EC cycle 5 day 7
Good Evening Angels,
Been resting up for the past two days because of this viral chest thing. Felt so rough yesterday that rang the hospital for advice. They had me in just to check temp (37.4) and bloods (4.3 and 3.7 = good?). Told plenty of rest and fluids and go back if temp spikes. Low wbc due inn three days time - hope I’m over the worst by then. Annoyingly, this is putting my planned 4 day holiday between chemo and rads in jeopardy. Nurse has already raised the compromised immune system flag.
Sorry to hear you’re still in Mel. Perhaps it is a virus - there’s not much they or you can do other than wait for your body to fight it. Trouble is, the further we get through the chemo, the more taxing it is on our bodies. Sorry to hear you’re being delayed but as Mel has said you’ll be stronger for it.
Hang on in there Judy, you know there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Hope you get the stronger painkillers to see you through.
All this talk of seaside is making me envious. It’s sooooo hot here. A paddle would be perfect. Was supposed to be going to visit friends in Cleethorpes today but couldn’t face an hour and a half in the car there and back and anyway I’m such a misery at the moment!
Philomena and Kim, I too have really enjoyed the coolness of walking around without hair. Still haven’t been brave enough to go out in pubblic though. Think mine is definitely trying to grow back. Got a proper halo of white fuzz about 2mm long.
Enjoy the sunshine for as long as you can,
Moira xxx
p.s. Angie, we’re missing you!
Angiepops has her daughter(Katiepops) and grandson staying so hopefully she is okay and enjoying the time with them. She was on livechat last Thursday so maybe she’ll be available for that again tomorrow.
Kate
x
This is my 11th night in hospital. I feel like I should get a certificate for endurance! Oncologists registrar has added anew idea: the spikes in temp etc could be a reaction to the doomestos antibiotics I’ve already had. So full circle- temp- antibiotics- temp great
All your good wishes are really helping me get through this, and the fantastic people I’ve Met. There are so many good people in the world.
Love mel xxxx
Mel you deserve a medal, stick in there girl, stay strong and hopefully you’ll be out soon, we’re all rooting for you.
Lynn Happy belated birthday, hope you enjoyed your break, Iam not that far from Inverness.
Judy, Tax is definately tougher than Fec, the fatigue drags you down its an emotional rollercoaster. You sound a bit like I was last week it’s horrible but it does pass, promise. Love your bronzed baldy, mine doesn’t seem to want to tan will have to fake it.
Pauline enjoy your break
Another sunny day tomorrow, enjoy while we can
Sending the sleep fairies to all a with minimal s/e xxx
hi girls
yes i’m fine thankyou very much mel-A. 
yes, as kate says, my little whirlwind freddie is taking up all my time and its just great. ive been getting loads of photos with him, hair on, paint eyes on, shout for picture to be taken hahaha
i thought i had loads of extra meds this time because of the bad cycle i had before, but on checking i only had and extra anti sick pill and the mouthwash. ive been so much better, fitter and well and my nurse reckons its our fred and my angel slave kate looking after me this last 10 days. unfortunately they go back to england and the sun (we’ve not really had much here) on friday morning but i know its done me the world of good.
what a time you’re all having !!! 
Judy - paulines right, get the painkillers down you. the sickness (i had it) goes with domperidone and omeprazole and difflam with those two got rid of all the mouth thing., i so feel for you. I walked from the car park today to the hospital and needed to lie down for 5 minutes, its very hard this tax dont you think. if it helps, ive found the 2nd easier to deal with.
Mel-A - glad you got out, how awful to be sent in hospital.
maisiecake mel - you poor little thing, i bet you feel like you’ve gone to another planet, nothings real in hospital is it, its just weird. food? i hope youre eating ok if thats possible. hope you get home soon
moira - you dont sound too good either, are you struggling with the hot weather, we’ve not had any yet so i dont know if thats affecting you all as well as the poison.
amber - when is your last one? you sound in good spirits. send me a sleep fairy please 
Kate amazon woman - no s/e’s and sleeping too? you a real cool cookie! come on! yes, on the chat thursday?, me katie and freddie, our last night.
So my latest problem is sleep, cant seem to do it. last time i was out like a light, its 1.50am now and i could stay up all night. maybe because ive got the bed to myself, OH in england getting a tan, so the bronzed sun god gets back friday, to get me to sleep. anyone else having trouble sleeping?
angie xx
Cycle 5 docetaxol cycle 2, day 7
thank you so much angels for te well wishes. I rang the chemo unit yesterday to get more painkillers but with no luck, they suggested substituting cocodomol for the paracetamol and that next next the oncologist will prescribe more steroids. I got the skin rash back yesterday on my neck and hands, luckily the antihistamine tables make me sleepy so I am taking those plus the heartburn tablets and ani sickness and maxin out on the painkillers before bed, i think basically I’m drugged up o the neck and kncking myself out buit worked and I slept last night. The fat furry tongue and split mouth his here todayooh lucky me!
mel you really do deserve a medal, I don’t know how youve not gone gaga with the lack of sleep incarcerated in hospital. Hope the end is in sigyou for you.
mel, glad to hear you escaped, hope your temp is under control. My temp was up two nights ago but in went in the bath and stood in the garden, I just couldn’t face. a night in ospial, it worked and the temp went down.
angie is sounds like Freddie is he perfect medicine, glad your ok.
take care angels, best wishes to you all xxxx judy
Apologise to Sandy, still have chemo brain. I meant to say Sandy instead of Pauline!
