Hello everyone, just back from a cold but gloriously sunny walk with my daughter at Wisley which was really uplifting. Something about seeing new life and tenative buds emerging, even in these temperatures, that was moving and encouraging.
Anadan, so sorry about your poor veins. This may be a load of rubbish, but I have been told that blueberries are excellent for veins and one of the chemo nurses mentioned it to me as a supportive thing to eat for veins when I was debating whether to go the port route or not. If you hate them, forget it, but if you like them, it might be worth a go? Hope you managed to get some sleep eventually despite the evil steroids? Are you on a fortnightly regime now?
Lesley, I so empathise with hating all the darn drugs we get given. I think occasionally that has led me to undertreat symptoms and side effects, but I am always so aware that whatever I take will help, but also lead to more nonsense. I really feel my head hasn’t adjusted from my pre-diagnosis state which was you would be lucky to find paracetamol and a plaster in our house. Long may you stay side-effect and symptom-lite. No feeling guilty - it is just brilliant that you are feeling okay, especially after the long haul we’ve all been through.
Harryfiddler, I hope you are fast asleep now and look forward to our daily update on summer when you wake up. Yay for completing chemo 5 - is it one more to go for you? I think I am an oddity (in so many ways) in having 8 cycles to do. And I’m with you - chemo is rubbish. It is horrid and intrusive and worrying, but we have all got on with doing it anyway and for that reason, I reckon we should be proud of ourselves. We faced the reality and our fears. So there!
Otter, so sorry to hear about the additional stress of work. Not what you need at any time, but especially not now. Is there any update?
Hi ladies
I have been playing work catch up for the last few days before I have number 5 tomorrow, so been a bit quiet, but all’s well.
Just back from seeing the oncologist and she is happy with everything to go ahead tomorrow, blood Hb is only 113 but she’s not too worried just told me to eat lots of leafy greens to ensure it gets no lower.
I hope that everyone is doing okay and enjoying today’s sunshine even if we don’t have the temperature to match like harryfiddler does
Lesley hope your trip today goes well and tomorrow’s presentations go well too, I’ll be thinking off you as I sit in the chair as you will be somewhere nearby as Berkshire isn’t that big.
Happy Wednesday everyone off to find some leafy greens to eat ??
Carole xx
Wow! Can’t believe the finishing line is in sight! I started chemo on 31 October 2014 and didn’t finish until 10th April 2015 - those dates will forever be in my head! I have several delays during FEC because of infections. I then had reconstruction (expander implant) before rads throughput July. So my treatment was nearly a year from start to finish (diagnosed 3rd September).
It is odd once the appointments stop. We bought a much wished for puppy to keep me occupied and I started to do a few casual hours as an exam invigilator at my son’s school. Both of which eased me back into the real world. It was only then that it hit me that I’d had cancer… I’d gone through that surreal year in a blur of what seemed like an out of body experience.
I went on a 6-week Macmillan moving forward course, had counselling and found a fantastic support group at a local hospice which all helped me come back down to earth.
You’re on the home straight ladies and you’ve all done brilliantly supporting each other xxxx
Bythesea- what a setting, just beautiful … very envious!
Another morning of waking up and feeling ok … long may it continue.
The reduced dose is obviously having an effect. Even taste isn’t going as much as it did.
And thankfully no nerve tingles - but could still be a bit early for them.
Really looking forward to going down to a full English breakfast! ? how bad is that.
But I’m trying to be good in this cycle and am actually losing a bit of weight!
Has anyone else developed that round face look? Or is it just me looking like a greedy hamster???
Good luck in the chair Carole - will be sending positive vibes across the yards that separate us!
Bythesea are you in as well?
Love to all … may the sun shine hard and your side effects be gentle! ??
Beautiful photo Bythesea, so jealous I can’t see views like that.
I from time to time get twinges around my lumpectomy area, and this includes the area where my surgeon moved tissue about to balance me up. My onc said that as long as there was no swelling then not to worry.
Have a lovely Thursday everyone, will be in the chair at 11:00 as Lesley presents down the road. What a small world!
Carole x
Riverside dawn thanks for your post. I always like to hear other peoples story and a puppy is defo on the cards here!
Really just realising the effect this has had on me as I’ve just had the head down chow ing the elephant. Will be looking into a moving forward course and be looking to use up some sick days when the treatment us over!
Lesley maybe round face is from the mammoth steroid session you had??? Maybe see if you could get in our Olympic team next week???
Well done Carole, root toot toot!!!x
I’ve had an interesting day with scans and surgeon. Looks like my surgery might be moving forward and me missing my last chemo. Will find out on valentines day for sure so will be having my first glass of vino then :0) but after dinner tonight a special treat, maybe my last ever Filgrastim woo hoo xxxxx
Bythesea, that sounds like a big day. I hope you’re feeling okay and whatever the next step, remember we are all here cheering you on (and being jealous of your views). x
Don’t think there is any danger of getting any wind or sun burn on the face today … more likely to go rusty with all the rain… and it’s going to be depressingly dark all day ?. I’m not impressed.
I’ve woken up with the now familiar furry lining in my mouth. And despite the reduction in dose I can feel my feet beginning to become much more sensitive to touch etc.
Also my pelvis is achying slightly - so a least I know the injections are working and my body is going on WB production with a vengance!
Hi everyone
Day two and all is well still but assuming SEs will kick in Monday like before. I hope they don’t come any sooner as a family outing to twickenham tomorrow.
So today did the weekly shopping - never of done that on FEC now relaxing on the sofa and saving energy for tomorrow.
Glad you got home safely Lesley relaxing on the sofa is what is needed as those aches kick in, that will be me Monday.
Oh not a round face yet but very rosey chemo cheeks
Have a good weekend everyone and hope SE are kind too you all
Carole xx
spring is in the air ??