Hello ladies
Third TAX has been a bitch! Yesterday I spent 3 and half hours in Acute Medical Unit as my temperature rose to 38.3 and felt really poorly. My OH who had a bad bout of hay fever drove me to the hospital with streaming eyes! There was horrendous traffic on the way due to road works and thought we’d never get there.
When we arrived I checked in at reception and they were expecting me. The Sister on duty took me to a room where she took blood sample, temperature (which was still high) and blood pressure. As a matter of course she injected antibiotics which had an instant effect. Then examined by a very caring Doctor who said she’d like me to have chest x-ray. I told her that i didn’t want to stay in overnight to which she replied we’ll see what blood resumts show. We waited for blood test results which took 2 hours but in he meantime the staff offered a hot lunch which was welcoming. When the blood results came back I was relieved to hear that I was not neutropenic. Finally discharged and on our way home I started feeling unwell but wanted to be home in bed! Yesterday was spent mostly suffering with agonosing joint pain, acidity and feeling like the end was coming!
On a course of antibiotics that are like horse tablets as well as medication given by chemo unit. Never in my life have I had to take so many tablets and long for the day to feel normal again.
To all who are suffering may it be brief and well done to those who have reached the finishing line.
Dani
XX
Thank you Bettie!
Holding hands with you for Thursday Clare and Carabel.
Oh Dani, thats a shame you feel so poorly, but nice to hear how well they looked after you in the unit. Hope you feel better throughout today.
BF coming over to see me today, he has been away on holiday with his children, but called as soon as he landed last night which pleased me. I am going to try to go back to work tomorrow for 3 days before the next chemo blasting, will be nice to see the girls at work again, they keep me smiling.
Morning Ladies
Not long now before we head off in the caravan towards Addenbrookes before starting rads tomorrow. It is quite a nice day here but just a little windy to keep the temperature down.
Feeling OK in myself but still have tingling sensations to fingers and feet, wish it would go but I suppose it’s going to take time to get all the chemo and s/e’s out of the system. It’s almost 7 weeks since last chemo so hope it’s not too much longer or heaven forbid permanet.
Dani - What a day you had yesterday with your Tax and not feeling well. It sounds like they took great care of you, whas that as an NHS patient or private? Out chemo unit doesn’t do treatments on a Saturday that’s why I’m asking. Hopefully, that was your last one and you can wave goodbye to the nasty s/e’s. I hope that the next few days are kind to you, take care and best wishes.
Gabby, Clare and Carabel - Will be thinking of you on Thursday and hope everything goes through smoothly. You all take care.
EbHippo - It takes a little time to get over the last one but you will be there soon and getting back to your old self. I had a problem with my breathing for a while after the last one but now all appears to be fine and my energy levels are getting much better. Mind you when I start rads they say that you get tired again so at least I know what to expect. I’m told it’s a breeze compared to chemo, so let’s hope so. Won’t be long before you can start ploughing your way through that food list. Take care.
Wolsty - Well done, good news about your results you must be very pleased. You have had a long journey and they will let you know soon about rads. Whatever they decide you have done really well getting to this stage. I will let you all know about my rad experiences when I get back home next weekend. Hope you are taking it easy and send my best wishes.
Mary (Peanut) - Hope you are feeling a bit better today and are able to spend some quality time with your daughter and little Ava. Thinking of you and take care.
Marie (Jane) - How are you today, hope that Tax truck is not stopping for long and you get through this last one without too many s/e’s. Not long before you start your rads as well. We can compare experiences between us and how the hospitals shape up. I know you haven’t had to wait so long for yours to start and you live a lot closer your hospital so not so much travelling. Take care and best wishes.
Bettie - I did a bit of commandoing yesterday, very invigorating. A good friend (gentleman) of ours stopped by yesterday when hubby was outside sorting the van out, and he came round the back way into the garden with him and I didn’t even attempt to put something on my head to cover up. We just talked generally and he didn’t even blink an eye about my appearance, such a lovely man. It comes to something when a male friend has more hair on his head than me but hey ho, life goes on! I’ll let you all know how my lovely sister reacts when she sees me tomorrow, think we are going to have a laugh because that’s the only way she will be able to deal with it. Heaven forbid that she ever has to go through this. She’s just had a routine mam and all was clear, thank goodness. Hope you are OK and able to get out and about, even though this weather is not so good. Take care and best wishes.
