Thanks Angie, it is a side effect of Paclitaxel too - dry itchy skin rash. Maybe I’ll be using more ‘udderly’ cream today onwards in the hope that it goes away soon and doesn’t return! My OH wanted to walk up wind of me earlier just in case its contagious! 
Good to hear you are up Angie and trying to eat, hope your OH isn’t finishing off everything you open or he’ll be in the mens shot putt team soon! 
Kate
x
It’s a good job you finally got through to the oncologist philomena, mind you my mid cycle appointment does seem a complete waste of time but they must know what they’re doing. I’m using sponge bob square pants bubble gum flavour toothpaste… Very nice!
oh yea oh yea
had a bowl of ready brek whoop whoop yum it tasted like ready brek,
(i need therapy!)
not of the chemo kind either
angie xx
PAULINE- I haven’t had ulcers or anything as bad as you in the mouth department but cbemo nurse did say to ignore instructions for difflam and use it about once an hour as a preventative measure and for pain. Can’t Do any harm?
Debra-glad you’re going out. Hope you have a really good time. I hate my wig but do wear it if I’m going somewhere where I don’t want to be seen as cancer patient. Getting ready is more like putting on a disguise at the moment! Friends have been so great though and everyone says I look ok so I am letting myself believe them. If you can forget what you look like temporarily and just have a good time you’ll Glow!
Judy- think I’ll Do a baldy picture too- let’s celebrate the baldness!
Love toall mel xxx
Just back from a trip to the city with YD. had a makeover in Benefit, now that girl really worked hard as she had puffy, watery eyes to deal with ( mine not hers)! but pleased with the end result and dIdNt frighten too many of the shoppers of Norwich…I never wear my wig, and this way always get a good makeover, you girls should try it.
now going to put my feet up for the rest of the day and try and get back into some sort of routine xx
Philomena, I thought I was being very brave today, I’ve been walking around my mum and dads assisted living complex with no scarf or wig on just the bald head as it was too hot, I’ve not frightened any of the residents, but you’ve certainly done one better to sit and have a makeover in public… You go girl!
Kate are you on the Neulasta injection, I’ve just read the side effecs of that and one of them is a rash
Hi Judy
Thanks, yes I am on the neulasta injection and have been since the start so had 5 already…I’m happy to go with heat rash for now and if it stays here with no change til Tuesday I will check again with chemo unit as I have my bloods ready for the 2nd paclitaxel…if there is a change for the worse I’ll ring the chemo unit emergency doc again as she recommended.
Philamena - you are braver than me too I don’t go out the front door without some sort of head covering!
Kate
x
Fec 4 day 11.
Wow and I thought the Fec was bad. I have appointments for tumor measure, heart scan and signing consent form for the Doxetaxol with Herceptin loading dose next week. Absolutely bricking it for that cycle a week on Tuesday.
Pauline - My mouth is still sore too. Lucazade carabbean crush is lovely for me. I don’t know how or why but i think it’s the coconut that’s soothing in it so ive bought coconut milk and pineapple juice to try and replicate it so i’m not having too much sugar. I have soda stream too so I can either have it with or without fizz. (Malibu will be added sparingly as and when required towards the end of the cycle and not on tablets I think). As the soreness is waring off now Im going to ask the oncologist what is the best thing for ulcers and a sore mouth to see if she can come up with an alternative for what isn’t working for some of us.
Oh my meltdown - Went to Morrisons with OH. My fixation was on finding nicely shaped Paracetomal and Ibuprofen tablets in readiness for my constricting throat and can’t breathe when having infusion of life threatening drugs. OH went to the man counter for Beef and Porkpies. Shotputter trolley loaded we found a lane with a 10yr old at the till. Half way through she got to the 4 packets of paracetomal and 4 packets of ibuprofen (Bargin only 35p each) and suddenly stopped the rolling lane and pressed a very loud bell. Looking at me she said “I’m sorry but you can only have one packet of each”. “Why”? I said as the person next in the cue started coughing all over us. “You could get seriously ill taking drugs like these so we only let you have limited packets”. Gobsmacked I stared at her and started this sort of sneering laugh which was to be backed up with a “well it’s not giong to matter now is it”. Followed by an flambouyant extraction of my headgear. OH saw it coming grabbed my hand and sternly mouthed “leave it”. I held it together somehow but cried when I got to the car. OH was lovely. He’s offered to be my pimp from now on.
Mamakaz - I remember at the beginning of my finding AAA’s you had posted during your first cycle and described your allergic reaction to the drugs. Then we didn’t hear from you. So pleased your ok and being treated even if a little delayed.
