FEC75 CYCLE 3 DAY 4
Christine – I meant to say the last laugh was on THEM not you! Thank you for the craftsy site details. I took a look and was captured, so will go back there again. I’ll also look for instructions for felting online again too. It’s just getting the confidence to go for it really, and overcoming OH exclaiming “not another project to go unfinished!”
Linda – don’t you just hate being experimented on, it felt a bit like that on my hospital stay. They weren’t the experts that are on the chemo wards, and it showed out. I had no confidence in that side of things.
Woolfie – I echo all the other comments about your OH’s diagnosis. How absolutely awful. I can’t imagine how you both must feel. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Be brave x
Kath – thanks for the link, I had a look and there’s one not too far from me so I might take a look at their programme. How did the choir go? I hope you enjoyed yourself.
Karen – how lovely to paint. I did that when I was expecting my first child 38 years ago. In fact, as we are house clearing ready for our move to Spain, we found the finished article, a life painting. It doesn’t look bad, and the family told me to get it framed and put it on the wall in Spain! Maybe if there’s time I can take it up again when we are there. Well done on going out in your wig, something I haven’t managed yet. Rhubarb…yum I love it but haven’t had any this year.
Carol – how did the sominex work for you? I hope it did make a difference
Roadshow – well done for getting through the party. It sounded as if you had great fun too. I’d love to be able to dance again, another project for Spain maybe!!! So much to do and so little time to do it! I’d love to see your projects and patterns, but I don’t have an i-phone. I don’t mind putting my email address on my profile page for Marchies regulars and maybe you could show me your work there? xx Those flights sound like a bargain to me. And well done on the hedgehog for your niece, it makes it all worthwhile, and as someone else said, very therapeutic. BTW what does pm and deets mean? I was thinking along the same lines with taking in a fruit basket for the nurses, they get such a lot of cake! Well done with the weight. You must be soo tiny, standing next to me! Mmmmm that smoothie sounded divine. I must make one for me soon.
Suzy – another lovely walk. Your cats coming too sounded so cute, panting along! Our cat (long gone now) used to try following us, but we had to shoo her home as we live near very busy roads. No road access sounds a bit awkward, however do you manage? Thanks for the recipe, I’ll try that one. I’m all for trying new meals. I sing in the car too. It’s great as no-one else can hear!
Talking of Fanny’s Farm , does anyone have a time/date suggestion? And who would like to do that? or maybe there’s a better place more central to more people?
Nipinuk – sorry you’ve been out of sorts, and hope you are on the way up now x. Unfortunately I don’t have a smart phone, so I wouldn’t be able to see the treats you have in store for us L. Roadshow is quite right, cut yourself some slack. What she said was so sweet and so right.
Janey – I really feel for you with all the mouth ulcers. That must be so debilitating, and I can understand how you must feel. I have toothache back again which has caused me to be a bit low, especially as I have already paid out £600 to “fix” the problem! I’m a little anxious about that now, but will ask the BN tomorrow at line care time if it could be chemo related this time round. Has anyone else had anything similar?? I’m glad you have a supportive OH like mine who encourages you to try to look on the bright side. I think we need that sometimes. I agree with Linda, you should never have had to sit with the germs in AnE, that was very bad, and then to be told to see your pharmacist. That’s just sooo bad.
Shelley –so glad you find this thread supportive, as I do too. It’s so good to connect with others going through the same or similar things, and still have a laugh, share information and interests too. Let’s keep it coming J
Well it’s taken me a long time to finish this post, I hope it doesn’t disappear like once before! Hope all those on treatments this week have a good experience and fewer problems than last time round. And all those who’ve suffered, may that stop right now and recovery take place as I post this.
Goodnight all, sleep tight and don’t let the bugs bite
Love Angela xxx
Roadshow, I am still numb around my armpit down to my elbow on the inside of my arm and about half way down at the back. I have also got some swelling come back in the armpit and surround, though we don’t think it is the dreaded Lymphoedema. I was warned that the numbness might continue for months, though my surgeon was very kind and was careful because I climb, although haven’t ventured back yet!
