Starting Chemo in December.2012

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy monthly threads
401

Hi
Pat yes was TN the first time , i did not realise the implications at the time , just later when researching and reading stuff ont his site, but i gather there are lots of chemo that can be successful.
Teal - when i had FEC in 2008 i would feel crappy for the first week and then feel better as the next 2 weeks went ready for another dose and it went in a cycle like that. The first day felt tired and a littel sicky buttake the medication you are given. It is a bit like pregnancy sickness, usually improved with a little food.

I began to oose my hair after 2nd FEC and by 3rd it was gone, was not offered the cold cap then. Hope this helps
Sarah66

402

Alpal - I found your doc’s comment about the 2% risk so odd that I looked it up - an American study found 0.6% of women ended up with a scalp metastases, BUT, they all had extensive secondaries. NO ONE had cancer spread straight to their scalp. If you have extensive secondaries then it could make its way anywhere it liked regardless of whether you had your head frozen. Maybe he just hates hair.

http://ecancer.org/news/1632

Now - the normal rule is DO NOT LOOK AT AMERICAN WEBSITES. So you can follow this link if you want to see it for yourself or you can take my word for it. if you do link then DO NOT start to browse cos there is a load of rubbish out there and it is Christmas Eve. You can trust Cress. Have a mince pie instead.

When you next see your doc - ask for the evidence.

xxx

403

Hi I was told most loose their hair without the cold cap. I am having 6chemo 3Fec and 3Tax now just getting over chemo4 Tax! I wore the cold cap for the first two sessions, I had long blonde hair had it cut shorter but it was very thin and didnt hold out much hope of keeping it but I tried. I managed to keep it up to chemo 3, after that just had a small covering on my head but still had a fringe to comb out of my bandana :)I didnt bother with the cold cap last two sessions but still got the covering hanging on and fringe :)Good Luck to you all

404

Hi Crackers-For all those interested in the hair loss adventure. I am now on day 26 post first fec (didn’t get 2nd one due to white blood cell count and heart issues-due next chemo on 27th). I do have a little hair left but most of that is falling out. In fact I feel like an old dog. There is hair everywhere. Lots of white hairs that I didn’t even know I had. I think the fec must go on working long past the 21 day mark because not only is my hair continuing to shed but I am knackered and have wee blisters on hands and feet. Today in the shower I observed that leg and armpit hair, though still stubbly, seems quite a bit sparser. I think it might be total body hair loss for me -though still have eyebrows and eyelashes. Eyebrows seem a little less mad than usual so perhaps they’re thinning. I didn’t have the cold cap so compare my adventure with the cold cap Crackers in a few days. Aside from the first day of loss and grief it’s been o.k. There’s no going back so you just accept it and experiment with various head wear. Unfortunately you need to deal with other people’s shock. People do tear up a bit. I do think I look quite ill, baldy and puffy of face. Have something handy when answering the door-a balaclava perhaps!
Alpal -I have not felt much like socialising. Just want time to pass in my wee bubble. Having said that, every time I’ve met up with people or had visitiors, even when I really didn’t feel like it, I’ve rallied and had a good laugh. It has always given me a boost and helped me get out of my own head.
Cathie- I hope you are coping with all the anxieties this process throws at you. Please keep ranting-I know exactly how you feel. Who wouldn’t feel tearful and anxious. The funny thing I’ve found is that moods and side effects seem to rise and fall surprisingly quickly. So one minute I’ll feel odd, tearful, sick etc and the next I’ll feel fine. I’m hanging onto that.
Anyway, one more day till Christmas. Have a good one. We all deserve brilliant pressies this year!

405

Hi Ladies, i am on day 6 today and i feel ever so tired just can’t be bothered to do any thing. I have just had my first injection to boost my white cells up for chemo next time.

I am so fed up with my hair it looks awful its greasy that i am still washing it but not styling it. My husband has just gone to get some dry shampoo.

I still feel a bit sick but nothing i can’t cpoe with.

My son is not well bad cough, throat and cold i hope he doessn’t pass it to me, i don’t want to be in hospital with a infection!!!

