Its a lonely road to navigate sometimes and sharing helps us navigate it better. Ive learnt lots from this Forum. Its been invaluable.
Good plan re hunting out your scarf but if its hidden (it would be in my house ), anything will do, even a cotton T shirt. Cotton is best as it get colder when wet. But I did see a cooling towel on one site which was made of a different material, which also seemed great.
Glad you are also getting a breeze today it makes such a difference.
You take care. Sending you extra special virtual vibes….
There you are, all sweltering in the heat, and here am I in jumper and socks, with piddling rain and 15° c! I’'m in Scotland, of course! Never mind cold flannels, I need a hot water bottle strapping to my skull
Glad the Pac went better than expected, @poppy261 , that’s great to know. I’m on Cycle 3 of bloody EC and it’s definitely been the worst so far, but more for the constant runny nose and weepy, sore eyes than the fatigue - i think I’ m getting used to that! Antihistamines work to a certain extent, and I’ ve ordered isotonic Sterimar to snook up the nose, so that might help if it continues to trouble me after Cycle 4 next Wednesday, if bloods are okay. I just want to get it done and dusted now!
I’ ll be going onto weekly Pac for 9 sessions. Weekly means a lower dose, so fewer side-effects, although they say it often ‘hits’ the neutrophils because they usually don’t prescribe Filgastrim injections with this particular regime….pass the cocoa and 90% dark chocolate! Hopefully @alannah172 this should make things a lot better for you, if you’ re also having the weekly dose. The injections didn’ t give me any side-effects, except the very first one of each session, which had me in a flat panic feeling as if I was going to keel over - even when I was already sitting down. When I reported it - to 3 different chemo nurses, they all said it was ‘ psychological’ ! Not very useful, really. Your side effects sound pretty ghastly, so you’ ll be happy not to have to put up with those once the Pac starts. Wishing you luck.
@mssteel…..EC isn’ t a walk in the park, as you know if you’ve already had one lot of it, but you can and will take it in your stride and come out the other side….. I don’t know HOW we do it, but this forum certainly helps to boost our hopes!
Have the best weekend you can, girls. Sending love and a big hug
Omg 15 degrees is my heaven!! I’m not a hot weather girl at all I don’t mind sunshine, but not the temperature!
Yeah EC is an absolute bugger, it all is, but here we all getting through whatever is thrown at us we’ve been doing this two and a half months now, can you believe it??
Hello everyone, been catching up on all your news this morning - best of luck to all starting their Pac journey I had my first Docetaxel 12 days a go which has similar side effects to PAC.
My first few days it was a relief as I didn’t feel anywhere near as bad as I usually did on EC I had pretty horrendous nausea immediately which lasted for 5-7days post treatment. Not the case with Doc so far which is brilliant!
I’ve always had a lack of appetite since the start of chemo, which has continued here. What I will say is that I noticed a change in taste from day 7 - I found it very subtle. I’ve been lucky that I don’t have a metallic taste when eating, but my palate is definitely muted and a lot of foods taste more bland. It’s like my tongue is numb? But I think I’d rather that than metal! Plain foods are definitely easier for me to eat as a result.
Not a very glamorous topic, but my gut also feels to tolerate plainer foods better. Even a simple stir fry seemed to make my tummy protest So the last few days I’ve been having soups to try and help my gut along.
As to the compression items, I cannot say. Again the advice seems to vary from Trust to Trust - I’m based in the Lothians in Scotland. I enquired about compression and my nurses also said that it wasn’t a strict requirement for my treatment. They said I could give it a go if I wished but they didn’t push me into it - they’re well aware of how expensive it can be to buy in various things. I only have 3x Doc at three weeks apart so maybe that’s why in my case it’s not needed. I would just say do what feels right for you and follow the advice of your Trust, as there’s so much contradicting info out there which can be so overwhelming!
Thanks @bea4! It’s more the combo of having it with the immunotherapy as the weeks I have that are quite a bit tougher than my Pac only weeks. I think I’ll just assume it’s going to be really bad and anything else is a bonus!
