June 2018 Chemo Starters

That sounds like a very special occasion ktk. So glad you were able to go and enjoy it. Tractors and a helicopter? WOW!!! Good you had an early night the next day and hope you can have a restful weekend. I’ve waved at you (hope it’s you!) on FB if you’re wondering who your getting strange waves from!! I’m Clare.

Have a good day at work Sally- my leg hair has resolutely remained . I too was looking forward to not having to shave them!! The hair on my head is another matter-lots came out in the shower though I tried hard to be very gentle. Oh well hearing everyone else’s experiences manes it less worrying.

redid I’ll see if I can work out the messaging system. I do a bit of tutoring at home and volunteer locally but besides hospital appointments I’m fairly flexible with regards to a meet up.

Embolorry and Lisa- hope you are both clot free now and doing ok.

Julie sounds like the PICC line is definitekt the best option for you. What is the MUGA ?! I’m learning a lot of new lingo but haven’t heard of that.

How was your sons prom Kip?? Exciting big fee days for him and the family of course.

Take care everyone. My cold sore seems slightly less painful today but that may just be wishful thinking. Going to steer clear of the sun today just in case it makes it worse. Got everything crossed that it clears up before Tues.

Xxx

@cdc MUGA is a heart scan – somewhat more detailed than an echocardiogram – but requires injection of radioactive material before the images are taken. Not sure why some get it and others don’t; my PE history might have been a consideration. As I had my MUGA 2 days after my SLNBs, the nuclear medicine department are my newest buddies (they are next to onco at North Midds), so I bump into them basically every trip.

Was busy catching up with work yesterday but avoiding putting the computer on because of the heat. OH is also freelance, working at home, and on deadline, so there seems to always be a computer on when we’re at home, and we live in a smallish studio. It is getting tough, but I fear trying the cafes on Green Lanes next week, which get overrun with babies. (Every time I have worked at them for more than a day in the past couple years, I have come down with a bad cold.) But I will boot up this weekend and figure out the DM.

@Sally Proms here are so different in nature to the American versions. We only have them in high school, of course, and most of the evening is spent as far away from the authorities (adults) as possible. Main reason to attend was to get the formal portrait for the parents and then scram. I love that you were the “bride” catching up with the tables.

Hi Cdc. Rejected you at first. I thought ‘I have no idea who that is!’ I’ve waved back now! Your family looks lovely. You are so young. What a thing to go through.

This is a the first day I’ve been home alone for weeks. Chillin’ in the shade, listening to the footy ???

Shoot – my prom note below should have been @ktk. Phone posting; next time I’ll jot down names and get it right!

No problem reddi. Blame it on chemo brain!! Xx

Well, I can no longer claim minimal side effects – I’ve got neutropenia. (Despite the filgrastim injections!) Now chilling out in my isolation room and getting a bag of antibiotics. And when they clear me to go home, it sounds like I will get a goodie bag of filgrastim, too.

Keep an eye on your temps, everyone! Chemo hotline sent me to A&E and good thing.

@cdc I would like to see a photo of you too. How did you know who to wave at on FB? x

Reddi I hope you recover quickly and get out.

Hi Reddi. Good luck with your recovery. Well done for checking it out with the hotline.

Linda, cdc found me through the Exmoor Fly Fishing page I mentioned last week. You are more than welcome to do so too. My initials are KW if that helps. Xx

I should note that I first called the hotline when I was 37.7C, and the on-call onco and I made a plan for monitoring and making sure I was resting and keeping cool in the heat, as my only other symptom was diffuse/dull lower back pain. Temp went down a bit (37.5), then back up (37.8). Got a reading of 38 at one point, but when I got to A&E it was 37.5. Do take that lower end “monitor” area seriously.

Hi reddi
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and discharge from hospital. I had neutropenia after my first chemo and it was horrible. It’s all such a rollercoaster ride isn’t it?. Hello Linda, great to meet you in the real world last week, how are you after your first T?
Jacq xx

Hi Linda I’ve sent you a direct message on here. I’m Clare without an i if that helps! X

Cdc, good luck with your blood tests today. Nurse coming to do mine via the Picc too although I am now out of sync with you as I don’t have chemo until Wednesday as I have to see oncologist and his clinic is on Wednesday.

