Haha Chelle …just keeping you on your toes!!..Meggy has told us her real name too…Agnes…so least its not just me;-)…xx
Thanks Maxie, I just phoned the doctor there and they will phone back so I will ask for the gelclair! xx
Hi Everyone
Fiona - Glad your back safe and sound. It must be sooo disappointing to be losing your hair after putting yourself through the CC.
Wore my wig out yesterday and when I took it of there was a large bald patch on the top. I had decided that when I wasn’t happy going outside in my pixie cut it would be time for the hair to go. I would have been to embarrased to stand on the doorstep with my scalp beaming out into space so it was time for the hair to go. I held on to it for 5 weeks so not too bad. My OH clippered me this morning. He said it was the most awful thing he had ever had to do which made me feel rotten, but I told him how great he was for saving me having to go to the hairdressers. And I really am grateful. I was born with curls so my hair has never been this short. I look like I should be in a police line-up. Have updated my photo, wearing a scarf my ED bought me. I think I’ll keep wiggy for going out and wear scarves at home.
Welcome Paula. I don’t know about white gums. I haven’t had that (yet)
Chelle - Hope you are keeping out of trouble today.
Anyone else out there masquerading under the name of their pets?
Very wet day in north Wales so stuck in doors today. Catch up later.
Marion
XXX
You look really glam with scarf Marion, must have been a relief in a way to get rid of rest of hair?..like the matching necklace too…really nice…
Hope you get the Gelclair Paula x
Sorry folks for me posting bits all the time today, I blame the steroids!!..xx
AC x 4, Docetaxel x 4, AC cycle 2 day 2
Hi Sandra, nice to be properly introduced! - but why do you look like Jackiebee?
Marion, very glam scarf. I too am wearing wigs out and scarfs at home, although my boys prefer me in my wig, so I’m wearing it a bit more often than is really comfortable! Another compassionate OH - I was so keen to avoid anyone else having to do it too, but I know mine found the experience upsetting. When I got my hair cut to a short bob, acquaintances who didn’t know about the BC said they like my hair. With the wig, nobody has said a word (except people who know). I think it looks so groomed they all know it couldn’t possibly be my hair!
Vicki - lawnmowing? How?
Felt pretty awful last night although I wasn’t sick, just really nauseous, headachey and incredibly spaced out. Worse than cycle 1, wonder if it was partly in my mind because they told me I couldn’t have any more anti-sickness last night. Went to bed shortly after 9, good sleep apart from lots of bathroom visits (4 litres of water yesterday) and felt much better this morning. School run with my dad for moral support on the wig front, coffee morning with friends, youngest son’s sports day this afternoon. As good a day as it gets during all this. I expect I might crash at 9pm again.
Spot on with my next date at the bar Chelle.
Paula, I haven’t had any white gums either. I too rinse with salt water 3 times a day.
I hope all ladies who have been at the bar yesterday or today got on ok. Hope to hear from you soon.
Cazzer, how did your onc appointment go yesterday?
Mandra & Megnes- are you 2 just trying to mess up my list!
Just had a bath and was expecting masses of hair to come out but it wasn’t too bad. I ordered another wig last night as I’m not sure I like the one I have (well I have 2 but 1 was only cheap).
Marion - now know why you are Marionblue - that scarf makes your eyes look amazing blue! You look fab x
Joan - slow down Wonder Woman!! Hope you have a good day x
Paula - welcome to the Jewels - as others have said Gelclair and salt water work well x
Right …nails need buffing - really helping strengthen them up x
White or pale gums goes with the territory - treat teeth and gums gently, as mentioned above. Dry mouth will ease off, my fav at moment is raspberry frozen slushe on a stick. Keep a sucking. Can indicate low white blood count.
dont forget to write down your SEs and mention them when you see your teams.
after major meeting with school have been in bed all day now coming round to go to school awards do, Simon is getting most improved learner and top in Drama GCSE - very proud. Also we made the 3 rd local newspaper for the head shave cancer research Fundraiser. Now on £1,700 thanks to all for good wishes etc
maybe Ill just nap for another hour before getting up. Rain torrential.
Nicj xxx
FEC-T x6 cycle 1 day 2
hi there,
Fiona glad todays done for you, shame about the cold cap, im the same as Chelle, im hooked up to machine for 4 hours and away i go. Also have a hairnet to sleep in and a silk pillow case so giving it the best chance to survive.