Dulcie - I’m sending you my best wishes for next week when you go for surgery, I will be thinking of you and send a virtual hand for you to hold and of course a gentle hug. Hope everything goes smoothly and I’m sure they will take good care of you. Anything you don’t understand then make sure they take time to explain everything to you. Remember ‘Ask for what you need’.
Socks - Good news that you’ve got your last Tax on Friday, will be thinking of you and take care.
Mollie - Only one more to go, nearly there. Glad that you were able to spend time with your lovely family, just what the Doctor ordered, as they say. Next step rads for you and that won’t be long. Take care and best wishes.
Patchit (Joan) - Thanks for your texts, look forward to seeing you and other lovely ladies very soon. Take care and I will text you my findings at Burwell.
Hope all our other lovely ladies are coping and able to get out and about. Will have to sign off now because few things to sort out and then we are off.
Beryl XX
Hello lovely Marchies
Well day 11 post last tax. Had mouth thrush again, which just makes everything taste like sludge but had some medicine left over from last time, which thankfully cleared it up in a couple of days, now everything just tastes like cardboard, can’t wait for tastebuds to return so I can actually enjoy eating/drinking again. I am managing or should I say forcing myself to walk the dog at least 2/3 times a day, weather permitting of course, which does seem to help with the muscle aches in legs/hips.
I wish all those who are not feeling very well a speedy recovery and those about to have their next “treats” minimal side effects.
Love and cyber hugs to all xxxx
Beryl, good on you going commando and I bet you look great. My sister has also just had a routine mammogram and thankfully it came back clear.
Start my rads 2nd Sept so I’ll be one of the last ones. Can’t wait for the end of chemo, it seems like a long journey dosn’t it but I guess we are lucky in having this gold star treatment thrown at us.
Have a good day.
Just off to the in laws for lunch. They’re cooking my favourite meal chicken and haggis. Yummmm
Bettie x
Hi Everyone
Feeling much better today both physically and emotionally. No taste still but mouth doesnt feel quite as horrid as before, still not eating!! Daughter and Grand-daughter taking my ex out for his lunch today as its his birthday so quiet day today. Been out for a walk but energy levels not as good as couldnt walk as far as I usually can but at least been out for fresh air!
Gary- Sorry to hear you having a bad time hope the new treatment works better for you.
Marie67- Hope the tax truck is lessening for you, I really hate the bad mouth bit!!
KQ- Hope you manage to get to Llandudno to visit OHs family.
Patchit- My nails are still hanging in there but they look as if they have blown near the nail bed but not quite lifted off!! toe nails are fine.
Wolsty- Great to hear your results are ok, they told me that surgery had removed all the cancer but still having Rads, am going with it as want to throw as much at it as they advise then hopefully dont have a repeat performance!! I am sure you will get good advice from your onc about the rads.
Waitingtoo- hope you get your surgery done before the city closes down. good luck for your last one Thurs.
WS- Hope you enjoyed Leeds with OH. A good friend bought me a brow set, it has templates for drawing your eyebrows but I just use the pencil as not good at applying makeup!! As for using eyeliner forget it, I am rubbish at it!!
EBhippo- hope your mouth improves, its really distrssing isnt it, I think it has been the worst part for me because I can still smell the lovely food just cant eat it!!
Gabbylamb- I hate my baldness also and rarely look in the mirror at it distresses me. My hair was the most important part of me and I can not get used to the baldness. Although I have gone commando a couple of times due to Betties encouragment and how positve she is about it all. Its only me that worries people dont really care!! My OH was a bit embarressed at first but is ok now.
Carabel- Good luck Thurs for your last one, my last one is on the 11th July, cant wait for it to be over!
Danigirl- I really feel for you as I have struggled with Tax 2, seem to have worst se’s ever. So pelased to hear you are not nuetropenic even though I know you feel grim, hope antibiotics kick in soon.
Beryl- Good luck for tomorrow will keep in touch by txt.
To everyone else I havent mentioned thinking of you all and hoping no one is suffering.
