Hi all. Just a quick update from me. I had my echocardiogram and blood tests last week and all ok. So I’m starting treatment tomorrow. He struggled slightly to do the echocardiogram around my scar, but it was ok.
I am going in at 2pm to have my picc line put in and then chemo starts at 3.30pm. I am going to try cold capping. It needs to be on for 30 minutes beforehand and an hour-and-a-half afterwards, which is not so good. Treatment itself takes about an hour.
They are sending me away with a pack including emergency contacts, etc but also the anti-sickness drugs and injections I will need. They also give me a prescription for a cover for the picc line.
I will then have a follow-up appt and blood tests a couple of days before my next round on 22 Nov - assuming all is ok.
Slight disappointment that they want to do another CT scan as my tumour was large - last one was in early August - to have a baseline for treatment. I’m not sure I understand this given my last scan was clear and I’ve had surgery, but they have assured me it is fairly standard to have a current one. Then another scan at the end and possibly one mid-way…so lots more anxiety to come on that front.
If all goes according to schedule, my last treatment would be Valentine’s Day - but that feels like a long way down the road.
Not going to lie - I am really scared - but the nurses have been brilliant. I think I must be flagged up on their system as a worrier, rather than a warrior. But they have been so kind.
Hello all you lovely people. Strong warriors and so hard to find ourselves in this story. We are strong I’ve had my conversation with oncologist yesterday and have options but I’m choosing docetaxel over 12 weeks. Will have my bloods done on Monday and be scheduled to start in the next 3 weeks. Terrified more so than the mastectomy of being put into a state of poison and just having to go with it and take the anti vaccines for the side affects. My oncologist very positive that chemo with radiotherapy and the ten years of hormone inhibitors will give me 10 to 15 years cancer free . Ive got bolt on treatment to that. 2 year of versenious. Has anyone else been prescribed this. I’ve been told it will add to my reduced risk of the cancer returning. Much love to you all. Xxx
@flojo Don’t panic about the Ct scan , I’m sure it’s just a double checking exercise before you start chemo - I forgot about the fact that it might be more difficult to do the echo with left sided surgery , was it tender at all when they did it ?
Good luck today ! Fingers tightly crossed for you and cheering you on . I’m sure it will be a relief to get the first chemo out of the way and you can start ticking them off xx
@louisea77 I felt the same as you when I signed the consent form , I don’t even like taking prescribed meds and here I was consenting to them filling my body with hideous crap ! I keep telling myself it’s short term pain , for hopefully long term gain but I’m scared too I won’t lie .
I haven’t heard of the bolt on … is that for hormone positive cancer ?
Thank you. I’m feeling quite tearful at the moment - bit like before surgery. I also hate the thought of all that poison going into my body and worrying about the side-effects. It is all quite traumatic.
The echo was ok - he was concerned about being able to get decent images around the scar, but it’s all quite numb so didn’t hurt at all.
@flojo (( gentle virtual hugs )) we are all here for you - how you are feeling is perfectly normal , I had a panic attack when I turned the calender over this morning and saw it was November .
What I’m telling myself … and I hope it helps , is remember this treatment destroys fast growing cells , so it’s normal to feel frightened that we are poisoning ourselves , but the cancer cells can’t recover from this … I’m visualising it like old style space invaders zapping the enemy ships !
Our healthy cells will be damaged but our bodies are incredible … we have the amazing ability to repair ourselves and once the treatment stops , our healthy cells WILL repair themselves xx
Hello. Just reporting in from yesterday. Bit traumatic trying to get the picc line in but eventually it was sorted. Chemo was ok. I was sitting next to someone having her last treatment so that was good - seeing the end of the line at least on that front. I cold capped even though the nurses said it doesn’t work very well on EC (may encourage faster growth). It works better with Doc apparently. It was fine - not as bad as I expected. They told me to take a head band next time to protect my forehead.
I came home with countless drugs to stop me feeling too sick. So far I just have a bit of a rumbly stomach. I didn’t sleep very well and woke up at one point feeling as though I’d been hit by a bus. So I am taking it very easy today - have spent most of the day on the sofa so far. It feels like coming down with flu - a bit achy.
Hopefully it won’t get worse! Dreading getting an infection to be honest.
Thank you Flojo and for your update it helps to hear the reality of this situation.
Just in case you don’t already have one this wonderful charity sends a box of treats and support if you apply https://www.littlelifts.org.uk/. Received it yesterday with some useful tips . I’m hoping other readers will pick up on this too
Big hugs rest up , you are one down now
Thanks @arty1 not too bad - just a bit tired out. I’ve taken the dogs for a walk and that helped to blow away the cobwebs a bit, but just taking things easy. xx
Hi everyone,
I’m glad to have found this as I begin chemotherapy next Tuesday 12th and have my picc line fitted this Friday. There is some fear of the unknown. What is the best thing to wear when having a picc line?
I’ve had my conversation with oncologist yesterday and have options but I’m choosing docetaxel over 12 weeks. Will have my bloods done on Monday and be scheduled to start in the next 3 weeks. Terrified more so than the mastectomy of being put into a state of poison and just having to go with it and take the anti vaccines for the side affects. My oncologist very positive that chemo with radiotherapy and the ten years of hormone inhibitors will give me 10 to 15 years cancer free . Ive got bolt on treatment to that. 2 year of versenious. Has anyone else been prescribed this. I’ve been told it will add to my reduced risk of the cancer returning. Much love to you all. Xxx
I’ll be saying something different though when it’s -5 outside 