Hi! I have a red book but they don’t write anything in it!! Sometimes I ask the chemo nurses what the blood test results are and when I see the oncologist she had the results up on the screen so I questioned her, especially if there’s anything in red and starred! My white blood count was unusually high when u had my 7 day blood test (I have this so they can keep an eye on my kidneys) but she said that would be the injections causing that and not an infection. Also my protein reading was a little high, but we’ve put that down to me not drinking enough water after day 2. So I’m going to try to be better next time. Drank a load yesterday so hopefully my bloods were OK today!!
Sorry you e been having such a rubbish time of it Cassy (spelt it right this time!) I don’t think I’ve bounced back as well on T as I did on FEC although sounds you had a rubbish time in FEC too 
Hoping I deal with T2 better this time. I have cocodamol prescribed although I didn’t use it last time - I’ll definitely have it to hand this time just in case!!
Hope all went well today Claire 
Xxx
Hi Ali, my oncologist said last time that I should expect to feel the cumulative effects of chemotherapy like tiredness, aches and pains etc. I’ve found it more so with the first dose of T. Usually I would have walked to the Dr and back this morning for my pre-chemo blood test, but my legs just feel too tired. No aches, just tired.
I’m better able to deal with things I’m expecting though, so for no5 I know I’ll be ok for the first 3 days then I’ll be out of action for the 7 days I have the immune boosting injections, then I’ll pick up again but I’m expecting to be tired, so I won’t push myself to get things done.
I only have 3 days of steroids, but with T start them the day before and have to take 4, 2 X a day. Just taken my last 4 of the day just now! I’m pretty sure Tina (Dec starters) was taking them for more days, reducing the dose each day because of bad muscle and bone pains but only a few days more.
Once you get no4 and it’s side effects out of the way hopefully you will feel psychologically better, you start to think and look for hair growth (none yet for me!) and planning the next treatment which by all accounts is so much easier to deal with than chemotherapy!!
Hang in there Ali, you’re doing better than you think
Xxx
Brilliant Claire! Fingers crossed for minimal side effects - one more to go!!! Xxx
Yes! Double celebration ? It was good booking my very last pre-chemo blood test at the Dr surgery this morning! Although it had to be the Friday before so I’m hoping they accept that at the chemo unit! Maybe they’ll retest the blood that morning. As long as there’s no delays, I won’t mind xx
Well done Claire and Kim for getting no5 under your belt!! Hope everything goes ok.
I’m now day 12 and feel like I am out of the fog- at last!! I found no5 slightly easier than no4, prob because I didn’t have constipation this time. Day 6 and half of day 7 I felt good and thought it was too good to be true, then I hit a wall after that. I finished my injections on day 8 and it took me until today to feel like doing stuff. I have felt so run down like I’m getting over flu. I’m gutted as on day 9 of my last cycle I’ve got tickets to go and see a band in Manchester and stay overnight and I’m not sure I’m going to be up to going.
Claire- what were you given for your mouth, I’ve really struggled with sore mouth and nose this time, but thankfully I didn’t get oral thrush like last time.
It’s funny hearing you all start talking about radiotherapy, I’m having surgery next so I’m a long way behind, I need all your tips on surgery!! I’ve got a MRI booked for 28th April, I meet with surgeon on 5th May and hopefully surgery on 19th May. My options for surgery are lumpectomy (if it’s shrunk enough) or mastectomy, I’ve decided to go for mastectomy then in 6months to have a second mastectomy.
I am soooo looking forward to waving bye bye to chemo. Big hugs to everyone. Debbie xx
Debbie are you going to see the band at the arena in Manchester? We saw Muse there at the weekend (it was my good weekend mind). There are loads of hotels close by and if you’re seated and doped up on pain relief you should be ok? I’m going to Bristol next weekend to see Mama Mia at the theatre next weekend (my day 12) so like you I’m hoping I’ll be ok! I’m feeling positive today so sending my positivity on to you too! xxx
Hi all, well done Claire and Kim for getting through 5. It’s scary about the lady having the reaction to T, how disappointing for her that she now has a delay.
after feeling so fab on Sunday and getting a few jobs done at home, I’ve spent the last couple of days feeling rubbish. I developed a dry cough a few days ago and my temp keeps going up and down between 37.8 and 36.8. Have spoken to chemo unit and they said to visit GP but call them back if temp above 38. Got up this morning, temp 37, felt okay so spent a few hours sat in garden enjoying nice weather. Temp went up again to 37.8 this afternoon so went to GP who checked temp, urine, throat, ears, listened to chest and lungs which all clear. She thinks I may have a slight viral infection but wasn’t overly concerned. She’s says to have some bloods done on Friday if my temp is still playing about. Am feeling a bit fed up as its now day 9 and I was hoping to be on the up. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!
Claire, are you having the reflexology done by Gillian? I’m seeing her Thursday for another head massage xx
Ashamed to admit I’m addicted to Doctors now!! You’ll soon pick it up Claire!!
