired, but as I don’t have to run a marathon that’s fine.
Pauline, so glad chemo went ahead, the pins n needles thing seems to disappear. It’s amazing how different our meds and info compare. I started on 8 steroids last Monday and am gradually weaned off finishing Thurs this weeek.
Lori, how are you? Iam guessing this is as bad as the s/e will be this Cylce since Iam now experience how’s it been for you?
Kate, glad you enjoyed the Boss, never mind any aches Iam sure he was worth it!
Kim, hope you’re feeling a bit better and the cold has gone
Carol, can relate to the cold wave thing, I get it on my head and neck then next thing Iam roasting. Have bought a pad thing from Amazon which was recommended on another thread. It will arrive tomorrow so will let you know if it works
Lynn, lucky you have Sunday dinner cooked for you, nice to be spoilt
Philomena, loving the new hair! Good luck for today
Judy, glad your s/e have been minimal this cycle hope it continues. How’s the painting?
Mel A, I find the smallest tasks make me tired now, no wonder you were tired, but hopefully it won’t last and we’ll be bouncing back in no time
Noticed a few of you have signed consent forms, I haven’t been asked to so, unless it was way back and I’ve forgotten.
Have a good day with minimal s/e xxxxx
Hi Amber,
Just noticed we are at the same stage! I’m also cycle 4 day 7, although I’ve been on Tax since the beginning, with no FEC. Tax has been relatively kind to me, certainly compared to what I read others have experienced. The tiredness is accumulating. This morning my legs were like jelly and i couldn’t stand up long enough to pour out my cereal! I’ve had a Radox bath and feel much better now. I’ve taken paracetamol for 3 full days from the day after chemo and this seems to have kept the bone pains at bay, and so far I’ve had no mouth problems other than rubbish taste buds, and no nausea. My worst side effect is diarrhoea and tummy cramps, but I can control it with Imodium. So it could be worse.
I hope all you Angels have a good week, and good luck to those having treatments. Linda xxx
Morning angels
Pleased to say my energy levels were back up yesterday and had a lovely walk around the gardens and park at Belvoir Castle. Took some lovely photographs including some from inside a rhododendron bush looking out - this is my inspiration for some new paintings. I have lots of ideas swirling around in my head but actually getting down to making work is currently very sporadic. If you are interested you can see some of my paintings at www.carolartgallety.com
Pauline, Kate Thanks for filling me in on FEC-T, and Amber - good to know the cold thing is not just me. Great to hear what you are all up to and that s/e’s are not holding you back!!
Take care Carol xx
Fec T, cycle 4 (tax 1) day 4
Hi ladies - still taking the pain killers and a bit achy around the hips and neck / shoulders but wouldn’t say ‘pain’ - I do feel a bit spaced out though and quite tired but apart from that, fine. Getting little stabby type pains from the inside out (sounds wierd I know but only way I can explain it) May be the good cells killing off the bad ones Also felt really bloated again this morning but seems to have died down a bit.
Amber - glad you are doing well, sounds like I have similar s/e’s to you, hopefully I’ll get off the painkillers in next couple days
Linda - radox bath sounds just the trick, unfortunately I can’t have a bath due to Hickman line, needs to be a shower - just not the same 
Carol - glad you’re feeling a bit better and inspired to paint!
Has anyone seen Behind the Candelabra yet? Planning a lunch and film with a few girlfriends on Saturday - looks really funny and sooo camp!!
Hope you are all well
Pauline xx
FEC 4 day 1
Evening Angels, all went well today, so I am looking forward to 8days of either just waking up, or just getting ready for another snooze. I don’t mind as I think sleeping is a great healer! Good job really.
If remember after my 2nd chemo I had a lot of pain in the lower arm where it was infused? I know many other Angels had this at the same time. The area has remained very tender and has become lumpy over the last couple of weeks. I showed it to the nurse today andthey confirmed the vein had thrombosed. Now have to be even more careful so as not to go any near any vein that may feed it!