I also have some vein damage and have been told just to keep moving the arm and stretching them out, though if you can’t straighten your arm you may need to see a physio. Is this an option? The pilates might also help - I am doing a Pink Pilates course which has been developed specifically to help with post surgical mobility - I don’t see why it can’t help with post chemo mobility as well! I can ask about that on Thursday of you like. xx
PS - I can’t believe we had surgery on the same day too!
oh mungosmum did i miss that vital bit of information? Happy Birthday to you and may it be a very blessed year for you as you come through chemo with flying colours xxx
Happy birthday mungos mum I wish I was 44 again!
Hi Marchies,
Sorry if I mislead you. I’m not being experimented on. (and I agree, the hospital ward where they dumped me had no idea what neutropenia is!)
I think I will be offered the Neulasta jab but I really don’t want it as it doesn’t seem to go very well with Tax. Apart from my neutropenia I have been doing so well on Tax!
I am hoping for reduced doseage IF this is as equally effective as the Neulasta. If not, then injection it is. I really do not want neutropenia again!!! A reduced doseage isn’t so drastic for me as I am only on chemo because I need heceptin. I have dozens of questions for the onco but they don’t see the side effects of these injections like we do. It all gets blamed on the chemo, and I am not at all sure that is fair!
hey ho. Tomorrow will bring me my answers.
Linda, It might be worth checking which injections you get - I get G-CSF 5 injections over 5 days, which will double the count each injection. I was told that the pain kicks in when the count gets above 60, so if the count is good after a couple of days, we should be able to stop. Might help your arguements. good luck. xx
Sorry missed it earlier but happy birthday mangos mum!
Roadshow I am still numb fom my op and yes apparently that’s normal, I have also developed cording in that arm, which is as you quite rightly described like guitar strings running up your arm which can restrict your movement and make it very painful to stretch your arm out. I was given a DVD and a card of exercises to do which has almost sorted the problem, I do them about 3 times a day. I was also offered extra physio sessions by my hospital to help.
Thank you to everyone for the advice on my sore mouth, i am using diflam mouthwash but they don’t seem to be getting any better so I think I may make a call to the gp tomorrow.
Goodnight all, sleep well xx
Happy Birthday Christine! i also wish was I was 44 again. Hope you enjoyed your celebrations, and just think this time next year, this chemo rubbish will all be over!
Angela, yes i think the Sominex are helping (thank you 
) though i will ptobably feel it more tomorrow night as i’ve only stopped the dexamethasone today. and day off on Wednesday so I can have a lie in 
!
Longer post tomorrow, didn’t have the energy tonight!
Good night all, sleep well.
Carol xx
Linda - all the best tomorrow, may your SEs remain small and manageable. And I hope you get the answers to your questions. Yes, I agree that it’s easy to blame chemo.
Just heard over the news about two men raping a 14 year old boy in Machester last July. And another one about child abuse in North Wales In 18 care homes. How can some people be so sick??! Upsetting… I’m not sure I’ll let my non-sporty eldest son out of sight.
Suzy, love the description about your panting cats too!
will write more tomorrow x
Christine, sent you a text much earlier about installing the app.
Feeling frustrated that 2 of my posts didn’t show up yesterday. The only thing I did differently was to write it in word then paste here - does anyone have that problem.
Will try and add my post later. Off to a relaxation class this morning - although have to drive back on m25 so defeats the object a bit!
Take care everyone today x
Hi ladies
Hope we are all ok this morning happy birthday for yesterday christine
ive just phoned doctors for better pain killers had a bad night i have 8 injection they finish on friday my OH birthday I also ended up in hospital with them but now they have lowed my chemo but im still in pain well life goes on and i will get over this lol
Someone was talking about now people take the news well my so callled best mate ive see 3 times it upsets me because i known shoe on other foot i would been thier i did not understand sorry u need friends and family to help make u laugh be normal as poss its the only way my boys have been great they help me big time my OH has be great but sometime u need a friend and mine is missing well i must stop moaning lol have a lovely day ladies speak soon xx
FEC –T Cycle 1 day 19
Lots of posts to catch up on. Just coming up to my second FEC – they have said they’ll give me cyclizine as well this time to alleviate the nausea /sickness . Hope this will do the trick.
Twinnumber1 – well done on getting to the half way mark
Mungos_mum I will definitely take the Domperidone earlier for round 2 next Friday. I am also having the injections as my neuts are naturally on the low side although strangely, in normal circumstances, I seem to pick up far fewer infections than most people. Sounds as though you are at the halfway mark? Do you start on the taxotere next time? Also A belated Happy birthday !
