@cdc1811 sorry to hear you’ve been feeling low, I hope you feel brighter soon. The steroids are horrible, but seem to be essential for chemo, I hate taking them most of all. We missed our oldest friends house warming this weekend because I’m not well enough to travel and I’m much more tearful about it than I thought I would be. I’m consoling myself with piles of toast and strawberry jam! It’s delicious but now I will be sad and fat! ?
Love and hugs
Jacq x
Hi CDC sorry to hear you feel down. I can. Fully appreciate that. It’s so hard watching people not going through this isn’t it. My OH has a friend at work who was recently diagnosed with BC too and has had lumpdctomy and received her results on Friday, clear margins no nodes involved, 3 weeks of rads. I burst into tears when he told me as was so jealous. I felt awful for feeling that way and was obviously releived for her but I think my emotions are so hightened at hd moment it was a terrible thing to be envious of. I’m sure a body full of steroids, chemo, anti sickness etc just drives you slightly crazy. At least we all feel the same at times and it will come to an end. I’m really worrying about the T still, I know it has to happen and I’ll do it but gosh it seems a long way to go. I’m even looking forward to surgery as at least that’s instant! Chin up ladies big hugs xxxx kip
Morning all.
Still no SEs and the intravenous steroids have definitely been easier on my blood sugars. Ot bothered taking any of the anti sickness med as I’ve not needed them. Too hot here though so another night where I took an ice brick to bed which helped. I might stay at my son’s tomorrow so I have an easier commute to work Tuesday. It’ll be the first time I’ve attempted his 105 stairs since the chemo started so that’ll be a challenge.
Hi Cdc,
I wrap my Ice brick in a tea towel and put it on top of my head. It helps cool me a lot. I know what you mean about no energy. I hit a wall completely a couple of weeks ago and could just about manage to walk to the bus stop in the morning. I think days of unrelenting heat took it out of me. I bounced back when we had a break in the weather and although it’s really hot again it’s not hit me so badly this time. I really wouldn’t worry too much about the T part. Everyone (oncologist, chemo nurses)has told me it’s tolerated much better by the majority than other regimes.
Thanks Sally good to hear some good things about T cycle and glad you are still well. I am finding my half head chilly during the night s our bed is under the window, ironically the rest of me is melting! Talking of hair my spikes are definitely growing but are quite sparse in places. Just hoping T doesn’t cause them to fall out again! Still pretty basic!d looking but no e to run a hand over and feel something there. Small things hey!
Now off to cook tea… feeling like myself again now it definitely took a bit longer to bounce back
This cycle but I got there! 50 days to go…
Hi all,
Apologies for not writing for the past few weeks, had a bit of an up and down on suspected spread of cancer and just didn’t want to write about it.
Anyway it’s now 4 am and I have my first cycle of T tomorrow and feel very nervous about it! They say I will have to be there for 6 hours after the infusion (sounds like a cup of tea) for observation due to possible reaction! I also have to inject myself for 8 days starting in day 3, also dreading as have no OH and so have asked a friend to come over and help - but dreading it.
Wanted to have a good nights sleep tonight but they gave me steroids to take before, so think that’s possibly why I can’t sleep - does anyone know??? Or am I just feeling stressed and apprehensive about it???
Anyway will be on line in the unit tomorrow and will check in to see how you are all doing…
Glad to hear everyone is feeling the same (well reassured rather than glad)…
Sending hugs all,
Emily
Xx
Morning Em, glad to have you back! Sorry to see you have been up early, definitely the steroids I’d say (and nerves a bit too). Did you take the steroids morning and lunch? That’s what mine say.
I had injections with cycle 2 and they turned out to be really easy, are they infalsgrim or something? You just have to grab some belly fat and pop it in, didn’t hurt, but take it out of the fridge 20 mins before hand othwrwise its very cold. Not sure if I get these with T or not, they haven’t said! I wasn’t told to be there for 6 hours either? She said it takes an hour to give and they will go slowly to start to watch for reaction. My appt isn’t until 3pm and they close at 5.30 so hope not. I’m was told to bring ice lollies to suck whilst having the T as it can make your mouth feel hot and burning? . I’m dreading T but also want it over with. Actually feeling a little down with it all at moment, summer hols just seem to be passing me by whilst I watch others having fun. Wish I could stop feeling sorry for myself… Be thinking of you today let us know how it goes love Kip xx
Morning,
I also didn’t have to stay after T (well only for the cold cap). I had the inections after each EC but got none with the T (thankfully cos between them, clexane and insulin my stomach is resembling a very bruised pin cushion). 3 days on from first one of the T and still nothing at all in the way of SEs. Long may it continue.
I’m going to have to try and track someone at the hospital about the anticoagulant injections. When I had the clot 4 weeks ago was told they’d review it in a month as I might need to keep having the injections for 3 or 6 months. I’ve heard nothing and am down to 3 injections. The copy of the hospital prescription I gave to my GP for their records said not to be continued so who knows what’s supposed to happen now?
Hi Sally glad to hear no side effects still. Are you having docetaxol or pacitaxel or are they the same thing?
I’m paclitaxel (brand name is taxol). It’s not the same as docetaxol is brand name Taxotere but I think they’re very similar.
I’m other news, I’m going to be a grandmother. And of my children ranging from 30 to 20 it’s the bloody youngest whose girlfriend is pregnant! Still, I’d anyone of 5he 4 was gong to be a parent at a young age he’s the best one cos he has his head so screwed on.
