So pleased you’re out of hospital, Aneeebel! I think we sometimes need to celebrate the little victories ??
I’m doing ok after chemo on Friday. Super pleased to be done with FEC. Woohoo ? I have had a few crappy days, however. I was prescribed Haloperidol last round which helped to knock me out so I slept through the worst of the side effects (I recommend asking for it, Sar_ah, and any of you ladies struggling to sleep). I wasn’t sick at all after round two thanks to the Haloperidol, as I slept through the worst of it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t knock you out well enough to sleep through the constant screaming of an unwell 1 year old…? So I spent the first two nights trying to help calm a hysterical baby whilst being sick. ? Not a great combination. It’s tough having no family nearby! Oh well. We survived; the little one is feeling better, I’m still nauseous but not being sick anymore, and my husband is looking forward to going to work tomorrow to escape from it all! ??
While dealing with a baby is challenging at times, I must say that I am super lucky that she doesn’t seem fussed about the whole treatment side of things as she is too little to understand. She loves my bald head and thinks my hats are funny! ? I’m afraid I have no advice on how to help older children cope with things. I hope that you each manage to find strategies that work. A combination of honest discussions and counselling - and assistance from the school - sounds very sensible. Your grandchildren sound lovely, Aneeebel!
That they do aneeebel! He has his moments where his very it is what it but mornewhere it’s hard. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for them.
ElliesMum it sounds like you’ve had a lot to contend with, with a poorly baby! Glad she’s feeling better now and the haloperidol helped I’ve been given some lorazepam to help with my anxiety but I haven’t tried them yet!
I’m going to bear it in mind with the steroids Mrs Fingers, I’ve finished this lot but there seems to be more with the T. Maybe later nights may help too!
Hope you all have a lovely day, being very fortunate and having a roast cooked for me today :))) xxx
Oh my goodness, Aneeebel! I’m pleased they happened to start you on the right antibiotics. Hopefully they start to work soon and you begin to feel a bit better.??
Here’s hoping we all have a good week this week - well, as good as can be expected, given the circumstances???
Hi kateday ??hope your meeting with genetics team gave you opportunity to ask questions or gave you reassurance My genetics team were very informative and supportive right from first meeting, hope it’s been same for you ???Shi xx
Hi sals
Well I’m not sure how it was to be honest he just kept repeating how are you coping you have had a lot in your young life
Basically as both my parents have sadly passed one only this year and then this
So I explained it’s a choice you give up or you get up each day and you try and live life you only get one chance anyone long story short I have to go back next week
He would really rather I waited untill chemo had finished I said I don’t want to wait , we have enough waits in this journey
He also looked at last bloods and said I have the kidneys of an athletes but no wonder I’m feeling so rough something to do with liver enzymes and you know I was so mad and trying not to break down because all he kept saying was you have had it rough that I didn’t ask what he meant by that xx
Hi Kateday, I’m sorry your genetics team meeting didn’t go to plan. I must say, I’ve become far less tolerant than I used to be of people making thoughtless comments, or using throw-away statements and meaningless platitudes! ? It blows me away that some medical professionals don’t know how to speak about such matters. For example, on two separate occasions I have had medical professionals (who were both fully aware of my diagnosis and treatment plan) ask me if I would like to have more children when trying to make small talk (after establishing I have a little girl). How am I supposed to respond to that? Umm, yes I would, but I probably can’t now due to chemo and being told it was too risky to wait to harvest eggs, so thanks for asking…?♀️ I know no one means to cause offence or to upset us, but it seems to happen frequently (to me at least)!?
Please vent away here in this safe space. I, for one, have found it incredibly helpful to engage with you all, as you understand. With people such as Shi brimming with positivity, how could you not feel better after posting on here???
Well done on getting through another round, Badboob! ??