Roadshow Lovely picture of you. I will definitely not look that good minus hair! I decided not to bother with the cold cap – hair is still there although starting to come out a lot when I brush it. My daughter is coming to the wig shop – no doubt to prevent me getting anything too funky – where’s the fun if you can’t embarrass your teenage kids…
Cassowary – hope your arm problems get sorted
Daffodil66 Glad your 3<sup>rd</sup> cycle went well – encouraging to hear that you bounced back – as you say I guess our bodies get used to it
Choccy61 Thanks for the advice re wigs – I am waiting till my hair has gone before I get my wig fitted
ScottyDog1974 Glad your neuts were OK and that you are now half way through
Angela G Glad things are going OK for you
Woolfie. Sorry to learn of your OH’s diagnosis. It might be worth checking to see if hospital volunteers or local voluntary service council can help with transport. I was interested to hear about your choir. I used to sing in something similar – music is a great mood lifter. Hope all goes well for you and OH
Pammyx Thanks for tip about lime and lemon – struggling to find something palatable to drink immediately post chemo
Shells64 Sorry to hear you are having a rough time Hope the pain has gone. I’m having 3xFEC then 3xTax. Found FEC more manageable than I had anticpated so hope everything goes well for you
Nipinuk hope you are feeling better
Jlr – sorry you had such hassle getting sorted out – Your A&E seem most unhelpful. Hope you feel a bit better soon
Take care everyone
Nora B x
Morning Ladies
Ooops! Bleated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Christine , hope you had a great day and the icecream maker delivers scrummy results Peach and sour cream sounds divine, I have a neighbour who gives us masses of bruised peaches, ususally made in to jam, but I can feel icecream coming on this year!
Nipinuk, incorrigible as ever but we like it like that! Sadly I am sans smart phone, but if you or any marchies are interested message me your email and I can send some pics of the ‘chateaux’ When I said raptors I was talking of birds of prey, hawks and such, our lizards are small, geckos mostly, plenty of those in Malaysia too!
As to the house rennovations, your right its the ‘vision’ that keeps us going - even though sometimes I could scream!
Linda your right Flaming Nora! I wish I was 44 too, I was sailing round Mexico and Guatamala then, having a great time.
Roadshow I had my surgery on the 10th of Jan and I am stil numb in my armpit and recon, but I don’t have any cording - I think thats down to really pushing the exercises as soon as I could. It seems the only advice to ease cording from the physios. I think get your OH to massage your effective arm morning and night for 5 mins, upward strokes from the elbow to pit - it can’t hurt.
Janey hope your mouth is feeling better, miserable to have all those ulcers.
Angela, when we first viewed our property the OH had to cut a path like Indiana Jones using a machete, the path turned out to be a cart track, and still is. 4X4’ is the only way up
Honeym hope your Oh liked the spanish pork? Its teriyaki salmon tonight, we like to be international!
Those of you just past your 3rd cycle seem to be doing really well - good luck to those about to have theirs, mine is on Friday, back to FEC.
I watched the young ‘Morse’ the other evening and was taken by the response of one of the actresses when asked, ‘How are you’ she responded ‘I endure’ - I have adopted it 
So how are we doing girls? WE ENDURE! xxxxxxxxxxx
Fec-t cycle 3 day 7
Hi Ladies, I hope you are all managing ok? Seems like I spoke too soon & have been feeling awful these last few days, feeling groggy & so tired. Trying to drink more but find it difficult as I find having rubbish taste buds makes all drinks even water taste horrible.
We have booked a cottage in Cornwall & going on Saturday so have to feel ok for that, no pressure! Feel sorry for oh having to put up with me for a week. Hope I get my mojo & sense of humour back by then, poor man!
Shells - One of my friends said she was worried about me getting fed up with her asking how I’m coping/feeling all time, but I said it’s nice to know that people are thinking of us. Some people are just not very good at dealing with this sort of thing though but we all need lots of encouragement, positivity & lots of juicy gossip from friends to distract us at the moment. My oh’s sister phoned just after my 1st chemo & made me feel like I was getting over a cold, just what we don’t need & have avoided her calls since!
Norab - Yes definatley take the domperidone before its too bad as I also made that mistake first time. Emend is excellent if they offer it to you too. I was advised to chose a wig before losing hair as could get a better match but sometimes nice to have a change. Hope no 2 goes well.
