Hi all, Hazel and Bookworm I hope your feeling ok today. Diana I hope it has gone well and the picc line wasn’t too much of a problem. Pookie how’s the hair situation? Oncewild I keep thinking about the excercise bit but that is all it is at the moment. I was very active before this started and used to horse ride regularly but with surgery and chemo I haven’t had the chance to get back on and the longer I go through chemo the more tired I am getting. I am due fec number 3 on Monday but am hoping once I move on to T I get a bit more energy and can do more. Floppy what side effects have you had with the T? I feel like all my muscles are wasting away…though I am eating very healthily. As for socialising I still tend to go out for lunch and meals wth friends after the first week. Alex I’m with you about going back to do it all again but it’s another step closer to the finishing line. And on a positive at least I can watch the olympics for the next few weeks 
hope everyone has a good weekend xx
The saga of my PICC line continues. The original line was removed and a new one put in. They used a vein next to the first one. I was ecstatic when it went in all the way! No apparent blockage or refusal to go round the corner this time…or so we thought. X-ray showed a different story. It had looped back on itself when it got to the blockage. They fiddled about with it, another X-ray , no luck, it was still looped. So in the end they pulled it back a few centimetres and left it very much like the first one had been, more like a midline than a PICC.
Apparently, the vascular team will have a con flab and let me know what they decide next week. I may end up with a central line or a portacath.
The chemo went in a lot slower this time. I told the nurse about my awful pain when I had dexamethasone so she put it in a 100ml bag of saline and I didn’t feel a thing.
No nausea yet. Fingers crossed that Emend will work it’s magic. Sending lots of positive thoughts to all you lovely ladies.
Oh Diana, we’re not very positive role models for PICCs are we?! I really hope yours gets sorted and you have no more problems. I’m still in limbo after my surgeon said he wouldn’t put in a port, but my onc team booked me in for the procedure on Tuesday! I asked them to speak to my surgeon (you’d think they would have done so already!) so they cancelled it, but have now rebooked it saying he’s on board. I’m totally nervous as its obviously not a clear cut decision…eek.
As for my hair, Bella, I’ve still got loads although if I pull it, a few strands do come out every time. I do have very thick hair though, so I think the loss is just a bit less noticeable, rather than being slower than usual. I do have the clippers at the ready though!!! And on the plus side, I have just received my truly amazing wig that looks just like my old long hair but better. My brother didn’t even realise I was wearing it until he remembered that the last time he saw me I had short hair : ))
I really hope the t is better for you and you have enough energy to get back in the saddle. You must miss that loads. I used to ride when I was younger, but it’s just prohibitively expensive for me to do it regularly now. Good luck with FEC no. 3 on Mon, that’s one milestone cleared, on to the next phase!
Suze and Alex, good luck on Monday, I’ll be thinking of you. And Bookworm, congrats on finishing ec. Fingers crossed that t will be better.
Oncewild, I too am trying to make some changes to lifestyle that will not only help the immediate effects of the chemotherapy, but also long term. I’m a great believer that if doing something makes you miserable, then it won’t be doing you any good, so to that end I’m not planning on becoming a vegan triathlete…but, I am cutting down on red meat, sugar and dairy and I’m upping veg, water and exercise. These are small things that are easy to achieve and make feel I’m doing something positive for myself. I’ve also been feeling absolutely fine since the first week after first FEC (except for the PICC problems) and have been socialising as normal. It definitely helps keep me sane and positive as I still feel normal. In fact, I’m off to Woburn Safari Park tomorrow with the kids and some friends, hope I don’t get attacked by a lion or a rhino, that would be a bummer ; ))
Hope everyone else is doing ok, lots of hugs to you all from me xxx
Hi Everyone,
Not popped on for ages after a pretty awful 1st cycle but doing better after chemo 2 yesterday. Is anyone else getting 4 DC chemos?
Hoes everyones eyebrows doing? My hairs gone but eyebrows still doung well, ive been using an eyebrow and gel recomended from amazing its called Lipocils.
Ive been doing a little chemo diary on facebook and instagram which has really helped me.
Audrey xx
Hello everyone,
Hope you are all doing ok. You’re absolutely right Pookie1, we’re not being good role models for PICC lines!
