Not posted for a while as FEC 2 pretty much wiped me out - no energy. FEC 3 was last Wed and they had some trouble finding a decent vein. I’ve a large bruise now and can’t straighten my arm. Some SEs that I’ve seen mentioned on this thread are now kicking in like horrible chemical taste in my mouth, stomach cramps and unpredictable digestive system. My period is 2 weeks too early (anyone else had that - mine normally regular as clockwork).
Sorry to rant, but I do feel better already! On the positive side, 2 ladies I would have classed before as good neighbours have now also become good friends. And hubby has discovered what the iron is for!
Hi Lilac
I was beginning to wonder how your were doing as you hadn’t posted for a while so sorry to hear you’re having a rough time at the mo. I found that FEC2 was the hardest, 3 was better for me and yes my periords are a bit unpredictable. On time, but one lasted 10 days and the next 2. Went dentist recently and she gave me a sample of corsodyl dauly mouthwash. It’s not one with an overpowering mint taste but does help with the funny taste without just replacing one nasty taste with another. It’s the only one I can use which doesn’t make me urge. Like you unpredictable digestive system. Helps to drink loads of water but once this is over I don’t want to see a bottle of water ever again! Give me an ice cold diet pepsi anyday!
Hope things improve over the next few days, and what as star hubby is with the ironing,
Take care and sending hugs and positive vibes your way,
ALi.
x
Hi Lilac
I was wondering how you are too. Sorry FEC2 was such a pain. I had number 3 10 days ago and I’ve been very tired the last few days but seem to have a bit more energy today. I have the vein problem as well. Each time they’ve had problems getting in to a vein - at number 3 it took 3 attempts and 2 nurses to do it! And now I can’t straighten my arm either, whereas my right arm (the operation side) is absolutely fine! I’ve tried drinking loads before I go but that doesn’t seem to have helped. I’m thinking of taking a hot water bottle with me next time as somebody told me that warming the arm up beforehand can help. As if we didn’t have enough to cope with!
Glad to hear about the ironing. I’ve employed an ironer/cleaner while I have the treatment as I live on my own. I wouldn’t normally but she is worth her weight in gold - she complains if there is not enough for her to do!
Ali, hope you are doing OK after FEC4. I was pleased to hear that was just a blood blister you had and nothing more serious.
Just got back from Oncology. FEC5 didn’t happen today as bloods too low. Went in early to have bloods done again on the off chance they may have improved from yesterday but not a chance!
So, try again next week. It’s not so bad, it’s just I hate the waiting around at the hospital and it also means the last FEC is another week into November and I’m ready for it all to end now. Had enough of trying to remember all the appointments, travelling backwards and forwards to the hospital and missing so much of work (yes I really said that! but I really do love my job and the students I work with).
On the up side, I get to spend half-term break on this planet and with the hubby who booked the week off at the beginning of the year before all this started :))
Hope everything is going ok for everyone else.
I haven’t been on this thread for a while. Bummer about your bloods but at least you get to spend half term with your husband and hopefully can have a fab week without having your brain engaged with some alien planet! Planet chemo just ain’t a nice place to visit! My chemo ends at the end of November - 3 days after my birthday! So that shall be a double celebration I can tell you!
My drug regime has changed now. I have finished my FEC - I had 4 lots. I have now started docetaxel and herceptin. Herceptin is no problem - no side effects at all - hoorah! However the tax - boy oh boy oh boy. Give me back the FEC please!!! Horrendous body pain, every joint, some muscles and my teeth!!! Nightmare. Taking lots of pain killers and having long soaks in the bath - good excuse to soak up the bubbles!! Did take tramadol cuz the paracetamol and the ibuprofen don’t really work enough for me to be comfy, but I just feel too whacked out on tramadol so am going with being in control and suffering instead!! Crazy yes but I can’t stand feeling so out of it - feel quite a danger to myself! LOL!
I have two more lots of the tax - joy. Then I have the whole of December off! No appointments, hospitals or any of that jazz - although thinking about it I may need just one appointment to have the herceptin - dunno yet. So me and my hubby are having a well earned and much needed holiday to Rome! Am very excited! Also getting our kitchen done next week - so not much peace and quiet for me next week - lots of dust and noise! Still it will be well worth it.
Hope you have a fab half term. Take it easy.
Hi to everyone else to hope you are all doing ok and planet chemo isn’t driving you too mad!!!
Well it’s been a while, I had a week in Devon, lovely and then we completely on our house so last week was spent decorating- I picked green for the kitchen and now I never want to see another pot of green paint in my life. The tap has broken in the kitchen so we are now waiting for that to be fixed before we move in from the in-laws.
Today I went to get my fourth chemo. I had to decide to change to Taxotere and the consultant who writes the prescriptions wasn;t there so I have to wait another week. Bird I really hope I don’t get the same side effects - althought they told me it was less likely to cause sickness, which is great. Last week I felt really low and had to give myself injections to boost my blood cells, I gave myself some brilliant bruises! Not too upset about the chemo been postponed as I really feel a bit low and exhausted, my legs ache trying to walk up a flight of stairs. And hope the extra week will allow me to recover a bit more. And I can enjoy the first week in my new home.
Ali and Amanda - thanks for the encouragement!