Judy - Your post about the eye lashes had me in stitches.
Diggy - Sooo going to party too. Maybe this time next year we should all meet up somewhere middle UK.
Moira - Im not good with needles I would have been petrified.
Angie - Glad to hear no sickness but I do hope you, Pauline, Debra and anyone else suffering from these awful se’s feel better soon.
Hoping you all have a good restful night angels. Sandy
Sandy my heart goes out to you, but I have to say I nearly choked myself laughing, not only dos this go straight to the top of 50 shads of chemo! But one of the most stupid things you can say to someone with BC or any type of cancer. The thought of all the horrible stuff that we have had injected, swallowed, ensised, reconstructed and the poor girl thinks that an extra 16 paracetamol will harm your health, is right up there with the best. Perhaps the next book should be The Best of The Meltdowns, I know we all have had those.
Sleep well Angels xx
Wow Sandy I Am in total awe- I Take my wig off too you . You get the prize for dramatic meltdown! Did you get the drugs? Love mel xxx
hi
i need some assistance and words of experienced taxers, i had docetaxol on weds and its now sunday, not eaten since friday apart from a bowl of ready brek yesterday, been in bed since friday, taking co codomol for pain but still can barely walk, carpet of green on my tongue will not slow down, throat closing up too, feeling like i’m a right mardarse to be honest but i dont think it should be this bad, how are you all coping? Have i just got a bad fix this time? sicky, headache, stomachache, smell is terrible even soaps, how can anyone sleep this long?
angie xx
Hi Angie, I think you should call the onc dept, to be on the safe side. You may become dehydrated, and it’s not just about having a high temperature, feeling unwell also comes under it all. S/e sound really crap, let us know how you get on! Xxxx hope you all feel better soon.
Cycle 4 docetaxol day 3
Angie, philomena is right, I think you should call the oncologist, you shouldn’t be this ill. Im on day 3 but it seems like today is the day when the other ladies have started feeling ill. ive had to walk the dog on my own today, well with mother in law and son but with no transport, we’ve just come back from a 3.89 mile walk, I’m shattered but it’s sorted the constipation out. Ive just made a cheese omelette to wash the paracetamols down now I just need to sort out the heartburn but other than that I’m fine. I’ve said it now havnt I, the s/e will bite me in the bum now won’t they.
hope you all feel better soon, take care
judy x
hi
my macmillan nurse, lovely lady, isnt sending me in the clink, so ive got to nibble digestives and drink water, she thinks the dose might have been a bit too high and she’s getting it reduced for next time. meanwhile, got to get stronger painkillers tommorow. i hate disturbing people on a sunday, shes just great, really helpful and cheery and got common sense too.
thats me sorted then, thanks all
angie xx
EC cylce 4 day 4
Had a rotten few days. Felt like a three day hangover but no party beforehand. Sooooooo tired. Tummy’s not wonderful. Constipated. Mouth ok but tastebuds left the room. Eating porridge - its tasteless anyway and tomatoes with extra salt. With a diet like that why am I the size of a house end? Sorry, forgot to mention Big Macs taste pretty good too.
Sounds like a lot of us are wishing this train ride would end asap! I know I moan about all this Epirubicin but tax sounds pretty scary what with all the extra injections, pain, nails and mouth. Hugs to all for the next few days.
Hope you enjoyed your night out, Debra. There’s nothing nicer than just forgetting for a short while.
Kate, pop a Clarityn. They work for me on holiday when I get an allergic sun reaction and I’m taking the odd one now and again for the drippy nose. There’s no interaction with anything else according to my bcn.
Loving the meltdowns. I’ve always been a bit of a Mrs Angry and am now waiting for someone to say ‘keep your hair on’ just so I can rip it off!
That said, I am in awe of you, Philomena - a beauty counter and no wig! I bow down to your braveness. I now only take mine off late in the evening when the curtains are closed. Sad.
Sandie, I read that post from Finty on PDT. I’m keeping a note of it as insurance just in case mine ever comes back. I’ve never fancied going to China but I’m ready to make allowances. I love how you and some of the others are having your chemo first and can see how it’s working. Once I’d had my lump removed with clear margins and had none found in the three nodes they took, it was as if I no longer have any cancer so why do they have to fill me with so much poison when they can’t even say there’s anything worth zapping. Then again, I know that when I was first diagnosed, I just wanted them to cut me open there and then, no messing, just get the blighter out. So living with it while zapping it must have it’s own psychological drawbacks.
