Hey y’all, had my first FEC this morning - huge relief just to have got started. So far so good - bit of a headache and lost my appetite (rare!!) but otherwise ok. Been in bed all afternoon and just going out for a short walk.
If you have yours coming up, the nurses make it very nice and non-scary xx
Thanks Sue. I started my 1st EC of 3 yesterday and confirmed it’ll be followed by 12 taxol.
All absolutely fine at the delivery via my port and happy I managed the cold cap too. Came home though and after 3 hours had overwhelming nausea and splitting headache but had been told not to take domperindone until next day so took broufen for the headache and thankfully I had a regular nighttime Gabapentin I’m on for pain from lymph and diep scar and that seemed to calm it. Woke this morning, head still sore and feeling sick and so took the domperindone and it’s made me feel more sick! Guess it’s not for me so will speak to the team this morning and see what else I can try…i had been prescribed lorazepan but they forgot to pack it so will go pick it up today to see if it helps.
Re hair… I have scheduled a hairsolution so will see if I need it in the next few weeks or if will mange with the turbans I got from silke.com …though They’re quite pricey at £45 each they’re in beautiful colours from traditional oyster, navy and black to more colourful ones like blue and green combo . As they’re real silk you first just use to sleep in to try retain as much hair as possible but as it falls out it can definitely be worn out with some big earrings…Tho I tried to find a balance between chic and fortune-teller!
Aliand… You look great in all 3, you have a face for all styles …i particularly love the pic of you and daughter… Thanks for sharing those.
Someone mentioned Zopiclone for sleeping, I’ve been taking that on and off since surgery and it’s been fantastic and really helped last night. My consultants have told me it is not addictive but that it’s efficiency does diminish over time so I’m using sparengly but it’s good for me.
Fingers crossed you all continue to progress well and as I can see the sun shining in going to get out for a walk… Hope you all can too. Fiona x
Hi guys how’s everyone this sunny Saturday morning? I hope fairly well. I had quite a horrible feeling day yesterday. Didn’t go out as this weekend my immune system will be at its lowest (apparently) Found some ginger sweets in the health shop Thursday so been having them. Good news is slept 6 hours last night 3 till 10am and woke up to glorious sunshine. Whoop whoop! Michelle21 your breed of dog is gorgeous! My daughter 22 and her dog live with us. He is a husky and quite big. I had surgery in Feb (originally that was going to be it but they found stuff so have to have chemo now) The dog went to kennels and a friends for a month but he came back the day before my second surgery and has been very good. I got a dog walker too to take the pressure off for a while. I won’t be able to walk home for at least 6 months but that’s his size and he pulls. I have a cat too lol. It’s all working out somehow. Well off to try to enjoy this weekend. Let’s remember fluids!!! I’m trying adding lime cordial to water bottles now. Might start setting myself a target amount to drink every so many hours. My arm pain is diminishing but I only have that arm for the cannula so need to make sure it’s good. Good luck for today. Hugs Gx
Mrs Pardaeava how are you? I came across a review of sleep caps in Evening Standard today and Silke came out best. I’m thinking of getting one. Debating the colour lol but might help to retain hair as I’m cold capping. How are you getting on with them. Coz yes very pricey. Do I need more than one or will one be enough. Do they need washing a lot? Hope you are feeling a bit better today thanks Gx
Hi Gygi,
I initially bought the navy one and a friend then got me the champagne/oyster colour one. They’re very comfortable but I’ve only slept in it one night so far. I like the fact that it’s wearable outside as, like you, cold capping is a bit of an unknown. You can cool hand-wash and depending on hair situation I suppose will dictate how often I wash it. The instructions are the they only last for 4 months as the silk will roughen but if I’m wearing it as a headcover instead of night time hair protection that doesn’t matter. I really like the fact that it has 2 functions for us and that it won’t be wasted, whatever happens with our hair. I love the bright coloured ones but thought I couldn’t quite carry the look off with my very pale Scottish skin! I’m feeling a lot better today, thanks. Hope you’re also having a good day,… Best, Fiona x
Hi all how’s your day been? Mine has been ok, went for a walk but think I over did it as got home with a pain in my lower back and achy legs. My immune is at its lowest too apparently so then spent time resting on the sofa. Watched the grand national, between us bet on 16 horses and only one winner (4th!)
