Hi Ladies
Lesley sounds like you’re well prepared!
JC, Otter and fmb…the first week is definitely the hardest! I didn’t leave the house for a week and even then I was quite wobbly on my feet. Fmb, you definitely over did it!
The first cycle is probably the hardest because its such a steep learning curve. Try keeping a diary ladies, because there tends to be a pattern to symptoms each cycle.
Sending you all a gentle hug
Sue xx
Hey Lesley sorry for being so quiet. For me the Chemo cocktail came with four day hangover. I cleaned the week before, bought new bed sheets and ordered a new duvet. Cooked mince and potatoes and put them in those little metal tubs in the freezer but haven’t used them yet. Last night put left over curry in two more and made three more of steak pie. Apart from the day after chemo I’ve been outside everyday. Just trying to look after myself and checking my temperature every morning. Today was my first day of watching homes under the hammer but have made the house a Jeremy Kyle free zone!!! Heading into the big city tomorrow to wig shop with my sister so had a gentle day today. Hope everyone starts to feel a bit better. I’ve spent the day googling stick on eyebrows and £15 amazon wigs. Oh and the postman came today with little treats from a friend love how little things can make you smile, anyway a candle that smells like Christmas so am going all out this year with lights and tinsel. Sweet dreams xxx
Otter are you off sick? I am pretty sure thay cant make you redundant while you are off sick. Phone your union for advice if you are in one xx
thanks for all the updates, I feel slightly more prepared for the next few days now.
My meagre freezer offerings are paling into insignificance!!
I have a bag ‘in the back bedroom’ with all the wigs, turbans, false eyelashes, temporary eyebrow tattoos, black eyeliner and wig cleaning bottles … all ready for action!
A friend of mine joked today, that being this prepared might mean I don’t need any of them!
A four day hangover I can cope with - I’ll let you know how I get on.
Big day of house cleaning for me tomorrow, before I head over to my partners for the evening and then onto the chemo suite!
Sweet dreams everyone!
xx
Hi November ladies,
I will be on cycle 4 tomorrow and I pisted rhis after my first cycle. I hope it helps you and good luck!
I’m feeling fine at the moment and just need to wait and see how I feel later! Just bit tired with it all and mentally taste in mouth.
I was so anxious this morning as it was the unknown feeling but my treatment was a lot easier to handle than I thought. Had EC and 2 anti sickness drugs put through the line along with Amend which is a 3 day course. Have been given 2 more days of tablets and then a box of stand buys.
I was given a heat pad for my hand to warm up as helps the Cannula and a little tingly needle and in. I was all tensed up at first but let go after a while. My nerves decided to have a break, so we did too and I moved my wrist about and it got going to work again. The E was red so my first wee was a lovely pink colour! The E is the one which makes the hair loss but it is actually our allie as it’s killing off any unwanted inhabitants in our body!
Make sure if you have had surgery on one side that they use the other side. That goes with blood tests too!
I didn’t have any reaction to Amend or treatment there but as normal I’m waiting to see what side effects at home!
I had lunch there too…so need to have lunch appointments each time
I was sat on a chair in a room and we were all chatting. The time goes faster but you can choose to go in a room if not feeling sociable.
I have a metally taste in my mouth now so the ginger drops, pear drops, midget gems, mints have come in handy!
I’m also drinking loads of water to flush out so on the loo a lot too!
Be sure to buy a digital ear thermometer from large Tescos as we need to take temp twice a day!
Manuka honey, frozen pineapple chunks, mouth spray, Mouthwash, satin night cap to protect the hair follicles, dark nail polish to stop lighting getting to nail bed.
My GP has prescribed me 2 large jars of Diprobase Cream and two Diprobase ointments to protect my Skin. This is also good for wound healing. I bought some Aveeno but if you can get Dipro or E45 from GP go for it as we have 5 years of free prescriptions! Might as Well!!!
My real hair wig is being coloured and styled at the moment and hats have arrived. Sponsors are coming in. Not using cold cap as want to be in control and didn’t fancy another 3 hours freezing my scalp but each to their own and to the ones who do choose it, I hope it works for you.
I hope you don’t mind my long posts but if I can help other ladies be more organised and prepared, that means being in control which is good thing!
One done…5 more to go!!!
I did get to see the hunky security guard again today
Lots of love to you ladies and hope you get good results and treatments.
CK.xxx
And rhis is what I posted on day 2!
Day 2 of chemo I woke up not feeling any different from usual until I got up and felt a little dazed but manageable!
I took my 2 anti sickness pils from hospital and the Amend which was prescribed as an extra after some cereal and a banana (helps me do number 2)
I then took my GCSF injections to help my immune system and control white blood cells. It was easy peasy. I’ve got a flabby belly so I just squeezed it and in went the needle which is very small and once injected the needle springs back into the syringe so don’t worry about the needle getting lost.
I then used my new digital thermometer 36.2. All good! It’s a Tommy Tippee one from Tescos and does a long beep if over! Sometimes they are on offer there.
