Fitful head I got Sarakan mouthwash from health food shop and find its v good for me. Hope it starts clearing soon x
Hiya everyone I’ve been out for a hr with my daughter to boots my thermometer broke and she panics bless her.I tried lemon and ginger tea cold yesterday I normally have it hot.Taste good cold .Friends ask me how I feel how do you explain it’s like being pregnant with taste buds changing and having flu on the heaviness of your body haha
It’s so lovely to have the help & support I find here. Thanks for all the tips on mouthwash. I’m going to try salt water for now but I’ve kept the details of all the recommendations.
Went to a Macmillan event on living with cancer today (first outing since Monday chemo). The event was excellent but way too soon for me. Wiped out by the end. The information will be useful later, when I can give it some attention, so I’m glad I went.
Thanks, Fiona & Michelle, for reassurance that I’m not alone in the swallowing problem. I’m also reassured by the reactions to chemo round 2. It all feels like chemo boot camp.
Hi Dorabel, I know a living with cancer talk would be way to soon for me too, did you look that up independently or did your nurse suggest it? I suppose if you have come away with info like you say you can read that in your own time. I love that “chemo boot camp” perfect description!
And Wildshell I think that is a pretty good description of how we feel although for me it’s more pregnancy than flu! Glad you liked the tea! X
Hi guys still feeling quite good but hair is shedding so stuck my silke on to stop me touching it and making a mess. Going to buy a smaller vacuum cleaner to have upstairs as I can’t carry my Henry up. My partner made up a little song about the 3 of us shedding hair: that’s me Neo the cat and Spyro the dog ( he’s the worst) chemo boot camp sounds cool.
No songs from my Husband he’s been shedding hair for the last couple of years!
I’ve felt pretty good today too, better than last time I think.
Night night all hope you all sleep well! X
Hi Everyone
Good to read about everyone’s experiences and tips. I had first round of FEC on 20th April and so far it has not been too bad apart from minor issues but I take nothing for granted. I have some trepidation regarding hair loss as my daughter gets married on 12th May. I have a wig on standby and have had a trial with it but only time will tell. Has anyone else developed white spots on their face and scalp/acne type. There are only a few of them but I wondered if anyone else has experienced this and if they resolve themselves without treatment.
Still feel that I am living in a another world at times but the support of family and friends helps. Also reading this forum and sharing the lives of others going through treatment provides strength as this represents one of the biggest challenges of most people’s lives. I am very much a person who likes to plan ahead and learning to accept that this is not possible in the near future can make the months ahead seem like a very long time. Just need to learn to live a bit more in the present!
Hope everyone progresses well through treatment.
Linda
Hi Linda, I’ve been having those spots on my cheeks and side of face the last few days as well. I used one of my antibacterial wipes on my face last night and it seems to have settled today which may or may not be related!
Im also struggling with not planning, it’s definitely taking some practice to be more in the moment but I’m getting better though still get cross knowing that there are certain events I’ll miss this year.
Gygi pleased to see there seems to be the same reverence in your house as in mine!
As for men shedding hair, I’ve had more than one of my male friends and my brother in law ask if they think the cold cap might help with their hair loss?
Good night ladies. Fiona
Hi Linda,
I had my 2nd FEC on Friday and from my experience sure you should feel good by 12th for your dauters wedding. Are you cold capping? I am and my hair started to shed a couple of days before cycle 2. Having said that it isn’t noticeable to other people, ie no bald patches just stray hairs sticking out. I haven’t had white spots but have noticed a couple of extra blackheads (nice!) appearing. I guess our skin isn’t going to be the best over the next 18 weeks but it’s anazing what a bit of B.B. cream will cover!
I think we are living in another world at the moment, a parallel universe! Hopefully we will rejoin society soon! Living in the present is key, I try not to look too far forward just take each day as it comes and I try to get a few pleasures and laughs into each day. X
Good morning all.
i wonder how everyone is dealing with social occasions. i feel like i am avoiding groups of people where i feel i will me and my cancer will be the central topic. one on one chats are fine but i am finding excuses not to go to other events. today i am due to go to a family dinner with the in laws but i am already trying to convince myself i am not well enough to go when i feel ok really as long as i am not too far from a toilet. May be need to bite the bullet and go. it is not as if that part of the family hasn’t had it’s share of cancer.
May be it is just me be over sensitive.
Hi ladies.
Just been catching up on how you’re all doing.
Christine the social aspect is going to be totally individual. If I felt ok then I would go. Mainly because it got my out of the house for a bit. Just be careful that no one else going has a cold or anything that you could catch. I have never been bothered talking about having cancer. If by seeing me 1 woman checked herself, had a lump checked out and saved her life, then it was well worth it.
I didn’t cold cap so can’t advise on that. Though if you’re having docetaxol I found my hair started to grow back on that. My hair was noticibly growing on Christmas eve and I still had 2 treatments of 6 left to go. Last infusion was 19th Jan. Now have a very short pixie type hair.
Have a lovely Sunday ladies. Stay strong x
Morning Christine, I’ve only been to one lunch with a group of friends and I was a bit anxious before we went. And, though we definitely did talk about me and the cancer for a little while, it really was only a tiny amount and then moved onto other topics that others wanted to talk about. I found it really good actually, hearing about everyone else and what they’re up to and laughing too. It really took my mind of just thinking about my treatment etc and also just reminded me that this is temporary.
Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a good day. X
Thanks everyone. i did check no one had anything i could catch before we went and it was nice to be out in company. i did get tired quickly but treated myself to a glass of prosecco as a one off too. it was a good idea to go and thank you for the encouragement. Conversation was varied and yes there was concern for me but it was a help rather than making me self conscious. when i got emotional there were hugs a plenty.
i did do my weekly hair wash this morning and noticed a bit more hair coming out than normal but i still have a good covering and hoping for the best.
Hope everyone had a good weekend and all the best for the coming week.
Hi Christine so glad you went and it went well. And yes Dorabel my oncologist said to paint my nails dark too and I have already although it’s more relevant for the docetaxel than the fec. Loads of my hair coming out today; wearing the silke at night and a bamboo hat during the day so as not to fill the house lol. My daughter did all the housework this morning which was lovely so I cooked (apparently my best dinner ever) and we gave her a lift to the tube: she’s off to a nightclub for a party. Been a bit spaced out today forgetting things and stuff. Not going to go work tomorrow or probably Tues as it is a 6 period day. I’ve left all the work so will get up at 6 and phone in. Hope you have all had a good Sunday. Take care Gigix
Hi all how’s thing’s?
All ok with me, although not sleeping as well as last cycle which is a tad annoying as sleeping in the day and don’t want to get out of sync. Having said that went on my dog walk this morning with my pals which was great but think I knackered myself out as I came home and slept from 10.45 until 2.30! Did enjoy the walk though!
Christine glad you went out and enjoyed seeing your family. I find it is the first time you see someone that is the worst because you have to get it out there so it isn’t the elephant in the room and generally people are concerned and want to know what the situation is and how they can help. Having said that I’m generally avoiding places where there are groups of people but allowing myself choir on my good weeks and a friends b’day party on 12th!
Dorabel that talk sounds good,I will be looking out for something similar round here, there is so much information to absorb and feelings to process when we are diagnosed I understand why you might have found it too soon. Good you went though.
Gigi you didn’t tell us what your best dinner EVER was! I’m so disappointed I was all read to send husband out for ingredients so I could do a poor replication! I feel a bit spaced out too, although I think that is my sleeping. Serves me right for showing off last time about how much sleep I was getting! No one has told me about painting my nails but I am starting T next cycle so will get painting! What is a bamboo hat? Is it soft? It sounds like your hair loss is similar to mine, I’m trying hard not to touch it.
Where is everyone buying caps, hats and scarves? As i’ve no idea what to go for! X
Hi Michelle yes we seem to have a lot in common here. I’m glad you had a good walk I’m being very lazy today as it’s so cold, windy & rainy. I’m trying really hard not to sleep during the day as then I wouldn’t sleep at night. My hair is shedding I’m really trying not to touch it. Very tempting though. A bamboo hat is very soft yes. I bought it at the hospital when I went to get my wig. I’ve got some scarves to play with from charity shops that I washed & have ready. Need to buy a turban & then seen a few really pretty big hair bands to put over it. I’m checking out websites so can let you know some later. Had dark blue nails since I started but going to get plum. I use nail envy base coat to strengthen then the colour then top it with the base coat again. Acetone free nail remover as I take it off so i can cut my nails i like them short & my partner puts it back on again for me. What a sweetheart!
As for dinner it was chicken: cooked in pomegranate molasses grilled off, peri peri salt homemade chips, I couldn’t eat the chicken as I defrosted it in the microwave & they say not to eat defrosted meat. So I cooked potato with onion, turmeric, garlic, aubergine & garden peas. Then we had chicory, romaine lettuce & beetroot and ginger ale. I went to a cookery class with @lifekitchen My daughter & I were on the news talking about it. It helps people with cancer think about taste buds. The classes are free, the next one is Newcastle. Going to research the hair later again. Will get back to you. Hope everyone is ok. Take care Gigi x
Hi Gigi, so much info! You are probably right that sleeping in the day isn’t helping with sleep at night. I will try not to tomorrow. No rain here today but so cold, what is going on it’s May tomorrow! I’ve just googled the cookery class you went on it does sound great but I can’t find where the venues are for this year, I hope to Cardiff! I think the T part of chemo really does for the tastebuds so yes it is going to be another challenge. I notice you are eating lots of pomegranate was that recommended? Also why no defrosted meat?
I haven’t looked in the hospital at head covering and never heard of bamboo hat but it sounds good. I know I am in denial but really shouldn’t leave it until it goes so yes any websites for pretty hats, headbands or scarves would be great thanks. X
Guess what! Just woke up! Well didn’t manage to stay awake during the day today. Lol
My first port of call has been Amazon and they have scarves, hats and wigs. Good as a starting point but some of the items have a long delivery time.
Gigi good intentions go to pot don’t they?! ?Probably best to listen to our bodies and go with the flow!
Thanks Christine, I suppose I just need to start looking and stop hiding! It is happening! I quite fancy the idea of a headband, still hoping that I will have some hair to put it in! X