January 2016 Chemo starters

Well done for today to Claire, you’ll soon get into a routine with it all, I just lay there on the machine and watch whatever they’ve put on the tv for the day whilst they shift me into position. Glad your meeting went well with Dr M as well. I don’t know when I’m going to start my tablets, she didn’t seem too fussed about a start date when I last saw her. It’s good about your scan results, did you have one done privately after chemo? Xx

Also, I keep forgetting to ask you all, have any of you had neuropathy as a side effect from the chemo? Xx

Hi Ladies,

 

I hope you don’t mind me popping on your thread.  I started FEC-T in January last year.  I had my last infusion on 2nd June 2015.  Last Radiotherapy 22nd July.  Groeshong line removed in July also. I guess some of you will be very near the end of treatment now. 

 

It is a distant memory and I now have 5 inches (yes, I said 5 inches) of thick curly hair. Went back to work, decided I needed a change, started a new job in February.  Absolutely no side effects from Tamoxifen.  Zero weight gain (this was something I was worried about).

 

Remember to do some fun things when you can, eat what you enjoy and I hope you to can be like I am, getting on with your lives.

 

Stay well.

 

All the best with comforting hugs.

 

XX

Hi MrMunch, it’s always good to hear positive comments from someone who’s been through it all.  Cannot imagine having that much hair, but maybe I’ll be commenting on Jan 2017 starters thread this time next year with similar news!!

I’m nearly 2 weeks into my hormone therapy tablets and no side effects to report still - taking that first tablet is always a big step!  I have my first bisphosophonate tablet to take on Sunday morning (to protect my bones) It’s one tablet a week and I have to take it first thing, 30 mins before eating or drinking anything other than water, and have to sit upright for 15 mins (or might have been 30 mins) to ensure it goes quickly to my stomach!!  Got them on Friday, but decided against taking the first one on Sunday as we had a family meal and I didn’t want to suffer any side effects while I was out!!  I guess once I’ve got over taking the first one, it will just become normality along with everything else that’s thrown at us!

Good luck for surgery on Thursday Fiona, and hope everything goes smoothly when you go in tomorrow.

xxx 

Hello everyone :smileyhappy:

 

Just wanted to say that I do still read the posts every few days to see how everyone is getting on. Today will be my 6th out of 20 radiotherapy sessions, other than having my husband drive me the 1½ hour each way journey to Maidstone every day it is going well. I have noticed my arm is a little swollen, but feeling stronger and chirpier every day! I have returned to work part-time and feel like life is returning to some sort of normality.

 

Sissy and Ellie I have had neuropathy in my feet, numbness and a constant prickly feeling as well as very heavy legs, I havent spoke to anyone about it as I don’t see my oncologist until 11th July. My fingernails aren’t really bothering me now, although my toenails (especially big toes) are painful still. Ellie, I also start Tamoxifen the day after radiotherapy finishes.

 

Fiona, good luck for tomorrow.

 

From Cassy xxx

Thinking of you Fiona.???

Fiona , will be thinking of you this morning, hope all goes well and early on the list ! The waiting is always the worst. Look forward to hearing how you are. Hugs and best wishes, Mechele .x 

Good luck today Fiona ? Xxx

So pleased it’s all gone well Fiona! Fingers crossed its a quiet night in A&E then!! Hope you do manage some sleep ? Take care xxx

Claire, it’s good to hear you’re feeling happy and positive and I completely understand your reluctance to taking medication that might put you out of your positive mood!! I felt the same but I’m pleased to say I’ve had no side effects so far on mine Ive been taking for 2 weeks now - hopefully you’ll be the same ?
12 rads down, 3 to go!! I’ve had a different friend take me most days and it’s felt more like a social occasion than a hospital appointment as Ive treated them to coffee and bacon or sausage bap on the way home at a local farm shop cafe. Think I’m actually going to miss it!!!
Bought a Fitbit which is encouraging me to go on long walks and generally move around rather than sit about and I think that has also contributed to my general mood of positivity and of course seeing an end to active treatment!
How are the rest of you feeling?
Fiona, I hope you had a restful night xxx

