Hi Lesley
Glad you have had a lovely weekend and have rejoined the human race it’s such a great feeling.
I too have experienced a similar sensation around my lumpectomy site both last time and this it happens during week 2 but then goes away, well it did last time will also ask my onc about it Wednesday. Don’t be nervous about the PICC line my experience was fine, quick and painless. They firstly identified the vein they wanted to use by ultra sound, measured the length required, local anesthetic, inserted tube and fixed to arm, flushed line and X-ray to check positioning took about half an hour, and had no problems. God just reread that maybe too much detail ? it’ll be fine x
Hi Lesley, nice to hear you’ve finally seen OH and that you’ve had a good weekend together. Regarding your question about lumpectomy site, quite a few of us on Oct thread have experienced aches and sensations in the area. I asked bcn about it and she said it was normal as although the outside is healed internally it’s all still healing and can take months to do so. Hope that helps but if you are worried I’d give bcn a call and chat to them about what you’re experiencing as they can put your mind at rest.
Poppy wheel, I also talk to my cat about the bc along with a lot of other things, so I don’t think you’re mad at all. As the others have said try to focus on the good things going on. Have you looked into accessing counselling or complementary therapies at your local centre if you have one? I have been lucky enough to get 6 free reiki sessions. That might also give you something nice to focus on during your treatment. The LGFB day is also good if you can access one near you. and ???
Hope the rest of you November ladies are having good days!
Ok, I’m blaming chemo brain… I’ve just got my wig stuck to my wig stand as I left the wig tape on!!! Silly me!!! ???
Thank you Lesley, and I’m pleased you’ve had a nice couple of days with the oh.
Our cat is also a rescue cat… I think they do see us coming lol!!! She’s also a naughty tortoishell, but so adorable!!!
My lumpectomy boob sometimes feels a bit different too - I’ve always put it down to things ‘settling’ but I do wonder if it’s also chemo working on it???
I’ve got a picc in - it took about an hour to do and they’ll look after you. Mine was painful but only for about 30 seconds and then all fine. I was aware of it for a couple of days, but now, nearly 6 weeks later, I forget it’s there!!!
Trying to get in a Christmassy mood, but feeling a bit lazy today!!! Got Christmas music on. Might take wig out for a spin later.
I’m lucky and seeing the psychologist from the cancer place, and she’s fab. I’ve been referred to complimentary therapies too - would really like to try some reflexology
I’ve been on a lgfb course and it was fab - would recommend to everyone. Not only do you get a bag of lovely things to take home, but you also get lots of makeup tips like how to do eyebrows, and get to meet loads of other lovely & brave ladies.
Well, better go shopping, and then make some mince pies.
Thank you everyone, and sending festive sparkles. Xx
Hello November team, thanks for your support and kindness following my wobbly Saturday. The combination of reading your words, feeling the love and watching the Strictly final followed by The Feud made things seem a lot better.
I loved your story about the wig tape and wig stand Poppywheel. I get into all kinds of mess with wig tape. I have discovered the pre-cut pairs of tape and that has reduced the number of adhesive-related incidents no end! I love my wig - it is just like my real hair, but better. I do find though that I can get a bit of a tension headache if I wear it too long and sometimes I just want a soft hat without wig faffing. It has meant though that I can go to meetings, be more confident at work and speak at conferences without feeling self-conscious which has been great.
JC1262, thanks for the confidence about the port and the positive impact its had. Do you mind me asking whether you use Emla cream or similar before they stick a needle in it? Also, how healed was the site before it was used for the first time?
Lesley, it sounds like you’ve had a fab weekend to celebrate. I am so pleased. Biddenden is near where I grew up and it is lovely. Thanks for the hand-holding this week. I hope your cough settles and we can all walk into our respective chemo units on Thursday bold and brave.
Shi, as always, your message made me smile and feel a million times better. I think some of your glittery big girl pants may be needed for the next go on the chemo roundabout, so I am getting them ready right now.
Wishing everyone a happy and symptom-free Sunday. xx
Hi Otter, I get the hot flushes. I mentioned it to team and they said that is a normal SE. I seem to be ok during the day but they seem to start in the evening and I also get them a couple of times at night or in the morning before I get up. I don’t have a temperature and they don’t last that long, just get very hot, so I get out of the covers and then end up getting back in 10 minutes later as I’m cold! I remember my friend saying she was drinking sage tea as that was supposed to help with menopausal hot flushes, so I might give that a go.
Otter, have you just had fec3? My hot flushes were worse that cycle they seem to have calmed down a bit this cycle. I hope they calm down for you soon ???
I’m just getting my thoughts together for my clinic appointment on Tuesday, and am just wondering if any of you have experienced wheezing and difficulty breathing (roughly day 5-8 post FEC for me) and have any hot Wonder Woman like tips???
