Ali,
The hospital will get you sorted. Take care and get well soon. I’m sure once the antibiotics kick in you will feel heaps better
Xxx
Evening Ladies
Just popping on here to say hello. I haven’t really migrated from the ‘recently diagnosed’ board yet. It’s not that I’m ignoring you all it’s just that, as some of you know, I’ve really had very minimal side effects from my chemo so far - so didn’t want to come on here being hugely annoying and smug sounding. Particularly if some of you are having a hard time (Ali, hope you’re feeling better, lovely.) I’m having my second round next week, so am wondering if that’s going to be quite a bit harder. To be honest the hardest parts for me so far have been the cold cap and the endless wig search.
Don’t really have any words of wisdom or handy hints to impart about how to get through it with minimal ill effects but cream crackers, M&S passion fruit jelly and elderflower pressé were my trusty companions through the first few post chemo days.
Cherry Bakewell xx
Hi CherryB
Glad to hear that your first cycle was so manageable! Fatigue and funny taste in my mouth were my main problems and rosy cheeks on first 3 days but no high temp although one day my temp did go a bit higher and was a bit vreathless so got checked out and was fine!
Second cycle seems more manageable than first for me. Just get tired more easily again and I think work has been a busy 2 weeks with changes so mentally tired too. Maybe less anxious as knew what to expect too although all cycles can probably be different!
GCSF injections didnt affect me as much this time round, just a few aches and pains so paracetomol and Epsom Salt baths in my miniture jacuzzi.
Taste buds different too this time, its quite fascinating (if thats how to put it) to see the change from Shepherds Pie, Fish, Rice, Croissants , Ginger Biscuits to Mince and Tatties, Cornish Pastie, Pasta in tomato sauce, Cheese on toast, Mint biscuits, Kit Kat and Custard Tarts!!!
Main thing is eat what your body is asking for and try to Organic foods and drinks if possible.
Good luck for next cycle next week.xxx
Ali49
How are you today? Thinking of you.xxx
I am still here and still on iv antibiotics. Looks like it might be a couple of days xx
Hi ali x take the time to rest and get well soon x big hugs xx
Hi Ali
You get plenty of rest and looked after!
Lots of love.xxx
Thanks all. Doing as i am told!! Xx
So good to hear from you Ali, makes sense to let yourself be looked after. Take care hopefully this is a one off and you are back home and well soon x
Sorry to hear you’ve ended up in hospital Ali. You sound remarkable cheerful considering. I’ve been on our acute unit 3x times now (never overnight), and have been so desperate to get home on every episode. You are clearly a lot more accepting!
Thanks all for mouthwash advice. I ordered the biotene mouthwash in the morning from Amazon Prime (I avoid pharmacies as lots of people with colds), and it arrived that very afternoon- same cost as Boots. I’m not sure about Amazon’s ethics but they certainly have created a very convenient model. They must love people like me! I normally work full time in a very busy job and along with having 3 kids and having a lot of visitors to stay (nice City), don’t get a lot time to shop- in person or on line. Now that I spend a lot more time at home and in bed, this could get dangerous at a time when funds are going to be reducing …!!
i have my uni friend where this weekend. We were due to go away on our annual girls’ weekend, but I wasn’t keen to commit to booking a cottage during chemo. I think it was the right decision- even though I feel so much better this round, I’m not sure I feel confident enough to be a long way from home or hospital nor to sleep in a strange bed. I’m still in the ‘chemo den’ on the top floor. I think my husband is quite enjoying having our super king bed to himself. I hope he doesn’t get too used to it…
Ive got a bit of a sore throat again (so I’m doing the difflam followed by biotene which seems a good combo) but hoping that doesn’t materialise into anything worse (temp OK). I may need to stop talking to my friends so much! Hope everyone has a good Sunday.
