January chemo starters ?

Hi ladies

i got the excercise sheet so I’ve started today. I’m trying to balance rest and activity, I think because of what I do I have a mortal fear of incapacity. Reading all these stories has really made me reconsider the cold cap and if I’m braver than I think and up for the shave!! 

All you ladies are awesome…so resilient it blows my mind. Who’d have thought a forum could give so much strength. 

I got my CT results yesterday and there is a shadow on my liver! They think it’s a benign thing called a hemaginoma but will discuss if they want to investigate it any further at the MDT meeting. I briefly felt the bottom drop out my world but then thought well the rest of the CT was clear and these growths are common between 30 and 50 year old woman and they can be fed by eastrogen which has definitely not be my friend it seems. So just trying to stay positive till I see the onco on Wednesday!!!

This bloody disease…xx

Wow Kirsty, thats amazing well done you, oncologist told me exercise really helps with the side effects so I’m hoping to carry on if my chemo ever gets going!!

Hi ladies 

Whats the story with tha Manuka honey? What does it help with? Is there a best brand and how should I take it?

Thanks x

It’s to help keep the immune system up as the chemo knocks your neutrophils, the tyoe of white blood cell that helps figgt infection. The manuka honey apparently helps keep the bloods higher. The stronger the manuka quality the better, I have went for 20+ fromThe Real honey company, but cheaper buying on amazon etc. A lot of ladies have said the m&s stuff is also great x

Oh and teaspoon morning and evening x

Just starting to get a few things together for the start of the chemo.  Thank you for the tip about Manuka honey, that will go on the list.  I have heard that pineapple is good to eat during chemo.  Does anyone know if that can be tinned (in juice) or is it better fresh.

I think , not sure that it’s frozen pineapple chunks so that it defrosts in mouth to help with mouth ulcers etc . Not altogether sure I’ve got that right xx
Bought my thermometer yesterday 36 quid ! It’s not cheap is it this BC lark !

Yes it drapes a wet flannel on it lol , I bought a cheapy one but every time I took it was different so looked on forums and they recommended the ear one x hopefully won’t need it much !!

No I go on Monday to see oncologist so should know then , scared stiff tbh
Karen x

I bought this one today it was recommend
MARKS & SPENCER OWN LABEL

Marks & Spencer, £14.75 (340g)

WHAT THE TEST FOUND: M&S has come up trumps. A score of 347.9mg/kg of MGO was the highest in our investigation.

Leptosperin levels were the second highest, at 446mg/kg, showing it had been gathered by bees feasting exclusively on manuka nectar.

WOULD IT QUALIFY FOR A UMF KITEMARK? Yes.

It’s £15 a jar
Hopefully it will help with my white cells and give them a much need boast as mine are low and i get round 2 of chemo on Tuesday

Hi, have been completely whacked out last  few days but starting to feel a bit more with it today , slept every such a lot over the last few days , today went out in sandy (wig) and kept fiddling with it, have a feeling hats may b more of my thing , hope all of you are also ok? 

Just another quick mention about thermometers. Had to send hubby out to get an in ear one today as appartly I was on the verge of hyperthermia if we had gone with what our mouth thermometer had said,  the nurse was very understanding and did say it’s a good idea to get an in ear one so off he trotted to boots and spent a lot of blooming money !!! Bah !! It is expensive isn’t it ! 

I’ve been taking the Manuka honey since just before Xmas , all of my kids have had sniffles and one had that dreaded cold virus going around so I’ve been putting it in hot water in the morning g and night , can’t swear by it obv but have bypassed the colds xx and I love the taste x

MrsMG…was that your first chemo? How did you get on…sending lots of hugs xxx

My first chemo is next Friday.  Although I am trying to think positive (following the great example shown by the lovely crew on here), the thought of it is quite daunting.  I swing from hoping that I am going to be of the lucky ones who get few side effects to thinking that I am going to get mown down by the chemo truck.  This is keeping me awake at night tbh.

Hi deladoh

I’m the same! Got my portacath being fitted tomorrow then dirst chemo on Thursday. I keep dipping in and out of forums and seeing all the ladies who’ve been lucky enough to not have many side effects and I fill with positivity then I read about the poor ladies who have suffered immensely and I then believe that’s going to be me!! I am terrible at being sick, I pass out, and can’t cope so that’s my biggest fear. I’ve bought stuff like ginger biscuits, queasy drops, ginger tea and my latest purchase is a watch (emeterm) that you wear on the wrist which gives you electrical pulses to combat the nausea! It cost a fortune but I just bought it in the how it works! My next purchase is Manuka Honey and once again that’s really expensive! It’s costly this BC business but of it helps get me through chemo then bring it on! Good luck next week - will let you know how o get on. Ps - what are you having? I’m having 3xfec and 3 x docetaxel xxx

Sorry should ready Dealdoh!

Hi ladies I’m starting Friday too…I’m starting on the T not the FEC!, Just want to get going so I know what’s going to happen…x

Hi Dealdoh.
I’m not sure if I’m getting the injections ? - I can’t recall them mentioning them. When I get my port fitted tomorrow I’m to collect some tablets they want me to start on Wednesday - I don’t even know what these are for but I’m sure I will find out soon!!!

Have a fantastic birthday - so kind of them to let you enjoy it. Make sure you go out for a slap up dinner. It might be the last you enjoy for a while!!!

Good luck tomorrow too! I’m in at 10am! Will let you know how it goes!

Hugs xx