Hi poppywheel
I’ve had a dry cough which has now become a bit more chesty, no temperature. When I go out walking I can get quite chesty and wheezing for me it seems to happen more in my good week. I’m going to speak to them about it Tuesday as well at my check up but suspect it’s a combination of decreased oxygenation in the blood and an increase in my weight.
I’ve had mild asthma linked to hay fever so I’ve got an inhaler which does improve things but I’m not really keen on using it too often.
Lets compare note Tuesday evening!!
Hi all, happy countdown to Christmas week!!??
I’ve just had my 3rd and final FEC last week and next round in the new year is 3 rounds of T and starting herceptin…what can i expect on this new regime? FEC has been ok, just the usual tiredness and off days.
Morning everyone, congratulations to those who have completed the first part of their chemo journeys and good luck Lesley for your check this morning. It is mine too, in anticipation of scheduled cycle 3 on Thursday. I will be thinking of you as we both get out MOTs. xx
Yes I think there’s a few of us heading in today!
I’ve been awake since 4am… not consciously aware that I’m worrying but I think my subconscious is doing it for me!! ?
Bythesea, are you back today? How you feeling?
I have my list of questions all ready and another list to ask the nurses as they give me my last FEC… all about T!! And, bless them, they can’t escape!!
Beautiful sunrise here and no fog - thank goodness.
back from my check up … all good to go for Thursday … I think!
My normal nurse, who is lovely, was around but was on the ward rather than in clinic, so I was seen by a sister. She didn’t acknowledge me when I walked into the room, didn’t really speak to me at all, other than to ask how I was, how were my bowel movements. No eye contact was made, she was staring at her pc the whole time. And as the HCA who I know from other visits was doing my obs and taking blood she was tip tapping on the computer.
I said I had a few things I wanted to discuss with her, and got a pretty stock, talk to your BCN response to most of them. When I said that the fatigue and my mood were worse this time, I was told, well what do you expect… not really what I wanted to hear.
Other than taking blood and getting obs, which the HCA did, today’s visit was a complete waste of time - hers and mine!
Not impressed.
But got home just as the UPS man was pulling up - with a very nice delivery of wine and bubbles from one of my main customers … wishing me a speedy recovery and a fantastic 2018 … I think I’m supposed to send them a present!!
How rude!!! I know they are busy but they should be there to listen & help us get through to the next round. My onc suggested pro plus and/or berocca as pick me ups if I hit the fatigue wall again like last time. A bit of compassion goes a long way. Sorry you missed out Lesley, perhaps you can talk to your normal lady on Thursday.
Oh Lesley and Bythesea, what rotten days/times you’ve had. I am so sorry. I know clinical staff are stretched and under pressure, but there is nothing more important than empathy, kindness and just being human. No one should have to choose between ‘clinically competent’ and compassionate. You can’t be one without the other. I think the advice to chase is spot on. A few weeks ago, I politely and in an English way, sat for ages watching people in the clinic who had arrived after me come and go before I asked if perhaps I had got lost somewhere in the pile of patients to be seen and sure enough, they had put my details/file to one side. Everyone was really apologetic, but if I hadn’t spoken up, I might still be there!
Like Lesley, I am all set for Thursday. Today was a bit more charged than usual because I had the first ultrasound to see if I am responding to the EC. The sonographer was a bit luke warm and brusque about what she could see saying there was ‘some response’ but she didn’t know if it was ‘as expected’. I burst into tears embarrassingly and she said ‘I thought you’d want to know, being medical’. Anyway, the oncologist was reassuring and said it was going in the right direction, he was happy with the positive change and he also apologised because he understood from the HCA that the sonographer’s communication may have left something to be desired. Obviously, I am trying to wipe her hesitancy and approach out of mind and replace it with his more comforting and I think honest assessment.
I fessed up to the more emotional time I’ve had since cycle 2 and also my pathetic worries about the needle and the not-yet-healed port site. He was lovely about both. Really listened and gave me a prescription for Emla cream to ease the administration of the chemo into the port wound on Thursday. He reminded me why compassion and communication are as important as the chemotherapy itself in therapeutic impact.
So, cycle 3 of EC is on Thursday afternoon. I will be thinking of you Lesley and I really hope the heart/ECG/appointment goes well for you tomorrow Bythesea and that you can get some sleep despite the wretched late steroids. Do let us know how you’re doing. Sending love and hugs to all. xx
Hi bythesea, up your carbs on the t, it’ll stop food going straight through. Take 1 loratadine a day to help with pains and also Epsom salt baths. Also get some Imodium in too invase you don’t get enough carbs in, still drink loads of fluids too. I’m only having the t, no jab, think someone else on Oct thread had a jab with it too, so could tell you more. Hope that helps ??shi xx
shi xx