It just doesn’t not seem like Christmas to me. I feel a little sorry for my self everyone i know is out having fun. I wish i could get into the christmas swing. Perhaps i will tomorrow. Going to my mums for dinner ect.
Well have a lovely christmas. Take care Xx
Sharon Xx

406

Hi All
Im day 18 and my hair is starting to moult. but i’s not coming out in clumps just about 30 strands each time i run my fingers through my frizzy unstyled mop.
Think I’ll carry on with cold cap though…
I feel very emotional today…i went for a massage on my back as it has been painful for the last 3 months - I’m sure its muscular combined with a bit of post surgery thrown in but all the same i am crapping myself that it is…you know what!
Has anyone else experienced an achy back/shoulders?
Mx

407

Afternoon my friends,
Alapl we all deal with this sh…t in different ways so they say!! I am on day five after first FEC and although extremely tired not as bad as I thought I would be bit I am taking every med they prescribed and of course my diazepam. But still constantly have moments, minutes,hours of panic and uncontrollable emotion. I think the other ladies more in the know re cold cap have given you what you need but Cress is right try it once if you don’t like it don’t do it again. And you are very brave planning New Year’s Eve I can’t even do Christmas so well done you and all your friends there will understand .
Jo thankyou for the link on side effects I will look later I think.
Cressida you are, as always, so right, the stress is exhausting. Sorry you are so knackered I thought I would make a huge effort today freshen up flowers complete of course with gloves, hand gels etc, did two then needed a lie down! Not sleeping great bit getting about 3-4 hours a night so not too bad considering
Teal having my hair cut again much shorter news ears eve. I was told with my treatment FEC x3 then T x 3 it would all come out. I decided against cold cap but your idea of keeping a fringe of own hair great idea as my wig has a fringe too. Not worn it yet but feel scarves etc will all come out in force on New Year’s Eve will try to learn to take pictures and post.
Maire you are so right, mood swings dramatic, unpredictable tHANKYOU .
Sharon sorry you are having fed up day I do feel we are entitled to those. I am on day 5 and woke up crying and fed up again today. Again take the advice from other ladies more in the know than me, it’s okay to have these feelings lets not try and beat ourselves up about those too, accept and listen to your body, rest, cry, scream, rant whenever you need to. This site is a great place to do that everyone gets it. I couldn’t get the Christmas thing under control either but it’s one day. My husband working Christmas and new year so do you know what we will do it anther day when we can all enjoy it.
Mandy yes,yes bl**dy backache, did massage help? And every other ache and paid I get guess what I panic!!
Best wishes, loves and hugs to you all we will get through this together and again thanks everyone for just listening, understanding and responding.
Cathie
Xxx

408

Hello
I am a second time around BC. 2009 in my left and now in my right.
Started 12 weekly Taxol and 3 weekly Herceptin for 1 year last week. Cant believe I am doing this again so soon after 2009.
I only just started to get my life back. I started a new job in August so cant really take any time off and my dad died in October
this year, so all in all this is not my best year.
Rads to follow, dont know whether to go for a double masectomy or to hope that I am done with this wrotten illness. Not sure how
I go on if I dont have a double masectomy, I cant do this a third time.

Karen

409

Karen

Second round for me too had it other side 14 years ago. Got to have taxol not sure if 4 or 6 as not had snb results as yet then he said possible lumpectomy after if tumour shrunk as it is large as they keep reminding me. I have requested MX although thinking possible other side also so any bodies thoughts would be appreciated.

as you say def couldn’t do this again !

Wendy

410

Marmite ‘n’ Movicol Sprouts

You will need:

  • Sprouts (does not matter how many – actually not too many – they have vitamin K, and you can, in theory, overdose and get a blood clot, I know this is true cos it was on the BBC website)
  • 2 sachets Movicol
  • Large teaspoon Marmite
  • Either – 1 bottle wine (any type) or, in fact, any type of alcoholic beverage, in any quantity
  • Or – glass water and 5 – 10mg Benzodiazepine of your choice
  • 1 slice bread
  • Dab butter
  • Bit more Marmite

What to do:

