May 2017 chemo starters

Hi Ladies

 

Haven’t posted in a wee while but have been keeping up with you all.  Had in laws staying and as all family are 200 miles away enjoyed the distraction…they left just before my 2nd round of FEC on Wednesday.  It went ok but took till the 3rd cannula to get my vein to accept the E part my arm was painful this time when it was going in.  Was warned my arm could continue to be sore but so far ok, I am dreading if I get cording in this arm too as I have it on the mastectomy side where all lymph nodes were removed despite doing all exercises given. Was given different anti sickness and the one to take at night has been great actually slept really well last night, no appetite but eating bland foods. My hair has started to fall out loads now wore a sleep cap last night to catch it all…but I think a shave is on the cards it is a bit annoying dropping hair everywhere…I got my wig but not sure …I think my own hardresser might need to work some magic on it…also worried about going out in the wind where I live there is always wind…maybe hats will be better…good luck to all having treatment and coping with the side effects x

Hi Curlyh, good to hear from you. A pain about the canula, I hope you avoid the cording. Hope the anti sickness works. I had round 2 yesterday. The hair will go fairly fast once it starts. It may be worth getting some head scarfs or similar for the heat and while it’s falling out. X

Glad your doing ok ladies. I’m now day 2 post 3rd EC . General chemo symptons seem fine apart from steriods keeping me awake, it’s everything else! Started injections yesterday so starting to feel poo. Also been having some issues with pain and leaking from surgery scars that breast care nurse’s are getting on top of but I seem to be allergic to every dressing they keep putting on it and making it worse. And then to top it off I had my little monthly visitor arrive today! What’s that about !!! Ever since I was diagnosed I’ve been all over the place with periods and now I start chemo I’m more on time that ever! Lol! Rant over and breath. Ha, I’m actually feeling quite ok considering x

Ha, just realised why I had marshmallow day the other day now! Durr should have known x

Just had onc appointments. The good news, I have decided to call tumor Wally as he is so hard to find?. Not so good news is platelets are low. Will need another blood test to check if I can have treatment 3 on Monday. ?

Hi.

Trisha Picc line sounds easier on veins …wasn’t offered Picc line although nurse said there had been a meeting about picc lines being used for FEC, but maybe that will be for future patients…Katie that is annoying about wound dressing hopefully you are not in pain and they get it sorted soon, I too had a period bang on time I didn’t expect that with everything else going on. Has anyone else felt a bit of heat in legs at all doesn’t last long, comes and goes  no redness or raised lump, just so aware of everything, I do have the flushed face and neck had that last time…x

Hi Katie. Sorry to hear about you surgery issues. How long did you have between surgery and chemo starting? I really hope it gets better soon. Don’t get me started in the injections, they are the worst part of this whole thing!!
My periods are playing hide and seek, totally lost the plot with when to expect that visitor to this party. To be honest they are now off the invite list.
Keep positive x ?

Morning Trisha, I can’t really help with the herceptin issue sorry are you hr2 positive then, don’t know if it’s just my area but I’ve heard some of them have it injected rather than drip? So maybe you can have your surgery after your chemo?

Curlyh I have had the hot face and aching legs after chemo , does just sound like se but keep an eye on it.

Thanks treehouse, I started chemo 6 weeks after surgery (I delayed it a week as there was something I really couldn’t miss ). I had a mamoplasty which is a like upside down t shape starting under the nipple so it’s a awkward place to fit a dressing. It’s never 100% healed but has always been checked and they aren’t too worried it’s just sore because of the reaction to the dressings it made skin around it very sore. To be honest I think it flares up at my the same time my uninvited visitor shows up. Must be because they swelling maybe? Oh forgot to tell you as you suffer with those blasted injections like me I heard from a friend about taking clarityn to help with bone pain from them. Don’t know if it works and if it has to be that brand but I’m trying it. Seem to be OK at minute but can’t really tell because of period pain lol x

Well that was an early morning ramble wasn’t it. You can tell my family are all still sleeping! Enjoy ur Saturday ladies. We are off to local carrival xx

Hi Trish. I have 6 chemo and Herceptin then just Herceptin injections for 12 months. I am expecting surgery after chemo but not exactly sure when. There is not much lump to take I have a clip too. To be honest I want a mastectomy to reduce my risk and the lump is high up so will leave a very visible scar if they do lumpectomy. Waiting for genetic test results as that may sway things.