Apart from the spacey hungover feeling im in great condition…mind you only 24 hours so i better not speak too soon. I went for a walk this pm as its sunny here and just did the grass, so now of course im worried that they didnt give me enough cancer killer lol…although the epirubicin was apparently quite a high dose hence the extra cold cap time.
Well done on the fund raising Nicj, you really have made this cancer a silver lining…hats off to you for such dedication and strength.
Going back to work tomorrow, feel a bit of a hypocondriac at the moment, especially as my boyfriend took a couple ays off to look after me, think ill have to fakde it a bit next time ;-).
Marion wow great bone structure, you look like a tiller girl or Helen Mirren type. Definately suits you.
Nice to meet Agnes and Sandra, cant get used to those names though, bless that you both had the same idea for a nick-name.
Joan youre just as busy and i dont have littlies to run after, just a strapping teenage boy to feed lol…
Another lovely picture Cassie, looks like the two of you had a great eve…and is good practice for our girly get together next year!.
Right well off to do the dinner, salt water is a good mouth cleanser, thasnks Chelle, no excuse to ram the lemon sherberts down me now though!!
Catch you all later
xxx
Thanks for the lovely comments after my scalping.
Vicki - I don’t kinow about having a good bone structure. With my lop sided chin and big nose, I always think I look like two different jigsaws have got mixed up in the box.
NicJ - You must indeed be very proud of your boys. I should think they are very proud of their mum to, what an amazing amount to collect.
Hope you ladies didn’t overdo it at the bar today and are doing well.
Marion
XXX
Vicki - just take it easy especially in the middle week as I felt great until I didn’t x
FEC-T X 8. Cycle 1, Day 7
or is it day 6? Are you counting chemo day as day 1?
Anyway, great reading all your posts today, wasn’t sure about a group at first but can see I was silly and it’s great to have others to talk to who understand and who can give advice re SE’s-I’m sure it gives the nurses a break from endless questions lol.
Feeling OK today. Was tired this morning and layed in bed for ages before I got the energy to get up but once I’d had a shower and something to eat and drink I felt much better. I will learn from this and try to shift myself quicker in future. Did a bit of gardening aka faffing about in a lazy manner but did move a plant that had been bugging me in the wrong place. Picked some roses for indoors too. Also cleared out what I call the tupperware cupboard-does anyone else have one of these cupboards full of containers that the rest of the family just open the door to and throw? I opened it for a little tub and it all collapsed so I have sorted it and it is now all organised-for a while anyway!
I ordered some Glutamide powder that arrived to day and now wish I’d got tablets! It seems a lot of people are finding it useful and there’s no contra-indications but you have to dissolve it in water and I don’t like the feel of it. I don’t like milk so had to do water and it reminds me of milk of magnesia. Still, will persevere and see if it helps as I have a bit of numbness in my middle toe. Supposed to be good for the gut too. If anyone knows of a better way to take it please share.
Besides the cancer and chemo I reckon I must be healthier than I’ve been for ages with the sensible diet I’m craving. Felt like stuffed tomatoes for tea tonight and last night made a Dhal with chapatis which was enjoyed by all and added to the protein intake.
Am waffling on now so will leave but just wanted everyone to know how much I appreciate this thread and the way everyone is supporting each other-nice to look at the positives for a change.
Hope you all have a good eve x
Docetaxel x 3 Fec x 3. Cycle one - Day one (yay!)
I’m back from the bar. Apart from the anticipated hunt the vein (can’t wait for portacath to be fitted) it went without a hitch. I had to get them to slow down the drip at one point as it really started to sting - but it went through no probs and here I am back at home.
Got steroids - of course
Antibiotics (to be taken in 8 days time)
Anti fungal pills (as above)
Anti sickness pills
7 days of injections
Thank goodness my daughter is now self-appointed minister of drugs! I’ll never remember what I’m taking and when!
does anyone else find that Dexamethasone makes them very hyper??