I can understand your anxiety about having the port, especially if the surgeon has had misgivings but sounds to me that the medics have had a good discussion about your case so fingers crossed for you that it goes well.
My news is good. The Emend has been fantastic! No nausea or vomiting! I’m having a much better time for my first weekend. I may have overdone it yesterday though, I took my granddaughter to the park, watched the town carnival procession etc. but today I’m feeling washed out. I think the chemo is attacking my red blood cells so that would explain it. I was boarder line for a transfusion before the chemo. Will ring the unit if it gets worse.
Am watching the Olympics on the couch.
Thanks Sue, I’ll keep that in mind.
Hoping everyone’s doing ok. Thinking of you, Taran, as I think you must be near yout next cycle. Hope it goes well.
Hello everyone. Has anyone tried the ‘seasickness bracelets’ to help with nausea? Do they work?
Had my second FEC on Tuesday, and whereas the first time I felt less sick by day 3, I’m still feeling icky today and have a Breast Cancer Care fundraising tea to go to this afternoon. I’m taking hubby to eat my share!
Alex, I know you had your second FEC on Tuesday too - I hope you are feeling OK. Hugs to all you fellow travellers xx
Hi just read your Chen thread- I’m home from my second session of Herceptin,dotaxel and perjeta.my hairs almost gone but eyebrows v thin X it’s a new journey into Unknown though we all had primary.best wishes X Deb x
Above fir Pookie
Good morning Ladies,
Hope you are all doing well. It’s been pretty quiet on here of late. I’ve not posted for a while either mind you.
Day 14 after second cycle of TC & Herceptin. The second cycle floored me a bit to be honest, was so exhausted and fatigued for the first whole week. Also had to get some cyclizine to add to my ondanestron and metaclopramide, no vomiting thankfully but pretty nauseous. Heartburn was quite bad too but already on esomeprazole and ws advised to take an extra dose in the evening when required. Gaviscon also helped.
Posted this on June Starters by accident, the rest of the post is on there, can’t seem to copy the rest.
H.x
Suze65 - unfortunately I didn’t get my 2nd FEC on Tuesday. I ended up at A&E at weekend with underarm problems (again!). I was given antibiotics and hoped it would have been ok for chemo, but unfortunately not. Onc Dr changed my abs and sent me over to breast clinic to check/drain wound. That ANC has given me more problems than I would wish! Fingers crossed I will be ok for chemo this Tuesday. Was gutted at the time, but am feeling ok about it now.
How’s the sickness going? I was pretty nauseous last time, so Onc Dr said he will reassess my anti sickness pills for next session. x
Hazel, sorry to hear you’ve had a rubbish time on your 2nd cycle. Hopefully you’re due a good week now before your next one. I will be thinking of you. You haven’t had it easy ? You don’t know what each day is going to bring both physically and emotionally on this journey. I was supposed to get my 2nd FEC on Tuesday, but it was deferred for another week. Talk about gutted! I reckon I should be on my 3rd cycle by now, but due to problems, I’m only 1 down. Hard not to get disheartened at times.
So, I’m off to get a baby brush and some coconut oil then lol. Did the hairdresser say how often you use the coconut oil, or best time to use it i.e. before going to bed, or just out of shower?
Hey Alex, I just wanted to say you’re not alone with chemotherapy being delayed. I also was supposed to be getting FEC number two yesterday, but have had to postpone due to elevated liver enzymes : ((
It’s so weird being disappointed not to be able to have it!
Hang in there, we’ll get there in the end…even if it is a little later than planned.
Pookie xx
Alex and Pookie, so sorry your second FEC was delayed. This treatment is such a roller coaster ride isn’t it, but without the fun. Belle, thanks for the tip about the seasickness bracelet.
I’m not getting over FEC 2 quite so well as the first time but at least I got to have it and tick another one off. I had a real fit of the shivers yesterday evening and had on two vests, a tea shirt, two fleeces and a blanket to try and get warm. I felt very achey as if I was getting 'flu but my temperature was OK. Thankfully, I slept well and feel much better today.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
Forgot to mention that at the Breast Cancer Care fundraising tea yesterday, organised by some of my old work colleagues, we raised £115. I even managed to eat a piece of cake!
