I have just picked up on this thread. I have lobular breast cancer and had my first chemo 12 days ago. I fasted for 84 hours around the chemo. I felt like I had flu, had headaches, felt slightly suck, my head felt weird and I lacked energy, but I never went to bed during the day, walked, did social stuff and did not feel too bad. I will definitely fast for the next one. I have put back the weight that I have lost and intent to gain a few pounds before the next round. Has anyone else fasted. Pat
Thanks for all kind messages. It’s lovely just to hear from you. I now have thrush following all the antibiotics I have had. I don’t want to contact a professional about this (I end up in hospital every time I ask advice ?) and I would normally try tea tree oil (although not had thrush before) for a lot of things like sore throats etc, but unsure if it’s safe to use with all the other drug induced SE, eostrogen sensitive cancer etc. Although I do laugh sometimes at my hesitance to use a natural product or eat soya whilst at the same I’m allowing poison to be pumped directly into my veins and take a multitude of drug combinations.
Oh girlies, so glad we are in this together I really don’t think I’d get through this without you all. I wish none of you were going through it but hearing your different strategies and remedies etc does help. Bottyboo I too have tried to pm you several times but I think a normal email will be better as they don’t seem to send. Sorry to hear about your additional issues down below. That has surprised me most, the amount of side effects caused by other side effects that I wasn’t even aware of. I tried to prepare myself before starting chemo and thought I had, but I hadn’t got a clue really. Who has until we start, but I suppose because we are so different there will be surprises along the way. My neighbour stopped me the other day to say ‘everyone’s getting breast cancer nowadays, you’re nothing special you know’ I think it was his way off telling me not to worry ! But all I was thinking was ‘you haven’t got a clue’. We are all special, and different, and the same, and brave, and scared, and vulnerable,and tough, and fragile but most of all I know without even seeing you all that you are beautiful. Really beautiful because inside of you all is soul. Amazing resilience, compassion, and love for each other . Sorry to be gushy mushy, it’s just the way I am. Say it as it is! But I truly believe it, I just need to remind myself I’m one of you too. All I can see is my toad chin ?Xxxxxxx
Hi ladies.
Buster your message was so lovely. Thank you for posting that.
Hi Hazel hope you are OK.
I’m not feeling too bad this morning but Im not going to push myself as I know things can change very fast.
Have a lovely Sunday everyone.
Xx
Morning everyone. Started my chemo on Thursday morning. And it went better than I hoped. Which is a plus. Only in a hr and a half. Felt weary after. But doing fine so far. It hurts to hear about all the younger ladies. I am one of the older ones.xxxhugs to all pam.
I can’t remember who it was but a while back, someone was asking about fringe wigs and I said I’d post a pic of mine when I’d sorted it out? If you trundle over to Chemotherapy - tips and tricks you can see it in all its glory. Well, you can see it lurking underneath a spotty scarf
Ok the panic is starting to set in for Tuesday!! I was awake for hours last night just thinking about it all and trying to make peace with the side effects, hairloss etc etc. Up til now I’ve just been anxious to get started on the chemo. But today I’m stressing very annoying because logically I know there is nothing I can do about it and what will be will be. But logic doesn’t seem to mean much at the moment. Have no idea how much worse I’ll be tomorrow!!!xx
Good luck for tomorrow Bella Boo. Let me know how you get on. Let us both stay strong and get this first one done and hopefully the rest will come with less anticipation!!xx
Anyone want to comment re work situations, here’s mine for your reading:
I’m 37, head if operations for a small family company, no hr team etc boss thought would take one day off. Fec started Tuesday and took rest of week off sick. Went back today to be told that they are recruiting someone today to assist and I can come in when I’m well and be paid for the days I work. Sounds ideal but I feel pushed out already with only having taken a few days off with my first cycle. Bit sudden! Or should I be glad and just accept that as I don’t want to make myself unwell forcing myself to work if I’m not up to it just to keep my job. It’s quite a stressful fulltime job and I’ve not had a day off all year, never had a sick day plus I have a baby (at nursery). I’m in two minds whether my boss is a prick or if I should just work when I want and agree to it for an easy life. I’ve put a lot into my career especially putting my daughter in full time care to return to work but I now feel I should make it the lowest priority I can and if when this is all over I get a different job for a more understanding company so be it? Any advice?
