June 2018 Chemo Starters

Well done LJ thatscthe first one done, now out your feet up, hope you have a good night x

Well done LJ! Especially bearing the cold cap for so long! Interesting about the PICC line. I’m seriously considering it as they had trouble putting in the cannula yesterday and it took a few attempts to get one in properly. Rather painful! Glad you’ve had no SEs as yet. Hope that continues. My anti sickness meds seem to be doing the trick but I’ve very little appetite. Hope you can get a good nights sleep xxx

Moerninng all. Beautiful mid summers day sunrise! Glad it went well LJ. Hope you got some sleep. I had a very lazy day yesterday. Didn’t feel like doing anything but have woken up better today, thinking about pottering about the garden before the weeds take over and maybe pop to the shops.

I am surprised they didn’t suggest a Picc line for you cdc. It took about half an our all in all to insert. It doesn’t hurt or restrict your are movement at all. The district nurse comes once a week to flush it out and will take the bloods before my next chemo. Or I can go to my local GP surgery and get the nurses to do it.

These are the Picc sleeves etsy.com/uk/shop/AyaCovers?ref=listing-shop2-all-items-count#items

Did you know you can have free fly fishing lessons because of BC?! I’ve booked a session for 1st July. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Hugs to all xx

Morning,

Looks like I’m not the only one up early.

I’m just arriving at Waterloo East!

Have a good day all.

Sallt

Yay ladies, glad to hear you are all feeling positive this morning and not suffering too much.   Interesting to know about the fly fishing… who would have thought?  I booked my LGFB course yesterday, can’t get me in until August, but I guess thats something to look forward to, in my area it takes place at a  fab new spa so that should be nice, I will definately be in need of some advise face/head wise by then… Woke up this morning to find that when I run my fingers through my hair there are definately more strands coming out, nothing noticeable but definately more… must admit found that quite upsetting just another reality check that this is really happening… especially since i feel pretty good at the moment.  Just hoping I can put off the shave until Connie the wig is ready… gulp.   I keep telling myself that it just proves the chemo is doing its job… positive thoughts… not easy when the tears are lurking… oh well day 12 today and another day ticked off.

Take care, enjoy the sunshine… typically beautiful when I can’t sit in it… remember the Factor 50!  Kip xx

Hi CDC, I heard of the LGFB course through the Macmillan centre at my hospital.   If you google it on line you will find the website and you just call them and they book you in to a local one to you.  Macmillam offer a similar thing but the lady volunteer whispered in my ear “Go on the LGFB one as you get lots of free makeup and products”… so that swayed me!  Glad you are feeling ok today.

I wasn’t really given a choice about the Picc and there has never been a problem getting needles in my veins. I would insist cdc. Are you seeing your oncologist before the next chemo? Ask him/her.

I managed about half an hour in the garden before I felt completely wiped out. Now sitting in the semi shade. I know I shouldn’t be in any sun but it is so hard to resist the gentle warmth. Enjoying telling OH what to do in the garden as it is usually left to me!! Hey, another perk!

Just found out that my niece, who works for Max Factor, does the LGFG sessions in her area. I never knew!

Good afternoon all. Not sure if doing this right but will give it a go. Recently diagnosis with grade 3 stage 1 breast cancer. Had WLE and SNB, egg collection and now facing next step 27th June fec-t chemo 3 x fec 3 x t. Any advice for a first timer? Not looking forward to it as hate needles. ? xx

Hi Lisa Marie and welcome to the club no one wants to be in!! Glad you are through your surgery, well done. Have you had the results yet? As far as chemo goes, the actual doing it is fine. If your oncologist suggests a PICC line then that will save a cannula every time. I’ve only had one session of fec so far, on Tuesday. It gave me a bad headache, but the multitude of drugs stopped me being sick at least. It is all doable. Just ask and or moan if you like!! X

Hi ktk, yes had results. good margins none vascular and none in nodes. Triple negative ? so genes testing because on my age. I’m hoping I won’t be that bad on it but in my head I have worked it up I think. Xx

Hello Lisa and welcome along. 

 

Another one to recommend a PICC, particularly if you hate needles. I had my first session of FEC yesterday and the line was great, much less stressful.  

 

Today I’ve been sleepy with a slight headache, but slept well and temp was normal. Taken all the mess and the sickness has kept away. ?? For that to last. 

