Hello all! A little time in the garden this morning supervising the annual trim! All looking lovely and did help a little myself but not for too long. Am off on a social walk with my puppy class tomorrow so time to rest before that and then back to the F1 on the sofa! Did some work yesterday as well so feeling okay after FEC2.
Mary I noticed the same about my red stuff and the wee is now a sort of orange rather than red which it was first time around. Not too worried about it though.
Got the allergic rash back too though antihistamines already working. Anti sickness tabs seem ok too although I did feel a little more queasy yesterday.
Bad news on the hair front though, looks like the cold cap isn’t working. The hair in the middle of my scalp is now looking very thin and I feel a haircut coming on. Poor OH is really struggling with this SE. His mum had bc when she was in her 30s and he’s been through this before so must be very upsetting.
Good news is that my wounds are now healing post surgery. So much so that I don’t need to have them dressed all the time. Looking forward to getting them dried out a bit and getting some new bras!!
Finally hope all went well with Grandad and that Little Chick is holding up ok.
Glad everyone sounds OK. Thanks for the info on steroids Natalie. My problem is that I don’t get up that early in the morning usually so my first dose is nearer 9:30am than the prescribed 8am, then my second dose is later than it should be. Will have to make an effort to take them earlier I think. I sent you a PM re my wherabouts a while ago - hopefully you got it.
Regarding the red pee - mine goes from red to orange to yellow pretty quickly, so I regard it as my ‘tequila sunrise’ pee cocktail!
Sarabee - sounds like your experience with the cold cap is similar to mine. I gave up after FEC 2 because I was getting bald patches on top plus other areas. I took the plunge and clipped it all off to about 1/4" - but the hair that was left has hung on in there, although much thinner and like straw - I had thought it would all fall out. Still, it was in no state to wear it as I used to, so I don’t regret clipping it. I’m getting used to the wig - a lot of people don’t realise that it is one, so I don’t feel too self-conscious. Have been out in it in a high wind today and it just looks ruffled like natural hair. I have a new one arriving at the end of next week - am hoping it’s as successful as I don’t want to rely on using my NHS one as an alternative.
Re your OH’s reactions - the wig lady at my hospital has had alopecia since she was 18 and has had to wear wigs ever since. Apparently she has 16 different ones. She is just about to get married and her OH knows she wears wigs but has never seen her without them - she wears a natural hair one to bed and on the beach, and the synthetic ones the other times. That’s her choice and he respects her feelings - I suppose we all react differently. I suppose your OH doesn’t want to be reminded that you’re ill? I can understand that. At least for us we know it will grow back - although I’m a bit concerned that my partial alopecia will take it’s chance to spread when it finds some empty hair follicles to attack… the type I have closes up the follicles so it’s impossible for the hair to grow back once it’s gone.
Afternoon all. It is very quiet in the warren. Hope everyone is ok & out enjoying the sunshine.
I went to a gig last night, the first time for ages. It was a lovely chilled out evening in a lounge bar so I was able to sit down all night. It was the first evening outing for Susie & Dolly and both were very successful. Susie is far too coiffured for the real me, but getting ready was a dream, no long winded blow drying of mad hair just slipped on my trophy wife ‘do’ & ready to go. I am still marvelling at how comfortable & realistic ‘Dolly’ is, wore with a non pocketed bra & no issues at all I am delighted.
Have mooched about all day at our local farmers Market & fabulous international supermarket, which was lovely & chilled. My taste is now fine again after FEC 2 so had a lovely Vietnamese coffee & Chinese pork buns for breakfast ( habits we brought back from our travels). It is a good day when I can drink my fav coffee again.
Looking forward to Eurovision tonight, a real guilty pleasure. Cheesy tunes & twitter what more could a girl wish for.
Hi all,
Gramps has had his op and is Finally no longer in massive pain. He is comfortable but the surgeon has warned that he only has a 40% chance of surviving post op as it carrys a high risk. Anyway fingers crossed and thanks for all your support as usual.
On the colour of the chemo drugs. I was told that the red colour is a die to denote the danger of the substance itself and therfore I would imagine the colour can vary. It’s a bit like them colouring meths purple to stop you drinking it.