Morning Angels,
Oh I feel so much better! Still got a cough and now a runny nose again but the pain and yukky feeling seem to have gone. This morning I’ve managed to wipe down the worktops in the kitchen, water the greenhouse and eat a bowl of cornflakes. Now I’m going to celebrate with a tepid bath.
Been trying to boost my vitamin intake - corflakes = vit B, orange juice = vit C, half an hour in the sun = vit D and Bio oil rubbed on legs after bath = vits A and E - does that count?
Today is, for me, a special occasion: it’s exactly three months since I started on this chemo journey and what a long three months it has been! In my profile photo you’ll see a calendar behind me. That’s my CCC - Chemo Countdown Calendar. I’ve been crossing off every day and marking every tiny milestone. It’s helped me and my OH as well.
Glad you’re feeling good Angie. Keep smiling!
Take it easy, Judy. Sleeping your way through it sounds good to me!
Kate, what’s this livechat? I’ll have to investigate.
Mel, how’s it going? Any chance of a reprieve?
For all other Angels in England, enjoy the good weather. And for all Angels north of the border enjoy the cool weather even more!
Moira xxx
Hi Moira,
Good to see you are starting with the alphabet of vitamins! Hope the bath is relaxing. The LiveChat is through this site, there is a BC nurse on line and anyone is able to join, ask questions of the nurse or chat to other attendees, some good info has come out of it for me and you can share your experiences, the one for ‘general’ (rather than secondary) is Thursday evening 8.30pm - 9.30pm and you log in through the homepage at 8.30. I found it doesn’t work on an Ipad but does work on a PC. We have had some entertaining chats and there are people from all stages of the journey.
The sun is shining here again today, 28 degrees again, just wish I could be brave enough to sit in it but I’m a scardey cat and worried I’ll get a reaction and then get told off!
Hope you are all doing okay and that you are coming through the other side of the rough days, especially Judy & Angie who I noticed updated this site at ‘silly o clock’ yesterday/today! I hope the sleep fairies start being good to you both!
Mel - are you any closer to being released from ‘jail’ yet?
Kate
x
judy
ive just been to the doctors for thrush medicine, have you had a doc check, it makes for nasty slimy mouth, might be worth a try, see if its making you worse.
kate - sleep fairies? not seen any yet. on ly naps during the day at the moment, i’m in bat mode!
moira - thats a good idea, you can see the spaces getting less and less. i like that.
angie xx
Hi All
Judy & Mel, you both seem to be having such a hard time, but it will pass. Try to hang in there.
I think I’ve noticed a new pattern developing. I get over the worst of the chemo after about a week, then I start with a bug. Cycle 4 it was an afternoon on the sofa shivering under a duvet, cycle 6 was a blocked nose/mild cold and this time it’s a cough. Basically I think I’m getting hit by viruses when my immune system is low. My temp went up a bit yesterday, but not too much, fortunately. Today I’m feeling livelier and I’m thinking about doing some housework (only thinking tho!).
I’ve been hiding from the sun. The nurse told me I probably won’t be making any melanin so will just burn, also finding hard to cope with heat levels even indoors, but I may venture out (with Factor 50) today to get some Vitamin D!
Moira, I think you’d have to drink the Bio Oil J Isn’t it great when you start to feel normal again?!
My sleep fairies are back, so sending some out to those who need them!
Rozz
Hey Philomena. Thanks for messaging. I am going to txt you so that you have my number too for tomorrow. YAY can’t wait. Sandy. x
Hello Angie - good to have you back. I’m glad you’ve been having a lovely time with your family. Just the tonic you need. I’m assuming that’s your grandson in the picture. He looks a little charmer
Judy - I really hope you pick up soon. These SEs really are no fun.
Moira - glad to see you’re on the up now. I love the calendar idea.
Rozz - glad to see your energy is returning. Don’t waste it on housework today. Enjoy having some energy for a bit. I’m afraid you won’t get any vitamin D wearing suncream as it blocks it. You can buy vitamin d supplements from Amazon though. However factor 50 will enable you to get outside and enjoy the sun so go for it!