My mouth didn’t taste at metally today but yesterday the ginger drops, pear drops and pineapple chunks were great as they also keep your mouth moist as can get dry! Make sure you have some in your handbag and a bottle of water! You get so thirsty from the drugs.
Today my cousin came to cook and I enjoyed the food which shows that my taste buds haven’t gone yet. Maybe takes time! And I had a big long jam doughnut with a decaff tea so not to keep me awake!
I’ve felt peckish all day from the drugs. Found that mash potato and gravy and rice pudding(not together) are filling enough and easy to do! Ginger biscuits have been good too but not filling enough!
I’m staying off deep fried foods and crisps as they can give me ulcers and a sore throat so we dont want to invite the sore mouth side effect!
A spoon of Manuka honey every morning should help too but it’s bloody expensive? £20 for a jar!
Be sure to start mouthwashes before chemo as a prevention, not when the problem is there but if you do get a sore mouth I heard sucking on iced pineapple chunks can help sooth.so go to Morrison’s and get the 2 for £3 ready to eat ones and stick in the freezer. Flossing teeth will also help keep gum infection away. I’ve got a hygenist app next Monday but need to see how my mouth is first.
I’m just going through my life insurance policy, don’t forget to if you have one. Some may or not apply but make sure you check.
If you have private medical but are using NHS you can get cash benefit! I feel that for BC we need a good team and NHS have been brilliant. They cannot be slow with the C’s!
I’m spraying my Avon Lavender Sleepy on my pillows hopefully to get another good night’s sleep before I do my number 2 haircut tomorrow. I will need a glass of Prosecco and a box of tissues as my hair as always been my priority. I’ve done it in 3 stages so it may not be as upsetting for me! Hairdresser is sticking a few more highlights in it tomo morning and cutting it whilst it’s on! We are doing it after she closes so no one else around. I’ve told my sponsors that it’s not going to be for show and they completely understand. I’m doing for Macmillan who have been amazing with me!
Anyway, Im still waiting for side effects and there will be but at least I know what to expect for next chemo treatment! Theres a long journey ahead of me but we can do it with the support of friends and family and most of all our BCC gang as we understand what we are going through!
Hope all my lovely ladies have a good sleep tonight. We all worry, our mind wanders, we are anxious about the unknown but what I found is that all these can be coped better with a better nights sleep!
And then day 8 after one week! Then I’ll stop. Lots of ladies found these threads useful even though we can all react differently. I hope your first 3 cycles can be as manageable as mine with the hints and I managed to work and organise charity events but I’m waiting to see how next Doxataxol will treat me. Remember take one day at a time
I started to feel myself again on day 7 and today is day 8! I’ve just done my last GCSF injection until next cycle. It gave me a bad pain down from back of my head, through the neck to my back and just taken Ibuprofen which helps. Also aches in the belly where they are injected! A walk after injecting them also helps!
At first I was worried about doing them myself and still feel funny when I’m about to do them each time but it’s actually easy peasy and I was just working myself up!!! It’s strange when we have to do something we somehow get our head round to doing it! I chose not to have the district nurse come to do them so she can concentrate on somebody else.
Anyway, my taste buds are back thank goodness on the 8th day of first chemo but I’m eating at strange times and whatever I feel. I had Shepherds pie for brekkie at 9.30am and then went to Maggie’s Centre for Tai Chi lesson and met some lovely ladies. Came home hungry again after tea and cake there so have had some steamed fish and rice for lunch at 3pm. It’s a very similar hunger to when I was pregnant! And NO, I’m not pregnant! Im catching up for the 2 days I was only on Croissants and milk!!! And need to build myself up for next cycle in 2 weeks!
Already thinking what I want for dinner!!!Hmmmm!
Developed a rash around my buttocks but the Diprobase ointment from the GO seems to be helping for now!
My head is starting to tingle now, so the follicles may be starting to open up for my short hair to start falling out! Coconut oil, satin sleep cap, hats and wig are all ready waiting! Sponsorship is also coming in for Macmillan nurses! Might as well, it was coming out anyway! Been told to still wash your scalp when no hair so have got the very gentle ‘Simple’ shampoo and conditioner or baby shampoo!
So a summary of my week!
Metally taste in mouth from day one and then sour taste and taste buds totally went- Ginger drops, Ginger biscuits, Murray mints, pear drops, midget gems, skittles, starburst, choc minstrels, steamed fish, Shepherds pie, croissants, milk, Blueberries, Oreo Cornettos all helped towards the nausea and empty feeling! Things I don’t usually go for!
Just a couple of ulcers at the side of my mouth- Manuka honey, Biotene mouthwash, salt in warm water! Stayed away from crisps and deep fried food as they gave me ulcers and sore tongues in the past!
Slightly high temp on day 6 with tight chest and throat and neck so called hospital and paramedics took me to A&E, all tests ok so maybe a slight panic attack! Always call the team if you are unsure or worried! Digital thermometer a must!
Fatigue til day 6! Just napped when needed! V shaped pillow to prop up sometimes in bed or on sofa!
