Hello my lovely!
Yes started the radiotherapy this week. Having my 5th one today. Tbh the worst part of it is the waiting around for them to call you!! Yesterday wasnt too bad but the 3 days before that was nearly a 2hr wait after my appointment time! And the chairs are uncomfortable
Also i think, because the chemo nurses were so amazing, Iām used to the āgold star treatmentā now. Ive been spoilt so now when theyre like āzap zapā¦ of you goā¦ NEXT!!ā It feel a bit dehumanising lol.
The radio itself is more annoying than anything reallyā¦ but its not terrible. The fatigue is fun though lol. Ive been so ratty with my husband because im tired. Poor bloke lol. Hes taken it like a trooper though lol.
Thank you @idcand49
Im also seeing a counsellor at my local charity- similar to Macmillian. Heās very reassuring. I told him I wanted to be less angry about having cancer and he said to waitā¦too earlry on for that. Maybe after chemo and surgery? Itās a minefield though. Not just inside our own heads but other peopleās.
Someone said to me that anyone could get hit by a bus anyday- we are all luving not knowing what is around the corner.
And I didnt know what to say until later that dayā¦having cancer doesnāt mean you wonāt also get hit by a bus is what i could have replied!! Having cancer is a bonus worry that we all have to manage to live with xx
Ask @kerrylou1!!
I asked after my 1st dose because my stomach was so bad. She knocked it down to 80%. Some lucky people get let off their last dose.
Good luck! Xx
I had Docetaxel adjusted to 15% less and cyclophosamide by 20% as I woke up dry heaving in the middle of the night despite steroids and under strong anti nausea meds
So defo ask. Xx
@zaran the radio wait is a pain & going in daily is a grind . I feel beat after my last on Monday and glad today is a non working day and no radio either !
I am also very grumpy with the hubby lol
@cf640 if someone else tells me the same (ānone of us are guaranteed tomorrowā) I may throw a tantrum ! Think this is where some of my issues lie - I literally felt like I was facing my mortality until the diagnosis was given / treatment plan etc and the niggle is there along with the said bus that may get me too
Youāre defo not alone
@angieb1 the mention of yoga has inspired me and will do a video now
My shoulder is super stiff xx
She said they can reduce my last EC dose by 20% and joy of joy I am having my first zoladex injection the day of my last chemo. But she said I can have my pic line out so got to think of the positives!
That sounds good @kerrylou1! It has made me think about asking the same. I am not sure irs the EC or the cummulative effect of chemo since July but its tough going. Great about having the PICC line out! Have a good weekendx
@kerrylou1 great news about the reduction in your last chemo. I had reduced amount all the way through and only twice had bad side affects so hopefully not too bad for your last one @zaran glad youāre steadily getting through radiotherapy. Start mine on 27th. Ill warn my hubby about the moodyness xx
Have a nice weekend everyone xx
Pleased they have reduced the dose for you, Iām sure it will help. I had my PICC line out too on my last one. Itās so good being able to shower without a waterproof sleeve. x
Glad to hear some good news for many of us this week
Had last chemo session yesterday and PICC line out, which is more of a relief than finishing chemo!!! Celebrated when I got home by running round the garden with a couple of sparklers in each hand! What I must have looked like I donāt even care
Soak in the bath lined up for tomorrow and I will be found all crinkly later on . In spite of steroids which normally have me up at 2am, slept through until 530 this morning- more comfortable without PICC? General relief? Both probably
Also first Zoladex injection, no problems going in or so far - await developments as they sayā¦ā¦.
One week of freedom from going to any hospital coming up! First counselling session Tuesday afternoon over phone and looking forward to that. Then radio starts following Tuesday for 3 weeks.
Actually I woke up yesterday and bounced out of bed feeling absolutely elated it was the last day (I still think the PICC line removal was at the forefront, itās been a love hate relationship). Iāve been reading Victoria Derbyshireās book since before I started chemo and Iāve made a point of not reading further than the point I was at, so I got to her final chemo day and cried my eyes out. Joy I think, but probably a lot bottled up in there.
So, by the time I got to chemo in the afternoon, I was just happy. Finished chemo at 330, had the PICC line out pretty much straightaway, then sat in the chair waiting for the Zoladex to come up from pharmacyā¦ā¦.for and hour and a half. By that time I was just ready for home. Knew I didnāt want to ring the bell - I may do after radio, not certain yet. I was ready for my tea and the sparklers!
Driving home in the dark the super moon was literally in front of me the whole way home and it elated me again. My best friend rang me on the journey too and so I was buzzing when I got home to my other half, who was elated for me (bless him, heād driven up from Cornwall where heād been working to be back in time for me getting home).
Now I just feel relief. Iāve been for an early morning walk and had a few thoughts running around. With more treatment to come itās a tick in a box for now. Iāve put away anything connected to chemo out of sight already, took back my sharps box which has been sitting in sight. Onto the next phase.
Sorry for the long stream of consciousness could have summed it up in 2 words so far. Iām happy xx
I can totally relate to your postā¦ 15 treatments down 1 EC to go the first dose was horrendous as did not receive correct anti sickness meds so 48 hours later of vomiting I was on IV in chemo ward!! 2nd and 3rd felt much better but my kidney function is dropping so now having weekly bloods to keep eye on it!! Like you tempted to stop now or at least reduce dose for last one which I can see you have now had approvedā¦well done you!
On a brighter note date for surgery confirmed 9th Jan, lumpectomy followed by 5 days of radio! So happy with that outcome due to great response to treatment.
Well done to all of you finishing and those still battling to the finish line, we will get there xx
@pipspops im hoping I am going to be like you and jump out of bed on Thursday! Iāll be asking can they get my zoladex ready - not sure I will want to wait after spending 4 hours under the cold cap (my hair is hanging on albeit MUCH thinner covering now) not sure how many hair washes I have in me!
Youāve made me smile! Thankyou!
@caz1970 yes itās hard going but we will get there.
@kerrylou1 I really hope you do too! Definitely mention the Zoladex asap - staff have mentioned it to me on the last 2 visits, but on the day it was due, it wasnāt on the list. X
Aah lovely to see some more positivity amongst usā¦ we deserve it
I had my last chemo session last Friday too, have felt better emotionally as the week has progressed. I couldnāt bring myself to ring the bell either with radiotherapy and tablets still ahead.
Well done ladiesā¦ weāre getting there š«¶š»š«¶š»
xx
the first dose was horrendous as did not receive correct anti sickness meds so 48 hours later of vomiting I was on IV in chemo ward!! 2nd and 3rd felt much better but my kidney function is dropping so now having weekly bloods to keep eye on it!! Like you tempted to stop now or at least reduce dose for last one which I can see you have now had approvedā¦well done you!
xx
Thankyou!