Well, tonight is Rod for me. Ok, so I feel sh*t at the moment but I know I will enjoy every minute. I’ve seen him a few times and have never been disappointed. So glad you enjoyed it Mel. I’ve dug out the Great American Songbook.
By the way, Pauline, although I’m using strong Corsodyl at night, during the day I use Ultradex. It’s tasteless and for me it works. I use an electric toothbrush about five times a day - ordinary toothbrushes seem to make my gums bleed which leaves them open to infections. Again, I’ve probably been fortunate in not having the F with the EC which is the mouth prob one.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone
Moira xxx
HOpe you Feel better soon Angie. Can’t suggest much as not on tax but it does say in my chemo info if you can’t eat and drink to contact them asap.
Moira have a great time tonight-forget keeping your hair on… let it down!!!
Love mel Xxx
FEC 4 Day 7
Hello all
Angie sounds like you are having a really rough time. Just a thought, before I had hysterectomy in Jan the doc gave me co-codamol but it made me really really poorly - extreme nausea amongst amongst other things , so some s/e’s could also be down to that.
I made my summer ball on Friday, it was touch and go as by 3pm I was still very green, but I was determined not to miss it 
The s/e’s of FEc are taking longer and longer to get over, I am still feeling sick now. I am really starting to hate chemo and last time I felt sick before I even started, just from the dread of it. I know it’s not for too long now, but I keep wondering how I’ll drag myself to the hospital for the next one. I have a folder of my notes I have to take to hospital each time I go and I swear it’s going on the fire when I finish, just looking at it makes me nauseous.
I met a woman on Friday who had been through chemo 3 times, I can’t begin to imagine how awful that is. I hate the thought of doing chemo again!
Anyhoo, no use being maudlin! Hope you are all having a good weekend and perhaps this week we might get some sunshine.
Xxxx
Oh no Angie, sorry to hear you are suffering, hope you start to feel better soon and they get you sorted tomorrow. As spudgirl says co-codomol cause reactions in some people so if you haven’t had them before might be worth trying something different to separate out painkiller SE’s and chemo SE’s.
Good to hear you got to the summer ball spudgirl, hope you have some good memories to keep with you in any down days you have next cycle.
Moira, hope you have a great date with Rod tonight!
Judy - have they not given you a daily ‘indigestion/heartburn’ tablet to take? I have been given ones to take everyday now for the whole of Paclitaxol so I won’t get any throughout the whole 8 weeks - well that’s the theory anyway!
Hope you all start to feel better soon, thinking of you
Kate
x
Evening Girls
Fec-T cycle 4 Tax Day 13
Wow lots of news to catch up on!
Judy, I laughed so much at your eyelash story it’s hilarious. Well done on ticking box 4, the chat you had with your chemo nurse was interesting. Can relate to the red face, mine’s round and beaming!
Pauline, sorry to hear about your meltdown sometimes the smallest things set us off but sompeepers can be so insensentive as well. Glad you’re starting to feel better, sounds like you’ve been through the mill. I get Caphosol mouthwash which seems to sort out my mouth/ throat problems very quickly.
Mel A, Tax pain v Neulasta pain. There’s seems to be a few who suffer from Neulasta s/e, I guess I’ve been lucky its never bothered me. How many days are you on steroids for? I think I get them for the longest, 9 days, just wonder if this prevents a lot of s/e as I don’t seem to have suffered as much as everyone else
Angie, sorry you’re having such a rough time but did right to phone for help, hope you feel better soon
Mel, glad you enjoyed Rod he’s a ledgend
Kate, how’s the rash? I have started comming out in spots over the last couple of days, loads of them but def not a rash
Philomena, envious of your make over, sounds like a good plan next shopping trip
Sandy, Iam not surprised at your meltdown, Iam ready for anyone who cares to upset me and the wig will be off lol
Moira, hope you enjoy Rod tonight, tell him I’ll be waiting for him in October
Debra, good to see you staying in touch and hope you enjoyed your night out
Lori, are you ok?
Its been a horrible rainy day here, went out for a lovely roast dinner, apple pie and custard so absolutely stuffed. Put my hand up to being a glasses on the head culprit, have been known to have two pairs and still looking for them. All side effects have appear to have gone for me now fingers crossed. Off to Glasgow tomorrow for a date with Robbie and Olly Murs on Tuesday night so hopefully the rain will stay away and the sun will shine. Might just manage to squeeze in some retail theraphy as well.
Take care Angels, wishing you all a good nights sleep with minimal s/e xx