Chemo number 13 now, having it into my wrong arm, the one where I had my ANC cos the veins on my other arm are not playing ball today.
@Sally Egads, that is frustrating. Are there exercises or massages or anything else you might do to help ensure it doesn’t cause problems?
@ktk, Kip, & others who are now a cycle or two ahead of me: Have you found yourself more fatigued with each cycle? I know cycle 2 will likely be harder for me, as I found out yesterday that when you get docetaxel with the duo of HER2 drugs, the first dose is max Herceptin and Perjeta with a lowered dose of docetaxel, with the second dose lowering the HER2 drugs and ramping up the docetaxel to 100%. But I am wondering how to plan for work in cycles 3 and 4.
And: just got a call from the hospital to let me know my “stool” specimen came back positive for bacterial infection, so off I go to pick up some antibiotics. No more bowel-slowing for me either. Maybe this means I won’t have a repeat of this experience during my next 3 cycles. We shall see.
@Kip. I love apple pie. My husband also isn’t one for desserts beyond ice cream, which has been a great disappointment to the happy baker in me. But he likes apple pie… Now I’m hankering to bake one.
Well still in the chemo unit. Been here since 8 am.
Should be able to finally leave in about 20/30 minutes. What a marathon day.
Well, I have C diff, possibly picked up while I was on antibiotics in cycle 1 or 3 of FEC, possibly lurking in my gut longer than that, and probably exacerbated by the chemo. Next cycle may be delayed by a week, but may not know til my scheduled pre-chemo appointment on Wednesday. I’ve come to accept that my chemo isn’t meant to run to schedule, but having to rearrange other appointments sure is tiresome.
Hope you’re home very soon, @Sally! Such a long day.
Oh gosh Reddi, CDiff that makes sense then… at least you can get that sorted and hopefully get chemo back on track for the future.
As for getting more tired. I found my first T was harder than the second but I am very tired at present, the steroids really mess up my sleeping and until they get out of my system I just fidgit all night long. Last day of them today, so hoping sleep will come soon. I was told my Docetaxol was 100% for the first cycle, then dropped for the second one and then, possibly? dropped again for third due to numb fingers but not sure by what percentage. Im not HER2 tho so don’t have the other bits to add to it but i think overall the fatigue just builds up over time, I can’t wait to wake up and feel refreshed again. I was thinking to today that the last time I probably had a full restful nights sleep was probably back in February before I found the bloomin’ lump.
Take care
Kipxxx
Hi Reddi. I am TN so it is 100% every time for me. I found the second cycle harder than the first. Although I didn’t get diarrhoea as bad I still have one session a day!! I have basically had two hideous weeks, mainly in bed, with no energy and extreme indigestion. Last few days I’ve felt much better. More energy and back to enjoying life. I have to say that I have been lucky as I am unable to work because of the risk of infection, but I couldn’t have worked until this week. One more session next week then 18 sessions of rads starting at the end of October. Hopefully recovered enough to enjoy Christmas!!! But Reddi, everyone is different so my experience will be different from yours, and I suspect mor like Kip’s.
Much love, Karen xxx
Gosh, we have all been in pickles over the last few days haven’t we?!
I am finally out out of hospital. The infections responded to the antibiotics well, so I’m home with injections to treat the blood clot they found on my lung now.
I have had had my first Herceptin and T put back a week, to give me a rest between this illness and making me fitter for the next lot.
I have no energy still, but sleeping in my own cosy bed has been lovely.
All best wishes to everyone.
Georgie
Morning.
I finally got out of the chemo unit at 4.30 yesterday. I’d gone to hospital at 8 for full blood count blood test an hour before appointment time . Bloke doing it had trouble but got some, went and sat in the chemo unit, got called in an hour later to be told there wasn’t enough blood in my sample so they had to take more which she managed to do so that was my initial delay.
