Day 1 docetaxol
hi girls,
got done this morning, feel fine, no bother, just waiting for something to kick in. Hairs not grown back yet though, i keep checking 
Kate - post surgery bras, i had to get them online because we dont have asda here. they have a good selection, i had a black lace top one and a white lace one, they look like underwired but they are really soft and comfy and tuck the side podge that you get from lymph node removal. great bras great price.
Moira - i thought you must be busy with your grandchildren because there werent any posts, didnt realise it was robbie night and you were living it up, soz, just jealous because my babies are miles away 
Maisiecake - you’re as old as you feel, and when you stop feeling, you’re old!. glad your scans were good.
Lynn - my hairdresser told me the same about hair dyes, apparently they can layer papers to protect the root and then dye it to what colour you want, she told me to go back wwhenever i’m ready.
Another one for your list - when you lose your glasses and put your spare pair on, check that they werent sitting on your head the whole time. i was walking round with two pairs on yesterday and no one told me!
angie xx
FEC 4- day 3
I’m loving the recent posts, some very funny ones 
Glad to say I did have chemo Monday, so should be well enough for the Ball on Friday. Had the neulasta on Tuesday and I ache in my ribs, I assume it’s a side effect?
Spent most of last 3 days asleep, probably the anti-nausea tabs, but I’d rather sleep through it anyway. I don’t get any steroids, so guess that’s the key for some angels being awake?
're the chicken fluff - my 8 year old daughter was calling me fluffy ducky , she loved it… When my hair fell out I was left with the fluff, bt had it shaved off last week as sometimes I forget to put a hat on when answering the door and I reckon I look slightly less weird without the fluff:-)
I’m loving the list of dos and don’ts , I’ll have to think of some to add to it
We’re coming over to the UK soon for a few days retail therapy, staying in maidstone. If anyone knows the area, can you recommend a good Indian and a good pub for a steak and kidney pie.
At the moment surviving on toast as not convinced anything else will stay down but I’m hopeful I’ll be back to full scale eating by the time we are over .
xxx
Sorry me again.
I haven’t had my op yet but boobs are getting really sore, a bit like after I had my daughter and they feel too full - assume it’s a chemo thing ? I just wanted to know if anyone else is getting soreness before op?
Also Angiepops, I did the double glasses thing too last week - Sunglasses on head and driving glasses on face, and forgot to take driving glasses off when I left the car so wondered why I couldn’t read stuff when I went into a shop.
xx
Dear Mel and all the angels,
The 50 shades of chemo and the list is really funny so thank you for that. Knowing that you are there is really comforting.
Mel, I will let you know how I feel on the 2 weeks off as I have not reached that stage yet. I am finding it very difficult to take the chemo tablets? We normally take tablets to make us feel better dont we? How can I take these horrid tablets? My throat constricts at the very thought of swallowing them.
Debra.
xx
Hi all,
I haven’t posted for a while but have been (trying to) keeping up with everybody! Debra, I’m not sure which chemo tablets you are on but I have been taking Capecitabine (Xeloda) and Vinorelbine (Navelbine) since having 3 bouts of anaphylaxis after chemo infusions. I am on my second cycle and am now really feeling the SE’s. Serves me right for being cocky on the first cycle and thinking it was going to be a breeze!
I have the Capecitabine for 14 days then have Vinorelbine on day 1 and day 8, subject to my bloods being ok, so I have my bloods done on my first day when I have the Herceptin, then again on day 7 and the chemo nurse phones me on day 8 to let me know if it’s ok to take the tablets. Sounds complicated but now getting used to the regime. The day 8 tabs (I call them “nasty tabs”!) have to be kept in the fridge and you have to be careful not to damage the capsule or risk it breaking or dissolving before hitting the stomach so have to take it with a cold drink. Can’t imagine what it must be doing to my stomach!
The skin on my feet has started to peel off and slightly blistering and the skin on my finger ends has thickened and are splitting so I am finding it hard to work at the moment- I sew from home which dries out my hands anyway. Onc prescribed some vitamin B6 to help so yet another tablet to take!
I know how you feel about taking the tablets Debra. I also dread taking them. When I get them out and line them all up, I’m sure I look at them with hate in my eyes!! Before this horrible journey started I struggled to take blooming paracetamol! I just wish I could’ve tolerated the infusions, at least I would’ve finished the chemo in July, I don’t finish the tablets until the end of October so that’s the summer gone so will have to wait til next year for some sun.
Fed up with nausea, runny nose, achy body and all the emotional feelings now. I am going to write this year off and hope and pray that all this has been worth it in the long run and that the sleepless nights will stop eventually.