I have a very itchy rash on my chest and arms. I think it is just heat rash but it is annoying!

Hopefully if the nurse comes early enough I will be going fishing again!!

Have a good day everyone. Kxxx

OMG Ladies, I’ve not logged on for a few days and my goodness all sorts has happened!!  I hope things are settling down for your all now, what with cold sores, neutropenia, blood clots, overheating, hair shedding… we are a poor old bunch aren’t we!!   I’ve faired no better either… having made it through days 1-5 post Chemo 2 feeling pretty good… Friday night Prom night and BANG… the tiredness hit, I was sick (although I had just woolfed down chips and curry sauce… not a good idea but they were delicious at the time) and then the rest of this weekend I have been feeling nauseaus and so tired, foggy head and today, upset tummy!   I didn manage to go to see my son arrive, was beautiful but a very emotional affair as I kept thinking would I be around for my daughters…sometimes hard to shake those scarey thoughs…  Taste buds not up to scratch either today, water tastes disgusting so trying to up the fluids is difficult  but I think things are definately better than the weekend…  OH yes, forgot to mention the post steroid weepies!   That hit yesterday too, every hat, scarf and wig went flying across the room when I got upset with the whole thing… didn’t help that it was my son’s 16th and we had a family meal and every photo will now be me in a stupid wig!  Bloody BC you know when to play your worst havoc don’t you!!!   This hot weather definately does not help things does it?   I am struggling to sleep well anyway and then its like an oven at night and even with a shaved head its a nightmare.   On a plus note I did manage all 5 injections without any problems, no aches and pains, just hope they’ve worked.

 

Has anyone had “cording”?  I think I have developed something under my arm, op side, it doesn’t hurt really but when I stretch my arm up above my head there’s a definate raised line which runs down through my armpit and pulls a bit?  What do I need to do?  Ring BC nurse?  Any help appreciated.  I can’t seem to make decisions any more!

 

Good luck to all having chemo 2’s this week…73 days until my last one I think… not that I’m counting … much!!!

take care ladies, keep cool, keep taking those temps…

Hi Kip,
Yes had/ have cording. You need to mention it to your nurse and they will organise physio for you. You need to do stretches everyday too.
Are you having radiotherapy too? I have been told to exercise as much as possible as that will play havoc with the surgery and cording.
Hope you feel better soon Reddi!
Good luck to everyone on this crazy rollercoaster ride…!
Xxx

Hi, I had cording after my node clearance in April which has t gone completely but is much improved with doing my daily physio.

Unfortunately I now seemed to have developed it in my chemo arm. I can’t straighten my elbow or reach for amy thing. It’s very sore.

Still no other side effects. Cold cap still working, a tiny bit of shedding but not much. I sleep with a cold wet flannel on my head to keep me and my scalp cool. Dunno if it’s helping but it certainly males sleep easier.

Quick update: Going home tonight!

With tablet antibiotics, but no more injections after the one I got in 20 minutes.

Thank you so much for the well wishes. They were such a buoy.

Hope everyone is improving – and welcome to some cooler temps!

Hi Linda
Glad to hear you are doing ok, I am so impressed by all you amazing ladies who carry on working, I’ve wussed out and stopped work. I seem to have settled into a pattern of days 6-9 being the toughest, so am looking forward to coming out he other side by the end of the week, nothing dreadful just a general feeling of having been poisoned ? which I suppose we have! I got some hydrocortisone cream for my heat rash, worked like a dream. The May thread has gone a bit quiet so I check in here more often. I started at the very end of May so either is a good fit. See you in a couple of weeks for round 4. Stay well.
Jacq xxx

So , sitting in A&E waiting to be seen. I’m like a T-Rex, can’t extend or do anything with my right arm now.

Oh no sally, hope it gets sorted quickly!
Sending love,
Xx