Happy birthday last Thursday, Michelle. Your “almost normal” really pins it. I felt the same the first time I wore my wig in an ordinary setting, like acting a part. Glad the cold cap works for you, Christine. I’m longing for even a little fuzz to return.
Thanks for the kind words about my treatment. Yesterday was my first docetaxel dose and it hasn’t been too bad so far. We sat on the ward waiting for hours for the stuff to arrive. One poor lady had had a long journey to be there for 8.30 and at past midday they were telling her to come back in 2 or 3 hours. No having nausea is wonderful, worth all the pills rattling around inside me. Only day 2, though, so I won’t get too excited. I’ve discovered that dark nail varnish shows every chip!
I hope the book I mentioned isn’t a disappointment. I like the validation it gives to the way I feel. It has motivated me to ask for counselling help from the charity that operates from the hospital site. I can’t always keep a lid on how I feel and I need help. There, admitted it.
Well after having a brilliant few days I’ve coming crashing back down to the world of cancer today. I went for my pre chemo appt and got the results of my CT SCAN. The Onc said they have found what look like cysts, one in my liver and one in my ovary. To confirm they are cysts they are going to give me an ultrasound and have fitted me in tomorrow morning. I’m so scared that I have more cancer. At least I don’t have long to wait.
I have to go home now and pretend I haven’t just been given that news, my mum and Dad are visiting and I not good at lying.
This is so Cr@p x
So sorry for this, Michelle. Cancer is total cr@p and only those going through it know just how cr@p. Thank goodness you are going for the ultrasound scan tomorrow. Hope the results are quick and good.
It’s hard to keep stuff like this from your parent
So sorry to hear that Michelle and i hope you get the result quickly. They thought i might have a problem with an ovary too but my ultrasound came out as perfectly normal. Hopefully yours will come out the same.
At the start of this i didn’t want to tell my family until i knew all the facts so i get where you are coming from. we don’t wont to worry those we love unless it is necessary.
I will keep everything crossed and will be thinking of you. I hope you have a way to let out the anger and frustration even if it is just some where to scream or a pillow to punch.
Soooooo relieved! Had ultrasound and liver thing looks like a type of birthmark, she gave me the medical name but I’ve forgotten! The ovary seems to have 2 cysts and they are just cysts!!! So relieved. Thanks for your support x
Fantastic news Michelle. I bet you need to get some sleep now as i can’t imagine you got a lot last night. Perhaps a bit of a celebration first though.
Thanks Christine, not much sleep last night but I’m back on the steroids now, 8 a day so I don’t think I’ll have much sleep for the next few days. I can’t believe I am on chemo 5 tomorrow. I’ll be joining you in 22 days Christine! How are you enjoying life after chemo? Or is it too soon to say?
Tonight is my youngest daughter’s prom. She has done her A Levels and finished school while all this has been going on. I’m so proud of her. She looks beautiful in her prom dress, but I would say that wouldn’t I!
I hope everyone is going ok, how are the weeklies Fiona? Have you got to your studio much? I imagine pottery is very therapeutic. I’ve gone back to crocheting. I learnt last year, made lots of things then stopped but it’s good to be back into it. I like doing it in the evening whilst watching tv as it stops my mind drifting onto other things.
Gigi how are the SE’s for Docetaxol ? I have been given a higher dose of Lansoprazole for the swallowing and heartburn so fingers crossed. I hope you are going well.
Dorabel how are you finding Docetaxol? Number 4 you are over the hump! From what you have said the book sounds interesting, Ive ordered a secondhand copy so only a fiver with postage. I think counselling is a really good idea. I think macmillon run a course too. I will be looking into it once I get further down the road.
I have surgery after chemo. Apart from your DIEP Christine is anyone else having surgery after chemo? Or is everyone over that hurdle? I would be interested to hear your experiences.
Happy Friday everyone, hope all is well with you. I am glad to be back on the positive side! X
Hi everyone how are you all? Happy belated birthday Michelle and congratulations on your good news. Hope you are feeling ok today Dorabel and congratulations on finishing chemo Christine.