Anyway, moan over now. I have to say that all your posts on here are comforting, knowing I’m not alone in all this and some are truly inspirational. Thank you to all the Angels for keeping me sane!! Karen xx
Fec-t cycle 3 Day 21
morning ladies, I’ve just remembered to take my steroids this morning, what a div, I could have taken them over an hour ago but I’ve been putting my slap on trying to make myself look less like a cancer victim as I’m at the doctors this morning for bloods taking ready for Tax number 1 tomorrow. The eyebrows and eyelashes are thin so I need more makeup on than normal or my eyes look like a pigs.
Debra and Karen you sound like your having a real rough time of it, good luck ladies, hope the s/e become more bearable.
Spudgirl , I’ve not had my op yet but my boobs don’t seem as hard and lumpy as they were, I’ve had the occasional slight pain in them but its not much.
Angie , hope your still feeling fine and that you’ve managed to get some sleep.
Mel , I’m 48 and was quite regular before the chemo but since I started on the chemo I’m all over the place, I seem to be on every other week. I thought my periods would have stopped by now but they’re worse than ever. Glad to hear your Bone scan results are fine, I would be dancing back to the car too.
Amber the grey thing was one thing I was really disappointed about with losing my hair, I’ve dyed my hair for years but I decided to get it cut short and grow out the hair dye at the end of last year. I had just about got rid of all the hair dye before Christmas as my hair was very light white grey at the front abut darker grey at the back.it did make me look older but it felt much softer and was easier than dying it every few weeks. so I was annoyed at having to shave it all off but I’m looking forward to seeing what colour it will be when it comes back through. I may dye it pink or purple while its really short, just for the laugh.
Moira , good luck today, hope it all goes well.
Have a great day ladies, hope the s/e are minimal
judy x
Morning Angels hope you all feeling best you can today. I had a good day yesterday did my house top to bottom even washed the floors no steroids or anything! Made me feel better. It’s the simple things.
I have appointment with GP this morning the good one I’ve got this horrible heat rash like prickly heat on the back of my neck and shoulders it started under the skin but now you can see it, anyone else’s had this?
So glad your bone scan was clear.
I feel your pain when taking tablets don’t know that I could cope I struggle to take the chalky paracetamol.
I am 52 I was still taking regular periods although they had been really heavy and they had given me the merina coil to make them lighter just last October. That’s been taken out now because of the hormone in it. I’ve had nothing since chemo started. Hope they never come back. Had enough of them.
Have a good day hope sun shines today was a bit overcast in Glasgow yesterday.
Prickly heat - I’ve got it on my forehead this morning! I did have it on my shoulders a few weeks ago but it cleared away of its own accord but this morning I look like I’ve got measles on my forehead! I’m putting it down to be hot and humid yesterday but I’ll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse talk to the chemo unit.
Grey hair - I was told by a few people that my hair was likely to grow back my normal colour (brownish) but others have said its likely to be more grey so I’m not sure what I’ll get - bit like a lucky dip at the fair I guess! 
Karen - I know what you mean about writing the year off, I’m thinking that so I don’t feel I’ve missed out and all the ‘nice things’ I do get to do are then an extra bonus.
I had to laugh at the glasses tip for our book…I had no hair or hat on yesterday but had my sunglasses on my head (not my eyes!) and saw myself in the mirror, I won’t be doing that again as it just looked very very scarey! 
Hope you all have a good day and the SE’s are kept at bay. The sun isn’t here but its hot and humid again so hope you have some sunshine where ever you are
Kate
x
Morning Ladies
the cold has finally gone and I feel much better with more energy. If sleeping was an Olympic sport I would definitely be a gold medal contender this week
I can recommend the gelclair for anyone who suffers with sore mouth and ulcers, it works a treat.
Mel. - I’m 52 next week and although my periods were sparodic I still had them before chemo started. Not had any since…fingers crossed they don’t return…there has to be some non cancer related benefits to chemo
Philomena - a couple for the list - check your bald head is covered before answering the door and let relatives/friends that you will forget their names…even though you have known them all your life !!
Moira glad you enjoyed Robbie, my sister in law went to see him last night…not had her blow by blow account yet. I’m with you on the football stadiums. Good luck with cycle 4 today
Kate like the sound of a private audience with the Boss
Carol - love your paintings.
Have a great day ladies, hope the sun makes an appearance
Kim x
Hi Angels doc gave me anti hystemine Fexofenadine also said to use factor 50 ( we got no sun lol)
I also got sleeping tablets Zopiclone in readiness for my Diocetaxal next week .
Lynn x
Good morning Angels,
Seems its still a very up and down time for some, hope it all starts on the up soon.
My steroids and anti sickness tabs have been having a 3 day war, but finally the anti sickness tabs won yesterday and I went to bed at 7! OH came and tucked my in at 9 apparently and then restyled off my glassess so I didn’t squash them. Up at 7.30 and felt great.
SPUDGIRL we are on the same treatment and time scale but you don’t take the steroids, what country do you live in! Just thinking might move there for last 2 FECS to get away from steroids.
