No I think the number is in relation to what hospital you are at. So my emergency triage number goes thro to another hospital in my trust in Liverpool (not the one I’m being treated at but linked to my hospital) - I really do try & advocate for myself but the girl said to me “this is an advice line and my advice is to go to a&e” - but she wasn’t “prescribing” so couldn’t answer any of my questions about the blood thinners. I actually called Macmillan and spoke to a prescribing nurse who was much more helpful! I have a direct line into an oncology nurse (I say direct line - it’s leave a message and they ring you within 48 hours) - she is lovely but essentially acts as the gatekeeper to my oncologist.
On a separate note, 8 free hours of wellbeing treatments sounds amazing! I had to fight tooth and nail to even get given my wig voucher (which they didn’t want to give me until I’d lost enough hair 
)!
I’m on Abraxane / nab-paclitaxel (an alternative to paclitaxel or docletaxel) for another 2 x rounds then onto EC, which I’m already feeling anxious about
Does anyone know what the timeframe is between finishing one regime and starting another? Ie. I am on chemo every 3 x weeks, then move onto EC every 2 x weeks. Will I have to wait 3 x weeks after my current regime finishes before starting EC? I asked at my last session and they said that’s a question for my oncologist who is like the Scarlett pimpernel so may as well ask on here!
Trying to work out if I’ll be having chemo on Christmas Eve, which it looks like I will at the moment…
I know the feeling I had a well meaning and good friend ask me why I don’t just shave my head the other day (I am currently using a mixture of caps and headbands to cover my bald patches and thought I was doing okay). It’s left me feeling really self conscious even tho I know she didn’t mean anything bad by it
Sorry to hear you’re having shoulder trouble. It can be such a pain, literally. As a physio myself I’d say you probably will need to choose as most physios wouldn’t be happy with a patient being treated by someone else at the same time. It might help to find out which one will offer the most input, and which one has the most relevant experience. If you’re getting 8 hours a month in the cancer wellbeing clinic that might be more than the NHS physio will be allowed to provide, so might be a better option. They also should be familiar with your surgeries and PICC line. On the other hand, the NHS physio may have more musculoskeletal experience and might be better qualified to treat shoulders. Regardless, I hope you get sorted soon x
I can’t believe that about your wig voucher - that’s terrible! We get a wig completely free here (N Ireland) and another one after 6 months. I had mine in my hand even before I’d started chemo, never mind losing any hair. I’m so sorry for what your friend said about your hair 
@luckyduck1 i feel your pain, sore throat and chemo mouth (with oral thrush) for 5 weeks now 
Oh no! Thats way worse at least mine comes and goes. I had thrush round 1 but the medication cleared it up. Hope yours goes soon. X
I agree plus I think it’s daft to see two. I was just being proactive as Dr said 7 months and I didn’t want to be waiting. The physio at the wellbeing place was NHS and worked with the BCNs and it was them that said to give this place a call. And the 8 hrs I can have any kind of treatments massage, facials, Reiki, etc. I’m not sure how I ascertain which one’s right for me! Thanks for the info tho much appreciated x
Crikey just catching up, it’s all going on isn’t it. We all seem to be feeling it in various ways coming up to the halfway mark, I suppose that’s to be expected as I keep getting told the effects are cumulative.
Glad to have a fellow Christmas nut on board @nicnac17! I usually get moaned for being prematurely festive but I think I’ll get carte blanche this year - cancer card has to count for something!
I’m a bit dubious about the help line to be honest, the response I always seem to get (granted I’ve only called twice) is to go to A&E. And when you’re feeling ropey and tired and basically just meh the thought of going to A&E is just a bit much isn’t it. I didn’t go the second time and just waited to see the oncologist.
Sympathise with the hypermobility issues…I have Ehlers Danlos and they think that’s probably why I’m getting such inflammation in my ribs and sternum. My oncologist called me awkward
Hope you’re all doing ok ladies…this forum really is a support that I’m very thankful for 
I’m loving reading all your replies, but can’t keep up with chat 
. Hope you all managed to have a nice extra hour in bed - lovely and sunny here so a little walk planned when I can be bothered to get dressed !!
I’m also thinking (and getting worried) about moving onto to drug 2 after EC.
I’ve been relatively ok on this treatment.
My 4th EC IS 13th Nov, which will mean Carbo/Pax is due to start Christmas Day 
I wonder if they will do it before or after (after I hope)
Anyway have a great Sunday xxx
I feel like a 54yr old pregnant woman. I kid you not I just ate a bowl of microwave golden rice mixed with ketchup and I’m not going to lie it was bliss 
I have no idea how that even entered my mind!
Anyone else on weird combos?
Not gonna lie @luckyduck1, that sounds gross No weird food combos from me at the minute but I’m struggling to find something nice to drink. At the minute I’m on fresh orange mixed with lemonade and lots of ice.
Uncut white bread with loads of butter is still my go to snack. So that, coupled with being bunged up off codeine, steroid bloat and chemo belly means I practically look full term preggo now
I’ve got over my toffee and biscuit phase, thank goodness. I’m now heavily into rye bread (I’d never had it before) preferably with nut butter and mashed banana on it. In fact I’m eating it right now.
Haha, within 10 mins my carb high was lost and i was back to manky taste in mouth but it was 10 mins of heaven.
I find bread hard to swallow atm although i want to
I had muller rice for breakfast too, ( hot or cold is lovely) thats a lot of rice!!
The 24hr oncology line nurse who sent me to A&E just called to get an update from me and i need to update her tomorrow after hospital.
I joined you on the toffee craze for a while! Gone off it again now…I seem to have fads 
Ah it’s good they contacted you for an update but I still think it’s a shame that they couldn’t establish what was going on whilst you were there yesterday 
I seem to be having a fad on cereal this week - Honey Nut Cornflakes, Honey Nut loops and Strawberry Clusters.
Also tinned rice pudding is a current fav 
No black pudding? wasn’t that you?
I don’t think I could trust myself with a box of Honey Nut Cornflakes.
I’m also drinking strong flavoured herb teas that are supposed to give a boost to the immune system. Wild rosehip &Hibiscus and one that’s just called Immune Support.