I was sat next to a lovely guy and his wife today, this was his 3rd week of being turned away as his platelets were too low for chemo. We had been talking about the almost sado masochistic need to have the chemo, even though we don’t want it. He had such a wonderful attitude when he was told itwould not happen again today. One thing about this journey, you meet and are in contact with some truly wonderful people.
Must go as I have now been awake for approx 2 hours and can hear my bed calling me again for more zzzzzzzz.
Good luck ladies where ever you are in you chemo,and as always hope minimal s/e to all.
Philomena
PS chemo head has already returned. I had started a real complicated Aran jacket for my granddaughter and have told everyone not to let me near it until atelecast day 8 lol xx
FEC 4 day 1
Evening Angels, all went well today, so I am looking forward to 8days of either just waking up, or just getting ready for another snooze. I don’t mind as I think sleeping is a great healer! Good job really.
If remember after my 2nd chemo I had a lot of pain in the lower arm where it was infused? I know many other Angels had this at the same time. The area has remained very tender and has become lumpy over the last couple of weeks. I showed it to the nurse today andthey confirmed the vein had thrombosed. Now have to be even more careful so as not to go any near any vein that may feed it!
I was sat next to a lovely guy and his wife today, this was his 3rd week of being turned away as his platelets were too low for chemo. We had been talking about the almost sado masochistic need to have the chemo, even though we don’t want it. He had such a wonderful attitude when he was told itwould not happen again today. One thing about this journey, you meet and are in contact with some truly wonderful people.
Must go as I have now been awake for approx 2 hours and can hear my bed calling me again for more zzzzzzzz.
Good luck ladies where ever you are in you chemo,and as always hope minimal s/e to all.
Philomena
PS chemo head has already returned. I had started a real complicated Aran jacket for my granddaughter and have told everyone not to let me near it until atelecast day 8 lol xx
Angels I must say how awesome you all really are. We’re putting up with so much shit and everyone has such an amazing attitude towards it. Most of us are over halfway through now so I think a reminder of how well we’re doing is needed.
I’ve had an appointment with my onc today who has confirmed that I will be having radiotherapy. Bloods are good to go so Tax 1 onThursday. I’m sat in the coffee shop now waiting for my LGFB course to start. I’m looking forward to it.
Caz - it’s good to hear you have been inspired to start your art work again. I’ve tried to look at your website but can’t access it unfortunately. I’ll try again later.
Philomena - I agree about being in contact with wonderful people. That journey in itself has been both inspiring and humbling. I’ve realised that I’ve been living life with my head down, too focussed on work and my own insular bubble to take in what’s going on around me. Teaching is very stressful and I work long hours’ but I genuinly hope I don’t let it take over my life again.
Take care everyone. I hope you have a good afternoon xx
Hi Mel
Looked back at my post and spotted my typo!! oops
should be www.carolartgallery.com
that might work
I echo your sentiments, everyone has got a fantastic attitude and we are doing great xxx
Fec 4 day 8
Afternoon Angels. Called chemo unit yesterday as felt sooo dizzy, spaced out, and cold . Went for blood and pressure check yesterday in my winter coat. All ok but red count low now.
Like you Philomena I feel so tired all the time. I wonder if it’s because were on our 4th fec. Apparently the effects are accumulative. Constipation also returned this cycle making my tummy twice it’s usual size within a few days. 3 Movicol a day + senokot at night helped but I think it works best when the drugs are wearing off around 5 days after Fec.
Family have been great rallying round and getting all the jobs done that I feel guilty for not doing. I think more than anything it’s the feeling of being usless and a burden that gets me down. Chemo nurse was lovely and gave me a good talking too and I’m good now.
After the last cycle i do have a really sore tougue. It feels like it’s burning all the time. I have found that in the morning it is better but gets worse as the day goes on. I have been using corsodyl as the nurse suggested but it seems to make it worse.