Glad your all enjoying the lists, will defo be putting on the multiple glasses on there!
This afternoon me and darling husband are up to parents evening as our youngest is just finishing Year 7. She has done really well, which is great as she has had a disruptive year with my diagnosis.now have to make the decision ? Do I take the anti sickness tablet and sleep throughout interviews with the teachers? Or do I not and risk severe nausea? Or perhaps wear a couple of pairs of glasses on my head to warn the teachers I am not quite myself. Also chemo brain is in force today, just had a chat with one of my sisters but had to stop half way through as completely forgot what I was talking about. Fortunately my sister is as bad as me, without the chemo.
Anyways onwards and upwards Angels xox
Fac T, Cycle 4 - Tax, day 6
Morning ladies, I did a short post the other day and it appeared for a minute then dissapeared!. Anyway, to summarise, Tax has not been my friend head to toe aches and pains started on Monday and are still here albeit seem to be getting a bit better now. Will need to get much stronger pain killers for next one. Mouth has also been much worse, Difflam usually does the job for me but have had to phone docs this morning to request gelclair as covered in ulcers and like someone said earlier, feels like my throat is closing over (nearly choked on Ibuprofen this morning!) Also constipated for 5 days, that has now gone full swing -
one for the list: - Make sure you have baby wipes available in the toilet - sorry Angels!!
Sounds like a mixed bag for the AAAs at the moment, hope everyone is as well as possible and good luck to those having cocktails this week
Sorry for the moan and not replying individually, I’m just not with it just now but know the sadists within us are keen to hear about the gory’s 
take care Angels
Pauloine xx
Dear Karen, just getting ready to go out but I really don’t want to. My CMF is as follows on my first day I had an injection of Methotrexate and 5FU, the next day I started taking the Cyclophosphamide tablets 3 times a day, tomorrow I have another injection and more tablets for one week. I have two weeks off and then the whole cycle starts again.
I hate the whole process!
Debra.
xx
Philomena
Philomena we’ve got end of year 7 parents evening this evening too, I’ve had doctors for blood this morning, first day of 4 steroids, walked the dog for an hour, got the washing in, then taking son to doctors to get his verrucas sorted this afternoon, then straight on to parents evening, it’s gonna be fun this afternoon. It will be the first time I’ve met his teachers, let hope chemo brain is in gear or they’re gonna think I’m a right divvy. I was gonna wear my wig but thought, no I will leave my scarf on then if my brain isn’t in gear they won’t think I’m a total retard… We will see.
glad your feeling better kim , if sleeping works for you, then great, sleep is a good healer. I’m hoping that the steroids don’t affect my sleep too much tonight but if they do, I’ve got our ryanspainting all set up ready to carry on with through the night.
Lynn I wish I had thought on over the sleeping tablets.
Posted 3 times, what a div!
Just remembered, when Do you all start taking the paracetamols for the bone pain with the TAX.
just seen your post Pauline, sorry hits hit you hard, I’ve got the Difflam in a smooth spray as well as mouthwash, the spray is great for the mouth pain as there’s a long nozzle on it and you press the top down and it squirts to the back of your throat and numbs it for the pain.
Just remembered, when Do you all start taking the paracetamols for the bone pain with the TAX.
just seen your post Pauline, sorry hits hit you hard, I’ve got the Difflam in a smooth spray as well as mouthwash, the spray is great for the mouth pain as there’s a long nozzle on it and you press the top down and it squirts to the back of your throat and numbs it for the pain.
4 times, not much ope for parents evening!,!!
Judy - perhaps this is a good omen that you’ll be great with the teachers, just don’t repeat what you want to say to them 4 times!
Debra - sorry to hear you are beginning to hate the whole chemo process, hope you manage to see some light at the end of the tunnel soon. I just keep thinking what is the alternative and that puts my mind back into the ‘lets get through this and look to the future’ mindset…it seems to work for me so maybe it might help you a little. Virtual BIG HUGS coming your way as I think you need some.
Pauline - great tip on the baby wipes! I have been lucky, once I stopped taking the laxatives the ONC prescribed and got into ‘Three bears’ traditional soft licorice I haven’t had a problem with constipation…the licorice tastes great and seems to be keeping me regular even when I was getting anti-sickness that the nurses told me causes constipation. I now eat between 3 and 5 pieces every day and so far (touch wood) I’ve had neither extreme - and apparently its good for reducing mouth problems too so I’m sticking with it! I get mine in Holland & Barrett
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product\_detail.asp?pid=3160&prodid=3162
Kate
x
Hi angels, I am due my last fec on Monday then I am on the “taxol” but am having it weekly for 12 weeks! Is anyone else having weekly? The nurse said 90% of people that have it weekly usually feel better the next day! I’m praying I’m in that90%!! take care everyone xx