You have a lovely weekend yourself. I’m hitting the BBQ. Gotta keep that iron up. x
@alannah172 , I th ink it was @sam1204 who researched the neutrophil boosting effect of cocoa and bitter chocolate, but I apologise if it wasn’ t! I’ ve been adding a spoonful of organic cocoa powder to my coffee, and my neutrophils went up from 2.1 after Cycle 2 to 2.6 by Cycle 3. Not proof positive, but at least they were heading in the right direction! Dark chocolate, too, if you like it!
Wow Im moving to Scotland @bea4 Cant believe its so much cooler up there, when the rest of Britain is sweltering. Enjoy your hot water bottle .
Sending you early love and Good Luck for Wednesdays 4thEC.. You have done incredibly well. One strong lady.
Frustrating Nurses saying actual reaction to injection was psychological. That makes me so angry when they pull that card. As if its psychological. . Theres enough bad reactions on this Forum that proves that comment to be completely wrong. Well done you for getting through all that nonsense.
Keep enjoying that chocolate
@daffodil_dream good to know Doc is treating you well so far.
Funny, they advise strong foods if we get the metal taste/lose taste. But I am like you, anything too spicy and my stomach reacts in seconds. . So I think I would be happy just not having a metal taste. I have varied foods but very traditionally mild eg shepherds pie, baked potatoes and salad, cheese on toast, soups, hot pots, cheese and crackers, mild korma, lots of smoothies.
But goodness Pac is so much better than EC so far. Im aware it can change at any time, so Im just living in the moment, and enjoying the good bits as they happen.
I understand your caution with EC and immunotherapy @mssteel . In reality that is 3 drugs at the same time. So sending you love and strength, to hopefully get you through it when it happens. . You will get through it, but you will need to be extra kind to yourself. Its a tough road we travel isnt it.
Thanks @poppy261! Had a lovely day sat in the shady cool breeze of my sister’s gigantic and very well manicured garden, listening to 90s classics and munching on literally whatever I could get my hands on.
Happy to hear the Pac is treating you a lot better than the EC. x
Hiya, Thanks for sharing that you have also had the unexpected pain too. It’s rather bizarre.
Sorry to hear you have had all that bone pain and nausea, that’s pants. I hope that Pac is easier on you too. I imagine you will still have the injections, but maybe they will be nicer reacting with the pac?
Keep strong , one step at a time, even if it’s hour by hour.
Hi Ladies, I hope today has been a good day for you all.
I have just been catching up. I have been struggling with this heat. I had a frustrating afternoon yesterday…felt flushed since I got up so was monitoring my temp. By the afternoon, stupid electronic thermometer was saying I had a temp…so sat in the coolest windiest spot in the garden. Wearing a wet flannel on my bald head and a wet tea towel tied round my neck….drank lots of water. Then stupid gadget said my temp was 37.9…..so off to hospital ( 15 min walk in the heat), only to be told my temp was 37.4…..So annoyed by stupid electronic tech…I only bought that one when I started chemo grrrrr. Thankfully, no antibiotics, and my heart rate calmed down. So just bloods and an x-ray. Then home, to the relief of my Younger teenage son, who didn’t really want to cook his own dinner
@poppy261 So glad your first Pac went well, so very pleased for you. I bet you are glad you didn’t have a week off now…gets the worrying out the way sooner then. My haemoglobin was 106 on Thursdays test….but due to my unscheduled tests yesterday, see it’s gone up to 119…… so that’s a bonus and reassuring.
We have enough to deal with, without being made to feel our reactions may be in our head. We are all individual and we all react differently. Just because 99% of people may react a certain way, does not mean we will. Big hugs for anyone that has been made to feel like this
I will be wearing my surgical socks( from my op) tomorrow for Chemo…..I always do, to be honest…just being careful given my mums history of having a blood clot. I will wear them until the next day. Sticking my feet on ice….well that’s the plan …and will then probably need to run to the loo a lot. Taking a thin blanket too, just in case.