Unfortunately Docetaxel or the Filgastim injections or both did not agree with me. Will be changing chemo waiting to hear. Still very weak, part of the condition of letting me out of hospital was to go doc so just been and it was a 5 minute walk too far. Going back tomorrow and going to take next week off too. Not out of the woods yet but moving in the right direction. Hope you all have a good Friday. Hope your daughter loves her prom Michelle x
Oh Gygi what a nightmare. You have had more than your fair share of challenges during chemo haven’t you? How long were you in hospital for? What was the injection they gave you and when will you know what they will change you to? Sorry bombarding you with questions don’t feel you have to answer. I really hope you get your strength back and feel better soon. Let us know how you are feeling and getting on, I’ll be thinking of you, I really feel for you xx
Hi Michelle I don’t mind questions just aware that others have just started Docetaxel and everyone’s reaction is different. I had mine Monday week. First 2 days felt ok started the injections for immune system Wed night (filgastrim) and felt totally totally unwell Thursday. I did ring oncology on the Friday and Sunday and then had to again Monday and went up Tuesday and they admitted me Tuesday. I didn’t have the usual side effects. My issue was extremely high BP and pulse. It’s still high hence having to go docs to get it checked yesterday and today but the further I get from the injections the better I feel (although I felt like calling an ambulance last night briefly too) Apparently a lot of people react badly and end up in hospital. I have to change to another chemo drug now which puts me back (no longer even halfway) but I will know more next week I guess when I go for bloods. Walking to the docs (6 mins away) totally did me in yesterday so will have to take it very slow for a bit. Trying not to dwell. Luckily still too unwell to use up my energy that way lol It is what it is. Take care Gigi x
Gigi, it sounds like you’ve had an incredibly tough time but good you’re home again and I hope you are managing to rest and have your partner look after you. Its constantly a surprise just how much this treatment takes from us - both physically and mentally. It’s quite relentless.
Maybe you will be put on Paclitaxel? . My oncologist has put me on this drug as its seemingly kinder than Doxetaxel, but the outcome and success has been proven to be the same. It also has the same success rate when given weekly in smaller doses than then heavy, 3 weekly we had on EC. I suppose tho it will depend on whether its compatible with Filgastem, which I’m not having and hadn’t heard of. What ever they decided I hope that it is easier on you and will be thinking of you, you deserve a break!
Michelle, how was your daughters prom? I hope she had a wonderful time. It must have been nice to see her all dressed up and excited for her night.
You had asked about surgery, I had my mastectomy and diep reconstruction before chemo as it was spreading so fast and in ducts, lobular and lymphs that they decided to get it out ASAP. We had thought I’d avoid chemo but my oncodx score was too high. The toughest part for me was that I hadn’t recovered from the surgery when I started chemo 6 weeks after the op and found that hard. Hopefully when you have your surgery you’ll be able to recover fully without your body being bombarded by chemo which will hopefully make recovery smoother.
I’ve now had my 3 Taxol so one quarter of the way through, 9 more weeks to go. Its been much easier than the EC for me. I’ve also got an appointment on Monday with the consultant who determines whether I’ll have radiotherapy. I’m praying not as it will be another 4 weeks on top of the 9 and the fatigue is supposit really hard, esp after chemo, but I’ll do what they think best. Anything to put greater distance between cancer and me for the longest time possible! Has anyone else been scheduled for radio?
And this last week has been a nightmare as I managed to dislocate my to little right toes when I stumbled into the coffee table. Thankfully they weren’t broken but were pointing at right angles to my foot. They’re popped back now but it was agony. It took 5 attempts I’m so pleased I insisted on it being anesthetised as they were suggesting gas and air! And then to top it all I had an extreme allergic reaction to a mosquito bite on my eye which meant I couldn’t open it for a few days. On the up side, my IV steroids and antihistamine managed to bring it down yesterday and I’ve woken today and see again!
I’ve been told my bloods are showing too much sodium so I’m starting a low sodium diet . I think I’ve been adding more salt to find taste which has definitely diminished. and my mother in law, who arrives next week from Moscow is also on such a diet so hoping she’ll help.
Sorry for the long rambling post, once I start it all tumbles out!
Best of luck for today Michelle. As my nurse said to me yesterday, let’s hope it’s a really boring one… We like boring and uneventful!
