Haha no change there then , positive thoughts to you and all the lovely ladies or men out there it’s good to hear from you all about your experiences , I’m at hospital again tomorrow looking forward to seeing my boobie start to reappear , no sure what that entails but onwards I go X night night
Thought I’d chime in to offer some thoughts on working, particularly as chemo can affect people differently. I had 3xFEC followed by 4xTPH (docetaxel plus HER2 antibodies) and was able to work at about 60% to 65% throughout. Both my OH and I are freelance and I am the bigger earner, so not working wasn’t an option. In fact I could have worked closer to 75% to 80% but for all the appointments and the time I spent researching surgery and radiotherapy options and tactics for reducing side effects. (I had chemo before surgery and was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, with different tumor types in each breast, so a lot of things to weigh.) It helped that I work from home, so working didn’t entail exposure to people during my white bloid cell trough. However, at least one other person in the June 2018 starters group worked the whole way through, taking just 2 days off each cycle (including infusion day). It depends on your response to the drugs and the work you do.
I personally never felt I experienced chemo brain fog. (I’m a book editor.) I also was able to take 5 to 10 mile walks on the second and third weekends of each cycle – and I think getting this exercise helped me with fatigue of all sorts. Of course, I also paced myself, and I was more fatigued in cycle 7 than, say, cycle 3 (during the third week of which we went hiking in the Wye valley!).
My breast care nurse gave me some guidance on mouth care during chemo. I ended up having no mouth sores or teeth/gum problems at all, though it is hard to know if this regime was why: She advised buying (extra soft) baby toothbrushes, one per week; I bought 2 and boil-sterilized them instead. Then gently brush after every single meal and snack using children’s sensodyne toothpaste – nothing with whiteners. Rinse mouth with water before brushing, to help dislodge big stuff; then after brushing use either Corsodyl or bicarbonate of soda dissolved in warm water as a mouthwash. I also very gently flossed when needed. (One thing I learned: if using Corsodyl regularly, either cut out tea and coffee or be prepared for very stained teeth. I am shocked by the stains I got – when I had none before. I’ll be asking at my next post-chemo appointment with my oncologist if I can now use a whitening kit on them!)
Hi all,
wishing you all a happy new year.
Thought this might help someone - I was finding keeping my PICC line in place really irritating until my son donated some old football socks - cut off the ribs at both ends and the middle bit grips enough to stay in place without being too tight!
Im on fec-t, second fee on the 3rd Jan. Dreading it now although only minor side effects last time(apart from being sooo tired!) Cold capped for 1st one but not sure what to do now. Is it necessary for all six sessions or just the fec ones?
Interesting about the PICC line. They struggled to find a vein for my first session and have advised I get one put in. Any advice on this as I really don’t know whether to or not
Morning, i’m due to have a Picc fitted prior to my next chemo, the procedure is undertaken to protect the veins due to the toxic nature of the meds.