Mungosmum - Sounds like you had a lovely birthday & good you have found some energy again 
.
Hope everyone has a good day & all goes well for those of you having chemo today & tomorrow xxx
Hi Marchies
Lots of posts to catch up with
Nipinuk welcome back sorry to hear you had a rough patch, you are doing tremendously well and always cheer us up I hope you’ve got your mojo back? Thanks for the kind offer to exchange photos unfortunately I don’t have an iphone.
Mungos Mum Belated Happy Birthday! Glad your ice-
cream maker arrived, sounds like you’ll have fun experimenting, do keep us posted what other delicious flavours you invent. Glad you have your parents staying to look after you. My inlaws arrived yesterday and have been a great help ironing , cooking and gardening. We went for a lovely walk along the coast, its a beautiful sunny day lots of daffodils out. We had lunch in the garden.
Janey ouch, s
orry to hear bout your ulcers, you must be in agony. I can’t believe that A&E dismissed this and sent you off to the chemist, poor service from them. Get well soon x
Roadshow I’m delighted you made it to your niece’s party, sounds like you were the main attraction, pink bob wig sounds ace, one of the girls in my LGFB pamper day had a rainbow bob wig, which made us giggle. I nearly wrote boob wig, which I guess is quite apt! I love the Macarena too!
AngelaG when are you planning to move to sunny Spain? Such a wonderful new chapter in your life, I wish you well. I lived in Valencia for 6 months in 1997 I have fond memories of the most delicious, freshly-baked chocolate croissants! Do you know what other treatment you’ll have post chemo? I’m in limbo until they see how much it shrinks. I have my scans tomorrow , which makes me think of your joke about the power cut during the mammogram, hope that doesn’t happen to me tomorrow hehe!
Linda and others embarking on your next blast of chemo sending you big hugs
Karen xx
Hi Scottydog, are you having scans after each cycle? BCN phoned today & said my next scan will be after 2nd cycle of tax then app with surgeon to decide whether to do a mx or wle 4 weeks after chemo finishes. Found out today I don’t need herceptin as well. Nice to be talking about chemo finishing! x
Suzy - I love your fighting spirit, I’m working on the endure bit! x
Hi Daffodil
I’m having scans after #3 and #6 fingers crossed it continues to shrink. I know both options have pros and cons.
Yes we need lots more fighting talk, as Mungos Mum says she wants to hang on until her 80s, my nanny is 96 and still going strong. I’ve lots more loving, laughing, travelling, enjoying friends and family, baking cakes and shopping to do before I drop!
Choccy enjoy your well deserved lie in tomorrow. I’d love to do interior design you must be so creative.
Pammy good luck for your #
3 tomorrow, half way there hurrah! Xxx
Hi Marchies,
TCH cycle 2 day 1
(Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin
Feeling great. The 3 infusions today went well and without a hitch, and since arriving home I have been gardening and its fish and chips for tea!. I just LOVE my steroids!! I wish I could have them for longer… apart from the red face!!
Because I was hospitalised with neutropenia last cycle I am now having the Neulasta injection, just a single one, tomorrow afternoon. The district nurse is coming to do it. I am told to start taking paracetamol straight after the jab for 3 days, then stop. This should solve any flu-like symptoms caused by the Neulasta, and help with the bone pain. If the bone pain becomes severe, anti-inflammatories as and when needed. No more paracetamols as this masks any temperature rises.
Nipinuk - you did right to insist on stopping your injections when your neuts rose. My onc said high neuts can make you poorly and you can over-dose. You have to watch hospitals because they over react when neutropenia is evident and try to give you more injections than they should.
It seems most of us are having a good or reasonable few days. Let’s make the most of it. We have sunshine here for the first time in weeks. I have ordered a new patio table set. Hope that isn’t the kiss of death.
Lots of hugs, Linda xxx
Linda - Well done but don’t over do it, I know what you mean about the steroids though I feel on a high for 2 days after chemo. Do they give you more steroids with taxotere? something to look forward to! x
Scottydog - Fingers crossed for maximum shrinkage & no power cuts, let me know how it goes? x
Daffodil,
I’ve never been one for over doing it!! 
Yes, you get double on Tax. 4 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon for 3 days. They are more important for Tax because they are to help prevent an allergic reaction to the infusion.
Enjoy your holiday in Cornwall.
xxx