Have been in garden all day which is lovely but I’m already bored of smothering myself with factor 50. My head feels constantly sweaty. Iam tending to go commando finding my baldness quite liberating. Anyone else the same ?
Vannsx
Vanns, Good to hear your Gramps is more comfortable, was he at Good Hope? I go commando in the house and garden, not ventured out further than the front door. I was waving off some relatives yesterday and did wonder why a little girl skipping by, did a double take, I’d completely forgotten. This weather is certainly not conducive to wigs and hats. As soon as I cross the threshold the scarf has to come off! Still not taken the wig for a whirl, feels itchy and prickly and I don’t feel like me. I’m sure the time will come when I feel like sporting hair , need a cloudy day and I’m not wishing for one of those at the moment.
Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and SE’s are not too bad.
Gaynor xx
Sara we are be on the same treatment, I switch to tax for the next one, and I have been given four steriods to take before the tax, are you also going to have herceptin. Have been taking linseed each morning so have had no constipation thank god. I believe as well that the tax is less toxic to the hair foliciles, so some people start to re grow their hair. I am having cold cap, couple of thin patches but no so bad that you can see them.m I have been on the go all day doing the garden, hoping I can tire myself out, not sure if I can take another sleepless night, aybe I will wash the windows lol. Vanns so glad you grandad is out of pain and will continue to keep everything crossed for him. Will sign off now because I carnt get my words together brain
Vanns, glad your grandad is as comfortable as can be expected - hope he goes on to a full recovery.
Re avoiding the sun - I’ve been sitting under a sun shade rather than using high factor cream - but why are we supposed to avoid it anyway? Are we supposed to be more sensitive at the moment - I haven’t noticed any difference.
Southpool - sounds like you’re having a really relaxing sociable weekend - sounds good.
Vanns and Gaynor - you’re brave going commando - I really don’t like my bare head and wear scarves at home. I don’t even like my neighbours to see me wearing scarves really - but due to the hot weather only wear the wig when I’m going out somewhere.
Elaine, no I won’t be on herceptin as my bc is triple negative - so no possible treatment past the ‘poison, slash and burn’… just have to hope all that works! Glad the cold cap is working for you. Hope you get some sleep tonight. I’m feeling very tired now so don’t think I’ll have much trouble, thank goodness - although I do find it difficult to sleep well when it’s too warm anyway. Are you using actual linseeds or linseed oil for your constipation? I have meds from oncology, but they don’t always work as well as they might…
I sprinkle linseeds on my porridge in the morning, also eat dates & prunes on the days before chemo & have had no problems with constipation. Also eat at least 6 portions of fruit & veg a day. Can only assume it helps.
Just finished watching Eurovision and love following it on twitter too!
Usually have a huge party with friends and voting and trophies!!! It’s a big event lol! Decided not to have the party but did telephone voting with friends and family who normally turn up. Next year back to normal I hope!!!
Hi Sara, Yes I buy them from tesco, morrisons and sprinkle them on all bran in the morning with some pumkin and sesame seeds, does the trick for me. Its tastes good also, just might help you. Slept a bit better last night managed 5 hours so thats good. I have been sitting in the sun with a hat on too, and I have not burnt anywere but I am used to the sun, as I spent about 26 years of my life as cabin crew so used to it, and anyway its lovely to be outside, it boosts my spirits. Log in later hope everyone has a lovely day the sun is shining. Elainexxxx
Good morning Bunnies,
Have been enjoying the sunshine as well- bought lots of plants yesterday and now need to do the actual work to put them in! Am wearing a cap in the sun, but in the house, enjoying the coolness of being bald. Who would have thought it? My son caught sight of me through the mist of the shower screen and said I look like a new born creature from Minority Report! I laughed, but still not quite sure that this is a good thing.
Am gearing up for my next juicing on Wednesday- encouraged by those of you who seem to be less adversely affected. Fingers crossed. Of course, that’s assuming it goes ahead; bloods and echocardiogram to get through first.
Hope all is well with our quiet ones; I am guessing that the change in weather has made us all feel a bit more positive, but I know that at any given moment we all are experiencing different emotions.