  • Have a little drink, or a pill (you might want to break the pills into bits so that you don’t overdose)
  • Peel sprouts – remember to get all the mud off – a bit of mud could kill you – best take all the leaves off.
  • Boil whatever is left until it smells of socks
  • Have another drink/pill
  • Drain sprouts and stir in Marmite whilst still warm so it melts
  • (note – people without cancer might retain the water to make gravy – you do not need to bother)
  • Place sprouts in buttered dish
  • Sprinkle with 1 sachet Movicol
  • Bake at whatever temp you like for as long as like
  • Have another drink/pill
  • Toast bread
  • Spread with butter and marmite whilst still hot – eat immediately – you need to soak up the drink/pills
  • Place cooked sprout mix into a Tupperware and serve to anyone who says “you look well” or tells you about their Aunty who lived to 103 despite having cancer and always helped out a homeless shelter this time of year regardless of what treatment she was having.
  • Reserve the final sachet of Movicol in case the toast and Marmite won’t shift.
  • Have another drink/pill and a bit of a sit down. Someone will cook something and, if they don’t, at least you had the Marmite and toast.
411

Happy Christmas everybody. I will try and keep off here tommorow as I want cancer to f*ck off for one day so I am sending you my wishes now. I would like to suggest we have an Xmas party in the summer. I know some people say there is always next year but that didn’t work for me last time, so now I propose 2 Christmases just like the Queen has 2 birthdays. Have the best one you can, Cress, xxx

412

For ‘Move’ read love. I hate predictive text!!!

413

Hi Crackers. I’m popping in from april chemo bunnies on Christmas Eve evening to say I’m thinking of all of you who have only just started your chemo this month. A horrid time to have had to start it, but I send you all my good wishes And i am thinking of you all. You will come through to the other side just as we April bunnies have done. I finished chemo on august 11 and believe me if does all get better. Good luck and lots of love to you all. Here is to 2013 when you, like free will be out the other side. Move, margietee xxxx

414

‘Sleepless in Hammersmith,’

Today’s post on [color=#290cd4]http://chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

415

Hi Ladies, where do I buy a reasonably priced thermometer? I live in London and have looked at a few in a well known pharmacist - but they are really expensive. Iv thought about visiting £ shops - but would appreciate your advice and experiences.

416

Hi Karen & Wendy , this i my 2nd time round too, having 12 X Taxol and Avastin starting 27th Dec, for recurrance and ? small lung mets, decided not to biopsy lung as close to heart valves so treating as mets. Will need mastectomy after, again i am thinking of asking for double to lower future risk? hopefully but then do not really know, have not discussed options yet. As i am large breasted will feel really odd with one boob only evenif it is reduced, also do not want loads of ops ?? what to do .

Best wishes
Sarah66

417

Happy Christmas, my Sisters in Chemo!

Am feeling much better today, after several days of being pretty much off my head with lack of sleep and associated exhaustion.

Took a Lorazepam last night and it knocked me out, and I slept for 10 hours. Sheer bliss - and woke up this morning feeling reasonably human again.

Haven’t got time now to catch up with all the posts, but will do so later on - hope you’re all ok, and will have a good Christmas Day.

My Fec 2 will be a week tomorrow, and I am already starting to feel tense in anticipation. I’m now on day 15 and starting week 3, which is meant to be the week when you don’t feel too bad, but I’m realising this is going o be overshadowed somewhat by FEC2 now looming on the horizon. Also still suffering from the nausea.

Fec 1 was quite enough, thankyou - and has left me pretty exhausted. Can hardly even bear to contemplate having to go through all this another 5 times, knowing that it is probably going o get worse each time, as the poisons build up.

Oh, well, people do say it goes very quickly.

nb, for anyone still undecided re cold cap - am now on day 14 , and no signs yet of hair falling out. Also got useful tip from previous cold-capper: during the first 10 minutes after they put in , when it is quite oainful, have a hot drink of some kind, and this should help - I will try it next week and report back.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!

ps I totally agree with whoever it was said we should have a Xmas party in the summer - yes!

418

‘If there’s anything I can do…’

Today’s post on chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

419

Thank you Cressida for your link about the cold cap - very reassuring. Love your recipe by the way. Definitey one for the mother-in-law! Thanks Mandy, Maire and Cathy for your lovely replies to my strop with with regards to all this *******s. I can’t actually believe that I found the lump on 16th Nov and I’m not getting my first course of chemo till 31st Dec - is this normal? Has everyone else had to wait 6 weeks or so? Had a lovely Christmas Day though - jewellery and cashmere have slightly taken the sting away momentarily - (but only slightly and only momentarily boo hoo). x

420

Hi Alpal , i was diagnosed 8th Oct and having first chemo on 27th Dec, fair enough i had to have scans and a referral
to lung dr , but even so i ended up phoning BC nurse and pestering to get things moving !!! Good Luck with chemo

Sarah66