Hello @daffodil1 I loved Rosamund Dean’s book too, so helpful and practical.
One thing that’s helping me during chemo is to try new stuff to take my mind off it. I know I’ll get worse rather than better as the chemo progresses, but am trying to enjoy the process itself.
I’m lucky in that I’m signed off work, so have started a very gentle yoga class and am also getting piano lessons on the piano that’s been gathering dust in our spare room. I like the idea of being able to play one or two pieces reasonably well by the end of this treatment, so I can look back and feel I did something non-cancery. Has anyone else found good stuff to stop the fear? Xxx
Hi, I’m starting on Tuesday and have a son just starting Yr 7 in a new school and town after moving. What a whirlwind start! Good luck and happy to chat.
Kate-Eliza, that must be extra tricky having moved somewhere new and all change with your son’s school. Hope he likes it and settles in soon. Good luck for Tuesday.
I had my second weekly chemo on Thursday, paclitaxel, not too bad so far thankfully, managed to watch my (y8) son play at footie today, which was lovely.
As @daffodil1 says it must be hard moving to a new town and having your son move to big school, both big upheavals in themselves, without starting treatment.
Hi all
How is everyone faring on the chemo? Naughty boob, how have you been doing since your first paclitaxel? I’ve found that taking the anti nausea tablets is helping me quite a bit.
Love to all
xxx
4 days on from first Paclitaxel and I feel much better today. Had three very sleepless nights, tossing and turning added to the usual hot flushes. I had Epsom salt baths, sleep pillow sprays, breathing exercises but nothing helped. Last night I took a sleeping tablet (prescribed by oncologist as hot flushes have been a nightmare since coming off HRT) and I only woke for a short time twice, so feel more rested today.
Side effects nausea if I didn’t take the anti sickness tablets on time!, heart burn, back pain, stomach cramps, headache. 3 episodes of diarrhoea but stopped after husband went to supermarket to buy Loperamide (should have been given to me, helpline also advised Omeprazole,buscopan and loperamide). I also had several large whitehead spots on my face which I have treated with my skin care. Maybe call the helpline to check on this.
I’m hoping I still feel ok today and next few days until I have treatment on Thursday. Also have Covid 19 vaccine and hopefully flu on Wednesday.
Oh dear, my little girl (aged seven) has come home today with a temperature and headache having picked up a bug at school. Being poorly, she wants lots of cuddles from me which I’ve provided.
Unsure of best course of action as I know I’m immunosuppressed. But I want to make things as normal as possible for my kids. Has anyone else navigated this dilemma yet? Thanks all.
Sorry to hear your little girl is poorly hope she feels better soon. Do let your team know and you could check with them what your nadir phase of your cycle is where your immune system is at its lowest in the cycle just as precaution and to take their guidance to keep yourself safe too Shi xx
Thanks Shi, I’ll do that and call the hotline too check. It’s just a normal lurgy kids seem to constantly have during the winter months. Just unsure how my body would react to something similar currently.
Hey @daffodil1 am on day 11 post first EC. Have been feeling much better last few days, bit tired but weirdly find that if I get out for a walk and get some exercise I feel more energised. Not dissimilar to having a hangover!
I do find that at random times all my energy goes, and that when that happens sleep is best option. How are you getting on? Sending everyone positive vibes xxxx
Spoke to soon. I have a UTI and now on antibiotics. Phoned the helpline who said to call GP, who were quick to respond. Follow up tomorrow with bloods hopefully with District nurse from PICC line as GP admitted they would have no idea how to extract blood via this method. She also queried about having flu jab but Covid would be ok, which are both due on Wednesday, hopefully nearly 48 hours after antibiotics I should be much better.
Having hassle with dentist, but going to put that to back burner as oncology have said don’t have work until after chemotherapy. I still have an NHS dentist but they just keep pushing private stuff and limiting appointments for NHS work. The most annoying thing is I saw a dentist in March within 1 year guarantee of a bridge fitting, they said ok but didn’t take X-rays so couldn’t see what was going on underneath. Now there is an issue and could have been present back then! The surgery keeps losing dentists aether one is a slept 4 weeks later so probably didn’t want or was told not to book work! Needless to say they can’t book NHS work until March which is far too late as I need Zoledronic acid infusion for bone marrow and that affects dental work. Oncologist wanted work done by end January at latest! Rant over. Will readdress sometime later when I have the strength!
Always best to check with your team so you can look after yourself too try and find out when your nadir days are if you don’t already know and just take guidance from them, just to keep safe I hope she feels better soon Shi xx
Hi naughtyboob, hope you had a better night’s rest and that the antibiotics have helped. Sounds like you’re having a rough time and hope things improve for you soon. UTIs are horrible. I don’t know whether you are having filgastrim injections too but suspect they may be helping me (3 x per week).
Hi annemanc, how is your little girl now? Hope she’s better. It’s all very well in theory saying to avoid bugs isn’t it, but we just want to cuddle our kids when they’re unwell. I agree re exercise, a little walk seems to help.
Has anyone else had nosebleeds? I’ve had a couple now and also quite a sore throat. Go to clinic today anyway before next paclixatel on Thursday, so can discuss then.
Thank you for reminder re jabs as well…
@daffodil1 she seems to be perking up thanks. The Christie hotline were great and said they understood how hard it is when little kids are under the weather and want their mums. Sometimes you have to cuddle them!
Their advice, which I’ve followed, is to try to limit contact while she has a temperature and to watch myself like a hawk. So any sore throat, headache or temp call them straight away. Been ok so far.
No filigastrim injections for me, if that is for bone, I’m having zoledronic acid infusions after chemotherapy instead.
Antibiotics have made me feel nauseous again. I did take the anti sickness for 3 and a bit days then stopped to see how I was.(guidance take for 5 days as required). Took them again to help. Other than the UTI I actually felt better after taking sleeping tablets and getting more rest.
Out of interest how many ‘good’ days do you get with weekly Paclitaxel?
Great your little one is picking up annemanc. My son said he was feeling a bit shivery earlier but then seemed fine so fingers crossed.
Have you all had your covid and flu jabs. Mine is booked for next Tuesday which is only two days before paclixatel and carboplatin so hope for no reaction.
Naughtyboob (I’m not sure how to respond with the name highlighted) glad to hear you’re getting more sleep. Saw registrar yesterday and he said each cycle can be different with paclixatel so who knows how many “good” days. I think EC is particularly tough…I’m more achy in chest and underarm areas near op since starting chemo too.
don’t forget to book your look good feel better sessions at your local Macmillans 
It’s just a normal lurgy kids seem to constantly have during the winter months. Just unsure how my body would react to something similar currently.