Once the results were back and fine to go ahead couldn’t canulate me because none of my veins on my chemo arm would play ball. They get in then not bleed back so like not in so would be taken out then spurt blood. Very annoying. Decent veins thin on the ground on that arm and once they’d exhausted all the possibilities there was no choice but to use the arm where I had the lymph node surgery which they prefer not to but which has big fat veins sitting up nicely all over. In first time and away we went. All the pre med went in fine no problem at all. Started the paclitaxel and after a couple of minutes quite a bit of pain in the arm. Nurse check it and even though I’d not moved it wasn’t going into the vein and that couldnt be rectified. Had to remove the cannula and put elsewhere. 4 different places they tried with nice veins which blew once they were in. Finally got in again and started the paclitaxel off well after 2pm. Have to keep the cold cap on for an hour after (which meant that yesterday I had it on for about 6 hours and which didn’t help with the veins. That’s why they always cannulate before it goes on.
Such a long day and I was knackered by the time I was done. Luckily my son had finished work and picked me up do I didn’t have to get the bus home. Too tired to sleep and awake till getting g on for 5am this morning, a little sleep and now wide awake again since 6.30. Deep joy.
Wow Sally,
What a naff chemo session!
I do hope and pray that your arm which they used after node clearance will be ok.
Thank you everyone for your support whilst I was ‘inside’ !!
When we share our experiences with one another, we don’t have to explain all the ins and outs of chemo and possible complications.
Whenever I log in to read or report, I call it “catching up with my girls”!! ??♀️???
love to you all xxx
So far the arm seems completely fine.
How long will you have the clexane injections Gorgie? After my clot in my arm in July, I’m on them for 6 months. Beware they produce some spectacular bruises!
Gosh, so much going on over the past few days. We ladies really are going through it, but we’re still smiling!
Well, my hair is now in a pixie cut with a bit more length in the top to help cover the very thin bits. I don’t like it, but it looks more like a style than a nest and gives the illusion of better coverage. Of course it’s all white/grey, even the new growth, not a sign of my normal auburn colour.
Hope you all have good weekends.
LJ
I have now shared my reason too Mai.
Hi LJ glad the haircut allows more coverage and hope you like your pixie cut as time goes on.
My blonde hair is also growing back white and very fluffy!!
Does anyone know if our hair will stay this way?? Not sure if I’ll lose more on the pcklitaxel but at the moment it’s growing back quite fast.
Hi all, well may i i just say i already admired you all for your strength and fighting spirit but after last night i am in awe of all you ladies who have regularly dealt with the bone pain from those injections. I havent had them every cycle but have had 3 lots, and have not really sufferered too much but oh dear… had my last one at 6pm last night and boy was docetaxol gonna make me pay for being on my last cycle! By bed time i was in agony with hip, leg, feet etc like bejng in labour!!! Its gone off somewhat today now feels like flu aches but i feel wiped out! Seems The Dreaded T is going out with a bang!!! However no more steroids and ? not too bad but the aches ooooooh!
CDC… i hope the hair does stay as mine is growing quickly too although nothing like it was before very fluffy and white.
Heres to a restful day to you amazing warrior ladies!! And docetaxol “you can leave the building now please”?
Kip
Xxx
Loving the larry ?
Hi,
No steroid tablets with paclitaxel, just one IV infusion before the paclitaxel which judging by my blood sugars is much less than the tablets. Also no injections and no take home meds either unless you opt to have anti sickness which I don’t.
No Larry tongue either.
CDC ??? Larry ???we had licky ?on our Oct thread last year when buddyfan had a typo ???don’t you just love those text gremlins when they strike keeps everyone ???
Shi xx
Hi ladies, glad to report the Larry tongue is behaving itself, have about 2/3 taste buds too… good ole Larry. The bone aches are subsiding now, just soooo tired, and these watery eyes still… come on eyelashes get a grip!
CDC sounds like the paxitaxel will be much better even though its a pain going weekly, no home meds will be ace, I am fed up of taking stuff, can’t wait to finish the antibiotics I’m on and the flucozonale and then I can have a few weeks med free before op!
Shi - a licky tongue sounds just as great as a Larry tongue… anything but a lardy tongue!
Kip
xx
Thanks ladies - I’ve had a well needed laugh about Larry and Licky tongues! ? ? ? xxx