Sorry you’re both feeling rough Ellie and Sissy - side effects are bad enough without other illnesses on top! Hope you start to feel better soon. Xxx
Kim, yes I’m seeing band at Manchester Arena, we have an apartment booked but not sure where it is!! We’ve had the tickets for ages, not expecting that I would be going through this when we booked them!! X
That’s the same with us - tickets booked months ago! As soon as I got my start date for chemotherapy I went through my diary to work out which week Muse would be then which week Mama Mia would be. Just added pressure on me to have no delays mind! Who are you going to see? Xxx
I did exactly the same!! It’s a band called The Dixie Chicks, they are an American modern country girl band, the annoying thing is if I don’t make I’m not sure if I’ll ever get the chance to see them again in the UK. X
I’ve heard of them! Well I have everything crossed you can make it. I think poor Sissy had to miss Muse this week
Xxx
My husband is at the O2 watching Muse tonight. He keeps sending me snapchats, they look fab xx
Sissy, my son who seems to know everything there is to know about Muse, is sure they will follow up with a stadium tour fairly soon, so sign up with Muse to give you the best chance to get tickets xx
Sorry to be negative, but I feel so fed up at the moment. It’s day 10 and I’m still feeling crappy, by now I’d usually be expecting to feel normal enough to start venturing out and about. However the temp is still up and down, This morning it was around 36.8 and then this afternoon it’s back up to 37.4 and I Still have the dry cough. I’ve found the T hard to deal with, I’d much rather have had six rounds of FEC. I know I’m lucky that I have one left to go, however the thought of doing it again fills me with dread.
Claire, I hope you enjoyed the reflexology. I hope everyone else is doing better than I am! Xx
Sissy my temp was the same with first T especially when I was having the injections so I was constantly on edge. Didn’t really go down to under 37 until last weekend. I had a dry cough aswell and drank hot water with lemon juice, grated fresh ginger and honey which helped. But it just wears you out doesn’t it? Plus made me feel rough It started during cycle 3, and happily it seems to have improved over the past 2 days (fingers crossed!). I’ve started with the filmy mouth today (day2) and metallic taste. Lack of energy too, so I know I’m in for a crap time tomorrow especially as the injections are going to start!! I’m not expecting to start to improve until they’re done on day 10 then I reckon I’m just going to feel shattered until a few days until no6. Easy to write when I’m not in the thick of it I know - expect I’ll be feeling the same as you in a day or so!!
Hope you improve soon
Lots of love xxx
Same here Claire - It’s a difficult call between the 2, but I so don’t miss the sicky, hungover dizziness of FEC, plus the chemically smell I couldn’t seem to get rid of for days! Urgh! But you do seem to recover quicker. My oncologist did say though that we have to remember that our bodies now have the build up of 4 treatments so it’s no wonder we’re exhausted!
Pleased you enjoyed your reflexology I’ve had 4 now but my feet are still sore and I still have a huge blister on the bottom of my little toe, so I’m not sure if I’ll be ok to have my next one in a couple of weeks - hope so though, I do look forward to it
Xxx
Hi Fiona, glad you’ve got your first T under your belt. It’s interesting to hear that you also had the changing temperature. I’m fed up with mine now. I don’t feel sick at all, it’s just the temp going up and down by the hour, the hot flushes during the night aren’t helping either. I think I’m winding myself up about it all and worrying which isn’t helping.Tomorrow is day 11. Hopefully I’ll wake up and be feeling a bit more normal, so to speak. I’m finding it hard to be positive, sorry ladies xx
Good luck with your appointment today Ellie! I haven’t driven since my op in December, just don’t trust my concentration even when I was having a good week and feeling energetic! Fortunately my husband is able to reorganise his working hours to take me to appointments, although it does mean that he’s working long hours the other end of the day and is knackered. But he doesn’t complain Pleased your infection seems to be clearing up too
Just had my first injection of this cycle so the pains will kick in later and the high temperatures. As much as I don’t want any of you to be suffering them too, it’s been reassuring that I wasn’t the only one last time. I’ll try not to take my temp every hour!! Mouth tastes horrible so drinking enough water is going to be an issue. Think I should get out of bed and potter around while I can!
Sissy, how are you feeling today? Hopefully on the way up again!
Claire, a day or 2 in bed sounds like a good plan - most likely be me tomorrow and Saturday too! Hope the pains are manageable.
Fiona and Mechele, good to hear you’re on good days, it’s something for us to hang onto as we go downhill!!
Hope everyone else is ok too?
Lots of love xxx
Carol I had the sore mouth corners thing for a day or two and got prescriptions for Difflam cream and Fucidin cream from the GP I used both of them and it cleared up straightaway. It might be worth. A try, it really put me off eating as my mouth was bleeding every time I opened it. Not very attractive either! X