Thinking of you today Emily. We are all with you cheering you on.
Fab news Sally. Something lovely to look forward to.
I’ve overdone it this weekend. Seen my sister and her hubby for the first time since diagnosis. All a bit much!!
Love to all xxx
Wow thats fabulous news Sally, what a lovely thing to focus on! Oooh lets hope that Docetaxol is as kind then!
KTK - rest up this week, but lovely to have had a full weekend I expect.
Kip xx
Morning all. Hope you are all doing well. Started to feel a little better this weekend but still not 100% so went to visit some family while I can. Still have no energy but an eating now ??. Physio tomorrow and bloods to see if I can have last lot of FEC on Wednesday then onto to the 3xT. I’m hoping it not as bad as the FEC but from the way oncologist was speaking it may be. He said the chemo effect tend to be cumulative so has knock my dose done by 10% for the last FEC due to my reactions last time. Still go some hair on head but gone really light and so has eyelashes (at least they are still there) not looking forward to the barrage of drugs in my system tbh steroids morning and afternoon before 2pm helps me sleep but tbh sick of being sick in bed, cabin fever I think and fatigue hits me like a brick on the head. Gonna lay here a catch up on your posts. Ps asked the oncologist about the dryness, apparently it common, can’t get the Yes on prescription at my hospital even though it says you can because of nice guidelines for some free testers from yes to so will have to order it from amazon or Holland and barratt. My T. rex atm is apparently bruised veins from the chemo and no have pain killing gel and told to use hemorrhoid cream on it as it has a small amount of blood thinner in it and may make it clear quicker and be less painful for less time xx
Congratulations Sally, that’s wonderful news. Definitely something to look forward too! Xx
Hi Emily, I know what you mean about apprehension keeping you up, I suffer from insomnia on a normal basis. It’s been worse during the later stages of chemo. Try to close the chemo and cancer thoughts in a locked room in your head (easily said I know) do something you enjoy, film or bath and nice relaxing soak and lavender smells. Makes me calm and sleepy, but it can’t sleep it relaxes you. Steroids definitely morning and lunch, before 2pm no later in the day as will keep you up. From someone that hates needles doing the injections aren’t that bad, just got to get yourself in the zone to just do it. Had lots of the to do myself with the ivf egg collection and then with chemo. Only time I have been thankful for a little extra weight round my middle. Filgrastrim, I think mine was and take it out of fridge 20/30mins before use. Hope everything gibes well for you ?? Xx
Goodness ladies you are such an amazing group, dieting and still working during all this. I don’t think I could, was signed of the day before my surgery. Chemo brain and side effects means I can’t remember names of stuff, feel so tired and lethargic. Hormones all over the place due to ivf and ovary suppression (although with the hot flushes and other symptoms, I feel early menopause has hit ?) Ladies you amaze me with your strength and determination. I too am feeling jealous, but my friends understand, they are off on holidays without us this year where as last year we all went together and it was great, no arguments and the kids had a fantastic time with playmate always there and each couple got time just to be them as we took turn with the children. I wish I was going too. Cancer put you life on hold and you are meanwhile stuck at home or on limited things you can do because of this. But I am trying to remember this is all temporary. Next year will be our year, and we can put all this behind us ??. We can enjoy our day out trip away, time with our friends and family. I personally can finally start the wedding plans and have fun making amazing memories without thinking wether it will interfere with cancer treatment. Going to ring breast care now and try to gage when radiation will start and where and how long for and then treat myself to a few more twist front headbands to go over the plain turbans I brought. Spruced up the bedroom with new duvet and a few accessories (well if I’m spending time in here then I want to look at something nice lol) xx
Congratulations Sally
How wonderful ?
Jacq x
Congratulations Sally, glamorous Granny !!! Just think 2019 will be a good year! Xxx
So I am sitting in the unit, white blood cell on Friday are too low and so they are doing another test- so haven’t even started yet… haven’t taken my EmEnd as nurse says is might be all delayed for a week, and I have taken loads of steroids already so will be annoyed if it gets delayed!
So bloods good but blood pressure too high! Aahhhhhhh
Anyway going to relax and read my book to try and relax… fingers crossed!
X
Oh crikey Em, what a nightmare, no wonder the blood pressure is high… what do they expect! Keep calm, read a book and think nice thoughts, pretty difficult given you are in a chemo ward… but think sandy beaches, sunny skies and cocktails! Hopefully you’ll get started soon and get one under your belt!
Lisa - glad you are feeling a bit better, good idea to spruce up the bedroom, you deserve something nice to look at. I am sure its the added drugs from fertility things that have knocked you sideways, you’ve lots of other bits to worry about than some of us, and we are suffering with out them! Its worrying when the chemo chaps tell you T is harsh isn’t it… but when I was there they were telling me that and a lady who was just finished her Ts said she found it better than FEC? So who knows, nothing we can do but ride with it. I’m getting sick of thinking about chemo, can’t block it out either… am sleeping though, definately take those steriods no later than lunch time, it may help.
Kip xx
So day wasn’t as long as I had expected. After all the delays, the chemo started at 12, and after 90 mins, I was all done. Had to learn how to inject myself (dreading it), but apart from that, it was better than expected. Don’t feel too bad and no pain yet.
Hoping for some sleep tonight.
Cdc- I have had acupuncture at the Haven, really nice guy, spent ages talking about my and my girls Chinese horoscope signs etc, was very interesting!!!
Anyway going to try and get some sleep,
Xx