Fiona- so pleased all went well, hope you had a good nights sleep. How are you feeling this morning? Take it easy and get lots of rest. Did you have reduction on your good side at the same time ad lumpectomy. It’s 3 weeks now since my op and I’m doing ok, movement is good, I’m getting a bit bad at forgetting to do my excercises though! The hardest thing is stopping myself doing things once you start feeling a little better, difficult with 3 kids to look after!!!
Claire- so pleased to hear you being so happy, everything is on the up!! I know exactly how you feel about Tamoxifen, I got my prescription last Thursday and I haven’t started taking them yet, I’m dreading any side effects, I know there might be non, but also the thought of taking them for 10 years!! When were you advised to start taking them? My BCN said to wait a week or two if i wanted, I think it is so many weeks after chemo that you are meant to take them.
D xx

Oh no! Sorry to hear that Fiona!! Relieved that you’re in the mend tho ? Xxx

Hair update! Got my husband to clipperthe new white whispy hair growth down to a grade 1 again to give the newest growth chance to catch up! Decided I’ll keep doing this until my hair completely covers my scalp then I’ll let it grow. Feels so good and less patchy now ? Going to be wearing the wig for a good few months I’m guessing!!!
Xxx

Great news Fiona, take it easy. Love and gentle hugs. Debbie xx

Hi Claire - well done!! I can imagine how emotional it must have been for you, I found it emotional enough when I did it a few years back never imagining how I was going to be affected all these years later!
I took my first bisphosphonate tablet today to help repair and protect my bones from my hormone therapy tablets (Anastrozole) Its a once a week tablet and involves sitting upright for 30 minutes afterwards and not being able to eat or drink anything other than water for 30 mins too. Passed without any dramas and that’s the last new medication I need to start taking now so I feel like another milestone has been passed!!
3 more rads for me now, still no soreness and everything is looking as it should!
Good luck with your return to work Claire, I have another week and 2 days to go!!
Xxx

Hello all, sorry I haven’t posted for a while, have been busy at work and going to rads etc, have been feeling very tired as well, it was nice to have the weekend off with no rads or work to go to!

Fiona, how are you doing? I’m glad to read that you’re being looked after well and that everything went okay. Debbie, I hope you’re recovering well from your operation and keeping up with your exercises, etc. Ellie, mechelle, Kim and Claire I hope rads are treating you well and you aren’t too sore or too tired, Claire it was great to meet you last week, we need to organise our get together for us east Kent ladies.

I’m pleased to at that I finished my rads today and celebrated with a nice glass of champagne, it all feels a bit odd right now, I can’t believe I’ve done it and my active treatment is over. Just have my mx in August, which I’m meeting Mr C about tomorrow so should get my op date. Felt a bit tearful today, took my rads team a tin of chocolates and a tin of biscuits as a thanks. I think they must get a lot of chocolate and sweet related gifts! Love to all xx

Hi ladies Feb starter here, has your taste buds kicked in yet, my last T was on the 2nd June my mouth still tastes bad. Bitter. 

 

 

Hope  your all doing well. 

 

X X X 

 

Hello all,

Cassie, I hope your chest infection clears up quickly, I was forever itching and wanting to move during rads!

Fiona, that’s a good idea and would be fab if you could join us. Once we get a date we can make some arrangements.

I had my appointment with the consultant today, second mx is booked in for 11th August, I was hoping he’d also be able to tidy up my other mx as I have a slight ‘dog ear’ on the side of it, however he can’t as you have to wait up to a year after rads have finished because the skin is sensitive. My skin is kind of okay at the moment, though you can see the large rectangle outline from where they’ve targeted the rads, also my arm pit is looking a bit red and sore. The problem is that since my ANC I’ve had no sensation in my arm pit so I can’t feel if it’s sore.

Easy Kent ladies, today Bcn Louise said they’re setting up a new group for ladies with BC, apparently there’s already one at K&C but they now want to set one up at whh, think he plan is that it’ll meet on a monthly basis, think I’ll join it as it’s nice to chat with others. Love to all xx

Love it!!! Have just read it out loud to my husband - so funny!! Very apt as its my last radiotherapy this morning!
Thanks for posting - made my day!
Xxx

Hi lovely ladies. Im from the may starters. I have a question…my hubby wants to book us a family holiday after my last cycle before i start rads. I beleive there’s usually 4 weeks break. Ive no idea how ill be feeling… Do you all think its doable? You may not be able to answer that i understand…may be best to leave it and book last minute. I dont want to say yes and feel rotten while im there!
Well done for crossing the finishing line…im jealous! Im only day 13 of fec 2…seems so far away and despite enduring cold cap ive lost lots of hair…so much that i cant go out without head coverage : (
Xxx