Re dry mouth - lovely lady at Boots recommended their own brand of ‘dry mouth spray’ - to be used alongside those treatments mentioned above, but it’s in a handy purse-sized spray. I’ve got some just in case but I’ve been warned to expect problems. There was a link a few pages back for free samples of gelclair on internet, I filled out a very simple form and three tubes arrived today…
So, hope everyone has had a good day - that the fellow barflies are feeling ok - Hugs Cress x
p.s. Slutty nails greatly admired…
my back felt really weird when I’d got out of the bath today when I was putting on body lotion and when I scraped my fingers across it all the tiny white hairs have all dropped out! Never realised my back had any hair before! (but it doesn’t now!) my leg hair doesn’t seem to be coming back much either. Will have a head to toe Brazilian before long!
Yay Cress - glad you staggered back from the bar ok x sounds like your hospital is super cautious giving you anti fungal and anti biotics for the middle week! (Or maybe just saw your nails and thought this one could pick up anything we’d better give her some protection lol) I didn’t really notice the steroids until I stopped taking them and then felt tired. Take it easy my lovely x
Evening Jewels,
Joan, that sicky/spacey feelings horrid isnt it?..glad you felt better today, why couldnt you have any more anti-sickness? Ive been taking as & when or is that supposed to be just for a few days
My profile pics are always messing up, Ive put one up of a robin now as thats what I look like with steroids at mo!!..xx
Vicki you’re doing well on s/e front but don’t overdo it especially next week. Good luck with work tomorrow!..xx
Ambercatz welcome to group! …Im craving healthy stuff too (whatever next!)…you’ll get lots of support on here from the lovely Jewels!!..xx
Cress love your slutty nail pic!!..agree with the steroids making you hyper, mine finish tomorrow so will prob have a crash!..interesting that youre having the Tax part of chemo first…think you’ll be our pioneer on that one!..xx
Chelle we love trying to confuse you but youre too efficient & on the ball!!!..liking the sound of the body hair-free look, always been a bit ape like in that department so bring it on!!
Just out of interest ( & I know it goes on height & weight etc) but how many syringes of cocktail did you have ( if any of you remember!) I had 4 1/2 syringes of the Epibrucin which I think was loads, about 3 or 4 for the F & C
Mandra!!..aka Sandra :-)…xx
TC x 4 + H x 12
Cycle 1 – Day 6
Evening Jewels
Phew! Just spent the last couple of hours catching up on posts, wow you’re a prolific lot, great! beats working which I should have been doing this afternoon, so what with that and the tennis, I’ve done b***** all! 
Welcome to our new jewels and I hope the girls at the bar today got through their rounds ok.
I’m still paranoid about all things hair and cold cap, so well done all that are persevering. Jean your poem was perfect, the words say so much and Marion you look very chic in your scarf, I have one similar which I’ve worn a couple of times for practice. Well done for being so brave. 
TC Cycle 1 day 6, hair still intact but I’m under no illusion it’s going to stay that way. Done all I’ve been told in terms of care including sleeping on a silk pillow which OH ordered for me on line after trapsing around the shops! Or so he said!
Katherine I’m having my PICC line fitted next round, hope it’s the right decision but has to be better than a battered and bruised arm which I have at the moment. Sandra I too have a “bladder problem now, can’t seem to hold it in and have had a couple of accidents in the last few days so also keeping Tenor Lady going! And on the subject of “toilet tales” I seem to have a mix of constipation and the other variety, you don’t want to hear about what I “past” last night…. 
Other SEs so far, some heartburn and indigestion, joint pain in the mornings and headaches, just flu like symptoms really, but nothing too major or unmanageable, so I guess I’m lucky. Worse thing for me is taste buds all over the place, latest disappointment is strawberries, bought lovely big tray yesterdays in Tesco with some cream to enjoy whilst watching tennis, YUCK……!!! tasted horrible, bitter and metallic, so OH finished them off. Really annoyed as I love red berries. I’m finding plain food best in terms of taste, anything with garlic or spice (which I love) is a waste of time, so now have some peanut butter and baked beans in the cupboard! I did try a Campari and orange juice last night, that was OK, OH has suggested Guinness, but think that’s just his plan to get me to the pub! 
My mouth is also sore at the edges, so thanks Chelle, I’ll try your salt water suggestion. The only other thing I’m not enjoying is my daily bone marrow juice injection Granocyte 34. I’m usually really good a injecting myself which I’ve done before, but this time it makes me feel quite wobbly so OH has been obliging, only one more to do, but I’ll need to get it together for next cycle as he’ll be away………Nurse!!!