Kateday, I’msorry you’ve lost your parents darling And sorry to hear you had such a numpty at your genetics meeting. I had my gene test during chemo, for me it gave a bit of control back to the ?we find ourselves in on the journey, I hope you get the test done when you want and not when that plonker says ?? Ellie’s mum it’s the oct17 gold hotpants we all had, they are magic fimillan good girl planning holiday ???might sound ???but it will be here before you know it, once the chemo ? is done with it really does go quickly ???Gotta be a bit of Madonna holiday on the jukebox for you ???Shi xx
Hi
I’m glad I’m not the o lot one who seems to have less tolerance and I’m sorry they asked you that
My friend once had a prem baby she went into labour at 24 weeks and 2 days , I can honestly say most people were amazing at the hospital but after being transferred to delivery suit this one lady came walking in chirpy as anything and said hi and what can we do for you today again in the happiest of manors
Well me and my friend just looked at each other in shock and we’re silent for a while then eventually my friend said well try and save my baby
After this my friend said to me I nearly said well I will have a f ing mac d , just to let you know her 1.6 baby is now 6 years old ??
But another of people just saying the most inappropriate things
Well my good week is next week so watch this space I will get this test now as I’m ready watch him try and stop it xx
Wow sounds like you’re really going through it Aneeebel! You really are amazing staying so positive, I hope that you have the chance this weekend to get done well earned rest, sending you lots of love and well wishes and good luck for Wednesday x
?? I thought the being less tolerant thing was me (I’m pleased it’s not:) ) ‘are you planning to have more children’ ‘oh you didn’t have any eggs frozen’ ‘so you WILL go into early menopause?’ Seen to be the top three questions absolutely anyone feels they can ask at the moment ?♀️ … I just tell people now I find there questions rude, I would never have done this in the past but I think sod it we have enough to deal with why feel even more pants.
I haven’t been offered a meeting with genetics, I asked but they just mumbled something about later down the line, is that normal or should I be more pushy?
Fiona, your holiday sounds lovely I keep looking but my husband is too scared to commit to anything I think in case treatment is delayed!
Have fun at the Christmas market this weekend I’m so excited it’s december I’m determined to complete embrace Christmas and enjoy the time off with the kids im hoping we’re going to do the tree sunday and have sausage rolls and elf at the ready ???
I hope you al have a lovely weekend with plenty of rest or fun xxx
Thank you Sar_ah, I don’t plan on doing much…altho, I just went shopping with my hubby and I went so hot and breathless and sick, I had to take my jacket off!! ???
I was referred for genetic testing as 5 members of my family have had different cancers- my appt is on the 18th Dec.
Hope you have a lovely day doing your tree… I love Christmas too! When my grandchildren were younger I used to ask my daughter if I could go and sleep at her house but she said No, you’ll have them up at silly o’clock…and would never let me!!! Hahaaa! ???
And, yes…people are so insensitive with their comments! When I mentioned needing a mastectomy someone said to me… 'Well, it’s only a “boob!” I said No, it is not only a boob! It’s MY boob and I’d much rather keep it Thank you!! ? Bloody idiots!!! ???
Aneebel, how are you feeling now? If you’ve been sick again please ring your rapid response line to ensure you keep safe please darling ?? and people mean well they really do it’s just they really don’t know what to say or how to say it if they’ve not had this journey and you are left thinking a lot of the time ‘really’ did they seriously just ask me that/day that to me, get you box of ?ready by your side to slap people in the chops with ???or imagine a ?on you hand and you giving a swift ???to the big gob that’s been out of order. You are all ???and are taking the most beautiful care of each other amazing ladies be proud of yourselves and get those tinsel wigs at the ready for Christmas ???you can be as crazy as you like and blame the steroids, that goes for shopping benders too, Blake the steroids ???Shi xx
Don’t worry, Aneeebel, you’re not alone. I was purchasing a jumper for my little one during the week and the store was ridiculously overheated for someone wearing a beanie, scarf and coat. I felt so nauseous I thought I was going to pass out. Had to literally lie down on the floor of the shop.? A “helpful” lady beside me decided that I must have overheated, so took my beanie and scarf off… to be greeted by my bald head. She then asked if I was diabetic! ? Umm, no, that’s not my current problem. If I didn’t feel so unwell at the time I would have found it funny!