I love a bit of 90’s music! My mp3 player is still loaded up with whatever music my hubby stuck on it for me to get through labour with our 2nd son….erm 13 years ago….there must be some 90’s on it somewhere lol… lots of David Bowie too Hopefully I won’t burst into song….don’t want to scare the other patients
Enjoy your evenings, may you be feeling a bit, cooler if you have a heat wave, or warmer, if it’s cold where you are.
Well now I’ve been advised by my oncologist that hopefully there will be no need for any injections on my pac regime, so I’m keeping everything crossed
I will take any glimmer of positivity these days!!
Hoping your chemo goes OK tomorrow @baldiesrus . You seem well prepared.
So sorry to hear of all the worries with your temp. You did right going to the hospital to be checked. I always think its important to pass on concerns asap. Even if things settle down quickly. Chemo makes our bodies react in all sorts of different ways. And things can escalate quickly the other way.
Some Nurses are very empathic. There will always be some who are less so. They should have chemo then they would know what its like, and how scary it can be.
It was implied yesterday that my skin reaction to urea cream was simply “stress”. I was very blunt saying it was the Pac that created the sensitivity. So the Nurse backed down. But it is infuriating when they use the “psychosomatic” card, as they then dont treat the problem properly. My hands have calmed down today. I wont use the urea cream again.
Cant wait to finish chemo though. Its a tough treatment. Still would happily have a week off though.
Pac has been easier so far…I dont feel as toxic, but Ive been very tired today, so just rested. Ive also had an achy back, pelvic area today, on and off. But that could be due to resting and constant toilet trips. Bladder working overtime Time will tell how it goes. .
Goodness we need medals to go through all this dont we..
Enjoy your David Bowie music. Good to have a distraction. Mind you I just fall asleep each time My new sloth norm.
Keeping my fingers crossed @alannah172 that you dont have those awful injections with Pac. You really have been put through the mill with those.
Sending everyone love, strength, and virtual flowers .
No injections with pac, that is fabulous news keeping everything crossed for you that they don’t change their minds. One less thing to put in your body at home
Lol at the hospital when they told me my temp, I did offer to go home straight away , but nope. I did try.
With a long term condition like eczema, you know your body and what is normal for you. What usually works, or what doesn’t stand a chance. Chemo and eczema is a learning curve for how it reacts….but you are the expert on you! Hope it settles down soon for you.
Don’t know about medals, I think we all deserve a huge trophy! LOL Oh and we could use it for a celebratory drink when we are finished….orange juice or bubbles etc, whatever we are allowed. lol
I hope tomorrow finds you well rested and a bit more energised ….The same for all you ladies.
Thanks @baldiesrus . . Hope all goes well for you today.
Ive been on painkillers all night after ringing 24/7. Seems the back and pelvic pain, (that got slowly worse), are a side effect of Pac that usually happens 1-3 days after treatment. Painkillers have helped.
Like your idea of a Trophy.. Much more user friendly
but if its hidden (it would be in my house 
I had pretty horrendous nausea immediately which lasted for 5-7days post treatment. Not the case with Doc so far which is brilliant!
So the last few days I’ve been having soups to try and help my gut along.
woo hoo!
. Theres enough bad reactions on this Forum that proves that comment to be completely wrong. Well done you for getting through all that nonsense. 
. So I think I would be happy just not having a metal taste. 
I have varied foods but very traditionally mild eg shepherds pie, baked potatoes and salad, cheese on toast, soups, hot pots, cheese and crackers, mild korma, lots of smoothies.
You did right going to the hospital to be checked. I always think its important to pass on concerns asap. Even if things settle down quickly. Chemo makes our bodies react in all sorts of different ways. And things can escalate quickly the other way. 
Time will tell how it goes. 
.
LOL Oh and we could use it for a celebratory drink when we are finished….orange juice or bubbles etc, whatever we are allowed. lol 
