Ps I managed to get married last minute at the weekend (instead of Welsh summer plans) which was an amazing distraction and the best day ever and nice after 14 years to say my husband will be picking me up after treatment!
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Congratulations on getting married. What a lovely way to start the year and a great distraction! Keep well over the next few days
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Congratulations!
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@dragonfly2 Well a great big hug coming to you.
So hard with your daughter without all of this. Hats off to you and well done for getting such a complex diagnosis before the age of ten!
My daughter has high functioning autism and we had very difficult early years (she still has melt downs at 22!) but I’m very proud to say she’s now a Staff Nurse and is very serious but adores her work. She is taking the pragmatic approach to my diagnosis and I think is in quite a bit of denial.
So sorry to hear about your mum too, life can be so unfair. My mum died of leukaemia fairly recently and it’s all still all very raw.
Hope all goes well with the portacath today and I’m sure I speak on behalf of our new group and say we’re here for you.
Look forward to seeing how you get on. 
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@checkpoint44
Congratulations on getting married! 
We did the same 14 weeks ago, fabulous reason for a distraction! So glad you had a lovely time. Are you having a party or a honeymoon later on?
An eventful chemo day for you. Your AirPod moment made me laugh.
Can totally relate to the ice mittens thing 
. Although I don’t think EC is high up there with the top neuropathy risks it’s still on the list and to be honest, I feel if it can make your hair fall out, surely it can damage your nerves!
I never wore my Suzzipad kit (at a cost of nearly £100 with bag, blocks and everything) I said that I was intending to use them for my Pac cycles tho but she said they need my hands for IVs but my cannula hand could be on ice. Can’t see how that’s going to work for blood flow or nerve protection to be honest. I think a PICC line is the answer but I get the infection risk, inconvenience side of things. Plus I’ve got a cracking bruise on the back of my hand from Thursday, not sure that will be ready for action next week!
I’ve never tasted coconut water, has it got special properties or do you just enjoy it? Imagine having a chef? I want treatment in Taunton too! 
My injections weren’t too bad as I took regular brufen and paracetamol. They ended 2 days ago but I have a dull ache over my back and joints today. Anyone else experiencing that?
I also had a medication for nausea after day three and unfortunately for the last 24hrs I’ve had a very sore throat and have had a temp of 37.5 which won’t go down so I’ve had to call the helpline. We’re pals now after speaking to them at the beginning of the week as well. 
All the unknown is unnerving isn’t it?
Hope you have smooth days ahead.
@flipper08 @letsdothis @redsez @december24 @pickle @jnra and everyone popping in, how are you getting on?
@leelee1 on a lighter note, what are your kitties names? Do you have a photo? 
Better stopping socialising and do something constructive like move from bed to sofa.
Take care everyone
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These are my boys… Pepe (for those that remember him, named after the skunk Pepe Le Pew. He had a bit of wind when we first met him… )
And here is my Freddy…
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Beautiful cats, love the names.
This is Dotty…
Anyone else got feathered, furry or other pet friends?
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Bless her! Dotty is looking rather comfortable there!
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@indigo2 my portacath was a dream today for bloods. No messing about trying to find a vein. It took seconds for the gripper to be attached and then removed after. I’ve always had trouble giving blood - swear my viens have a sixth sense and know when a needle is near. Then its normally so slow to collect. As the port is under the skin, it doesn’t get caught up like my picc line did and now i have bith arms free for hugs with my children. Very happy mumma today. I’m even thinking of a tattoo after treatment to cover what will be a small scar left from where the port is inserted/removed.
@checkpoint44 congratulations
I am now ready to start round 2 on Monday - each day is a day closer to the end of treatment. I even have my end of treatment appointment booked for after Easter 
xx
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Hi I have been scrolling to see anybody highlighted different side effects experienced but cannot see anything that states a rash
I started Cyclophosphamide and Docetaxel last Friday three weekly infusions. Was given anti sickness meds to take and steroids and now started on injections to boost bone marrow white cells.
First two days after treatment I didn’t feel so bad but I have had a constant headache developed a itchy ++++ blistery rash under my boobs which is driving me crazy also like a nappy rash which again cannot sleep due to soreness and itchy. So I was awake must of the night.
Also have a feeling of like a hollow stomach and hunger pains as though I have not eaten for days. This starts during the night and sometimes during the day I get a feeling of indigestion high up
In my chest.
I rang hospital they prescribed canestan fur job area but it’s made it worse and anusol for bottom but it’s on inside of buttock area so anusol is not any use.
I have tried sudocrem but that doesn’t help. They said the infusion could cause bladder irritation but that hasn’t happened.
I rang hospital again yesterday and sent photos as I thought maybe shingles but they’ve not and to continue with the canestan 
I’ve now got severe low back pain and dreadful joint pain and headache continually so tried taking paracetamol but only takes the edge off. Taste has gone and mouth dry all the time.
