Hi ladies,
I seen some of you have one more session of chemotherapy, I am so happy for. Hopefully you are feeling better today @naughty_boob @ @daffodil1@copperycat@pinklilli3s@Craftyj@annemanc@frazzledmcsazza@plum1 we are all nearly done with chemotherapy, so around Christmas we all should be at home in a warm atmosphere, don’t worry about steroids, i had my EC fortnight too, but i was happy to sleep 4 h and then i fall asleep again in the morning, but i had that bad cough too so for me was a bid hard with the sleep.
Don’t forget to drink lots of water and take the steroids with food. As my surgery has been before chemo, I am doing my exercises every morning but when I had those weeks with bad cough I stopped, and I realised that my arm and the place where lymph nodes are removed are back to tight so try to keep you active.
Usually the 3 RT day I was feeling better after EC and I tried to eat those days only small meals and never milk, my stomach doesn’t tolerate, but egs fresh salads, and boiled fruits with honey, something easy for my stomach, so hopefully on Christmas time you all will have a good day and feel ready to celebrate .
After almost 4 weeks without chemotherapy I could said I have more energy and more appetite but tired and weeck after 3 pm, so I am doing everything in the morning time and rest afternoon as my legs are hurting and body is weak too. @copperycat sorry you had bad days with diarrhea, the nurse gave me at home a few medication to take and is working (loperamide) I am still using them as well when I have days with diarrhea. Hopefully you will be better next session.
But I am really better now I can said cough almost gone, hopefully lungs are healed. @naughty_boob I am happy someone finally listens to you and hopefully that will resolve all issues with the appointments .
Thank you for all recommendation for skin products.
Sorry if I missed someone else I hug you all and wish you a good time with the treatment.
Thanks all for your kind responses. Feeling ok just now , though it’s 4 am and I can’t sleep .
@naughty_boob you have had such a time of it, hopefully that’s the last until end of chemo!Totally agree about isolation amongst immunocompromised folk. It’s been an eye opener during hospital visits, and chemo room. My chemo diet has about 40 chairs , all sat next to each other . No privacy curtain or anything . No visitors allowed though , have to do it alone . Which is hard but perhaps helps keep germs down a little . Yes, brilliant advice on diet. That’s what I usually do. Lots of protein and legumes, and veg. Just find it hard during chemo. But gone off dairy especially cheese . Just want sweet to counteract the saltiness of everything! Constipation is my usual problem so it’s a juggling match between that and diarrhoea! Roll on the new year and hopefully get back to healthy eating when chemo wears off.
@frazzledmcsazza so interesting you had palpitations same sessions. I’m on Dosetaxal and cyclophosphamide. Onco doc doesn’t think this combo causes palpitations. Coincidence ? Anyway I’m due an appointment to have an ECG monitor fitted on the 19th for 24 hours to see if it picks anything up. Funny I instinctively held my breath during palpitations and it sometimes helped stop them , albeit briefly! Wonder how that works ? It’s a rollercoaster isn’t it!
@Camy_Radika glad to hear you’re finished with chemo. What a relief it must be after all you’ve endured. Will you have radio next? I also had my op pre chemo. And like you feeling it tight in my arm. So hearing Dr Liz’s podcast about lymphodaema really helped me learn about what to be watchful for and great advice on keeping it at bay. I’m due radio in the new year. Not been told yet how much or for how long. Hopefully short and straightforward!
Getting there everyone . End is in sight . Much love to you all
Can’t sleep either, this is my spot in the night to do research and read your post .
Yes I will do radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy too, don’t know how much radiotherapy but electrocardiogram on Monday and scan on following week Tuesday so probably they will decide then. Been in hospital for a while and also they monitored my heart, chemo is hard for our body and working different for us, but hopefully we will be back to normal after all of the treatment.
Because of chemotherapy sides effects, pneumonitis, they stopped my chemo before the 6 infusion, I had a few bad weeks with lungs inflammation, bad dry cough, so only 4 EC and 1 Taxol for me done, but oncology team said is enough chemotherapy and 5 session will be benefits.
I am still on steroids to treat lungs, but better, almost gone.
Now I will go back to bed probably for another 2 h if I am lucky.
Have a good rest my dear, and take care
Hello lovely ladies have you all finished w chemo? I have another round next year EC 4 times over 3 months…then 4 weeks break or so then operation April then radiotherathy. So I have finished this round and am.so happy but the sh*t continues next year for me! Albeit less frequent I am such an active person I dread the operation. I remember the pain from.the biopsies…not looking forward to that.
Trying to bully (literally ) my bf to go away before Christmas which obviously is expensive but it’s beyond the point. I just want to go away. I’ve been in the house, alone 90% of the time and I just want a different scenery. I work from home. I exercise from home. I’ve been sick from home
Anyway did I tell you lot I found a wig? Instill have my hair, it’s thinning but still there just short and actually growing just thin and out of shape now. I just thought I’ll have a back up and options just in case (and for interview) I lose more w EC. Going up to London w a friend who knows someone who can style it and cut. Let’s hope he does what I like as it doesn’t grow back
Good luck to all of you that have finished chemo xxx
Hi @pinklilli3s my last chemo is not until Jan then like you surgery possibly radiotherapy and a year of hormone treatment. So am in it for the long haul. Enjoy the break and yes get that BF to go away with you. Like you I have largely been home since treatment started. I live near the sea and made it to the beach for a walk last weekend and the change of scene was great. You definitely deserve it.