I really do hope that Tax is kinder to us all and any SE’s are easier to handle. Off to do as im told and have a sleep. Lv & Hugs. Sandy x
Hi angels
Hope everyone’s having a good day. I haven’t been on for abit as feeling so tired through this cycle. due to start again on Friday, but yesterday temperature decided to go up to 38.2 for no apparent reason so ended up at the hospital for 4 hours. Had blood test which was ok- I’m not neutropenic. They gave me IV antibiotics and some tablets to bring home and let me go at 2.30 am. Very VERY relieved as I did not want to be kept in because Rod Stewart on Thursday and you have to have priorities!! Also had a bone scan last week and am warding off the panic about results. get them tomorrow hopefully. The onc sent me for this because I have pain in hip. I am actually hoping it will be arthritis, and I never tyhought I’d say that! Really don’t feel I’ve got back to normal this cycle. Can’t wait to get the last nasty pink stuff over on Friday., then on to CMF.
love Mel xxx
Sandy- sorry you’re feeling crap at the moment. I know it’s been mentioned before but have you tried difflam for your sore tongue? I get it every cycle on prescription and it seems to work for all the mouth soreness- it gives pain relief too.
FEC 4day 2,
afternoon Angels, good luck MEL onthe LGFB session, I really enjoyed this which was prior to starting chemo.met some great ladies at all different stages of chemo and found it a real inspiration.
hope your soon feeling better SANDY, one thing I have learnt during this strang journey is not to feel guilty about what I can and can’t do.last week I felt so good so managed to plan this week as much as possible. Did an online shop and bought some stuff I would never normally as I have always cooked from scratch, but I know this week I really can’t be bothered so have bought pizza and stuff so they can be cooked by whoever wants food. I am just going down th line of little and often. Although I did make some wonderful sundries tomatoes without the sun? I bought a load of big tomatoes with little flavour, sliced them all and covered in olive oil, then grind salt and pepper over them and freash thyme, you can also add garlick and chilli ( I forgot due to chemo brain), then stick in the oven on low approx gas mark 3 or your using the oven for something else, just stick it at the bottom. When they come out they are just lovely, and have developed that wonderful Mediterranean flavour. I then just popped them In a sterile jar and popped in over. Also has the added advantage as being very good at picking up all those nasty free radical floating about our bodies.
onwards and upward Angels and congratulations to us all for getting there xx
Ho Carol, just been checking out your website, truly awesome angel. Particularly loved the one with poppies as one of my favourite flowers. Wondering if you do prints? Xx
I really don’t like this CMF treatment, it is 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. I have to take chemo tablets 3 times a day too for the 2 weeks. I thought this would be easier than the nasty pink stuff! No hair growth yet either?
feeling very low today.
Debra.
Xx
Fec-t cycle 3 Day 19
Mel I know what you mean about feeling tired this cycle, the s/e have been fine this cycle, apart from the usual furry sore mouth and slight constipation, everything has been manageable. But I do feel far more lethargic than I have felt with the other cycles, especially as its my third week. Normally by now I would be back to normal but I’m feeling tired more often. I’ve made a big pan of vegetable soup today, I’m trying to eat healthy as I do feel rundown and its my first dose of the tax on Friday so I don’t want there to be any problems with my blood. Hope you are fit and well for Rod Stewart and the next dose on Friday, at least with al the steroids you will be full of beans at the concert.
Hope you feel better soon Sandy, it’s been nice weather here today but I’ve not been that warm. I think it’s a lot harder to regulate body temperature with no hair, im forever taking my scarf off then I’m frozen so it’s back on again. We were sat on the beach yesterday with the dogs and I had to take my scarf off as I was having a hot flush… Could be the change, I don’t know, but I didn’t have this problem when I had hair!
The eyebrows are just about hanging in there but they are getting very, very thin. Am I right in thinking hair starts to grow back with TAX?