Has anybody had any if the rash symptoms and how did you manage it. I also called GP yesterday and explained situation to receptionist but unlikely to get an appointment until next week if I’m lucky.
I’ve uploaded photos
When I message the hospital about any side effects they say to call hotline but I don’t feel it urgent I just want to try and alleviate the soreness.
I really didn’t want to have any chemotherapy or radiotherapy but my children wanted to try and get the best outcome for recovery - I am triple negative
Thank you all xx
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Please don’t hesitate to call that Helpline number … that is the only advice I can offer, I’m afraid. I’m sending loads of well wishes your way, because it looks like you are having a rough ride … get loads of rest - drink drink drink buckets and buckets of water. You’ll get through this 
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Hi, I had a rash, no blisters, my skin was so itchy it woke me up. I was on EC x 4 3 weekly, and pax x 12 weekly.
I spoke to the oncologist who prescribed Aveeno, it didn’t get rid of the rash but it helped the itching. I am 5 weeks post chemo and still use it twice a day.
Ring the helpline, they want to hear of any side effects. And drink water, it does help.
Good luck, hope you get things sorted. Honestly, you will get through this, it does get better.
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Thank you so much 
I’m resting in bed still xx
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Thank you so
Much
I do have some Aveeno that my daughter bought me for my Cancer journey along with other products which I will try.
I will give them a call I did call them before I started treatment because I had decided I didnt vant chemo or radiotherapy because of hiw it destroys good cells as well as cancer cells in your body and I had seen people looking so unwell. They were very helpful when I spoke to them and I changed my mind but this feels dreadful at the moment
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Do please ring your rapid response number and tell them about the blisters, they should get you in to check you over just to be on safe side 
that’s what they are there for to get you safely through. I know no one wants to make a fuss to their team but you must, your being vigilant and your listening to your body, somethings not feeling right to you so don’t hesitate to get your team to check you over keep safe 
Shi xx
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@etienne hi hope you are feeling slightly better now. As others have said, I would suggest ringing the hotline about that rash. Best to get advise from the professionals.
I had sore back that paracetamol didn’t touch too, it was from the white blood cell injections. Breast nurses suggested ibuprofen but I can’t take it so they suggested cocodamol instead which worked for me, so you could possibly try those?
I had the sore mouth too, corsodyl mouthwash helped - it was actually this thread where I was advised to keep on eye on it and beware of thrush.
Rest up and hope everything starts to settle soon for you x
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A quick question.
For the days that you hibernate after chemo what do you have/need close to hand to help make you feel better/more comfortable.
Trying to get organised for something when I don’t know how you’ll be is a nightmare 
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I fall asleep to audio books … 2 bottles of water always close by … easy gentle meals that don’t take ages to prep … I drift around like a bit of waif - play games on my phone … lurk in these forums … binge watch TV … I eat frozen blueberries - and bananas - I am glad it’s Winter (it’s easier to hibernate when days are short). Today however, I actually managed a 30 minute stroll around my neighbourhood … Try not to overthink … you will figure it out as you go along and you will find what works best for you 
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Bottles of water, mint humbugs, lip balm, hand cream, paracetamol (and all the other meds lol). Phone charger!
Have got some crispbread and cheese spreads for quick easy snacks too as well as loads of berries.
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Evening everyone.
Great news about the Portacath @dragonfly2. Hope it goes well on Monday with it. Worth it for those cuddles 
We have been chatting about PICC lines and ports today and I’m going to have a little chat with my oncologist next week about it.
@etienne
Your rash is awful for you along with all the other side effects. Hope you get relief very soon.
I’ve become a big lover of Aveeno and Moogoo but just generally on healthy skin as a preventative thing for now. Amazon do great discounts on Aveenos big range.
Keep going, everyone is here for you, those lovely kids of yours will be looking forward to seeing a much better mum at the other end 
@fimac1
On a practical level I think I would have some Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Cocodymol (don’t take this with paracetamol at the same time tho) as a back up for discomfort. Salt water mouth washes (small teaspoon in a mug of warm water) or maybe some corsadyl like leelee1 suggested. I’ve just been given Difflam mouthwash to numb things a bit as like others, my mouth has started flaring up. I was given Angel delight ice cream today which was much nicer than the soggy weetabix I had this morning! Comfy clothes, soft blankets, a bit of meditation, nice music or a box set to try and relax. A little wander outside for a while. I’ve been drinking lots, having soups and puddings and fresh fruit. The right time to be kind to ourselves.
Anyone recommend a good film or box set?
My hair is starting to change texture and my scalp is sore and a bit hot. It was suggested by a friend in a similar boat to cut it very short and use MooGoo scalp shampoo on it, so today I have a crew cut and the shampoo is divine. Feels much better already. I think my hair may depart quite soon. 
Take care everyone
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