Good luck with the wig. Hope your stylist does a good job.
Hi @pinklilli3s I’m still going too- I’ve got 9 more Pacli, every Thurs until Feb 1, then a lumpectomy and node clearance early March, all being well, then expecting radiotherapy after that. I’m on Phesgo every 3 weeks for a year, and I guess then something else, tamoxifen or similar for a few years after that?
Roll on next Summer. Completely empathise with wanting a change of scene, at least we’re going through all this in winter so there’s less to miss… but cabin fever is definitely a thing. Perhaps an extreme reaction but I think I want to move flat after this, I’m was already getting sick of the place post-pandemic, this is the icing on the cake. Need new walls to look at! x
@copperycat hope you’re feeling on the mend. I am so sorry you are having a rough ride of it. Looking back at everyone’s comments it shows how many amazing strong women are on here, coping in different ways w a tough situation at Christmas. We will all get through this. I wish I could give each of you a hug. Xxx
Yesterday (on day 2 post Docetaxel and, as w most off the wall decisions I make currently, while whizzing on steroids) I decided to host a party for everyone I love next June (on the Saturday after Summer Solstice) with kids and partners etc. I’ve focussed mainly on all the people who’ve come walking with me, and will add to the list as the months click on. My husband is very shy so we rarely have parties, but this feels different as it’s my party not ours (he’s been so supportive so can’t fault him).
I’m hoping it’s a sunny afternoon so all my friends’ kids can play in the garden. If enough people fancy it I might even order a big cake decorated like a sun! The idea of it has given me a boost.
I love the idea of a flat move @plum1 and a trip away @pinklilli3s. Feels like the time to be bold. Anyone else got any plans hatching? Xxxxx
Oh I love this idea @annemanc! Will be lovely to get everyone who means something to you together and show appreciation for their support.
I have. A few things in mind . But I’m not confident of where I will be in my self to do them but here goes :
I’d love to go to the Latitude festival. Never been to a festival before and always fancied this one as I live Indie music. Feel I’m a bit old ( 58) but I’m in a sod it mood!
Would like to do the Moonwalk. Not that fit so not sure I can manage it but might make me focus more on getting fit! Can do half I think ( 13 miles ) which might be doable
And I would like a trip to France to visit my brother who has been a great support me lately. He’s a bit bonkers so would be good to spend some time with him.
That’s what’s in my head. Not sure if any of it will come off but nice to plan!
Copperycat, sorry to hear about your heart issues. We also ended up in hospital yest late aft as I started having palpitations when lying on my back and left side. Rang the hosp and they suggested popping in for an ECG. Eventually got home after 6 hours shortly before midnight after two ecgs and a chest x-ray. Initially, they thought it possible the Picc line may be tickling the part of the heart where the impulse is generated, when lying down in certain positions. They pulled the Picc line out 2cm more so it’s further away and hoped that would do the trick but it didn’t.
One of the ECGs showed ventricular ectopy but they ran it past the cardiology team who weren’t too concerned and were happy to let me home. I’ll call my consultant’s secretary tomorrow to see if one of his team can call me on Tuesday clinic to chat through. The 24 hour tracer sounds a very good idea. I was just so pleased to be allowed home.
Hi Annemanc, really interested to hear this about your team advice.
Back in July I had mastec and SNB and the MDT recommended further surgery for axillary clearance pre chemo on the basis of 1 out of 7 nodes being positive. I was really keen to crack on with chemo so that’s what we did as further surgery would have delayed start of chemo.
It also seems radiotherapy may be equally effective as clearance so there will be a further chat about axillary clearance v radiotherapy at the end of chemo for me… apparently different trusts make different decisions on this one.
@copperycat Go to the festival! I started going to festivals when I was 18 some 30 odd years ago. It has tailed off over the last decade as kids and life has taken over for friends but I have never ever ever regretted going to a festival. You might not be in the mosh pit any more (although you never know!) but a clear dark night and a crowd singing along together will lift your spirits like nothing else.
@annemanc and @copperycat I must confess I have not stayed at a festival for at least a decade. I wholeheartedly advise staying outside and being a daytripper (I have stayed in lovely quiet campsites and hotels outside). You’ll thank me when you are not being woken by the slamming of portaloo doors and can have a lie in. I am a lightweight but festival camping is for the young ones these days. But still go book that ticket and the accommodation.
think about all getting together and doing one of the pink ribbon walks, out Oct17 gang did it we also had a weekend in London together when we’d all got through treatments we still speak each day and regularly meet up as do a lot of the threads, if you do decide to do that, swap your details via pm’s to keep safe it’s good to look forward Shi xx
Hiya not at this stage but early on yes whether it would be surgery first or chemo first…I was keen to have it out, but turns it it shrank quite a bit and if I didn’t where it was I wouldn’t notice and clearly I didn’t. I caught it early they said 2.1cm, still 2.1cm too big if you want my opinion…nods came back clear/unequivocal , because of hands surgery 10 days before, I found the C so nodes might have been swollen because if that anyway. So some will be removed.
