Hi everyone
Hope you are all keeping warm and well x welcome green damsel and ElsieR hope you are managing well with things .
Just wanted to say Thankyou weeburd for your great post on car parking can’t believe they got rid of parking costs that long ago we are so far behind the times. Have you got a date for your picc how long have you waited now?
I am going to moan Friday when I see oncologist about my arm but feel that it’s expected and put up with it . I think they forget with breast cancer that the other arm isn’t brilliant. So Bibi i will moan about the picc !
Jude51 I’m glad you mentioned about feeling low as I thought I was cracking up feeling lot better now but was horrible feeling I’m normally a happy person .
Also have put on my food order lemon barley !
Keep warm everyone and good luck with treatments .xx
Good morning all. Happy to report that yesterday morning I got a Hickman line successfully inserted in my chest and then round 2 of FEC went ahead in the afternoon and was an absolute breeze in comparison to round 1 with the cannula and so much less traumatic than the failed attempts 2 weeks ago. My anti sickness meds have been tweaked and so far I have only been feeling vaguely nauseous and not totally wiped out like last time.
Today’s new challenge is to remember what they told me about the bits of the line to protect when I’m showering!
Moijan I was dismayed by the list of foods to avoid as so many of them were the only things I could stomach the last time round so I asked the oncology pharmacist about it. Her advice was that normal dietary amounts of these foods would be unlikely to interfere with the chemo drugs and it would need really large quantities to make a difference. However if I was concerned then avoiding those things on the day of the treatment would be ok. Everything in moderation was her advice so maybe you don’t need to give up pineapple entirely Green Damsel!
Hope everyone is coping and feeling strong.
Chrissy hope your arm is improving or you’ve been given some help to cope with it. Mine was feeling a bit sore and I was told keeping it warm and gentle massage would help but apparently sometimes people get physiotherapy to help with this problem. Keep asking!
Have a good day everyone x
Hi Wee Burd
So pleased to hear you’ve finally got your line. ?
T
XX
That’s brilliant news Wee Byrd - hope you stay well. I am full of admiration for anyone who can do anything the week after chemo as it has just wiped me out again this time. Feeling OK today - Day 8 - been out for a drive and wandered round a few garden centres and that’s me done ! Nap time ?
stay well everyone xxx
Oh weeburd I’m do happy for you hoorah at last and guess what I’m joining you ?. I met a lovely nurse yesterday and I too am having a Hickman line on 28th yipppeee . No more painful arm it’s still killing me but I’m so glad I won’t have to go through it again . Did you find you were ok after insertion ?
Fingers crossed you’ll be ok with fec cycle 2 don’t do too much x
Bibi you take it easy too I’m on day 11 fec cycle 2 and only now feeling a bit more human xx
Everyone hope you all ok keep warm drink plenty if you can find a nice drink (still can’t find mine but I’ve never had such a variety of drinks in our house !!!)
Chrissy that is great. I was fine getting it done - local anaesthetic and some sedation. The entry site at the neck is a bit sore but I’ve been told that will ease off when the stitches come out. I could feel pressure on my chest as they were doing it - feels quite weird but so far I would say it’s definitely the best choice.
Hi moijan
yes I’m having a Hickman inserted on 28th. I have had steroids for 3 days following FEC previously . On my first cycle my forearm did hurt but this 2nd cycle it was so inflamed that I can’t straighten it and it goes up to my upper arm. So I’m on flucloxicillin and ibprofen gel at the minute. But I’m glad they are fitting the line as the pain is too much in my veins that I felt I didn’t want any more.
Thankyou weeburd for explaining things,like you I’m relieved to be having it . Do you have to go to a health centre weekly to have it dressed and flushed ?
hope everyone is coping well with life
chrissy xx
Hi Chrissy yes I had to go back to the day medicine unit yesterday to have the dressing changed. There was a fair bit of dried blood to be cleaned up. The chemo nurses had flushed it. I have appointments set up now for the next couple of weeks at the health centre for cleaning and flushing and will carry on after that on Mondays to fit in with the oncology appointments. It’s still slightly tender at the neck but improving.
Hi all
Hope you are all doing okay.
