I can imagine, the last chemo still comes with all the random side effects and cumulative impact.
In a couple of weeks you are going to start to feel better and this time don’t have to go round the whole thing again. I imagine it will feel really strange when you get to your usual chemo day and you don’t have to go.
Think back to how apprehensive you probably were about starting it, yet here you are having done it. The inner strength we have to find to get through each day can’t be underestimated. Now you get to focus on rebuilding yourself for whatever comes next. That and eating all the good things
hey @loopylea my oncologist seems hopeful that my peripheral neuropathy will resolve in 6-12months but has warned me it could be permanent. She is going ahead with the last cycle despite the neuropathy but is dose reducing the docetaxel again. Hopefully it’s ok. Treatment wise I don’t do anything for the neuropathy other than be careful not to walk barefoot in the house. I know compression socks can sometimes be helpful but my hot flushes don’t enjoy the synthetic knee high socks
I have my last chemo tomorrow - it’s been reduced to 80% due to grade 2 neuropathy. It’s mainly my feet rather than hands and numbness rather than pain. Feel like I’m walking on marshmallows. This seems to be a common theme for us June Starters!
I’ve been like a half-shut knife the last couple of weeks, so tired and spent most of it in bed, but turns out my hb is now 91. Hoping the dose reduction will also give my poor wee red blood cells a chance.
I’m also hoping it doesn’t drop further as I have the date for my node clearance, it’s the end of October. Surgeon said they give you enough time to recover a bit but not enough time for any residual cells to go for a walk.
It is a glorious sunny autumn day, I’m too tired to go for a wander but basking in it with my cats.
Lovely to hear from you @binky1 and yay for tomorrow being your last! I had my last cycle (also 80%) last Friday. My wee girl got sick the night before so it was just a bit of a blur trying to organise childcare, lifts to the hospital etc- didn’t give me a chance to dwell too much on it being the last one. It’s been a rough week but I’ve felt better today and starting to feel a bit more like myself. I scared my poor husband a bit on Monday by passing out after a shower so just mind yourself and don’t be having too long or too hot a shower the now.
I’m very jealous of the cats! I’ve really missed having a cat these past few months with all the time on the sofa/bed- my old cat would have been absolutely delighted with my chemo!
I really hope tomorrow goes ok and the days after it pass quickly. There’s something very different about feeling pish but knowing the cycle is not going to repeat xx
Well done on getting there @eils85! it’s such a hard road. God your night before your last chemo sounded like an absolute nightmare - you just get focused on it needing to happen.
Hope you didn’t hurt yourself from the fall and duly noted re long hot showers! I’m desperate on a long hot bath, but think the same probably applies….
glad things are starting to feel a bit more like yourself, every day is going to be that little bit better - hopefully through the worst. I think we will have quite the hill to climb yet, but we’ve made it this far! How old is your wee girl?
Sorry to hear about your cat, they take a wee bit of your soul with them with they go and you keep a wee bit of theirs. , I ended up with three after I lost my old boy years ago. ..They are Norwegian Forest Cats and are lovely, they have to share a house with a two year old cocker spaniel who is a dick This is Hara who is a gentle giant.
What a fabulous photo - I love Norwegian forests! They are so regal.
My wee cat Archie was a moggie and a total prince that saw me through 16years of life. He was fabulous with my wee girl too- they were very cute together.
I do think cats should probably be on prescription for those undergoing chemo but that could just be the crazy cat lady talking…
Hope this next week is ok, sending lots of strength xx
@eils85 thank you! That’s me done , it went well, also had my first zolendric acid infusion at the same time. That seemed to go okay too, Am no feeling like I’m going down with flu yet so fingers crossed.
It is a weird feeling isn’t it, it doesn’t feel like chemo has ended, yet it’s been four months since we started… Not too tired yet, but can feel it sliding in. Mind you, might be up with the steroids until the early hours. So we shall see
Awh I love your cat, love a ginger tom. archie was a beautiful boy and looks like he was fab with your wee one. Also what Bonnie lass you are! I agree, more cats all round especially during chemo!
How are you feeling? Any new and final side effects? X
Ah well done for finishing- it’s a weird feeling alright. I hope you managed some sleep despite the steroids.
I was doing a bit better and boldly decided a bean stew was ok for dinner last night. My guts have laughed at this decision but aside from that I’m feeling ok and have found this cycle a bit easier than the last one, perhaps the dose reduction or perhaps just the psychological effect of it being the last one but I hope it’s the same for you. Hope your feline gang are on hand today with lots of therapeutic purrs and kneading xx
Hey @eils85 thanks for checking in. I’m absolutely flattened today is a bed day (as was yesterday). I think the only words that come out of me are ‘I’m so tired’
Hoping that my dose reduction means I pick up quicker at the end of the week. But it’s good to know no more chemo!
Hope your meeting with your surgeon goes well, I saw mine last week and was shocked when she gave me 29 October as the date I had hoped for a little more time.
I have my final one tomorrow. Can’t wait for it to be done and the knowledge that it is the last means I don’t currently care what the side effects are I had 3 EC - No thank you never again - even though compared to some I didn’t do too badly. Hated the taste/smell issue and nausea. Tomorrow is my 3rd Docetaxel. I can cope with fatigue and a cough and even the “dirty sock” which gets lodged in the back of my throat for a few days. For those who recommend a cat through chemo - NO! My little 18 year old b##ch started before my mastectomy - a well placed foot in the centre of my poorly nipple. After the mastectomy she kept trying to stand on my scar. Now that has healed, she is now concentrating either standing on my remaining boob or on top of my picc line (which is going tomorrow ) Some people think animals know that something is wrong or amiss. If mine does, she doesn’t give a As I am a bit odd, one of the things I am most looking forward to is my nasal hair growing back. I have tried every “odour free” cat litter to no avail. Normally it doesn’t bother me too much. Also, I never want to smell the plastic of the limbo again. It is hung up and air dried after every use, but the plastic has a really strong odour which never seems to go. I am hoping a few well placed nasal hairs will help all those random smells will go unnoticed again
Hope everyone recovers well x
29th isn’t a lot of time @binky1 but I guess the sooner it happens the sooner it’s done and it’s another finish line to have crossed. Hope the energy comes back soon for you, I’m feeling a lot better this week and have managed some nice slow walks with our feral lab pup so hopefully you’re not far behind me x
@jo-lean i laughed out loud at your message. Sock in the back of the throat is the best description totally agree with the Limbo smell too.
Your cat sounds like she’s letting you know politely that she’s still boss…my cats are well behaved, our dog is a loveable dickhead. He’s a dramatic spaniel that complains about everything. I was convinced he’d have my PICC out, because he wants to stand on me and lick my bald head.
Brilliant that you’ve been out for a walk! Bet you are shattered now though. Fab that you are getting to feel a little better - nice to have a wee bit life back. Im surprised we don’t have rickets, don’t think I’ve really been in the sun since May
it’s such a hard road. God your night before your last chemo sounded like an absolute nightmare - you just get focused on it needing to happen.
This is Hara who is a gentle giant.
I had hoped for a little more time.
I had 3 EC - No thank you never again - even though compared to some I didn’t do too badly. Hated the taste/smell issue and nausea. Tomorrow is my 3rd Docetaxel. I can cope with fatigue and a cough and even the “dirty sock” which gets lodged in the back of my throat for a few days. For those who recommend a cat through chemo - NO! My little 18 year old b#
) Some people think animals know that something is wrong or amiss. If mine does, she doesn’t give a 