I have my brother now w me and it’s so nice. He’s only here for a short but god it’s nice to have family here. Next week is my first scan post chemo that it has deffo shrunk and it’s smaller. Oncologist said they still have to operate even if the cancer completely disappeared which is bigger yet logical I just hope we get to a point in teh future the bugger can be laser out and don’t have to be opened" to check" it’s gone or operate on our bodies.
Think I’ve decided to go to Düsseldorf for Christmas markets. Tg for the credit card at this point xxx
Hi everyone so this week i an half way through chemo my hair has gone and had to have pic line fitted which i find really strange but dealing with it but to be fair i doing ok i got 6 weeks left of chemo then radio therepy,injectins every 3 weeks for a year after as am her+ that then tablets for 5 yrs its a lot to take in but managed to continue working from home which has kept my mind active. I have found this group a really big help and feel it has helped me stay positive i also found a book called tea and chemo which helped me through my hair loss as i did struggle with this at first but would just like to send love and thanks to everyone on here that is helping me on this journey. Xx
@chanttel77 congratulations on being half way through. That is a good milestone. You sounds like you have conquered how you are feeling about the hair loss. In six weeks you can start looking forward to it coming back again.
Hi dear, good luck with your treatment.
I lost my hair after the second session of chemotherapy, but the scalp pain was so strong so I decided to cut all down and pain disappeared and now I can moisturise my scalp and looks great, but think is winter soo a hat is fine, I bought 2 wings but I don’t use them to often. Hair will grow up after chemotherapy done, so don’t worry.
Don’t worry about picc line, in two weeks you will not feel discomfort anymore and you will forget is there. Don’t forget to keep the picc line away from water, cover your arm when you shower and try to not wash that arm.
Take care and big
For hair loss I would highly recommend the Look Good Feel Better sessions with www.cancerhaircare.co.uk the website has loads of info.
I’ve kept 98% of my hair cold capping but it’s not without its problems. Sensitive scalp and brittle hair.
Had 11/12 chemo today. Managed to get a cancelled appt in Cardiff so a bit less travel, too, until 5pm Tuesday to be told.But next week with Herceptin and PICC line removal they’ve put me in the further hospital again! In clinic Tuesday so will be asking for a cancellation if possible. They booked 1pm to finish at 5:15 without PICC removal then 1 1/2 to 2 journey home during peak hours.
I don’t know how your oncology/cancer centres are but there seems to be no emotional support available, with the exception of any on-site charities. Problem with us and the distance is that once we’ve finished we just need to get home. The surgery team have a named nurse who regularly phones me for a chat just to catch up.
@naughty_boob totally agree about lack of mental support. To be honest I find the chemo centre and nurses least sympathetic of pretty much all the NHS interactions. If I am feeling generous I think they are overworked, burnt out and just don’t have much to give. Feel like I am another number in a system. I had a mega cry to a macmillan nurse today on the phone who couldn’t have been more different so recommend giving them a call if you need some emotional support.
I am just coming out of cycle four and seem to have developed nerve damage with this one alongside the other symptoms. I did use ice cubes throughout chemo in my mouth and my taste although crap has not been as bad as last cycle so will carry on with those. Cannot wait until next week when my taste and tummy start to get back to normal for a few days. Feels like it is getting harder each cycle.
we all should be at home in a warm atmosphere, don’t worry about steroids, i had my EC fortnight too, but i was happy to sleep 4 h and then i fall asleep again in the morning, but i had that bad cough too so for me was a bid hard with the sleep.
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Totally agree about isolation amongst immunocompromised folk. It’s been an eye opener during hospital visits, and chemo room. My chemo diet has about 40 chairs , all sat next to each other . No privacy curtain or anything . No visitors allowed though , have to do it alone . Which is hard but perhaps helps keep germs down a little . Yes, brilliant advice on diet. That’s what I usually do. Lots of protein and legumes, and veg. Just find it hard during chemo. But gone off dairy especially cheese . Just want sweet to counteract the saltiness of everything! Constipation is my usual problem so it’s a juggling match between that and diarrhoea! Roll on the new year and hopefully get back to healthy eating when chemo wears off.
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I am such an active person I dread the operation. I remember the pain from.the biopsies…not looking forward to that.
. Feels like the time to be bold. Anyone else got any plans hatching? Xxxxx
xxxxx
that it has deffo shrunk and it’s smaller. Oncologist said they still have to operate even if the cancer completely disappeared which is bigger yet logical I just hope we get to a point in teh future the bugger can be laser out and don’t have to be opened" to check" it’s gone or operate on our bodies.