So my 2nd cycle has nearly finished. Only tonight and tomorrow left of being on chemo for 14 days. Last time I only managed 7 so it’s a positive step forward. Even managed 3 short days at work. Friday I felt so rough and tired at work not helped by a dodgy “tummy”. Popped into town today with a friend but as soon as she left I hit a massive wall of fatigue. So it looks I have to admit I have paid the price for trying to be “normal”.
Have a lovely weekend everyone.
Hugs n love to you all
Teresa
Xx
Hi miss green
It’s amazing how this poison affects you . I am on day 13 of cycle 2 and fell asleep earlier I didn’t do that on cycle 1 . How you have worked is so amazing . I don’t Know-how you do it ? Can you go sick if it gets too much xx
Thank you Wee Burd for sharing the information about the Hickman . I still can’t straighten my arm but I’m getting there x
Good luck everyone listen to your body xxxx
Morning everyone, hope you are all well and enjoying the weekend.
I went to a make up pamper session on Friday - the Look good feel better one- run by Breast Friends - it was really nice and lovely free make up - but Miss Green I know what you mean by being hit by a wall of fatigue - I had to lie down and sleep for rest of day and was in bed by 8.30. I am finding that very frustrating but am just trying to plan short excursions that are not too tiring and keep busy at home with crafting activities, friends dropping in and supervising work in the garden.
I know it won’t last forever and I can cope, but when I tell people how frustrating it is and they tell me to listen to my body and it won’t last forever it doesn’t really help. Sometimes being positive is hard work.
Anyway have a good week - especially anyone having treatment this week , hope it goes well.
Loking forward to Easter with the family ???
Wee Bird and Chrissy68. Glad you both got your lines in and your doing ok. Hopefully your treatment will be easier from now on.
Bibi. I did the pamper session last time. We had a good laugh and came away with some nice things. I’m not really a make up person but still enjoyed myself.
MissGreen. Your chemo cycle sounds hard. Hope your doing ok.
I seem to be having an easier time this time. First 2 sessions have been ok. Managed to carry on as normal with only a couple of days off work which I spent in bed. I was slightly more tired after the 2nd session but as I’ve got and extra week to wait for my 3rd session , cause it’s Easter, I’m hoping my body will recover a bit more.
Is anyone else delayed with the Easter bank holidays? I was a bit fed up about the delay at first but it’s worked out well as my dad is going in for a melanoma removed so I can drive him now. As they say, everything happens for a reason.
Hope everyone is doing ok. Good luck to everyone having treatment this week. Take care xx
Hi Bibi, Jujubee & chrissy68
Yes Chrissy I get sick pay. I am lucky that get 3 mths full pay and 3 mths half pay if off sick. I have only worked 7 short days so far since I started chemo(4 last cycle and 3 this one). Next week is my 7 day break but due to hosp apts I prob wont be in work much. My manager has been really good and said they will be guided by me as to when and how many hrs I work. I want to work as it gives me some sense of normality if that makes sense?
Even though I slept for more than 8 hrs last night i still feel shattered !! and surprised I do.
Jujubee ----my chemo shld be on BH Monday but it’s been put back to the Wednesday. Although they still doing my bloods and PICC line on the BH.
Love n hugs to all
Teresa
X
Hello girls
oh it’s so lovely to hear you say about side effects as it makes me feel I’m not alone . The feelings of despair are so horrible aren’t they and have you noticed we all seem to be finding it harder as we encounter each cycle .
I felt so low last weekend I could have got in my car and just driven away . Obviously I wouldn’t have as children’s services would have been after me but it’s such a horrible way to feel. I have never experienced mental health issues before but feel I can empathise alittle more with people who do .
My oncologist told me Friday that when I finish the FEC and start the T that it’ll be harder and some people can’t hack the dosage but as I’m triple negative too which means after radio there is no other treatment I can have she told me to try and manage it. That’s a horrible thought but I suppose it’s best to be prepared.
With regards to being cancelled due to bank hols my hospital will now switch me to a Tuesday all being well that I’m not neutropenic again and it gets delayed . I’m surprised they don’t switch your day.
miss green it’s great you can do some work I agree it keeps you sane and helps financially. Unfortunately I am not allowed to work and hit half pay in June ?
And finally oh yes girls I agree the saying ‘listen to your body’ - yes I’m fed up listening to the saying I feel like I’ve turned into a little old bald lady !!
