May 2017 chemo starters

Gosh Trish you really have been through it this cycle. Hope you are able to do cycle 3 Fri. Although I guess you are dreading what’s to come? I have found that i have been different on every cycle so far. 1st completely fine, 2nd struggled and 3rd somewhere in between . Maybe you will be lucky this time and not have any se. Heres hoping. Make sure to tell your oncologist how bad it’s been this time and see if they can help you better in any way. Ask for all the best mouth/throat care available x

Trisha when is your next chemo?

Wow it is like you are speaking my mind!!!
Huge respect wande. Please be kind to yourself and accept help. Little ones are exhausting.
I spend the day being normal with my mum. She has had 2 knee replacements so we had a very slow shopping trip and lunch. And a 40min drive.
I am shattered this morning.
I have booked a yoga class a the breast cancer haven in the next city for this morning. I really want to go!!!

I think I will drag myself there as I know I will feel better for it. Then rest this afternoon.

Wolfee what did you think of the oil?

My mum had BC and ovarian. She too was given vit B12 injections. Are you all oestrogen pos?
My bloods have been fine but I am er negative.
I wonder if it is related…whoever has onc next, ask.
I don’t think there is a blood test for BC.

Treehouse, the oil was burning last night it has a really nice smell but I think we put a bit much in because it was so strong. I will burn it this evening just as my sister leaves work so it’s active for when she gets in. My smell in a few days will be a bit sensitive for it so I will be burning it as much as possible until then. Nicky said she slept a bit better last night I think the oil helped her. Payday I may buy a kit and oil for my younger sister as a present.

I am ER+ PR+ and highly as positive as it gets I think. I was told this was good by oncologist because the hormone treatment tamoxifen or what ever I may be given should work well. However, and I don’t feel comfortable posting on here because others in my situation but I have read that being highly positive (me) diagnosed young (me) family history (me) and lymph node involvement (me) puts me at high risk of reocvurance much later on like 10-15 years time!! I know I have 2 stop reading but these things pop up even when you’re searching something else more positive. Most of this i come across looking for inspiration for example 10 year survivor. Then I’ll read some thing that gives me hope. I’m a ten year survivor … my cancer didn’t come back until 17 years!!! It starts good but then turns!!!

I don’t think I see my oncologist now until beginning of August.

I want to do some yoga. I will try and find a local class but I feel nervous don’t know why. I did boot camps prior.

Hep on eye spray - so whilst having my chemo yesterday the nurse told me when I switch over next time start having the ‘T’ part this one can make eyelashes come out she said get an eye spray ready she said you will soon find out how much your lashes prevent things getting in your eyes and also advises wear glasses.

Anyway I’ve noticed all eye sprays have Soy in them!!! This Soy is in eveytbing but I wasn’t expecting it in an eye spray that isn’t a food? Do you think this will matter what eye sprays have you all been using if any??

Hi WolfEE, I use Blink eye drops for contacts as my eyes have been sore ? (I’m not wearing my lenses ) no soy. Blood test today, oncologist tomorrow FEC round 3 Thursday. I find I’m quite tired in the last week before chemo although it doesn’t help with my period turning up both times. 3 week cycle? What is that about? ?. Very interesting news about the call that gene testing should be standard for cancer. bbc.co.uk/news/health-40479533

Hi MKJ, thanks I’ll look the drops up. Oh that would be great if they test eveyone I’ll have a read of the link. Will this be your last FEC on Thursday? I’m certainly getting more tired as time goes on.
I had been on the depot injection for years so hadn’t had a period for a long long time. In January I came off the depot and went on2 a mini pill had some spot bleeding while adjusting then periods stopped again. Then… start chemo warned periods will probably stop and low and beyhold what happens - they come back!! Both cycles so far I’ve had a period how is that??? I’ll see if this 3rd one happens again. I’m glad as proved after years of depot I’m still working in good order but also saddens me that now I know this and it will all be ruined and stopped either with the chemo or possible pending hysterectomy and even tamoxifen I think can impact it. It was almost easier to accept while I wasn’t used 2 having the periods.