I’m up to about 5/10 on the energy front today. Getting better but not enough to take poochy training unfortunately :-(. I slept better last night but listened to PaulMckenna ‘I Can Make You Sleep’ to help me along the way :-). My hair is up to about a cm now in places, but still looks like chicken fluff as there is not really enough of it, it’s still standing up straight and it looks white! Still it’s hair and it’s growing. Unfortunately eyebrows and lashes are disappearing rapidly so make up is a daily requirement for me now. I’m also reconsidering my wardrobe at the mo. Now I’ve had to focus a little more on my appearance I’m considering a new look. I just need the money to support it now
Mel - still thinking about you. Big hugs xx
Hi Everyone,
Been for lunch and a shady walk around Bretton Sculpture Park. Really enjoyable. Know what you mean about starting to feel normal again, Roz. We’re all just so grateful for very small mercies. You and I same to be going through the same pattern - few days s/es = hangover for me followed by some virus or other. Still, only one to go
Kate, for me Thursday night is quiz night with the girls up the local pub. I’ll have to remember to look in on chemo night - I miss the quiz one Thursday in three these days! Don’t worry about me and my sunbathing either. My half hour in the sun was between eight and eight thirty this morning. The rest of the time I’m on factor 30. Sitting here typing in the dark. Trying this close all the curtains in the house to keep it cool.
Philomena and Sandy, hope you enjoy your meet up. I’m sure there’ll be lots of big hugs all round!
Moira xxx
Cycle4 docetaxel 1 day 22
Hi angels hope you are all enjoying the good weather, I’m finding it a bit hot to sleep at night. I was at hospital with my Mum today for her results. Unfortunately she has to go back in for another surgery on Wednesday 24th as the margin at one point has per cancerous cells, the good news is her nodes are clear and she is her cept 2 negative so she can be treated with hormone tabs after radiotherapy. Surgeon seams to think chemo will not be recommended because of good results and her age 78. (Fingers crossed)
I am going For no 5 chemo tomorrow morning a bit worried about it as I was so ill last time got some tips in spacing the paracetamol or co codamol out 2 hourly. With the ibrufen, And to take the laxalose before I get bunged up.( hope it works).
hope the sleep fairy comes tonight just took my steroids. Lynn x
Hi everyone
Moira - glad you are feeling better today. I like the idea of a countdown chart, it really shows how far we have come and how close we are to finishing the dreaded chemo.
Angie glad you are feeling good and enjoying your daughter and grandson’s visit. Love the new pic
Kate - may have to look in on the live chat thing.
Judy - I really sympathise about your mouth. 
I agree with Angie give your GP a ring and they will prescribe something for the thrush and sore mouth. I find cold black tea goes down ok and when the thrush is really bad I use a straw. I alsosuck on pineapple juice ice cubes which refreshes my mouth a little bit and reduces the swollen tongue.
Mel - fingers crossed your temp comes down soon and you get a reprieve very soon.
I had my appointment with occy health today. The doctor was lovely and told me she couldn’t understand why I had been referred by my manager. She told me that she did not expect me back at work until the end of October at the earliest and then only on phased return. I also called in for a catch up with my work mates and I’m shattered now…so I’m going to have a little nap before my OH gets home from work…hopefully I will be awake for the live chat tonight .
Take care everyone and I hope the sleep fairies call on you all tonight especially Judy and Angie.
Kim x
Hi Lynn, just felt I must mention that cocodamois also contains paracetamol, so you cannot take it with paracetamol or you will overdose. Also the liver is under increased pressure with the chemo. If you need to you can up the ibuprofen to 400mgs. Sorry to be the bearer of the news but as a nurse we have to be really careful with the mix in all the different painkillers xx
Don’t worry Philomena I swapped the paracetamol for co codamol I did not take them together but thanks for looking out for me. Lynn x
Hi angels
Hope you enjoy your last evening with your daughter and grandson A ngie.
Love to everyone struggling with ses.
I’m still in clink. Onc says if my temp does not spike for 24 hrs I can go home. Fingers crossed. Chemo cancelled for Friday. See onc next Wednesday to replan. Bit fed up but don’t want them to kill me so I’m not complaining. The general idea now seems to be that this is a virus, and body is sorting it. White blood cell count is now too high would you believe. I still don’t feel at all Ill so the whole thing is a bit bizarre.
Food here is fantastic and I’m Sure I’ve Put on weight!
Love mel xxx
Good luck tomorrow Lynn. It’s a shame your mum needs more surgery but good that she can escape the horrible SEs of chemo. Hope everything goes ok for her.
Kim- I’m glad the visit to occupational health went ok. I’ve got to go in September, which I’m not lookong forward too. Human resources wanted me to go a couple if months ago but my headteacher said it was ridiculous and she was happy that I was unfit for work so she would wait until Sept to refer me. It’s difficult as none of us know how we will react to the treatment,let alone know when and how we can return to work. I’m just so glad I’ve got an understanding boss.
Mel it sounds like your white blood cells have entered the battle with a vengeance. Here’s to a speedy recovery and escape.