Mary xxxx
Mary, so sorry you feel the way you do about being bald. Its such a hard thing to deal with and i’m sure I’m only ok about it cos from the start I went commando and didn’t really bother with scarves. To tell you the truth I don’t wear my wig cos it upsets me seeing how I look with hair and reminds me of pre BC. I also get upset when I see pics of me on holiday last year looking tanned and very blond. Its a good job none of us know what is around the corner eh.
What I do find, actually more frustrating than upsetting is trying to put mascara on my sparse eyelashes. They used to be really long but hey ho…
Best wishes
Bettie xx
Thank you for your kind wishes - yesterday was a day from hell however today I’m feeling human again.
Beryl - I’m NHS and lucky that the unit has out of hours opening times. Even had the tennis in the telly!
Love and hugs to all
XX
Aftevery everyone, I’m just watching the Italian job before getting my bag packed for tomorrow’s surgery. I’ve purchased loads of snacks as all the times I’ve been in i’ve been desperately hungry because e meals are so tiny, one I hadconsisted of 4 chips and a 2 inch piece of fish and that was 6 hours after breakfast of toast, I nearly ordered a takeaway!
So a few people having last doses this week, good luck ladies, and those who still have sme more to go. Jane, good to hear you’re back home and the lymph nodeswere clear. Good luck with rads next week beryl.
Xxxxx
Bettie - I am with you on the mascara issue, I have about 1 or 2 long ones on my left eye and the others are really stubby and short, but I have more long ones on my right eye so if I try and use mascara I look uneven.
Think I have cracked the eyebrows but again I have a few long hairs that are stubbornly hanging in there. Regarding the eyeliner, I just have to use really short strokes of the liner pencil or I find myself losing control ending up looking like Cleopatra.
Remaining head hair that I shaved to a No1 is growing, but the bald patches are still bald so have shaved it again. I do not think I have finished losing hair yet. My leg hair that has kept growing all the way through. So much for chemo affecting all fast growing cells!
Gabby - glad you enjoyed your time in Whitby, hope you escaped the bad weather.
Beryl - good luck on your 1st rads, hope they go ok and the caravan site is a good one. Well done on going commando, I have been out quite a few times now without my scarves and cannot say that I have noticed anyone looking.
Danni - sorry to hear you had to visit the hosp again, hope you are starting to feel better.
Love to all and hope those not mentioned individually are feeling as good as they can depending on where you are in the chemo cycle
Got to go as son is popping round to see his dad on his birthday xx
Hello Marchies
Well Tax truck still hanging around, aches milder in general, but feet are more tender this time, and mouth much worse, and so much more tired.
DANI what a day you had yesterday,do they know cause of temp?. Glad you are feeling better today, just take it easy.
PARGAYAN hope you have managed to celebrate Hubbys’ birthday ok, hope you ar feeling a bit better.
GABBY glad you had a good time away.
PARSNIP hope all goes well tomorrow.
PEANUT glad that you are feeling a bit better.
BETTIE hope that you enjoyed lunch with in laws.
Hugs to everyone else
Jane.
Paragayan and Jane, feeling better just emotionally battered! The high temperature was due to an infection. The problem with chemo is that it lowers your immune system so you are more susceptible to infection.
Love Dani Xx
Good evening to all the Marchies.
I hope you have all had a good weekend with not too many side effects.
Kittiequeen - I hope you managed to tear yourself away from Mr Grey and got to Llandudno!
Woltsy - Good to hear your lymph nodes were clear. I hope you are recovering well from your surgery and taking care of yourself.
Waiting Too - I will be thinking of you on Thursday when I am having my chemo too.
Marie67 - I too am still very very tired after Tax 2 (currently day 16). The aches have gone but my mouth is still horrible and I still can’t taste my food. Hope you start to feel better soon.
Wintersocks - Good luck with your last tax on Friday. Isn’t it a good feeling to know the last one is coming up.
Gabbylamb - Glad you enjoyed your trip to Whitby and well done on going commando. I have only just started to go commando round the house and only in front of my OH. Will be thiking of you on Thursday.
Dannigirl - Pleased to hear you are feeling better after your trip to hospital. I hope you are taking it easy and looking after yourself.