I’m so sorry that so many of us keep being on the receiving end of thoughtless, rude or hurtful comments. Sar_ah, I thought it was just me copping the inappropriate fertility questions. How can people think it’s ok to ask that?!? Stay strong ladies! ?? I like the ? idea, Shi! I will be throwing politeness aside for the next little while. I’m going for brutal honesty at the moment and it’s working well so far!??
Thinking of you all. Enjoy the first weekend of December! ?? xox
Hi I’m actually loving the fish idea, and absolutely on the I’m going to say it how it’s front ,
So ladies have any of you experienced major hair loss the first cycle shaved to a number three woth a number of bald patches , however I now I have a small dusting of hair over my whole head yes a lot thinner than before and my goodness so blonde it’s almost white
Will this fall out again or will it stay I find it very odd it’s decided to grow back , still now hair on legs or under arms even my friend said I’m sure it’s growing xx
And I have to say I also find it extremely hot out shopping with my hat and scarf you did amazing not to react to the lady taking yours of , I think I would have three a fit in the shop and extremely made myself look well like a lunatic xx
On friday I found out that I’m starting chemo this month, after being told post surgery it would be rads and tamoxifen (long story short but I argued for and got Oncotype Dx test done - just for my peace of mind. Didn’t get peace of mind though as test came back at 31 which is just in the high risk group…so now chemo here i come…I think!!)
As you all started in October I just wondered if anyone is on FEC and what your experiences have been with it? I’ve been told FEc and it needs to start really quickly as I’m not far short of being 12 weeks post surgery.
I’ve just joined the December starters group but as I need to get my head round things quickly that chemo is the right way forward, I just wanted some input from others already further along than me. I have provisionally agreed to chemo and confirming by Tuesday.
Kateday, I’m similar with the hair loss. Mine started coming out in cycle 1, had the shave to a grade 3 on about day 17, lost a bit more and have a few bald patches but I’m not completely bald and cycle 3 is due this coming Friday. I wonder if that’s the extent of hair loss for me. Even my lady garden is holding on for all its worth ? My husband thinks my hair is growing, I’m not convinced about that but I am confused as to why I haven’t lost it all yet. I shouldn’t complain really ?
Aneeebel, I hope you made it through the weekend ok. You really do seem to have drawn the short straw on side effects and my heart goes out to you. We’re all here for you ??? Just keep knocking those days off the calendar. Did you have your beer the other night?
Badboob, I hope your rear end is behaving itself. I suppose it could make your downward dog rather interesting ? Are you still managing to do your yoga?
How’s the tree looking ElliesMum? I might attempt mine today. If chemo goes ahead on Friday (I’m always cautious about saying it will definitely happen) I won’t be up to it next weekend so I need to take advantage of this good week ???
Have a good day ladies, and remember we’re all one day closer to the end.
Aneeebel, I’m so relieved to hear that you’re finally feeling better. ? Drinking lager sounds like an excellent way to celebrate! ?
Haha Fiona, saying I “put up” the Christmas tree would be overselling it… With a destructive one year old in the house we opted for a 2-foot tall fake tree that was predecorated (lights and all). The only effort required involved placing it on a raised surface (out of reach) and switching the lights on???Job done! ??
It is interesting hearing your collective experiences with hair loss. I lost the vast majority of the hair from my head after round one, but seem to have grown a fine, blond - almost downy - “fluff” since then. A few strands of my original hair (shaved to a number 1) are hanging on in the odd sparse patch here and there, but not much. I have no underarm hair, but I do still have a patchy covering on my, ahem, lady garden. I also have a reasonable number of short hairs on my legs from whenever I stopped shaving pre-chemo! ?♀️ Still have eyebrows, although they are definitely thinning, and have only lost a few eyelashes so far.?I’ll see how the remaining hair fares on the three docetaxol cycles I have left!?!
Goodness me, Badboob, what an epic saga!? I hope you’ve recovered from the experience and that your back passage issues have calmed down a little. Big hugs! ???
and the haloperidol helped 
? xox