I am biased Gygi but yes my Maisie is gorgeous! I love being out walking with her because she is always happy, I think I might need that over the next couple of months! Husy’s are big dogs I’m not surprised you strugglebto walk him. I note you say your daughter’s dog but you have organised all the dog walking, I have 18 and 20 year old girls who begged to have Maisie but do they walk her…?!
Thanks for the recommendation Mrs Pardaeva I’ve just bought a navy silke. I am also cold capping, so far so good but I think I am in denial that my hair still might go. It’s not the loss of hair it’s the instant “cancer patient” look that I don’t fancy! I’m going for a wig appt in a week so gives me a bit of time to get used to it.
How are you doing Sally? I’m still struggling with the shock of it all. I was diagnosed on 29th March and in chemo a week later. It’s all quite devasting. I try not to think too far into the future and try my hardest to keep the dark stuff at bay, but it’s not always easy. Just focus on each day as it comes.
Hope you all have a healthy Sunday xx
Morning guys I’m enjoying talking to you so here’s me again. Saturday was a fabulous day except the trying to get to sleep part but I got 5 hours so Sunday stays well. Took me 4 to get off to sleep though. I think Michelle21 I need to do what you do and walk more. Tomorrow I go back to work so that should help (I think) Definitely going to order the silke cap today Fiona just debating the colour. …
Hi I’m back posted prematurely cat and dog were at the door making noise for their breakfast lol. Anyhow I want to be adventurous Fiona but like you feel that the colours might be a slight bit too vibrant lol. Sally for the shower I use pure castille soap from health shop. I find it really gentle. The brand is Dr Bronner’s only problem is everyone else in the house loves it too! Hope you are all feeling ok today and have a good day. Take care Gx
Morning Gygi, so please you had a good Saturday, hope today is another one too. Its a sunny day in London so I’m going to get a good walk in.
I had a pretty good Saturday but I had a weird experience last night of not being able to swallow bread I was having with soup. Have you or anyone else had that? It was like it just stuck and I had to drink it down…
Michelle, I hope you and Gygi like your turbans. I managed to wriggle out of mine in my sleep last night so I might need to pull it over my ears more… Which gives Less of the 1930s movie star and more the wolf from red riding hood look!! Still, it’s giving us plenty of laughs in our house…
Hopefully today will be a good one for us all… Best, Fiona x
Hello everyone,
You all sound liked you’re doing incredibly well. First chemo (FEC) for me tomorrow. Hope I manage as well as you’ve all done. My boys are back at school tomorrow so that makes everything a little simpler! I teach at their school so it’s going to be odd for them not having mummy around.
Best of luck for tomorrow for your chemo start tomorrow, I hope your boys manage OK too. Im sure cuddles will be welcome all round once you’re back home with them in the evening Xx Fiona
Yes good luck for chemo tomorrow. Hope it goes well x
Evening all good to hear everyone is going ok.
Good luck with your FEC tomorrow Noahandwillsmum, I agree cuddles all round will be welcome.
I’ve had a spasm in my lower back today. I rang the unit but they said it’s not chemo related and I’ve probably pulled a muscle, suggesting I contact GP and get physio. I haven’t pulled a muscle! And if I had the last thing I feel like doing is sitting in a Doctors waiting room and then being pulled about by a physio! It’s not really painful just a bit uncomfortable so I’m going to ride it out and hope it goes away.
Hope you are over your wobble Sally, I think acceptance of the situation helps but this can take time. I just feel like I’m putting my head down and getting on with it because what else can we do? I use Source shower gel and it seems to be ok at the moment. My husband has had eczema all his life and he says it’s one of the few shower gels that doesn’t dry his skin out.
Let us know what colour silke you go for Gygi, I agree the vibrant colours are beautiful but I went for Navy because If I do end up wearing it out I’m not brave enough to be vibrant! I love that it’s causing amusement in your house MrsP I think I will get a similar reaction here!