Beryl - Sorry to hear you still have tingling in your fingers and feet and I hope it resolves for you soon. My fingers are very sore under the nail bed. Sort of like they have been squashed in a vice! My toenails are purple but not sore. You do worry about side effects lingering or that they will be permanent but hopefully that won’t be the case. I hope your sister copes with your baldness! My sister was visiting recently and my little hat had moved and was sitting precariously on the top of my head without me noticing. She came into the room and actually screamed loudly saying ‘Oh my God I can see your head’. Anyway I was as shocked as her for a minute and then we just fell about laughing. Hope everything goes well with your rads and I look forwad to reading your updates.
Bettie - I hope you enjoyed your chicken and haggis. I’m still not tasting anything properly and can’t wait until I can go back to enjoying my food. As someone else commented - I can still smell things and really want to eat them but then they just taste disgusting. Its very disappointing.
Peanut - Good to see you are feeling a bit better. Will be thinking of you on 11th July when you are having your last treat.
Parsnip - Lots of luck with your surgery tomorrow. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Pargyan - I’m with you and Bettie in the eyelash dept. I have one long one on one eye and the others that are left are very short. My eyebrows are nearly gone and I’m not great at filling them in / drawing them on. I find it hard to get them at the same height. My eyeliner skills have improved slightly though and I don’t look quite so much like Ozzy Osborne as I did!
Well I am off to bed shortly and hopefully will have the energy to go into work for a bit tomorrow.
Carabel xxx
Hi hope everyone had a good weekend. I spent a lovely weekend with my sister in Kent. I am having my last tax on Tuesday - woohoo. After the last treat I had the usual no taste - everything tasted like card board now two days before last one I have a horrible bitter taste in my mouth. Does anyone know how long tax takes to get out of our system?
Lots of love Georgie xxx
Evening MM’s
It’s a big week coming up for several ladies, rads starting, chemo finishing and surgery happening! We are a busy bunch! Lots of changes for us all, lost more steps along the way, inching towards the bright light at the end of this particular tunnel. We are coming out into the sunlight ladies, slowly but surely, one by one, each helped on by the others, this is what its all about, solidarity, humanity, March Musketeers, all for one and one for all until the end for everyone.
I am pleased to report that my thrush has flown away. My nails are very much like Peanut says, blown at the bottom near the nail bed. I wonder what will happen to them, will they fall off, do you think, or will it just grow out? I am having a pedicure on Wednesday as my feet are dreadful! I always have looked after my feet and always thought of them as my best feature, not at the moment though! The toenails seem ok though, so that good!
Dulcie, hope you got on ok with your shopping yesterday.
Wolsty, hope you are feeling better and having lots of TLC. That’s great news from your path report. It’s the same situation I am in, but I am having rads, my Onc said it was a preventative measure for the future. I went back to my BCN several times to have my wound drained in the weeks following surgery. That probably went on for about 6 weeks and I found it quite frustrating! It does make a difference though and makes you more comfortable.
WS, hope you had a nice day in Leeds yesterday with OH. I am sure you did look gorgeous! I have given up with mascara and just use eye liner now. I find it easier to use the liquid liner though, rather than a pencil. I just do little lines and join them up! Seem ok to me, but then again, I can’t really see a lot now! I use an eyebrow pencil too, but wipe most of it off as I don’t really like a harsh line.
KQ, how are you getting on with Mr Grey? My friend has taken him on holiday with her to Cyprus. Spoke to her today and she has nearly finished it, think her OH may be reaping the rewards! Hope it has the same effect on me, that’s the last thing on my mind these days!!! Did you go to Llandudno today?
Mollie43, glad you had a nice day out yesterday with your family.
EBHippo, hope the mouth is better soon.
Gabbylamb, glad you have a nice time in Whitby and well done with going commando. Have you tried liquid eye liner? I find that a bit easier than a pencil. I hope you had a nice day with BF and hope you get on well at work this week.
Dani, sounds like you had really great treatment at your hospital. Glad you are not neutrapenic and hope the AB’s see of the infection soon.
Lindi50, hope the tax truck moves off soon and you start to feel better and get more energy before long.
Bettie, hope you had a nice lunch at the in-laws.
Peanut1955, I hope you are having a lovely time with your family and OH had a nice birthday lunch today.
