Oh sorry and ps - the PICC is done with an X-Ray so no contact required - you don’t even notice it really.
One more PICC ps (the consequences of steroids no doubt!) - just remembered that the doctor did use an ultrasound on my arm to trace the vein he wanted to use before starting the procedure. It was so gentle I forgot - not like them looking for lumps!
Hi Jacqui, thanks for the encouragement!
I’m pretty sure I had the IV anti sickness meds before my first FEC. Still feeling sick but got my GP to prescribe cyclizine today to try instead of domperidone so will see if that’s any better! ? xx
Hi. rhonaboat . hope the picc line went well. We’re on the way now! x
Hi daisy52 - it’s the cyclizine that’s sorted me now! The first one which I called DomPerignon… domperidone (?) just didn’t do it for me. like mixing cocktails!
I posted wrongly on a new topic so posting here again ladies. Sorry, a newby here:)
Thank you SueC for inviting me.
I’ve had my first chemo today and I’m feeling fine at the moment and just need to wait and see how I feel later! Just bit tired with it all and metally taste in my mouth so been sucking on ginger drops!
I was so anxious this morning as it was the unknown feeling but my treatment was a lot easier to handle than I thought. Had EC and 2 anti sickness drugs put through the line along with Amend which is a 3 day course. Have been given 2 more days of tablets and then a box of stand buys.
I was given a heat pad for my hand to warm up as helps the Cannula and a little tingly needle and in. I was all tensed up at first but let go after a while. My nerves decided to have a break, so we did too and I moved my wrist about and it got going to work again. The E was red so my first wee was a lovely pink colour! The E is the one which makes the hair loss but it is actually our allie as it’s killing off any unwanted inhabitants in our body!
Make sure if you have had surgery on one side that they use the other side. That goes with blood tests too!
I didn’t have any reaction to Amend or treatment there but as normal I’m waiting to see what side effects at home!
I had lunch there too…so need to have lunch appointments each time
I was sat on a chair in a room and we were all chatting. The time goes faster but you can choose to go in a room if not feeling sociable.
Be sure to buy a digital ear thermometer from large Tescos as we need to take temp twice a day!
Manuka honey, frozen pineapple chunks, mouth spray, Mouthwash, satin night cap to protect the hair follicles, dark nail polish to stop lighting getting to nail bed.
My GP has prescribed me 2 large jars of Diprobase Cream and two Diprobase ointments to protect my Skin. This is also good for wound healing. I bought some Aveeno but if you can get Dipro or E45 from GP go for it as we have 5 years of free prescriptions! Might as Well!!!
My real hair wig is being coloured and styled at the moment and hats have arrived. Sponsors are coming in. Not using cold cap as want to be in control and didn’t fancy another 3 hours freezing my scalp but each to their own and to the ones who do choose it, I hope it works for you.
I hope you don’t mind my long posts but if I can help other ladies be more organised and prepared, that means being in control which is good thing!
One done…5 more to go!!!
I did get to see the hunky security guard again today…a bit of eye candy at this time is Good!
Lots of love to you ladies and hope you get good results and are gling through manageable treatments!
CK.xxx
Hello September ladies - thank you for all taking the time to share your thoughts it is really helpful to read them all. My bloods today should signal the green light at last for chemo on wed (Fec-D) - there is some good news my tooth extraction after 2 weeks has turned a corner and should not stop me starting the chemo this week like it did last- and the other good news is the powers that be have taken pity on my curliness and given me an off-list wig on prescription as there was nothing curly enough on the ‘allowed’ list.
However after doing a great job of being positive for 3 months I will freely admit to being a bit grumpy today…apologies. After haematomas, seromas, sickness, physio etc I have not had a day without being sore since June 8th and it is pretty wearing - after doing a bit too much at the weekend I have gone black and blue - either that or I have cellulitis at the wound sites - 2 GPs today were deciding if I was black, blue or red today - it was quite funny! - back at docs tomorrow and fingers crossed I dont need abs. Ok moan over.
Now to drink plenty of water ready for the domestos on Wed - good luck to all going through this at the moment xx
Am just reflecting on the useful tips of how to prepare for starting chemo that have been on this and other threads - it is making me giggle as I bought lots of treats and sucky sweets, ginger biscuits and nice teas etc for my ‘chemo-caddy’ but then my chemo got delayed and I ate all the nice things and have to go buy them again!! This is going to get expensive!!
x
Fairydust, MrsMeow, Rhona
Best wishes for Weds. I started today which wasn’t as bad as I thought so go girls!
Fairydust, think of chemo as our mate helping us fight any bad enemies in our body! Our BC team will give us whatever we need to be mended. Chin up and talk to us on here.xx
SueC
Yes, I will take that advice and continue with the standby pils! Good idea!