Loose stools on day 5, probably too much milk but that cleared up. My thoughts were I was just clearing out! Make sure you wipe gently though as you dont want a sore bum. I actually cleaned over with a cotton pad and soap after every stool and dabbled dry with toilet roll(sorry for the detail)
Must remember to get the third anti sickness drug Amend ready for my next cycle, they were suitable!
I’m still trying to get the wandering mind to stop but I don’t think it ever will and I’ve learnt to not plan anything and take every day as it comes! I found that being in control is also helpful, says she who had a panic attack but even just by reading other members posts on this forum has helped me tremendously!
There is still a long journey ahead and we are bound to have our up and down days but we need to remember that whatever trestment is given to us is the next step to recovery. Its just dealing with the emotions and everyday life in general (work, kids, people) whilst going through this which catches us out! And problems which weren’t problems seem a lot more serious and more difficult to solve when we are going through this difficult time but if we can try to balance a clear head whilst having treatment we will get there!
And deffo invest in lots of small, medium and large ANTI BACTERIAL HAND GEL for the home, the car and every handbag!!!
And different coloured rubber gloves for bathroom and kitchen!!! I mixed mine up last week when the doorbell went and panicked so threw them all out! BC does make you paranoid but I’ve always been like this with 5 star Food and hygiene at work
Sorry for ranting on but I hope some can be of use to you.
Hope you are having an ok day! Lots of love.CKxxx
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thanks CK - lots of good advice here
take care everyone
xx
Thanks CK for all your tips and advice - you have certainly been very helpful .
Good luck with your Doxataxel ??
Hi Lesley62, hows your house cleaning going? Thinking of you as you count down to tomorrow.
Hi CK, thanks for sharing your previous posts. Really helpful and insightful.
Hi Bythesea, hope you had fun shopping with your sister. I had my first full day of daytime tv yesterday but also made it jeremy kyle free ?
I also love that its mince pie season and treat myself to one everyday with a cup of builders tea…its the simple things in life ?
?? you are so right…1 mince pie is never enough!!!
Just had complimentary reflexology and feel so relaxed. I came in and read your comments and now I need mince pies, cake, anything!!! ??
Good luck to the ladies starting tomorrow, remember to drink plenty today, tomorrow & Friday as this helps to keep you hydrated and then flush everything through ?? xx
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Hi all, I didn’t need to chase my appointments in the end. Had a phone call yesterday, followed up with a letter today that my appointment with the oncologist is tomorrow afternoon.Still waiting heart scan appointment though.
How soon did your chemo start after the the oncology appoinment? I’m back at work full time at the moment after the op and I’m the only one working in the office so I’ll need to given them some kind of notice as to when I’m likely to be off.
Are many of you working with the chemo, I’m hoping to work through it if I can!! xx
Hi rabbit, I first saw oncologist about a month before my first chemo. I was delayed due to being on antibiotics, my heart scan was about 10 days before chemo x
Hi rabbit
The chemo tends to start a couple of weeks after oncologist meeting. Its normally round about 6 weeks after surgery. You’ll have an appointment first with the chemo team and they go through everything with you.
Some people are able to work during chemo depending on what they do. Working in a school is a no no because of the risk of infection. Working at home is definitely more manageable. Generally, the first week is the toughest and many don’t work that week. The next two weeks are easier. You won’t really know until you start, as everyone is different. But there is a pattern to each cycle, so once you get the first one out of the way, then you’ll have more of an idea.
Best wishes
Sue xx
hi rabbit
2 weeks from seeing the Onc to starting chemo for me.
I work from home and work for myself so intend to do as much as I can, but recognise that there are days that this just wont be possible.
It’s all about managing expectations but at the end of the day you have to put yourself first!
take care
Lesley
x
Good luck Lesley and annakarina tomorrow, will be thinking of you xxx. I think the drink lots is good advice and have things to nibble on. I’ve been telling people I’m like a little gremlin that needs to keep eating or it gets angry/sick :0(
Postman brought a little package from my sister today who has sent me quesy pops which look like tasty lollies to suck and hopefully stop the nausea! Bring on round two ha!!!
Finally chosen a wig today, ordering in a different colour so fingers crossed it’s perfect. Have never stared at so many peoples hair before!!! I think loads more wigs out there than I’ve ever realised.
Breaking into the freezer food tonight out of pure lazy ness rather than necessity. Really hope the chemo is kind to you ladies tomorrow. Much love xxxxx
Holland & Barrett have their penny sale, so you can buy a jar of manuka honey, a spoonful a day is good, and get another for 1p!! ? xx
Im glad some ladies find my posts helpful and tbanks for acknowledging:) Ive just come back from chemo 4 Docetaxol and had Herceptin yesterday. Both went well although needed monitoring for 6 hours as first Herceptin which can be harsh on rhe heart. Have 3 days steriuds to take, was up til 3am, when I posted to see if I could give some tips. Im now starving with the steroids and waiting for my cuz to cook for me:) yummy! Feel free to pm me for ant advice.xxx