Parsnip, big hug to you for tomorrow. I will be thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way. Let us know how you are when you are able, I will be keeping you in my thoughts and virtually holding your hand. Take care hon xxxxxxx
Carabel, that made me laugh about your sister! Glad you both got over it with humour!!
GeorgieB, I was told that chemo stays in our bodies between 3-6 months after your last treat. Not very precise, I know, but it may depend on what chemo you had and the strength of it. The person who told me is someone who runs a charity for ladies suffering hair loss from cancer treatment, so I guess she should know. Glad you had a nice weekend away, a nice boost before your last treat.
Well, off to bed soon, sleep tight ladies, sweet dreams.
Joan xxx
I’m day 14 from my last tax & just managed a 3 hour rehearsal with my band in birmingham. Woo hoo felt good to do something not related to cancer at all! Ok I’m shattered now but looking forward to our gig at the local Carnival next Saturday. Have missed playing with them so much! I must say the final tax was evil. You want to celebrate it being the last one but the reality is it’s the worst one due to the cumulative effect. I ended up with an infection in my arm too so was on antibiotics too which does nothing to help the already battered digestive tract. I even stopped eating which isn’t like me as everything just tasted so awful plus oral thrush just made everything worse. I’m still feeling pretty acidic & taste buds not yet returned but are improving enough for some enjoyment of food again. So tired though. Can’t tell from day to day whether I’ll feel ok ( yesterday) or wake up with flat batteries ( today). Lol…seeing as I started the day tired I could feel a lot worse tomorrow after prancing around on a stage playing bass for the best part of three hours…when will I learn? It’s good to be a rebel sometimes & not let this beat you!
Band is playing from 10-11:30 pm if any of you fancy some live music ( pop & rock covers ). PM me for details, I’m in Warwickshire & it’s an outdoors gig (in a pub car park so toilets & refreshments are to hand).
Hugs to those of you still battling Tax SE’s x x
Twinky x
Parsnip be thinking of you tomorrow xxx I also have me bag packed already to go!
Something i remembered today…i was
lying in bed with a boyfriend …many years ago…he was in a band and he thought he was like the ‘blonde’ guy in Whitesnake…lol he was the opposite…actually …but when i lost my father and hubby …( this was later on) when we met…as i said we where in bed and the moonlight was shining through the bedroom window…AHH you might say …how romantic…not so…he looked a t me and he said…‘do you know something…ya can’t half see your moustache in this light’…i didnt know wether to laugh or chuck him out…i haven’t even got one now…i do check now and again tho…i could tell you another one…a bit different…no he was very good to me and he bought me my colourpoint cat called ‘Jamie’ who was my little love …i cant look at piccys of that cat even now all these years later…
We have someone coming in twice a day for OH now…and tomorrow they are supposed to set me up with a ‘plan’…whoopee!
night
Dulcie xxxx
Joan
Could you give me some details on the lady who runs a charity for women who suffer from hairloss from cancer. There is nothing like this here as far as I know.
Thanks
Bettie x
Hi Bettie
Here at Breast Cancer Care we run a hairloss service it’s called ‘Headstrong’, I’ve put for you below the link to the page on this website where there is more information.
breastcancercare.org.uk/Services/Information%20and%20support%20sessions/HeadStrong/headstrong
Alternatively, if you would like to talk to someone about our hairloss service, please do phone the helpline here and have a chat with one of the staff who will be only too happy to help. Calls to the helpline are free, 0808 800 6000, lines open 9-5 Mon-Fri and Sat 10-2.
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Morning MM’s
Beryl says ‘hello’ to you all form on her way to Addenbrookes.
Bettie, the web address is www.cancerhaircare.com and the lady who runs it is called Jasmin. Phone no is 01438 488082 or I have a mobile number for her which I can let you have if you need it (sorry, its not to hand but I can easily find it and pass it on!). Jasmin is lovely and very caring, she clippered my hair when it was on the way out She runs a clinic at our local hospital (Lister, Stevenage, Herts) and also has rooms above a salon where she offers hair services and a drop in centre. All very friendly and free! Have a look round the website, it’s a great service!
Have a good day ladies, I am off to get dressed then going in to work. Parsnip, especially thinking of you today, bug hug coming your way.
Joan xxx