Relaxing and watching the athletics. My sympathies go to the long jumper who jumped 6 metres but her wig only went 5 metres, live on TV. ? Whatever wig fails we have ahead of us can’t be THAT bad.

bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-40302842/nigerian-athlete-s-wig-falls-off-during-long-jump

Thanks for that MJK. ? No idea why she felt the need to wear a wig during exercise. I am being a good girl today. Eaten loads of green veg and shiitake ? mushrooms. Also oranges and papaya which is supposed to be good for platelet production. Lovely husband bought all the fruit and veg morrisons had to offer. I am now sitting in the shade in a hammock thinking platelet making thoughts. ?

2 ice creams Mai7? You rebel. Oh what exciting lives we lead. Put it down to the 10% rule and the need to stay cool. I’m back on the injections again. Deep joy.

Mai enjoy your 10% ? mmm icecream.
MJK I feel your pain. One down 6 to go?
I am back on the steroids tomorrow, I think I read that they also help platelet production. I really don’t want a delay especially as I feel like I am winning a battle. Don’t want the little beep having a chance to grow again.

Mai platelet dance ?? that’s funny why didn’t I think of that?
Trish no one has discussed radiation with me yet. I think they are waiting to see how well the chemo works. I was hoping to be back to work before Christmas and just have a morning off every 3 weeks for Herceptin injections. But that might be wishful thinking . I don’t think they are willing to comit to a time scale yet.

Big love to all our dads on fathers day. Mine has had to watch his wife and now daughter fight this disease with his quite positive attitude and big hugs. ? and sense of humour. ? x I now have his hair cut too ?

So far I’ve been told I’ll just have chemo and then because I’m having bilateral mastectomies I won’t need radiotherapy. But perhaps that’s because there is no apparent lymph node involvement showing on ultrasound although they won’t know definitely until after surgery. 

 

Was also thinking about timeline and work as originally I was having chemo over 4 months instead of 6. Now they say it will be poss 12 weeks of paclitaxel, although most people only manage 9 as they get so anaemic. So that takes me at most to mid/lateSeptember now plus 4 week recovery before surgery and then however long it takes to get over surgery. It’s really difficult to gauge how long you need off work. I have been working from home but not sure I’ll continue when I’m on a weekly regime and worried about taking too much time off sick.

 

treehouse - yes here’s to all the dads on Father’s Day - mine is 89 and has lost his wife to ovarian cancer and has watched/watching two of his daughters battle bc. Although he makes me laugh as he’s quite proud of the fact that it wasn’t him that gave us the faulty gene!! “Nothing to do with me or my side of the family” he keeps saying.

Your dad sounds like mine ? Rosie, that is just the sort of thing he would say. I wore Ashley out for lunch but whipped her off as soon as I got home. Far too hot for head wear today. Hope you are all coping with the heat. Not looking forward to a long night with the steroid glow.

Hi All, I’m struggling in the heat I’m not a sunshine person anyway I burn and get irritable - the fair skin and freckles are from my dad, along with Webbed feet!!! Hahaha but … faulty gene that’s my mums side!!!
I can’t believe I’m saying this but roll on winter (typically British can’t please me as far as the weather goes)
Hope your all having a nice weekend, xxxxxx

Anniej, congrats on the 8 hours the mat sounds like a dream I am now about to bring up amazon and have a look.
Downside you now have a long night ahead of you!!! I really can’t sleep either so annoying.