Deb (Pointy) and Lins I have messaged you separately as we appear to be on the same cocktail, so I’d love to hear how you’re both getting on and Chelle, so glad you’ve escaped hospital, take it easy hun, hope the hair isn’t causing you too much concern……
Jacket spud and bakes beans calling, yum yum…….
Trish xxx 
FECx6 cycle 1 day 1!!
I’m now home and feeling pretty fine after a long day at the chemo unit (9-5.30). It took a wee while to get the cold cap organised and they put it on for 45 mins pre chemo. But then they had problems findin a vein which we’d expected as they had already said I’d get a picc line fitted before cycle 2. This mean I actually had the cap on for about 2 hours before a cannula was successfully in and the drugs started. They took it really slow and said that was better for the first time. apart from a slightly fuzzy head i felt ok. Cap was left on for a bit afteawards and eventually removed after a marathon 6 hrs! Have to say it felt not too unpleasant at all apart from first 10 minS as others have said. The staff were all lovely and it was a calm and quite relaxing experience- so I’m happy so far.
i have some anti sickness - ondansetron and domperidone, and steroids dexamethasone for a couple of days. Fingers crossed I continue to feel like now
having my tea made for me and just planning to chill now. I hope everyone else at the bar yesterday and today had a good time, and all the best for those next. A wee thank you to all of you that have been posting your experiences from your earlier starts, many now on your second cycle. It’s really great you are all being so open and supportive, and funny too!!
cheers x
Hi all, back from the bar, safe and sound, had to wait a while but once in it went ok, weird fizzy bum feeling and nose tingling that I didn’t expect! Nurse was lovely. OH had sympathetic side effects throughout… Am now on sofa, have eaten, am drinking lots, nurse said not to take any more anti sickness until morning, because I didnt get my doses until 3-4pm…this makes me nervous (no emend for me until next cycle if I am proven to need it). I might take one before bed anyway because of some of your experiences with middle of the night vomiting. Just feel a bit spacey and odd but nothing more so far.
Glad to see my drinking buddies are mostly doing ok so far too.
Marion, photo looks great!
And very funny that Maxie and Meggy are the dogs’ names I fear they will stick.
God I’m glad today is over.
Night night all x
Trish, I’ve got to inject myself tomorrow for 8 days - I’m really not looking forward to it - and I’m on my own so I’ve got to 'man up! and do it! At least it won’t be hard to find a good handful of stomach to grab onto!
As you’re having Herceptin - would your hospital fit a portacath? I’m getting one and I’m only having 6 cycles. It does mean easy access and easy maintenance. I have rubbish veins - proved today - so it’s really going to make life more bearable and you can still bath etc without worrying. Plus they only need flushing every 3 weeks.
And one last thing… My BF is 2 years clear but when she was on chemo she said the only thing she could face drinking (alcohol wise) is guiness, but she bought it in cans so no need to go to the potentially infectious pub!!
Take care Cress x
6 xFEC-T Cycle 1 day 2 (counting day 1 as chemo day)
Chelle thanks for the advice, i plan to work from home from day 7, and have my ultra sound on good boob tuesday anyway so hope to avoid too many nasties…but i will be wary.
I guess its because i feel fine and even at one point said to my son oh i hope theyve given me enough…mind you the chemo nurse had to drop round my stuff for flushing the PICC line and when i said i felt ok apart from the hang over-y type feeling she said thats great.
Do wonder why i havent got steriods though as you all seem to have them…maybe they only give them if theres a problem, and the emend seem to be working fine. Plus ive the bone marrow injections from sunday. I guess all hospitals are different.
Glad youre back Cress, and the nails were admired, cant say anyone notice my beyonce booty, probably because i was wrapped up in a blankets as the cold cap froze me all over…take it easy tonight anyway.
Love the pic sandra, i have a robin thats always in my garden and this years hes not lost the red breast at all…i shall think of you next time i see him.
Welcome ambercatz, our group must be the most busy/popular on the board, must say something for how great we are lol 
Well hope everyone else is feeling ok and fingers crossed the side effects dont increase, i am almost sat waiting for something to “happen”. Also to all those reading but not up to posting, stay strong, keep shining and hope your back with us soon
Lots of love
xxxx