I intend to just stay in for the rest of the week resting and seeing what’s in store for me! Of course will chat on here which has kept me going!
My cousin coming to cook tomorrow for me and doing my shopping!
Thank you SueC for all of this and I’m glad my experiences can help others too.xx
Well done CK and hope you’re still feeling ok. RhonaBoat - I’d recommend taking a few days out of work as the brain fog is definitely a thing! Sending love to RhonaBoat, MrsMeow and FairyDust14 starting tomorrow (and any others starting this week). I’m on Day 6 now (counting chemo as day 1) and have only had minor side effects - constipation, tiredness and occasional daftness! I think I’ve been lucky that they got the drugs right first time, have drank lots and lots and lots of water and am eating very healthily (largely thanks to my sister’s great cooking). We can get through this together ladies xx
Morning Sue, morning ladies
Day 2 of chemo and I woke up forgetting I’ve had chemo but it suddenly was real again. I had some brekkie then took my anti sickness pils! Done my breathing exercises waiting to take my injections out of the fridge to use after an hour and then I’m going to nap again! Still waiting for the side effects to kick in. Hope all are feeling as well as can be.xx
Morning Geordie
Thank you for that. Yes deffo off work all this week.
Number 2 hair to be cut at weekend according to how I feel. I was told it will fall out 7-14 days so going to be prepared first with very short! My side effects atm are metally taste in mouth, daftness as you put it- I couldnt find something and it was in my hand!!! Panic a bit not than usual but just waiting for side effects to kick in. I feel rhat being prepared helps me to at least be in control and not let it control me.xxx
Hi all - including CK Jacqui, Rhona boat, Fairydust and Geordie - how are you all?
Isn’t it funny we are all admitting to missing being totally in control! Another good/bad day here… Lovely wig arrived along with cute bobble hat from oh and an online delivery with all the treats re-bought that I had eaten in last week’s delay! Bad was another GP looking to decide if my wound was bruising or cellulitis which ended up having to go to hospital where they decided ihaveyet another haematoma - they were going to drain it but is too sore so it will be left and thankfully will not delay chemo - not sure what is worse dreading having chemo or dreading not having chemo!
Hope you all have a good evening - btw my oncologist told me I was not to work at all during treatment - I wasn’t expecting that in June - and will be off until about March - a weird thought. I thought it would be my decision.
X
Hello everyone,
My chemo has also been confirmed as starting tomorrow- at 9am. Yikes! I feel I should be going out tonight and eating all the delicious food that I won’t want to eat til 2018 but not sure I quite feel well enough or cheery enough- hoping just caused by anxiety rather than cancer!
Despite being an avid Amazon shopper over the last 3 weeks since I knew I was having chemo I still feel very unprepared. I haven’t got any frozen pineapple for starters! But I have got a thermometer, a silk pillowcase, a lump of fresh ginger, a fan, a chillow (for chemo induced menopausal symptoms), a hot water bottle (to counteract cold from the chillow), an eyeliner for drawing eyebrows, tissues (nose drips), a notebook, nail stuff, Epsom salts (today), silk night cap (en route) , sweets, a lot of hand gel, antibacterial hand wash , kitchen/bathroom spray, new towels for me only, and a 'no touch ’ dispenser… the list goes on. Perhaps I’m wanting to gain a little control back over a disease which robbed me of that feeling. I’m hoping I need none of them!
Husband is shouting at at the younger kids- this doesn’t bode well for when I’m not able to help out. Think I’ll get some headphones too!
Love, Jo
It seems like we all have a tendency/desire to panic buy all the things we might need! Fairydust you will be fine without all the paraphernalia and will be able to get anything you need as and when you need it. Try to focus on doing something nice for yourself tonight instead - have some chocolate or a drink or a bath or have a laugh with a friend. Everything else can wait. MrsMeow I think the dread is worse than the reality in all honesty and am relieved for you that you can start - I was so worried that my recurring seroma (‘Fred’) would delay mine but luckily the draining worked after a few goes. Welcome Jo - sounds like you’re very organised and hope it goes well for your tomorrow too x
Hi ladies. Day 2 of chemo I woke up not feeling any different from usual until I got up and felt a little dazed but manageable!
I took my 2 anti sickness pils from hospital and the Amend which was prescribed as an extra after some cereal and a banana (helps me do number 2)
I then took my GCSF injections to help my immune system and control white blood cells. It was easy peasy. I’ve got a flabby belly so I just squeezed it and in went the needle which is very small and once injected the needle springs back into the syringe so don’t worry about the needle getting lost.
I then used my new digital thermometer 36.2. All good! It’s a Tommy Tippee one from Tescos and does a long beep if over! Sometimes they are on offer there.