Hi. Back from an hour and a half of twisting and stretching. All yoga poses modified for bc ladies. I was the youngest there by about 20 years but they were all lovely. I was the only one in a scarf on chemo.
I now feel like I am back on speaking terms with my body. I think I had been cross with it for letting me down.
All the tension in my shoulders has gone and I am not just a sofa slug.
So glad I went will definitely try again next Tues but treatment day is Monday so will see. I am usually still on steroid buzz Tues so fingers crossed ?
Relaxing for the rest of today tho.
Oh I was in a cafe yesterday and they had an omelette bap on their breakfast menu ?

All good points misyangel. I forget I can practice at home, always rely on teacher and lessons. There are good youtube vids with yoga for people with cancer. I think I will try to make it part of my morning.

Round 2 was better for me. Not sure if it was saline but I will ask the lovely nurses. Don’t want to drag my treatment out too much longer.

I also got the hay fever tablets but forgot to take them. Will try this time.

My hair seems to have stopped falling out.
I just have thin one inch fluff. I look like a baby bird, I cheep cheep at my husband when he kisses my head.

Hello ladies,

 

I know you’ve discussed this before but for ease, what do you recommend for mouth ulcers? My tongue has started tingling badly today and it’s making me not want to eat/drink. Want to head it off at the pass if I can. 

 

Thank you!

Hi AliOG, how’s your chemo journey so far? I’ve felt like I’m starting with sore mouth and throat a couple of times and have gargled with salt water which helps. I also use a tea tree oil mouthwash twice a day from Holland and Barrett . So far I haven’t suffered like some. X

I’ve been thinking about the cost of that prescription since it was mentioned the other day and cant believe how much it costs. Makes me wonder how much our total costs for treatment is? So glad we have our amazing NHS that provide it all for us x

Katie while researching my drugs on google it often states the cost of treatment. I added up all 4 of my drugs… .it is very humbling to think how much it costs to keep me alive. If it were not for the NHS I would need to sell my house.!!!
That doesn’t include all my goodie bags or surgery or radiation.

AliOG - I also clean my teeth after I eat with Biotene toothpaste, floss and use Gengigel mouthwash and gel alternately to keep the mouth as clean as possible and only when it escalates resort to Difflam and Gelclair. It did mean my symptoms were less severe this time.

 

Went into work today and survived the train journey! I’m shattered now though. I really enjoyed seeing everyone and actually felt completely normal for the first time in months. I realised how isolating all this is and seeing my house again when I got back, it felt like returning to a prison. I’ve spent so many hours in it!

 

The genetic article is is interesting MJK, would be great if the testing became standard for cancer eventually. The detection of the BRCA 1 gene in my case has led to my treatment being more targeted. Even within the gene there are different variants and I have details of my particular sequence. My oncologist went to great lengths to explain how the treatment works - something to do with chairs with four legs and my chair only having three legs, and restoring the fourth leg but I’m afraid my poor little chemo brain was unable to take it all in. I am also going to take part in a study by Cambridge Uni who have some funding from Cancer Research to look into the BRCA genes. Hopefully it will help the future generations of my family

Thanks for the stars! I’m blessed with a supportive family, especially my mum, who completed her own bc treatment journey 3 years ago. My husband has had to go to back to work, so my retired mother in law is staying with us till I finish Chemo, so I’m able to get some rest during the day. I’m just praying my levels are good enough for Chemo next Week. As hard as it is, my kids keep me motivated to fight on. My 4year old is starting school in September so I’m doing my best to keep him focussed on that and not on my treatment. Hope everyone is doing well x

Katie - Good luck today, will be thinking of you xx

 

Anniej - I must remember to use the Manuka honey this time on my ulcers, hopefully it will help

Thanks ladies , water drank, nails painted dark! Paciltaxol here I come! Eeekkk so nervous xx

Glad your feeling better now Trisha, enjoy your day

Thinking of you today Katie. Hope it goes well.

Glad you are feeling better Trish, lidl had Manuka a couple of weeks ago, not sure if they do now. It was15* I think.

I had dinner with my oldest friend last night, first time I have seen her since treatment started. It was nice to catch up. Slept like a log last night ?