Morning everyone
Well day 9 for me and feeling much better apart from aching in the arm I’ve had the chemo due to phlebitis. My veins are pretty good but they are not enjoying the chemical insult so I’m booked for a PICC line before my next session. I had a very low day on Tuesday where all I did was cry and more or less convinced myself that this was an impossible journey. However I have made myself get out and walk everyday and feel better Im sure I can’t be the only one that feels like this.
Testrix how’s the wig deliberation going. I have got one that everyone tells me looks ok. I find it a bit like wearing a tight hairy hat but I wear it when I’m out and about because I find people stare less. Wearing a scarf feels like I have a sign on my head " I’ve got cancer"
Hello mrs mogg hope you are feeling better , like hop along day 7 everything seems to become normal and it’s the first day I wake up and dont feel sick be carefull with your cold
Riversidedawn I think you and I are about the same in treatment cycles I’m post cycle 2
Petran I hope you are feeling better I feel for you having to go to hospital it’s the thing I dread the most because I have to try to organise care for my son.
How’s everyone managing to avoid infectious people it’s seems to be impossible at the moment without turning into a hermit
I read a post about mouth ulcers I don’t know if it’s helpful but one lady took ice poles to her chemo a sucked them during it apparently it helped a bit like cold capping protecting Her mouth from chemo not sure it is any help but sounded interesting and worked for her. It’s not something that I’m getting yet but sympathise with those if you who are.
Anyway Christmas cards to be done today delaying shopping till next week although on line shopping fantastic parcels arriving all the time.
Hugs to you all
Morning all
Sorry to hear about the veins Daffodilli - hopefully the picc line will save them!!
Still not gone wig shopping… the friend i would go with is ill at the moment so I might wait til next week…
Mashie - how long is it between your cycles? I’m on day 14 & don’t have another one til next Fri.
Feeling much better having done some exercise and some work yesterday - just hope i haven’t caught a cold… As you say - so difficult to avoid the germs this time of year…
Hugs to all
Afternoon all, my district nurse came at 11.30 to flush my line. Decided not to change dressing as done on Tuesday at chemo unit and my skin has been reacting to the dressings, so she will comeback on Tuesday and will hopefully be able to source a different type by then.
Hi Mashie, I will also be 1/2 way there by Christmas. My number 2 was delayed because of my sepsis, and my number 3 will be over 21 days as I have requested to go back to Mondays. I have calculated that by Christmas Eve I will be back on form and able to indulge in all the festivities. Might even make midnight communion.
After a lovely lie in (woke up at 11.45) it appears I have the mother of all sore throats. I had them for practically all of cycle 1 but thought I’d got away with it this time round. Off to have a glass of Manuka Honey and hot lemon. Let’s hope that does the trick. Take care all xC
Testrix, first time I took paracetamol, 2nd time tramadol!! Will do tramadol next time as I slept through the post chemo cooling!!
I went private for wig, they are anything from £100-300 depending on the base - either lace or a soft silicon. Mine was in thd middle but BUPA health pays £100 towards it so I reckon it’s the equivalent if a years visits to the hairdresser!
Good luck next time x
Quick question what are people’s PICC lines dressed with. I’m on my 2nd different dressing and have found a blister at the edge of it and it’s started to itch. This one was put on because I had previously had the same one on for 10 days and not had a reaction. Don’t know what we are going to do on Tuesday
It’s really annoying as have never had problems before. Chemo has a lot to answer for.
I was hoping to try the IV 3000 on Tuesday but it is not on my GP’s drug list so can’t supply it and chemo unit don’t stock it. The first dressing I reacted to was the large rectangular clear tegaderm it was only on for 12hrs before it started to burn and left a small blister when removed the next day. Then last week the district nurse put on the dressing that chemo unit use and it made my skin itch. Couldn’t stand it after 5 days so went back to chemo unit and got line swabbed and dressing changed back to original one that had been on for 10 days with no issues. It has a white border which I thought was the thing that was stopping me reacting but obviously not. It was fine on Wednesday when district nurse came so we decided it was better not to change it again and then Thursday night it started itching and this morning the edge of the dressing has come away and there is a blister. All the rest of dressing is still on so am inclined to leave it.
Just wondered if anyone else was having problems.
Hi Caroline, my taste and appetite disappeared with first chemo and I lost half a stone, after a week I started eating again, and again and again! 2nd chemo no appetite loss, felt nauseous and dry mouth. Earth g lots of Christmassy satsumas which help freshen the mouth.
Hi waiting,
I find that 1st week is the worst for mouth issues, my appetite also goes and only eat small kids size portions of things and even then feel full. According to my scales I have lost 5kg in 6 weeks am going to oncologist this week and plan on wearing exactly the same as last appointment so can see what their scales say.
Once first week is over i can eat normally and actually feel hungry and tend to eat things with plenty of calories (ie full fat not light options) but also balance it out with fruit & veg. As I mentioned earlier the things I find cut through bird cage mouth are Aldi cola sweets (found at till point) M&S rhubarb and custard drops (again look near till) and Bassett cherry drops.
