Great news Ali! Hope you’re feeling well again after being in hospital. Hope you’re all going on well Sib, Helenp, Sue58, Butterfly, Fairy, Claire and Marvellous66.
I can so relate to what you mention about craving normality, Sue58 and Sib, it made me smile too – can’t really remember what ‘normal’ is like, I was diagnosed back in March and several surgeries later, I seem to have been in this rollercoaster process of treatment for months already. I’m now on Day 13 of Chemo and don’t feel too bad now, quite surprised really as I thought I’d be feeling much worse. I’ve been able to return to work which brings back some sort of normality, especially having been off sick from the operations for nearly 4 months before starting Chemo. Was a bit worried about being back in an office with having a lowered immunity but since 2 of my children have throat infections it seems like a safer bet at the moment! Hard to avoid bugs and germs in your own home…
Good luck with having your picc line fitted today, Sam890. I did feel a little woozy after mine was fitted and so chose not to drive, but I probably could have done if I needed to. Let us know how it goes. I also bought a skin-coloured picc line cover if you’re interested, quite expensive - but it means I almost forget it’s there now:
Hi everyone,
A lot of familiar names on this forum from my journey through finding my lump to test results and diagnosis. I will be joining you all on chemo a week today. I am set to have TCHP every 3 weeks x 6. I got a bit of a shock when I found the appointment letter last night as I wasn’t expecting confirmation that I would be starting until all my scan results come back on Monday. I need to try and find some kind of positive outlook - I’ve been tearful and tired this week and it’s not the right place to start chemo from!
I feel like a lab animal with all these tests and needles - had MRI, ct, bone scan, marker put in, still have heart scan and kidney function test to go this week. My veins are all sore and bruised.
Also I have a 6 and 4 yr old at home to look after and have very little energy and patience for them even though I know we should be making the most of this last bit of time before the chemo starts.
Sorry for the long moan, any ideas of how to get myself back into a positive mindset again?
Good luck all of you with your recovery from your first treatments,
Cath x
Hi Marvellous66 - glad to help, I chose the ‘Camel’ coloured one as it seemed to be the closest to my skin- colour…
Hello Cath, I think everyone feels like you are before you start Chemo, the worry of the unknown and the waiting for it to start seems to be the worst stage of it - so don’t think you’re alone in feeling like you are. It must be hard with young children as well. Hopefully the other ladies also going through it on this forum can help you too… xx
Hello all. Hope you all well. Had PICC line in. Didn’t go quite to plan as my veins are so small. Thankfully it went in on the last attempt. Took myself there and back on moped so all good. Thanks for the cover tip although where it is, very close to my underarm I wont be needing one. Dreading next Thursdays first chemo but wanting to get started. At least I have a nice weekend in my caravan to look forward to this week. X
Day 15 after my first chemo and expected to be feeling very well, but I’m not! Didn’t sleep well, very tired and got splitting headache! Had unpleasant meeting with work occupational health yesterday, was hoping to be able to work from home during my treatment but OH doctor said Imy not fit and won’t be fit (in his opinion) till February/March 2018!! A bit of a blow. Maybe I more I’ll than I thought! He also said as I had side effects from first chemo that he he thought it would get worse with each session!! Not what I wanted to hear. Any inspiration my lovely chemo buddies? Xx
Oh Sib, sorry you don’t feel great. Your immune system will be low at the moment so I think it’s understandable.
It is possible that each cycle may get harder, but hopefully not too bad. I didn’t find it alot different to be honest.
The trouble with working during chemo, is that you don’t always know how you’re going to be. I was lucky in that I was able to take the time out and that was the right decision for me. But I know some can’t and that’s really hard. If you are able to, then take that time for yourself. You will feel better in the long run.
Best wishes xx
Hi Sib, glad to hear your feeling better today, it is such a roller coaster of emotions as you say… Shame about what your Occupational Health doctor said, not very helpful… My HR wanted a ‘return to work’ form from my GP so I could return on reduced hours and partly at home - maybe if you talk to your GP they would give you a form and that might be enough for them to let you return?
Sam, good to hear that your picc line went in OK, eventually… Enjoy your weekend in your caravan.
Hi Sib. Glad you are feeling better today. Sorry to hear about your OH meeting, not what you need at the moment. You are right about the emotions being so up and down. I’m off to have a marker clip inserted this morning and to be honest I’m pretty fed up of being poked, prodded and jabbed with a needle xx
Morning ladies. Thank you Mary-Kate. I am off in little while and the weather should be good. Sib, I am so sorry things aren’t going well. Hope they have improved a little. Have a good weekend ladies. X
Hi everyone,
Sorry I haven’t posted just looking at my phone screen sent me nauseous.
That’s great news ali! I’m so happy for you I bet it’s a huge relief!
Glad the PICC line went ok sam and it’s fine now.
Sib that’s rubbish about your OH meeting, I hope today you’re feeling ok. I’ve been advised to stay off work until all treatments are complete so looking at march time next year too.
It’s day 9 for me and I’m hoping I’m over the worst of it all for this time. The fatigue took me by surprise the most I think, I expected it but thought I would handle it better. I managed without any meds for nausea yesterday too! Xxx
im just finishing up on day 5 and the fatigue has def been the worse se… ill have a potter around then nap for an hr, if my 3 lil beautiful kids let me, na they have been fab, my next session is monday 4th sept, when in everyones next due and what course are you… this is my 1st, 5 more left to go xx
Hi everyone,
Fairy, hope you have some help with the kids while you are feeling so tired.
Ali- I know how you feel - all the tests, needles, feeling like a pin cushion with no say in what happens next. It will be a relief if we get 3 weeks between appointments when chemo starts!
Sam - can’t believe you are still flying round on a motorbike! Looks like we will start chemo together next Thursday.
Keep strong all,
Cath x
Oh Butterfly, what a rubbish day you must of had yesterday! I think your bad week would have been a combination of the two. Hopefully next cycle won’t be,as bad! Xx
Hello, I’m new on here, had my first dose yesterday. I was hoping for a little advice.
Today I feel fine, but I’ve just done some very gentle house work (literally 20mins) and started to feel warm in my face-this was an hour ago and I still have quite red cheeks. Temp is normal. Are hot flushes all par for the course and nothing to worry about?
I’m feeling nervous waiting for the side effects to kick in.
Thank you x
Hi sue c thank you for replying.
I had IV steroids as it was all a rush and they hadn’t given me any the day before, so I don’t have any tablets to take other than anti sickness if I need them.
I had an allergic reaction to the docetaxal yesterday, so pumped full of steroids and antihistamine.
Regarding my hot cheeks, After an hour and a half I recognised it wasn’t a hot flush so have rung them. As no other symptoms they just said monitor it, but ring back if gets worse. They put it down to the docataxel.
Gosh , it’s definitely a roller coaster ride for us all. Hope everyone is a bit better today. I had rubish day again yesterday (day16) very tired and for first time since starting chemo didn’t get out of house, also had terrible headache. However woke today feeling better, done grocery shop but my hair is starting to fall out ( I have long thick hair ) only to be expected I know! Still not ready to have it taken off though, will with to bitter end! Next chemo for me due Wednesday 23rd, a bit apprehensive but after this I’m a third of the way through chemo!!.
Sending hugs to you all as we face this climb, wishing you all well xxxx
Hi Sib. Glad you are feeling better today. My hair is coming out in handfuls today. Its very sad. I’m gearing myself up for my next session next week. I just hope my blood tests are ok after the infection and it’s not postponed xx
xx