I’m not sure they can do that Anon16 it seems a bit underhand. You have rights as an employee. But I’m no expert and work for the City Council so they just sort it all out. I would get advice xx
I think it’s just as a valued employee how you could feel written off so easily. I’m going in today and will stay aloof I think, I know he’s to reduce my role and therefore pay h in the circumstances may suit me too it’s just the way he’s going about it, especially as I’ve only had 2 days off in years etc. Hope you feel better and get things sorted medically and at work xx
Anon, I’m shocked your having to go through all this. It really shouldn’t be happening, not on top of everything else. Surely its some form of discrimination. Just because its a small family business?? Aren’t you part of that and put in lots of hard work. Your boss should of at least talked you through it first and considered your feelings. I hope you get things sorted. I admire the fact that your even at work only one week on from treatment. Xx
So far I’ve been avoiding enclosed spaces with large groups of people: church, cinema, theatre etc. I’ve only done this during week 2 or when I’m unsure of what I’m walking into. I don’t mind people visiting me during that time so long as they’re fit & healthy. When I am out I use a lot of anti bacterial hand gel! I’m not on the injections but so far have had no infection problems.
Thanks everyone, I guess I was just really petrified when feeling a wimp. Well day 1 was last Wed ,apart from being violently sick throughout the night right after the treatment I feel fine. No tiredness, no weird taste, no nothing, and sleeping as normal. People probably think this is very lucky and that I’m ‘sailing through’ but it doesnt stop me being petrified of ‘what next’ and my next cycle on 15 July. Anyone else in same position of feeling fine but still petrified of ‘what next’. Sometimes I don’t help myself reading through everyone side effects and panicking I’m going to be struck down any minute without warning. … I know it’s a bit silly and should be grateful I feel fine
Anon x im not sure what to say I work in public services so didnt have any of this hassle (other than they recruited a secondment for longer than I planned to be off and altered the job description so I decided id stay off as id be given rubbish stuff to do if I went back till their secondment ended) but did want to give you a hug x remind you that you are covered under the equality act of 2010 and suggest that you speak to either macmillan,the CAB or even ACAS do not quit or resign till you have spoken to someone who understands the law. Your employer can pay you only for days you work if thats in your contract but should have discussed it and commubicated it a bit better etc you may be entitled to claim benefits and get the 15hrs or whatever it is childcare if you are earning working less so please speak to CAB or Macmillan
And ladies hang in there! I finished march 29th I have lors of hair and feel fab already x
Emma. It’s not silly at all. It’s how we all feel. I. Have my last T in two weeks and worry that it will hit me like a ton of bricks because the other two have had minimal side effects. Chances are the last one will be the same but that won’t stop me worrying. Your next one should be pretty the same as your last one without all that vomitting. Make sure you mention this when you go for your next treatment and they will adjust your sickness meds. Good luck with the rest of your treatment you will be fine. Xxx
Hi ladies.
I agree that the personal touch made all the difference when I was having my first chemo on Friday last week. I had a nurse with me the same one all day and it was lovely having that personal attention. Obviously I know this will change when I go to DOC in 2 cycles time.
The injections every day are OK too. I can do them with ease now. Just choose a different side each time. It hurt yesterday as if it wasn’t in the right place so I just lowered it a little and it was fine. They are doing their job as had my bloods checked as was admitted overnight Tuesday as I had a low temperature and bad stomach pains. I was out later in the morning. They said that my levels were really good so to keep doing them. I’ve been left with terrible heartburn which is really painful. I’ve taken a bit of gaviscon (but it made me feel quite sick) so it has eased it a little bit. I finally managed to sleep last night so don’t feel as bad today as I have been. I’ve decided to just keep snacking during the day, avoiding big meals as that isn’t helping. I’m forcing squash down my throat as I hate it usually but I keep being told to drink lots of water. I’m a real tea freak usually and never drink water.
Hope everyone is doing OK today. Good luck to everyone xx
Hi Sonya. Good news about your results. I could have written that bit about drink too. Two tips I found good eat ice lollies so much nicer than forcing squash ( I normally do not touch ice lollies but they have become my best friend) secondly drink through a straw. It really does help. I find I have to have my tea piping hot whereas before I could drink it hot or cold but at least this cycle I can drink it. Last cycle I couldn’t bear it. Still can’t drink coffee but only drank it a couple of times a week anyway.
Hope everyone else OK xxx
very annoying because logically I know there is nothing I can do about it and what will be will be. But logic doesn’t seem to mean much at the moment. Have no idea how much worse I’ll be tomorrow!!!xx