Keep going and feel free to drop in again. My first chemo was at end of October and couldn’t decide whether to join October group or wait for a November one to start, and sometimes browse the October group to see if I can pick up any tips.
Afternoon all, There is an article in todays Daily Mail about scalp cooling. It is the system I use donated by walk the walk. I’m now 7 days away from cycle 3 and have had a fair result from it so far with some general thinning and a small bald spot on my crown that no one else can tell unless they are taller than me. I intend to use it again this cycle. I find after the initial 1/2 hour it is bearable but a couple of painkillers as I leave the house for the hospital also help.
For anyone having chemo this week hope your initial side effects are manageable xC
Oh Picklepants that’s rough, feeling for you. Most people on here who have shaved seem to be positive about it and say they feel in control so experiment with your headwear. I’m 11 days or so after FEC 2 and waiting for more of mine to fall out, it’s such s shock the first time.
Hang ion there, get some hugs and I’ll send you one too x
Morning picklepants I hope you are feeling a little calmer this morning about your hair. You sound as though you have the right attitude to this trauma our bodies and minds are going through. I have days where I feel sorry for myself usually over normal things like today for example I’ve woken up with backache and a sore throat, but generally I try to stay positive and find something to smile about everyday. Even though we all have friends/family we can share things with there is no better person to understand than someone who is going through it at the same time so don’t be afraid to let it all out on here, I’m sure I will at some point before all this is over. My crutches are this forum and my local hospice. I go there and can be myself no one judges If I’m having a bad day and get support, hints and tips on looking after myself while having chemo and bottom less cups of tea.
Take care all xC
Hello all, delays are in the cards this week! I’m now going to be a month behind as need op tomorrow to remove infected implant. FEC 3 was due next week but will be put off to new year. Just want to get it done. 2 more ops needed later to resolve it . Keep strong x
Oh dear everyone is having issues of one dirt or another. My next chemo is due next week and I’m dreading it because I am so I’ll. My veins still haven’t recovered from the last dose and my right arm is quite sore at times.
Picklepants I really understand the grief over losing your hair i didn’t think I would mind so much but I really did and I stll can’t bare to look at myself in the mirror. I wear a wig when I’m out and hats snd scarves in the house because they are comfy.
I hope everyone’s bloods improve and chemo comes onto schedule and that riversidedawn is ok post surgery
Hugs to everyone. I’m going to drink wine tonight and forcing my 12 yr old son to go to see Paddington tomorrow as I need a giggle!
Hi ladies, I back home. All’s well. I’ve got a portcath for my chemo - they won’t use it for bloods or anything else, but it makes chemo easy. Even though they’re not using my veins for chemo they are very sore and difficult to find for bloods and the IV line I had in last night for the op and antibiotics this morning very painful. Definitely talk to your onc about a line, I couldn’t imagine having chemo into a vein.
Hope everyone sleeps well, I didn’t sleep in hospital so hope things are better tonight!! X
Booked for a PICC line tomorrow. My arm is still really sore so there is no way Im having chemo through those veins again as Im worried for them longterm. Just got to sort out someone to do the dressings for me weekly
Surrounded by kids with colds, coughs etc at the moment - its only a matter of time. Otherwise feeing good chemo 3 on wednesday.
MRI showed that tumours have shrunk by 7mm after 2 chemos which dosnt sound like much but BCN thought that was good. My shocked brain is now generating lots of questions I think because I was only diagnosed in October then went straight to chemo I havent been able to process the detail. So I have a list for my oncologist who is lovely on Tuesday.
Im really interested in the diet stuff and anything I can do to help myself. My oncologist seemed to be saying last time not to take anything whilst going through treatment however after treatment then she was open to anything.Really interested in the vit C stuff. Her concern was the interaction with the drugs for treatment.
Riversidedawn hope you are feeling better not so sore, one step forward now!!
Picklepants I will be thinking of you when Im having my chemo on wed!
Hopalong hope yours goes well tomorrow.
To all of you who have just had Chemo hope the SEs are resolving.
Good luck this week girls. I’m disappointed not to be joining you, worried what happens as there’ll be about a 6 week gap between my FEC 2 and 3, but got to get all infection away and wound healed before any more. Daffodil I was sent some interesting self healing stuff by a friend in Hong Hong - I’ll post the links when I’m on my PC.
Morning all, another long day due to busyness of unit. Appointment 1030 didn’t get chemo till 1.30 ish with cold cap coming off at 3.45pm.
So far so good with change of mens. Have had 2 small breakfasts so far, and have taken med but don’t really feel sick but would much rather prevent that debilitating feeling. Going to have my Emmend with lunch. Managed to sleep till 5am too so that was a bonus but am going to snuggle down on sofa now and try to have a nap.
Fingers crossed for Thursday Remel xC
Liking the idea of change if men Hopalong!! Can I change mine?
Hi Waveylocks, I’m from the Nov group from last year so all treatment finished now for me but I got awful mouth ulcers & found that Difflam mouthwash was the best. It’s quite expensive so ask your doc as we can get it on prescription
Love Sam xxxxxx