Looked at the map of locations that you have done Namar, ( thanks for doing this ! ) and you are right, we are really spread out. If it seems really difficult , we could always do a split east/west or north/ south? Would be a shame in a way, but see what everyone thinks. Fixing a date will be tricky too, because of treatment times, but I guess we are never going to be able to find a perfect time…
Anyway, off to get some breakfast… Porridge, coconut oil, prunes, yoghurt, and linseed!!
Back later,
Lee x
Vanns, I’m just the same with my bald head. Can’t be bothered wearing anything at home in this heat, and it is liberating
I am just having a good holiday sitting in the garden under a parasol and covered in factor 40, reading a book and watching hubby pottering about. Guess what? He made me a proper swing in one of the trees, with a wooden seat and two long ropes! I’m just making like an ostrich, burying my head in the sand and trying to enjoy life for a few days.
By the sound of it there are a lot of tired bunnies, hope you are all getting plenty of r & r and not pushing yourselves too hard. Thanks for all the good wishes xxx
Elaine - yes I think I’ll stock up on linseed on my next supermarket trip. Usually have porridge, prunes, yoghurt etc but doesn’t seem to be enough. I can literally feel my system seizing up a couple of days after chemo. My chemo nurse said that our digestive systems from mouth to the other end are full of naturally ‘good’ dividing cells and as chemo is designed to stop cells dividing, that’s why it can have such a difficult effect. Anyway, had extra prunes this morning!
LittleChick, I think there are times when the ostrich position is exactly the right choice, and this is one of them. Your swing sounds delightful - hope you and your OH have a lovely relaxing day in the garden together.
I’m about to head out to my position under the parasol with the Sunday papers - feeling achey today, probably due to Neuplasta, so not planning to go anywhere.
I was just wondering if any of you have suffered with a water infection whilst on our chemo journey. I think I may have cystitis but not sure really how to treat it. I have been drinking cranberry juice and water. I am taking an antibiotic twice a day for 14 days as part as my routine meds after chemo, which is supposed to help prevent this type of thing. Not sure if I should contact my chemo nurse in the morning if it is no better.
Hi Natalie … Just popping in! I’ve nearly finished my chemo journey, but was told by my Onc to stock up on ‘over the counter’ medicines for constipation, diahorrea and cystitis which can all occur during chemo. I did, thankfully haven’t had to use any though :). Lemon (or other flavours) barley water was also recommended, along with cranberry juice…as important to flush cystitis out of the system. Best to double check though…take care x
Sara, the comment from your chemo nurse makes so much sense- I was wondering why it seems to have such a bad effect on my whole digestive system and was a bit worried that my SE’s were worse than they should be. I find it almost impossible to drink or eat anything for about 4 days post FEC. Makes more sense now!
Lee x
LittleChick - hope your liver scan went OK today - how long do you have to wait for the results? Waiting is always a nightmare, isn’t it?
Natalie - hope you’ve got some respite from your cystitis, it’s so uncomfortable, isn’t it?
Lee, hope your bloods and other tests are OK for juicing on Wednesday. I’m not feeling great, but certainly nowhere near as bad as I did for FEC2… hopefully you’ll have minimum SEs.
Have just been up a tree again rescuing my idiotic cat - I’d left him there since Saturday evening hoping he’d learn his lesson and come down, but no such luck. Then this morning he was wailing his head off and I just couldn’t sit in the garden and ignore it. I’m feeling exhausted at the moment, so carrying the ladder around to where the tree is, is hard work. Fortunately a young man passing by with his bike stopped off to help me - I was very grateful! At one point the cat was eyeing up my head as a landing point when I was up the ladder - I had visions of him landing on the wig and the whole lot flying off and getting stuck on a branch somewhere out of reach! Well, after a cool drink to recover, I’m off the to supermarket - linseeds definitely on the shopping list.
They are pulling out all the stops for me. Liver scan results sent straight through to surgeon and are ok, surgeon had a cancellation and I am booked in for surgery mx & snb Thursday, go in wed night and all assuming bloods are ok, but guess they are optimistic.