Although a pain with weekly line care etc. For me it’s worth having done, my veins are quite fine apparently
I’ve been hanging around for a couple of weeks but this is my first post. I was diagnosed 14/11 Her2+and multiple lymph nodes affected. Having chemo first 3 Fec 3Thp. Had 1st Fec 12/12 & hate to sound negative but not had a great time since. Felt nauseous and spaced out for several days and admitted to hospital with neutropenic sepsis(neutrophils 0.03) day 9 20/12 and despite having 5 filgastrin injections days 3-7. My mouth & throat were a mess, thrush sores & had intense burning in chest and back from mucositis. Have lost a stone in weight since diagnosis and can’t afford it as slim build anyway. Discharged from hosp Christmas Eve fortunately but felt very anxious obsessing over my temp which was only 37.2 orally when I was neutropenic! Started to feel better last couple of days but 2nd chemo is being delayed a wk, now 9th Jan and think dose will be reduced…more anxiety. Hair started coming out rapidly day 17 so went for the shave day after, 29th Dec. I have a wig, named her Miranda, no idea why ha ha. Went to a small get together wearing it yesterday but made me feel hot so revealed my Sigourney Weaver which was well received. I’ve found it supportive reading your posts so thank you ladies. Onwards and upwards x
I had a good old cry when my work contacted me to say that i had been taken off sick leave and placed on ammended leave, meaning that i would be paid whilst receiving treatment. Although i had tried to put money out of my mind i couldn’t help but fear the worst and feel so fortunate that this is no longer a consideration
Hi Drummerswidow
I had my first chemo on 20th December next one due 10 Jan., I have a lot of really thick hair but today I noticed the top of my head feels tender (like when you have your hair tied up all day then let down). ? I have it a little longer, not really got my head around this part of my treatment yet, getting there if you know what I mean (have not choice?). Have you decided on a wig or just head gear or both? I was just going to have head gear as did not fancy a wig, but have found one this afternoon that looks very similar to how I use to have it a few years ago before I decided to grow it, so may invest just for the odd occasion I fancy dressing up (my husband thinks I will feel better if I have one too). Seeing you big Huggs and wishing you a happy & Healthy New year xx??
Jencat, that info about your PICC line had made me feel so much better about having one fitted
Nanna J, my head feels exactly the same, like I’ve had my hair tired up really tight at day and just fallen it out. Is really thin now. I’ve lost about two thirds I think. I will shave it and have a mohekan for a day I think. Id never do it otherwise so why the hell not?
All,
I’m really struggling to fllow te conversations in here as it all seems to be mixed up and coming in order of posting, so i see a reply to something posted earlier mixed in with new posts and other replies and its hard to follow a single conversation. Is there some way of making the site easier to follow ? Any advice welcome - so longas I can find it !! :smileyvery-happy:
Hi Jayne 1966 I’ve been having the same problems but I think I’m beginning to learn how to use it , following the email and the section and time , the email says where the post is with dates & times XX hope you are ok ? Where about are you with your treatment ??xx
Hi triple, I’m about to have my second round of chemo on Monday. FEC at the moment. Hair is almost all out. Feel fine now but I know come Monday evening I will feel awful again. Found the first round really frightening so hoping that is easier this time. Hated the injections more than anything. Just want the whole thing to be over!
Should say Trixie not triple. Damn autocorrect!!
Hi Trixie, Jayne1966 & everyone. I’m due my second FEC on 9th Jan(delayed by 1 week due to being hospitalised with neutropenic sepsis and what seemed like every possible side effect) so feeling really anxious. I just wondered how everyone copes with being around people with coughs/colds which seems inevitable at this time of year! I feel like locking myself away for next 3 months which I know is not practical.
Morning DIKcat, will be thinking about you on the 9th , sorry to hear about your hospital stay and and side effects, I’m still waiting for my booking in appointment ,so I can understand how anxious you feel , I’m trying to get as much advice as possible ,the some people are saving with have to live like hermit’s whilst on chemo due to the risk of infection , I’m already planning afternoon tea , walks , garden centres or early morning shopping when there’s less people around or very late night shopping XX big hugs stay strong
Hi DiKat
It’s days 10-14 when your white cells are at their lowest and you are most likely to pick up an infection you can’t fight off. I’ve spent the past 4 days avoiding everyone. Celebrating by going for a Starbucks with a friend today :-). General advice is to get out and enjoy yourself in week 3 while you can.
Thanks DIKcat , have a lovely time with your friend I’m like a letter box Hugger watching for that letter , trying to potter around the house but still very uncomfortable from my mastectomy and lymph node operation xx
Haha wrong person , interesting information Pastamissus , hadn’t realised how serious DIKcat infection could be until I googled it neutropenic sepsis, so pleased she’s home it just shows how careful we all need to be XX
Oh Jayne 1966 , I do hope you’re ok ,it’s so difficult getting through this to the other end,this site is good but we also read so many sad and worrying posts , they say we should plan something nice on good days , I can’t even mange that now unless somebody else is giving me a shove xx