 

Enjoying fresh air air from the open patio doors and a bit of sitting in the shade, sure that helps!

 

LJ

Afternoon all,
Glad to hear everyone seems to be doing well.
Think I am on day 19 now, and apart from runny nose, feel back to my normal self.
Hair is falling out (in all areas?), and so don’t think I am going to bother with the cold cap again on Monday, but will seee how I feel on the day.
Had physio today (for the cording I have after the op) and feel positive about the next cycle of chemo (had a bit of Therapy yesterday).
Plan to google ‘tying headscarfs’ tonight invade I need to wear one to work tomorrow…
Sending love to all,
Xxx

Hi all and welcome Lisa, I have also had one Fec and am day 11 now and feeling fine, first ,4-5 days a bit nauseas but take the pills they give you and they will help.  Hair is starting to go today, just strands at a time so not noticeable yet, had some tears when I noticed but my children said don’t worry it means its working!  Bless em!! 

embolorry .- I was wondering when other hair would go, just had to shave legs again!!  

I haven’t been offered a picc line as yet??  No mention.  Have heart scan tomorrow, more needles!  

Glad everyone is doing ok and don’t worry Lisa you’ll get through, just keep talking and we’ll help each other, take care XX kip

Morning all. Looks like another beautiful day!

Lisa, I am TN too. They have got rid of your cancer through surgery and now the chemo will catch any stray cells lurking elsewhere. Trust the process and try not to worry.

CDC the Picc procedure is easy. It is done in a sideward and the nurse gowns up. They use ultrasound to find s good vein in your upper inner arm. Then inject a local (small sting only). You don’t even notice (or see because of the sterile drapes) the line going in. They measure you to get the right length and you have an X-ray to make sure it is in the right place. I genuinely haven’t felt it at all.

Now ladies, is there a big secret about the injections you need from day three, or doesn’t everyone have them?

Have a good day. Kxx

Ktk,

Morning. I overslept so it’ll be a power walk to the hospital when Ive had my breakfast. Off for cycle 2 today. Hopefully it’ll be as easy as cycle one.

Kyk, the injections are the filgrastim. Are you having them? I had them trouble free for a week them BAM, last Saturday hit with bone pain so bad in hips and back it was like being in labour again. It went by Sunday but it wasn’t good so if they say I need them again I’m going to suggest having a couple of days less.

Have a good day everyone.

Thanks Sally. I’ll look forward to that. Second injection today. Can you take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the bone ache? Good luck today x

Yes you can. I took codeine which maybe was why I passed out.

Ffs! Had bloods done on way in early at 9am. Got to chemo unit and she said they tried to contact me yesterday…no missed calls or voicemail. About bloods. Said I just had done and was told because it’s this morning I’ll have to wait 2/3 hours for the results. Last time I was told having them done on the day was fine. If they’d have said I’d have got my husband to bring me when he picked me up from station after work yesterday! So I’m here now and probably won’t get out till 4/5. My husband will have to delay going to work and we’ll lose money yet again because of this.

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Hi Ladies,  glad to hear everyone is doing ok.   I haven’t got any injections to have, not until I start the T part of treatment, not looking forward to them tho.  I have 10 days of antibiotics to take every FEC though. 

Sally - what a cock up with the bloods… my chemo nurse booked my blood tests for me whilst she was doing my chemo, so I have them 2 days before each chemo session.  I’ve just been to have my MUGA heart scan, painless but had to have one injection then go away for 20 minutes and then have the nuclear injection and then the scan.  Only took 10 minutes for the scan, another result to pick up next week eek!

CDC its good your daughter is asking questions, I am thinking of taking my daughter (13) to one of the chemo sessions, she just wants to see the room not necessarily stay throughout so might suggest grandma comes too and takes her out once she is satisfied.  I think they need to process everything in their minds don’t they.

As for the hair, mine is definately on its way…if I pull it handfuls come out, not noticeable as yet but will be soon I reckon… the big shave will come soon… OH says he will be glad when its gone as I keep showing him bits that are falling out.  Not sure how I feel about it, was very teary when I first noticed, but hoping it will be relief once its out and I am not awaiting for it.

I know what you mean about seeing chemo ladies everywhere I do too, I wonder if we just didn’t notice them before?