My mouth didn’t taste at metally today but yesterday the ginger drops, pear drops and pineapple chunks were great as they also keep your mouth moist as can get dry! Make sure you have some in your handbag and a bottle of water! You get so thirsty from the drugs.
Today my cousin came to cook and I enjoyed the food which shows that my taste buds haven’t gone yet. Maybe takes time! And I had a big long jam doughnut with a decaff tea so not to keep me awake!
I’ve felt peckish all day from the drugs. Found that mash potato and gravy and rice pudding(not together) are filling enough and easy to do! Ginger biscuits have been good too but not filling enough!
I’m staying off deep fried foods and crisps as they can give me ulcers and a sore throat so we dont want to invite the sore mouth side effect!
A spoon of Manuka honey every morning should help too but it’s bloody expensive? £20 for a jar!
Be sure to start mouthwashes before chemo as a prevention, not when the problem is there but if you do get a sore mouth I heard sucking on iced pineapple chunks can help sooth.so go to Morrison’s and get the 2 for £3 ready to eat ones and stick in the freezer. Flossing teeth will also help keep gum infection away. I’ve got a hygenist app next Monday but need to see how my mouth is first.
I’m just going through my life insurance policy, don’t forget to if you have one. Some may or not apply but make sure you check.
If you have private medical but are using NHS you can get cash benefit! I feel that for BC we need a good team and NHS have been brilliant. They cannot be slow with C’c
I’m spraying my Avon Lavender Sleepy on my pillows hopefully to get another good night’s sleep before I do my number 2 haircut tomorrow. I will need a glass of Prosecco and a box of tissues as my hair as always been my priority. I’ve done it in 3 stages so it may not be as upsetting for me! Hairdresser is sticking a few more highlights in it tomo morning and cutting it whilst it’s on! We are doing it after she closes so no one else around. I’ve told my sponsors that it’s not going to be for show and they completely understand. I’m doing for Macmillan who have been amazing with me!
Hope all my lovely ladies have a good sleep tonight. We all worry, our mind wanders, we are anxious about the unknown but what I found is that all these can be coped better with a better nights sleep!
For those about to start Chemo remember to eat something before you go as feeling hungry and anxious doesn’t help! The chemo nurses are great and monitor you the whole time. If your hand gets a bit stiff with cannula in you can squeeze your wrists in and out which will help veins too. I was so tense at first, my whole body was stiff. Didn’t need to be! If you feel a slight anything just tell them. They are so patient and will stop and check. Mine was massaging my hand all the way! It’s amazing how little touches like that can make you more relaxed.xxx
MrsMeow(are you a catwoman?)
Hope wound is better.
My GP prescribed me Diprobase Cream and Ointment as my skin is dry but also said that it is good for healing wounds too! I got 4 big fat tubs of it FREE! Might as well, contributed enough to it we have!!!
Eating the treats is good but your taste buds may change so just stock bits. Pear drops and Pineapple cubes and ginger drops are good for nausea and keep the mouth moist as can get dry.xx
Fairydust. Don’t panic. You should be alright to get these things from a large Tesco or Boots but if not why not ask someone to get for you?
All the best.
Rhona Boat
Posted to you on the other forum! Best wishes for tomorrow.xx
Jow
You are very prepared. I have Pineapple Chunks in freezer. I will send first class to you?
I’ve not used mine yet! So don’t despair you will still be out and about throughout chemo.
Best wishes for your start tomo.xx
Hi Ladies
Thanks everyone for advice re work and I’m not going to go to the meeting on Thursday, it can wait for another day.
Mrs Meow, Fairydust14 and jow, all the best for starting chemo tomorrow, we can do this! I’m feeling quite calm about it, more intrigued than anything else. It’s a bit strange being a nurse on the other side of treatment.
Mrs Meow. Sorry you are still having ongoing problems with you wound, but glad it’s not delaying chemo for you.
Geordie doon sooth. It sounds like you are coping well, which is reassuring to hear. Glad you are managing to eat and drink well. I have been drinking lots of water over the past few days and planning to do so all the way through. Fairydust14. I feel I could have done a little more preparation, but my friends have offered to help with anything I’ve forgotten. I feel I’ll know better for next time what I need.
CK. Good to hear you are still managing well on day 2. I’ve got some ginger sweets and the pear drops on hand. I thought about Manuka honey, but balked at the price. May reconsider if it is helpful. Good luck with getting your number 2 haircut tomorrow.
Had to go to oncology today to get my PICC bled and flushed and all working well. My lovely nurse showed me which bay I would be in tomorrow which is the one with a good view out of the window. My chemo appointment is at 2pm which is probably a good thing as I had a wee nap from 3pm to 7pm, so not likely to be tired until a bit later. I’ve had a busy evening phoning friends and family and have done a bit of ironing so I have clothes to wear over the next week. Hope we all get a good night sleep.
Rhona xx