Emma - can’t imagine having to move house in the middle of chemo. Or giving myself injections. No wonder you’re tired. Enjoy your new home!
Karen - Have a good half term break - you deserve it.
Bird - the aches and pains sound horrible. Hope you’re able to enjoy Rome anyway - beautiful city!
FEC 4 Next Wednesday. I can’t believe I’m over halfway now. Some days I feel I’m nearly there, other days I can’t help looking at how much there still is to come.
Parent/teacher interview at my daughter’s school today. She is doing really well this year - amazing considering what she’s coping with. We’re going out to her favourite restaurant to celebrate.
Hi all
Went for my oncology appointment today and I’m going to have a PICC line put in as my veins are increasingly fragile and I’ve still got 3 more lots of chemo to go. I’m a bit anxious about having something stuck inside me but it’s got to be better than the performance we have each time trying to get into a vein.
Ali, how are you getting on with yours?
I’m due to have chemo on Monday but they’ve had to order a line and may delay it if it hasn’t arrived.
The oncologist said she is going to talk to me about radiotherapy at my next appointment with her and I must admit I felt strangely happy when she said the word ‘radiotherapy’ because I’m sure it can’t be as bad as this wretched chemo!
I’m half way through now but still feel like I’ve got a mountain to climb. Moan, moan, moan!
Well, it’s not all bad, I definitely have more energy this week.
Hi Amanda
Picc line going really well. For the first week I did notice it was there but since then I tend to forget about it. It makes having chemo or bloods taken much less stressful and I wish I had had one from the beginning. I live close to the hospital so have my line flushed and bloods taken at the chemo unit which I have found much better. It has given me the chance to get to know some of the team very well and also gives the opportunity to ask or discuss minor things that i would not have made a phonecall for.
Know what you mean about the halfway feeling. Everyone (family and friends, not the ladies on here) think we should be happy about this but I found it hard to go in for number 4 as it was the thought of same to go as already done. So moan away, we on here understand!
At last onc. appt. planning for rads was discussed and then about when return to work could be. It is great to know that although we are still in the tunnel the light at the end is getting nearer and bigger.
Strong vibes coming you way for Monday
Ali.
x
ps Most comments from others are that rads are a walk in the park compared to chemo.
Hugs to you - waiting for chemo and worrying was horrible. For me, it was worse than the actual event.
I didn’t have the cold cap, as it wasn’t offered to me, but I have to say that now that I’ve got half way through chemo, the lack of hair is not bothering me at all especially now that the weather is colder and I can wear woolly hats.
Good luck for tomorrow Julie but I’m sure you’ll find it’s not as bad as you are imagining it to be.
I didn’t have the cold cap, it wasn’t mentioned to me at all anyway, but losing my hair never was something I was bothred about. I have been bald since about two weeks into my first lot of FEC but it doesn’t bother me at all. I wear hats at work, but not in the classrooms and when I go to Tesco, but I don’t worry about it at any other time.
I hope it all goes well for you and that you don’t suffer too badly with any SE’s.
Karen
Hi Julie. Hope the first session went well. My first is on Monday. Have been offered cold cap - but I don’t think I will bother. What is that quote about the worst fear being fear itself? I don’t fancy playing the waiting game. On saying that, a good friend of mine used it, and although she said it was very unpleasant - she kept almost all her hair, all the way through. Can I also thank everyone for the chemotherapy tips list- I’m off to stock up today!
T
Hi Julie
Hope you’ve got on OK today. I was offered the cold cap as my hospital is trialing a new kind, but as soon as the nurse put it on my head I told him to take it off and it wasn’t even cold then! I think it’s an individual thing, but to me it just seemed like one more thing to have to cope with. Losing my hair hasn’t been the worst thing and I’m quite enjoying wearing my wig.
Hope your side effects are manageable. Take all the anti-sickness pills they offer and take care of yourself.
Amanda
Hi everyone,
This is only my second post, so a bit new to all this!
I had my first TAC 14 days ago having TAC x 6 so quite a few to go, but one down my next is on the 5th nov so no partying for me !
JULIE i hope your first one was ok today, but agree with Amanda - do take all your anti-sickness pills i wasn’t sick at all just had some joint pain with TAC but after about 7 days i was back to normal which is great - just waiting for the hair to go now.
LILAC you were very brave when you shaved all your hair off i have had a very short ‘elf’ cut and got a wig at the ready! Thought it would of started coming out by now but nothing, the chemo nurses said it will definatly go as i’m on TAC? I got some hats from suburban Turban ready too.
TCR Your absolutely right the tips for starting chemo was invaluable so thankyou all.
Thank you for all the lovely comments. Well had the first of my chemo sessions and was not as bad as I thought. Had the cold cap, my husband said it looked stunning!!
Just feel really strange at the moment, but not sick. It also feels like I have been sniffing sherbert!
Good luck TSR with your first session on Monday.
Well Done Julie
The worst thing is worrying about it! Relax for a few days take the meds drink gallons and you really will be ok! Most annoying thing for me is everything tastes ok…except tea!!!
Yes I am new to all this posting lark too-I love the way the little anonymous pictures of us look like we’ve had a few chemo sessions already!!
I think at the moment it is harder for my husband and kids waiting for the treatment to start, than for me. How are other peoples’ partners/kids coping?
Tracey