Well it’s been wet and dreary here today, I only went for a short walk today down my lane. I went with my youngest a bit of one to one before she goes back to school tomorrow. How is everyone’s appetite? I seem to be eating for three! Although I ate less for the first few days I am more than making up for it now! I’m planning to walk with my dog walking friends tomorrow which is my usual routine, I’m looking forward to that, a bit of normality.
Enjoy the remainder of the weekend xx
Thanks for the blog Mai, very helpful. Especially good to hear your first three chemo’s all went ok. It’s so difficult to know what to expect. X
Morning everyone what a lovely day! On my way to work and quite looking forward to it. Thinking of you N&Wsmummy How’s everyone feeling? Michelle have you tried soaking in Epsom’s salts might help. My arm still aches going to ring bcn tomorrow and ask what I can do to help it. Opted for the oyster silke with help from my partner lol Should come by Wed I hope. Finally my throat keeps going. Going to up the mouth hygiene with salt water washes as well as mouthwash. Anyway hope you all have a sunny Monday. Gigi
Oops for Finally I meant to write Fiona x
I’ve just got back from my walk with my Dogwalking pals. I had to tell them my news, which wasn’t as hard as I thought and actually because I’ll see them most days it won’t be such a ‘big thing’ like it is with other friends that I see less often. The walk was great, we do the same route every time but it’s such a beautiful walk especially on a lovely day like today, the magnolia’ s and blossom trees look fantastic!
Thanks for the Epsom salts tip, will get some in although pleased to say the ache has gone, yay!!
I haven’t had a problem with my throat or swallowing but keep having this weird feeling like crumbs of food are stuck between my gums and bottom lip!! I keep pushing my tongue along it but there is nothing there! I think I might up the mouth hygiene, a salt wash sounds like a good idea. I was also told to eat pineapple (fresh or tinned) because there is an enzyme in it that helps with gum health. I’ll try anything! I also bought in a few tins of prunes for the first few days after chemo to help with constipation! My latest discovery is elderberry and echinacea tea by pukka it is delicious and echinacea is supposed to help with the immune system.
Have a good day all x
Hi everyone
I’m having my first chemo treatment on Monday (EC). I’m terrified of how horrible the effects are going to be at the same time as I want the wretched process to start so I can get to the end of it. What helps me is getting prepared, even if that’s just organising head coverings (thanks for all the tips on this).
Thank you, Lovewine, because I’ve found what you wrote to be absolutely true: the fear is worse than the reality. Nothing has been as bad as those first weeks between diagnosis and treatment, when I scared myself silly by imagining horrors that did not materialise. The reality, so far, has been unpleasant (surgery, sickness) but not the end of the world. Chemo will probably be very unpleasant and I’ll hate it but it is a means to an end.
Hugs, hugs, hugs
Evening everyone! How are you all feeling? Went to work today and had a fun day. Hard work so quite tired now hopefully means I will sleep well. Then made a fab dinner garlic lamb with lemon rice mint coriander pomegranates salad etc. Looked so pretty. Didn’t think I could eat tonight but looked so appetising couldn’t help myself. Followed by a pineapple lolly (listening to you Michelle21) Going to hunt down that tea too. Lol.
Hi Dorabel my second will be next week Friday. The idea of it is scarier than the actual. The drugs they give you are so good. Felt rough about a week on and off but not terrible terrible …although there were moments. And finding this group fab. Sounds like a great walk Michelle21. My daughter took Spyro out lots today too. Easier with this weather. Work again tomorrow afternoon in hospital to get a boob fitted. Have different size boobs till I have next surgery. Again wasn’t due to have chemo so having to wait a lot longer now. Hope chemo went okay noahandwillsmummy and you manage to sleep. Take care Gigi
Hello,
Chemo due to start on Friday. First of three FEC followed by 3 T. My daughter is getting married on 12th May and I am looking for tips to try to keep most of my hair for this important day. I am having the cold cap to try to help, have bought silk pillowcase but have read conflicting reports about when to wash conditioner out of hair after cold cap. Any advice would be appreciated. Hope that those who have started treatment and those due to start get on well. Best wishes. Linda