Good of luck if anyone is having treatment and anyone going through the chemo coma just do what you like !,
xx
Chrissey I agree about the low feeling. I’m lucky I can come to work on my good days. I work in a small office with a great bunch of women and they make me laugh and keep me sane. I honestly don’t know how I would cope if I didn’t get out of the house. And as they went through it with me in 2016 as well they know that if I’m having a bad day not to take anything personally if I’m short tempered or moody.
Hope you have good support. It helps.
Hi Chrissy
Sorry to hear you’ve been feeling low but as Macneech said we are amazing women and are entitled to give in to things. I have just dropped my Mum at the airport as she’s going home after staying with me for 5 weeks. My big test comes now as to how my mood will be with no company and my Mum to take my mind of things. Weekends shld be okay as I will see my boyfriend and no doubt he will come over during the week after work at some point but it’s not the same as having someone there 24/7. I am pretty sure I am not the only one who lives on their own.
Hope you are feeling a bit better now xxx
Hi Jude
I was given ondansteron with 2nd FEC and it worked so much better than domperidone that I had with 1st cycle. I had no sickness at all and took for 5 days with emend cyclizine dexamethasone and lansoperazole. So I hope it works well for you x
Weeburd I’ve had the Hickman this morning was more invasive than I thought but such lovely staff who did it but it’s bloody painful now have took paracetamol but after 2 hrs was killing me so took ibuprofen and it’s still hurting . Am I a wuss !
Was going to try cocodamol later before bed. I was going out for my birthday which is Sunday but couldn’t manage it but never mind .
Hope you managing miss green on your own . I have got my mum but she’s I total denial and I don’t see her much but friends have been lovely texting daily .
Hope everyone is doing ok take care everyone . Having a sleep now xx
Hi there everyone,
Day 8 of 2nd FEC cycle today. I was absolutely wiped out yesterday and hardly moved all day. Feeling much more tired on this cycle so far but today has been much better.
Jude on round 1 I had ondansetron for 2 days, metoclopramide for 5 days, also had dexamethasone for 3 days following chemo. This time I also had emend aprepitant to take an hour before treatment due to start and then for 2 days after along with all the same drugs as before. I had no vomiting this time and much less nausea and didn’t need to take the full course of metoclopramide.
Chrissy I found the Hickman was quite sore for the first couple of days at the entry site at the neck but paracetamol was enough to take the edge off. I need to use extra pillows at night - it’s only now 2 days after the top stitches have been taken out that I feel I can turn a bit on my side. Hopefully when you get the line cleaning done the nurses can advise on extra pain relief. Mine isn’t sore now exactly but it’s a bit tender. The dressing is also a bit itchy. I’ve bought some soft bra tops to make it easier to stow away the lines, but they don’t give the old girls much support ?
As if we didn’t have enough to cope with!
Hope everyone is coping. At least the sun has come out a bit today and the daffodils are beginning to come up. Onwards and upwards!
Hugs all round x
Hi All
Just wanted to send you all some hugs. I’ve been quiet as since the first abraxane treatment I have felt really pretty well. I’ve had my latest one today, and only have one more treatment before radiotherapy. I’m only having 4 chemo cycles because I only need it so I can get the herceptin.
Jude, so sorry to hear you’re feeling nauseous still. I don’t think an ‘occasional’ metclopramide is the way to do it. I have been given instructions to have one tablet 3 times a day for 3 to 5 days after the chemo. So keep it regular, rather than random. I also have ondansetron on the day of treatment, and one on the day afterwards. I was told to phone and talk to them if I felt I needed more of those (I didn’t last time). I feel a bit sicky immediately after treatment, but that’s about it. I’m lucky.
MissGreen, I do hope you’ll be OK with your mum gone home. I hope you have some friends you can call on if you need them. xx
Love and hugs to everyone else. xxx
Hi flora
Glad you been feeling good let’s hope it continues for you .
jude I hope the ondansterone helps you I had for 4-5 days.
weeburd- thank you for info re Hickman . I feel bruised and tender today paracetamol and ibuprofen are helping now. You made me laugh about support for the old girls! My old girls 1 is implant and slightly bigger and the other is tiny since losing weight so I don’t have that problem !! My husband said the implant one is like a supermodel when I lie down as it pert and doesn’t sag like my real one !!
Enjoy Easter everyone and the sun xxx hope it continues.