January chemo starters ?

Good luck RosieH - we can smash this! Catch up with you after the first round - we can compare notes! Take care. Night xx

I’m off in ten mins for my first appt with onco , so nervous stomach is churning , full you all in later x

Hi all. I had my first chemo on the 3rd. It made me feel weird. Vomited that first day felt sick for a few more days. Back on my feet now thankfully. Wouldn’t say I flew threw it but it was ok. Hopefully different sickness meds next time will help. Good luck to those of you starting today. It’s a funny sort of club this isn’t it.

Hope it all went well x

Hi !! Sooo , I’m at work tomorrow for last day !
Wed I go to Cannock in the morning for some pre op blood

Thurs I have to be at new x at 7 am to have Hickman line put in as veins are crap

Fri I go to Cannock hosp to have the Hickman line care

Mon 29 th I go to Cannock for pre assessments

Thurs 1feb is first chemo
In between theses dates I will have appts for cardio gram and ecg and also pick a wig !!
Just so glad have started ball rolling !

Hi Dealdoh
How did the port insertion go? Mine went well and I’m back home now! A little bit tender but just taken some ibuprofen which is kicking in. they’ve left the gripper in mine ready for chemo on Thursday. One thing less to worry about!!! X

Ailand that is so reassuring to hear , so pleased to hear that you didn’t suffer to badly !!! Hope they can sort out that sickness next time for you ?
Tracy is it a Hickman you have fitted ? My appt was a bit rushed this morning , I don’t know anything about what’s going to happen on Thursday just to be at hospital by 7 am
Mrs mg how are you feeling now ?

Thanks Tracey…

saw onco today and she was really amazing!! All ready to start now, got my Steroids as I start with T and end with FEC. 

Im feeling we are all ready to go now…will update you all after Friday xxx 

Hi,

im due to begin chemo this Wednesday so I am starting to worry. I have been told I will have Tax for 1.5 hours and then Carboplatin for 30 minutes straight afterwards. Has anyone else had this combination?  x

Hi dealdoh , was this a Hickman you had fitted ? Mines Thursday and I know nothing , just to turn up at 7 am x
Fec -in hell , I’m having 3 fec then 3 T so can’t help sorry x

Hi jamesy46
It wasn’t a Hickman line it was a portacath which is fitted under the skin in the chest area. I believe the two are different so it’s no good explaining the process. I’m sure you will be fine and the line will make the chemo much easier. I had the port as my veins are really fine. They needed to put a canular in today to sedate me for the insertion of the port and it took them 5 attempts to find a vein in my hand. I’ve ended up with black and blue hands from all the collapsed veins ?. The port will stop all of that so I’m really grateful it’s in place now although it’s really tender and I’m struggling to sleep. I’m having 3 FEC and 3 docetaxel

Good luck - let us know how it goes! X

Hi everyone…

I’ve been bit quiet on here for a while but mum starts the second part of her journey this week so thought via me, she could be part of this. Lumpsectory done back in November, lovely Christmas now time to start!

Tomorrow she has her first dose of herceptin so it’s a good few hours at the hospital tomorrow we are told for observation, then Thursday starts chemo, as she is her2+.

Bit surreal that this day we knew was coming is here… mum is having paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks and herceptin every three weeks.

We have been following everyones great tips and support, mum has been taking the manuka honey since diagnosis. We got it from holland and barrett, the 24+ one, highest concentration, it’s a bit pricey at £55 but they have a penny sale on so you get two large pots for £55 which helps and she has a spoon a day! My sister dad and I have all had a cold the last month and mums the only one who hasn’t! Think we need to start taking it!

Lots of deliveries in the post this week, paxman shampoo and conditioner, hair nets for sleeping in, silk pillowcases which are meant to be better for the scalp, eyebrow stamps (!), wide comb,Alice bands for the cold cap and have been told that whatever you do reg the cold cap, just make sure it fits right!

I know I’m not going through this myself but have been there every step with my mum and am always reading everything posted on here, it helps. Was thinking this morning, of all the emotions felt the last few months more so at the time of diagnosis, feel like they are resurfacing a bit and try to not get upset but we are ready for this now. Also will show mum the responses and comments from everyone so she knows she’s not the only one! (She’s not too technological!)

Thinking of you all and here’s to the next few months. Reassuring knowing you are all out there going through similar experience and I think when mum goes to the ward Thursday she will see that herself.

Take care everyone and if starting, sending you hugs and support

Xxxxxx

Hi ladies , I feel calmer now I know my plan , i Will probably have a bit of a breakdown on the day but so far ok x
I don’t think some people know what to say and it’s a bit hard for them x
Isn’t it strange the different combo of drugs were getting , confused daughter in her2 + like mom and I’m getting the fec-t , we just put our trust in the oncologist and hope for the best x

Hi All

 

Just popping in to see how you are all doing looks like most of you are sorted with lots of honey and plans. I am patiently (NOT) awaiting my Oncotype test results and my appointment with Oncology on the 17th. 

Hi everyone xxx
just wanted to pop a quick question on here … I’ve skimmed through the chat but am so not with it so sorry for not directly commenting on all the comments … br obviously sending u all MASSIVE hugs

I had my first chemo yesterday and today so cycle one is now done , so far I feel fab . But I got my CT resukts today which showed I need another biopsy on my under arm node this time as they think it has spread … and then he told me something ‘not right’ is showing on my spine . Which as you can imagine knocked me for 6… I just broke down…
All organs etc are fine … it’s just this spine thing so I’m being sent for an MRI… of cancer has got to my spine I don’t think I could cope ,

But my question (sorry I’m going on ) is I’ve heard that a CT can show ANYTHING old wounds etc … has anyone else ever heard or had this and it been nothing ?cxxxx

Kirstyp. You have hear right scans can show up all sorts of things which is why they sometimes use different scans to make the information clearer. I had a friend who had spine shadows which turned out to be from radiotherapy damage but it was very worrying for a while.
From what I glean from other people with a big C journey it’s the uncertainty of what’s on and not in scans that is the hardest to deal with. I think even chemo can be easier as at least you know it’s purpose.
I think being able to ‘live’ around the uncertainty is a skill that can take many years to master so try not to worry any more than is natural and take comfort in that you e started the chemo so the battle has commenced and the eviction notice has been written to all the little blighters !

FEC… my first chemo was today I had the same as you , I no we are all different as I keep getting told but honestly I came home and was worried because I felt ‘too’ fine lol, the procedure itself was fine I felt like I was sat having bloods didn’t feel different just myself the whole day . My advice… take the anti sickness when they tel u and keep on top of it I woke an hour ago feeling bit ‘iffy’ but took one and feel loads better xxxx honestly try not to worry I was you last night so I no how u feel xxx massive hugs xxx let us no how u go cc

RosieH and Aliand thank u that’s helped put my mind at ease thank goodness for this thread xxxx

FEC hope you got on ok. I’ve been thinking about you. X

I’ve started using the munuka honey and came across this
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.

I add a spoonful to my porridge or you can add it to warm water just try different ways