Day 2 of chemo

I’m still posting on here too as I feel I want to be of help to my lovely ladies who are about to start or may need chemo with my experiences. Hope the ladies not having Chemo don’t mind!

Day 2 of chemo I woke up not feeling any different from usual until I got up and felt a little dazed but manageable!
I took my 2 anti sickness pils from hospital and the Amend which was prescribed as an extra after some cereal and a banana (helps me do number 2)

I then took my GCSF injections to help my immune system and control white blood cells. It was easy peasy. I’ve got a flabby belly so I just squeezed it and in went the needle which is very small and once injected the needle springs back into the syringe so don’t worry about the needle getting lost.

I then used my new digital thermometer 36.2. All good! It’s a Tommy Tippee one from Tescos and does a long beep if over! Sometimes they are on offer there.

My mouth didn’t taste at metally today but yesterday the ginger drops, pear drops and pineapple chunks were great as they also keep your mouth moist as can get dry! Make sure you have some in your handbag and a bottle of water! You get so thirsty from the drugs.

Today my cousin came to cook and I enjoyed the food which shows that my taste buds haven’t gone yet. Maybe takes time! And I had a big long jam doughnut with a decaff tea so not to keep me awake!

I’ve felt peckish all day from the drugs. Found that mash potato and gravy and rice pudding(not together) are filling enough and easy to do! Ginger biscuits have been good too but not filling enough!
I’m staying off deep fried foods and crisps as they can give me ulcers and a sore throat so we dont want to invite the sore mouth side effect!

A spoon of Manuka honey every morning should help too but it’s bloody expensive? £20 for a jar!

Be sure to start mouthwashes before chemo as a prevention, not when the problem is there but if you do get a sore mouth I heard sucking on iced pineapple chunks can help sooth.so go to Morrison’s and get the 2 for £3 ready to eat ones and stick in the freezer. Flossing teeth will also help keep gum infection away. I’ve got a hygenist app next Monday but need to see how my mouth is first.

I’m just going through my life insurance policy, don’t forget to if you have one. Some may or not apply but make sure you check.
If you have private medical but are using NHS you can get cash benefit! I feel that for BC we need a good team and NHS have been brilliant. They cannot be slow with the C’s!

Anyway mum happy tonight as she’s stayed in with me for 4 days and now my cousin has taken her to the casino.

I’m spraying my Avon Lavender Sleepy on my pillows hopefully to get another good night’s sleep before I do my number 2 haircut tomorrow. I will need a glass of Prosecco and a box of tissues as my hair as always been my priority. I’ve done it in 3 stages so it may not be as upsetting for me! Hairdresser is sticking a few more highlights in it tomo morning and cutting it whilst it’s on! We are doing it after she closes so no one else around. I’ve told my sponsors that it’s not going to be for show and they completely understand. I’m doing for Macmillan who have been amazing with me!

Our one ladies next year can be for another BC charity!

Anyway, Im still waiting for side effects and there will be but at least I know what to expect for next chemo treatment! Theres a long journey ahead of me but we can do it with the support of friends and family and most of all our BCC gang as we understand what we are going through!

Hope all my lovely ladies have a good sleep tonight. We all worry, our mind wanders, we are anxious about the unknown but what I found is that all these can be coped better with a better nights sleep!

RHONABOAT
Thinking about you on your chemo start tomorrow. Remember to eat something before you go as feeling hungry and anxious doesn’t help! The chemo nurses are great and monitor you the whole time. If your hand gets a bit stiff with cannula in you can squeeze your wrists in and out which will help veins too. I was so tense at first, my whole body was stiff. Didn’t need to be! If you feel a slight anything just tell them. They are so patient and will stop and check. Mine was massaging my hand all the way! It’s amazing how little touches like that can make you more relaxed.xxx

Hi CK… I’ve been trying to follow some of your thread & super information you have been sharing. (Although I’m all over the place & concentration levels are low) I am waiting on appointment this Thursday & lumpectomy booked for next week. I don’t even know yet if I will need chemo or not…but I’m gearing myself up to be prepared if they say I need chemo. Your thread on how it’s going so far is very good to read & is helping soothe anxieties of the still unknown. Thank you & will definitely be using your top tips should I need them. X
Scooter

Hi CK

 

Thanks for your good wishes. I will remember about eating something as don’t want anxiety and hunger together. One of my good friends is coming with me and then I am going to be staying with her overnight in case of any problems.I’ve been drinking loads of water in preparation. I have a PICC line in now and got it checked today and all working well. I also have a really lovely oncology nurse who I know will look after me well. 

 

Really great to read your posts, they are so informative and reassuring.

 

Sleep well tonight.

 

Rhona xxx

Scooter
I’m glad if it helps you. We all react differently to treatment and have different diagnosis but I feel being in control helps! Hopefully you don’t need chemo as its another journey but if you do it’s to help towards living a better quality of life in rhe future.
Regards head all over the place, it’s normal! Believe you me I was bad from the start. The surgeon was scared of me as I cried everyone I saw him?

I recovered very well after my lumpectomy and went to work 4 days later but nothing strenuous!
I asked the anaesthetist for anti sickness drug before I went in so I wouldn’t feel nauseous after I woke up. The morphine was good and I asked for more? I went in at 10am and was home for 2.30pm.
A little blue (pale) in the face as I had Sentinal node biopsy and had a blue wee! I had one lymph node out.
Showering was hilarious as didn’t want to get the dressing wet so stuck some cling film over it!
My GP prescribed Diprobase Cream for my dry skin and it also helps to heal wounds so be sure to get some…or wheatgerm oil. I healed really well but I need to have another op after chemo so I’m gutted, but at least I know what to expect.
All the best for your op and good results. The waiting is the worst so you need to occupy yourself in between.xxx

All the best again Rhona???
Your friend will keep you occupied and your nurse will be great and just tell her of any slight discomfort. They will put you at ease. You will be asked if you need drinks all the time. Glad the Picc line working well too.
I actually talked to my drugs as they were going in and asked them to go easy on me and I understand they are there to help me? The nurse was amused and said I was a first!!!???

Hi CK, so glad to here from the sound of it you are doing well. I’m day after second chemo now, pleased to report less immediate side effects this time round on this first day. Perhaps some side effects the body gets used to?

Hope you continue on well through your first cycle. I found the first one very manageable (one day with quite uncomfortable hesrtburn) so crossing fingers this one is OK too. I have been given med’s for the heartburn thus time.

I would advise if you have any concerns at all, ring acute oncology. I didn’t for the heartburn until the next day as it was mainly first thing then evening, and then  I worried myself about it for the rest of my cycle!!!

Hi Zena
Glad to hear your 2nd chemo is slightly easier. Yes, I think first one has to adjust to everything so seems more difficult maybe.
I did feel a tight chest tonight so rang Christie hotline and paramedics were here in 10 minutes and they talked to me as I was waiting. ECG was good but they wanted me to go for more check ups as I’m on chemo (we do get first class treatment!!!)
Tight chest and breathless and high temp! ECG ok! X Ray ok! Bloods ok! I think maybe a slight panic attack! All good now and hopefully get a good night’s sleep.
You too Zena and thanks for the update.xxx