Jo x
Hi fairy dust. hope u don’t mind me chipping in. I love work too and it’s always dominated my life. …often at the expense of my children, which I know is not good, but a habit I suppose…and a safe haven. However, because I’m in education I was advised that the risk of infection was too great. Also it’s difficult to be in and out in terms of continuity for students and staff teams alike. so I opted for long term absence, 3 months in the first instance and then review at the end of November. I was initially apprehensive but now I’m so glad I did. I’ve totally immersed myself in the time off. Some days I would not have been fit for anything anyway, but other days I’ve felt good. I’m actually taking the time to meet up with friends I virtually never get the chance to see…only for a coffee/cake, and it’s lovely to be able to have the freedom/ no guilt to do it. I’m trying (!) to learn Spanish, I even watch Homes under the Hammer! (A very sad and guilty pleasure from my maternity leave days long ago!). some days I’ll cook for tne family which I’ve never done as that’s been my husbands domain. my youngest who is 10 is loving being taken to and collected from school - he was always in both breakfast and after school club and hated both. At first it was hard as I feel that I’ve defined myself by my career, but now, I see it at just one other dimension of my life rather than the main one. I’m. 48 next month and slightly nervous about the decision to go back after the first 3 cycles. …but I think in my head, the decision is made to stay off for another 3 months and see how I feel. I’m lucky to be coveted for 6 months paid sick leave. …thats what its for I suppose. …its a tricky situation for us isn’t it? x
Its funny how this journey we are on does give us back some things we didnt know we were missing. I love being there whenbthe kids go to and coke home from school. In love not having to plan lessons for the week ahead and i love spending time with my mum. I also love Homes Under the Hammer!! Even beingvin hospital has made me realise that doing nothing and letting others take control is good. So now on Sunday morning when my m8nd would be on ironing uniforms i am just about to take a nap xc
Sorry about the fat fingers xx
Oh yes i think men do! Fairydust this is a time of change for all of us - a scary change but a change nonetheless. No, i would not be working from home. Read back what you have written!! Get your sick note in!! Dont be pressured. You do not owe work. You sound like you have given it your all and now its time to concentrate on you. We are going through challenging times and as women we constantly put pressure on ourselves to be and do everything. Now we can’t! I am the biggest controller and have never been in hospital before but i cant control this so have decided to go with the flow. Embrace the new things you want to do Fairydust and let us know xx
Get your doctor to make the decision for you fairy. When you ecplain they will happily sign you off…and dont think we all know what we are doing - we are all just winging it!! Xxx
My onco said no work as I work in School will be off for about 8 months have had 2 surgeries due to start chemo then rads need all the time off as apparently children are Full of germs
Went to see my gp who automatically gave me a note for 13 weeks (maximum at any one time) work can not argue with gp’s and he said he is happy to actually sign me off for 12 months so I can be fully recovered
Have had 2 surgeries already due to start chemo then rads
Please do go and see your gp you should not have to use annual leave to be ill xx
Just realised I repeated myself lol think it’s cause I am over tired x ?
Sounds like a plan of attack is forming Fairydust. Look after yourself and remember it’s time for karma payback for all those people that you have ‘pleased’ over the years.
I work in a office where my hubby is the managing partner. We are a small firm and rather like a very disfunctional family. We have a few family groups in our midst. Myself and hubby, a brother and sister, the cleaning has been done for the last 10 years by various teenage offspring in need of gainful employment and all three of our children have held part time or holiday rolls doing everything from weeding the car park to manning the reception desk.
I will work at times during my treatment because we are a small close unit there are times when we all need to muck in. My only commitment is from day 15 to 21 of this cycle which has a weekend in the middle because the girl I work with has had a few days booked off since January and it’s her birthday. She has been so supportive as have most others which I see as payback for all of the tea that I make and the fact that I have been prepared to roll up my sleeves and take most things on over the years.
We also have the added issue of elderly parents with rapidly deteriorating health but fortunately my BIL lives much closer than we do and has stepped up.
It’s our time to look after number 1 where we can x
Hi Fairydust, I can understand how you feel. I had my first chemo session this week and am planning to work from home tomorrow but in two minds how I feel about it. I don’t feel too bad in myself but not sure I’ll be able to focus. Work say they understand and I can work when I feel up to it, but I’m worried they will expect me to be capable of the same workload and that they’ll expect too much of me. I also don’t have kids and people are used to relying on me. My family also are keen for me to carry on working as they think it’ll take my mind off things but I don’t think it’s necessarily that simple. I might try tomorrow and see how I go.
Hi everyone,
I’ve been off the grid on an eco retreat for the weekend. It was good to get away before my next round on Thursday.
On the subject of work,
I was signed off straight by the surgeon who diagnosed my breast cancer. I was stressed out with all the tests, juggling work kids and hospital appointments so was signed off straight away. Unfortunately I only get statutory sick pay from work but luckily I have an income protection insurance policy so have some back up financially.
They will struggle at work as they will need to use locums to try and over my shifts - sometimes they will be short staffed. For the extra pressure it puts on my colleagues I feel very guilty. I also feel very guilty leaving my long standing and much loved patients in the lurch, though I know my colleagues will do their best to look after them.
Guilt is wasted energy though. We need to do what’s best for our health, minimise stress, and give ourselves the best chance of getting rid of this once and for all. It’s only a year- so put yourself first and do what’s best for yourself and your health.
Some people may feel able to work but there should be be pressure. Any GP would sign you off at the drop of a hat.
Hope you are on the mend Ali,
Cath x