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your kind words, sounds like you’re having a pretty rough time as well. It’s not exactly been plain sailing for me but others have had it worse. I must admit I do find it (sadistically?) comforting that others are finding it tough also. I tend not to post when I’m feeling bad for a few reasons, firstly I’m the kind of person who retreats when feeling low, tend to just want to lie in a corner and “lick my wounds”. Secondly, I don’t want to scare others and thirdly, don’t want to sound all “doom and gloom”. I’m sorry your chemo has been delayed and wish you all the very best. Re: the coconut oil, I tend to have my showers at bedtime rather than in the morning so I use it after my shower before bed. I use it all over my body and was also told to massage into my nails and toenails. It can be a little greasy being an oil so I find using it before bed works the best for me. I tend to pat any excess off with a towel. I’ve had a good day today, got another wig, more blonde with a fringe so that has cheered me up too.
Pookie - Sorry to hear your chemo has been delayed also. :smileysad:
Suze - Hope you’re feeling a bit better today and well done on the fundraising.
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Hazel. xx
Pookie, sorry your chemo was delayed. We will get there, just a little but later than planned. As Hazel says, it is good to know that others are going through similar obstacles, makes you feel not quite so alone. I’m just enjoying feeling normal/good. this week. Hope you are too.
When I got first Chemo date, I had it all worked out when my last session would be, then I had it changed due to further surgery. I then got another date for first Chemo and again worked out finishing date. First Chemo was deferred again due to infection, so at this stage I stopped trying to work out when I would be finishing and just go with it. I just hope I’m finished Chemo and Radiotherapy by Christmas!
Suze - that was brilliant of your old work colleagues to do the fundraising. Glad you were able to go and have some cake. Nothing like a bit of cake to cheer you up lol
Morning everyone!
I just wanted to wish you all a happy weekend. I hope the weather where you are is as lovely as it is here in London and I hope that you are all feeling well enough to enjoy it. I’m going to get lots of vitamin D and fresh air…and maybe an ice cream or two.
Suze, I hope you’re starting to feel better now and wow! well done with the fundraising…especially managing to eat cake ; )
Hazel, I just want to say please don’t worry about posting the bad stuff if you want to have a moan! This is the best place to do it and we all understand. Better than bottling it up…and, as you said, sometimes reading about other people’s problems helps you feel better about your own and lets you know you’re not alone…so you’d be doing us a favour : ))
AJ and Debhummingbird how are your eyebrows doing? Still hanging in there? Mine are staying put for the time being and as for my hair…unfortunately, I’ve lost everything from the top and crown but have a thick, dark grade 3 mass around the back and sides. I look like Friar Tuck ; (( I actually wish it would all go as totally bald will be a much better look than strange bald old monk.
Is anyone else getting obsessed with wigs? I’m having so much fun with them. Bought a very good real hair one that’s almost identical to my old hair, but I also got a relatively cheap blonde one for fun and now can’t stop lusting after more and more and more! This is definitely one of the silver linings.
Hopefully getting my second FEC on Tuesday now, assuming liver enzymes are still falling, Hope yours goes ahead too Alex. And Diana, how’s the PICC holding up? I had my port put in and so far so good. So if there are continuing problems with you line, there is always another option.
Anyone heard from Taran? Hope she’s ok.
xxxx
Hazel, I just wanted to back Pookie up in what she said about having a moan if you want to. We fellow travellers can all understand, and i’m sure we all have our down days and times when we feel we can’t face it, and it can be hard to stay positive, especially when there are setbacks and complications.
Pookie, it’s interesting that you’ve taken to wearing wigs. The only time I tried mine - which looks quite similar to my own hair - it felt weird and just didn’t look right. The style is short and spiky, but it was a breezy day and the wig was sticking up like a busby. Maybe a real hair one would be better but I’m reluctant to invest in one if I’m not likely to wear it. I’ve been sporting a ‘slouchy beanie’ all the time, which my husband says makes me look like ‘girl with a pearl earrring’! What are other people finding works for them?
It’s day 5 after FEC number 2, and I woke up at 5.15am but feeling quite good and hopefully through the worst. Big hugs to any of you who are not feeling so great - I hope it passes soon. x