Carol your painting are stunning, very tranquil looking. I like your website, I was looking t the link to the website design, it does look very good, may have to look into it further.
Debra, I hope you start feeling happier soon.
philomena them tomatoes sound delicious. I’ve never really been one for food or cooking but since the chemo I’m obsessed with food and cooking program’s. it’s not made me a better cook but I sure do like to eat… And boy does my waistline know about it, along with my face, my sister in law says i have what they call the typical moon face that people on steroids get, I’m guessing she means the round head like a football.
Pauline how’re you doing with the stabbing pains, hope your managing ok.
Just found the link to the docetaxol fact sheet, which is quite interesting
http://www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/sites/default/files/bcc35\_docetaxel.pdf
Hi Girls,
Fec-T cycle 4 Tax Day 7
Oh so very tired, seems to be a common s/e, I just have no energy on the plus side no pain.
Carol, I love you’re paintings, your so talented
Pauline, glad s/e not too bad, watched Behind the Candelabra this afternoon some funny bits, certainly saw Michael Douglas in a different light.
Philomena, glad all went well and Iam with you on he online shop, just done mine
Mel A, good luck for Thurs, hope you enjoyed you’re LGFB session, the goody bag is great
Primrosehill, the tiredness is definately a biggy this time, had the spaced out feeling too but has passed
Maisiecake, glad you are ok, so jealous of Rod on Thurs, I have to wait till October, seems forever away
Debra, sweetheart, please stay in touch with us we are all here for you
Judy, checked our the link, thanks. Iam a bit confused about the low immunity period now though. States day 10/14 where as Macmillan site says days 7/10, anybody been told differently. Linda, perhaps you could enlighten us!
Hi Lynn, I have been to Dornock many times as my brother in law lives in Dingwall. Such a lovely place to go and sit and get rid of all the cobwebs, it will do you the world of good.
Twas the Eve before docetaxol,
well - 8 steroids in - still not done the ironing, i was depending on the hyper steroid effect - but no - just like the smooth legs on fec, they never happened either!
We all sound like tired little bunnies, including me. 
Primrose Hill - i have a bottle of ANBESOL liquid, fine on chemo, dabs on to the tongue and the pain is no more, its absolutely brilliant and i dont know how i would have survived fec without it. from chemists. its similar to the clove oil that you have for toothache, its slightly anaesthetic. wonder liqiud. I know what you mean, i had that tongue too. i changed to oraldene mouthwash as well, much milder than some of them but germ killer as well. 
Kate - Tramps like us… baby we were born to run… guess where the sun is??? glad you had a good time, so jealous. 
Judy - I was taliking to a finished tax woman (3 wks ago) today and she whipped her wig off and had at least an inch of downy hair, she made me touch it and it was like a baby chick. she’s fine, no serious anything, nails fine, no aches, a bit sleepy and with hair! So wow, grows back for some eh? Chicken head! are we up for that? 
Mel A - tommorow must be your steroid day? i had a slightly dizzy few minutes and thats all, i did eat well with them and i was at work all day but otherwise fine. 
Pauline and Amber - You’re like our guinea pigs arent you, ! week before, it seems manageable, the aches and weird pains seem to be controllable, sleepytown here i come! thanks for filling us in with all the info, makes it not too scary then 
Caz P - so lovely, what a talent.
Maisiecake - wow rod the bod! how nice is that, hope you feeling ok for it.
Debra - Hope you’re feeling a bit better
Philomena - beautiful hair, i wish i could borrow my daughters!
So tonight i’m eating well ( no change there then) i can taste, i’m not feeling ill, making the most of it so if i go under tommorow it’ll be on a full belly. (thats just no kind of excuse for all these goodies is it?) 
Oh btw, the asda post surgery bras came, 6 and 8 pounds ( my pound sign wont type on here), just brilliant.
Hi to lola, kim, LNMcG, Moira supergran
angie xx