I am starting docetaxel on Wed & wondered if anyone has any tips? Do I take the laxatives on Tues like I did with FEC? I am on the May thread so ahead of most peeps I think. I have the dark nail varnish ready. I was told constipation would last through chemo but maybe they just meant whilst having FEC. Thanks in advance.
Hi Fiona yes I’ll be joining you on Pactlitaxel, weekly I was told. And with that no filagrastim that is what did me in! Thank you. Still feeling very weak. Cleaner just came and that is a godsend. She is so lovely. Got docs in 20 mins so resting in readiness for my 6 min walk there. Linda I was told it could go either way with Docetaxel so not to take anything till knew which way. With Fec it was constipation for me and with Docetaxel it was the other way. Hope yours goes well. Hope you are ok Dorabel
Hi you are always so concerned about worrying others and I do get it but I also think that by you giving your experience can actually help others but also we can all support you. I realise my chemo so far has been fairly smooth in comparison but I feel I can understand the lows you must feel and the frustration of not getting on with it all. I have been thinking about you a lot today and I really hope you can pick yourself back up. Hopefully this is a corner turned and the new regime will run smooth for you, I can tell you how down you must be as your posts are missing all their lols! I love your lols they always bring a smile to my face! ? xxx
Sally you are on a similar path to me then, but I am not on hormones as oestrogen negative but am on herceptin until May. How have you found chemo so far? I have had 3 docetaxol, it hasn’t been without its own side effects but it is doable. Keep posting and let us know how you are getting on. X
Linda, my bowel experience has been the same as the others. Constipation on FEC but the opposite on Docetaxol. I have stocked up on immodium but I was told the to call my emergency number the first time so they can check it’s not an infection. I have diarrhoea the whole 3 weeks but only really take immodium if I’m going somewhere and it always works. I also have pertuzamab (Perjeta) and herceptin which also cause the same SE so that may make it worse for me. Good luck on Wednesday x
Fiona it’s interesting you had surgery first, mine was aggressive too but was advised chemo best to start. To be honest I was so she’ll shocked I would have done anything they asked. I still don’t tend to ask many questions just go along with the experts!
Also I was under the impression that if having rads which I was told from the beginning I would be that you have to wait for a recon. I haven’t actually asked anyone in the know yet and can’t remember where I read that but might of been on this site. Who knows!
I often have to remind myself why I am going through this misery, it’s easy to forget we are doing it to save our lives. It’s easy to get down trodden with it all. Good luck with your appointment on Monday, let us know how you get on. X
Yes my daughter looked beautiful for her prom and had a great time. We collected her and got home for 2.30 luckily I’m on steroids so wasn’t tired until then anyway, every cloud!! ?
Enjoy the weekend everyone xx
Sorry Fiona forgot to say your toe incident sounds very painful! Hope they heal fast. Also re your diet look up the dash diet, it’s a low salt diet promoted for those with hypertension. Hope you have a good time with your mother in law, does she speak English or you Russian? I’m hoping tongonto Russia next June, st Petersburg and Moscow. We decided to put Borneo on hold and are now thinking of Vietnam and Cambodia, but not until November 19. It’s my husbands 50th next year but now it seems to have become all about me, oops! ? x
Thanks for thinking about me, Gygi. Docetaxel is evil stuff. I’m just beginning to feel a little better after days in bed. The first two days were ok and then it was as though someone was jabbing knives into my joints all the time. Too weak to get up or eat. I did wonder if it were supposed to be this bad & dread further 2 courses. The fatigue never lifts.
You’ve had a horrible experience with this stuff too, Gygi. I hope that you gain in strength; the weakness is appalling. With luck, the alternative chemo you will be getting will be less harsh. I do hope so. It’s miserable having your treatment extended like this. Thinking of you.
I’m so glad about your ultrasound results, Michelle. What a relief! This cruel illness never lets us off the hook but this is very good news.
Your reaction to docetaxel, Sally, may be completely different & I don’t want to put you off. Sorry if I’ve been totally negative about it.
Poor Fiona, your toes must have been agonisingly painful. As though there isn’t enough to deal with! I gave a little cheer when I read that you had insisted on a proper anaesthetic. The medics may be dealing with the pain of others ever day but they do not feel it themselves (they probably couldn’t do their job if they did).