Lisalou and Wendy. I’m on day 11 post Tc. It has been an uphill struggle. I have been pretty weepy and have felt ill (not sick, just totally knackered). I started to feel better day 6 but got a horrible mouth. No signs of thrush but my mouth just felt evil as though the skin had been scalded. Eating was not pleasant. This made me miserable. But it lifted overnight on day 10. Think this was maybe my blood count creeping up. Apparently your mouth feels bad because it’s an area where the cells regenerate rapidly and I guess they’re not regenerating days 5-10. I promise it lifts! I have cried more with this bloody Tc than with anything, even my initial diagnosis. At least I’ll know what to expect next time-except I’m getting Herceptin along with T and C-Oh No!
The paranoia sent me to GP out of hours today as I’ve been having chest pains. The doc there was pretty unconcerned so I felt stupid. But the wee red book says chest pains are a medical emergency. Just hope I haven’t picked anything up in the waiting room!
Cybele-Good on you sticking with the cold cap. I really wish I’d done it esp as I ended up only having one fec.
Cressida-Thanks for the advice on infections etc. I’ve had a bit of a cold and have been ok. It’s good to get a bit of perspective.
Evening all.
I’m on countdown now to my FEC 3 which is due on the 17th. 2 was worse than 1. I developed a total spasm type thing on my back and also got very very very very emotional which seems to be a common theme - hopefully i will be able to rationalise this next time…it would have been nice to have been warned that as well as constipation and piles (sorry!) that i might cry constantly for 8 days!
Also i didnt get the awful hangover head second time… just nausea and exhaustion and bad back!
off for scan Tuesday, bloods wednesday, results and 200ml into my expander bag (nice!) Thursday and then I’m seeing a herbalist at the Haven (Leeds) on Wednesday. If I get any gems I’ll let you know…
Cybele - well done on the hair front - i have lost around 70% of my hair despite trying the cold cap - nevermind - that’s the luck of the draw!!! or is it the snood!!!
Lisalou - you’re nearly out of the ‘grim’ patch - keep strong!
Lots of love all
Mxxx
‘Colonel Mustard, via the IV catheter, in the Chemo Ward’:
today’s post on chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/
Hi Crackers,
Thank God the Christmas holidays are over (at least up here in Scotland). Kids back at school and normality (sort of) returns. I’ve walked youngest to school and picked up tonight’s dinner so that’s today’s exercise ticked. It was a major stuggle to get out of bed this morning. Eventually got up at the back of 8. Bed was so cosy I could’ve slept another couple of hours. This is a nice feeling after having the tossing and turning heebie jeebies experienced in the days following tc.
Cybele hope you’re keeping your demons at bay. Just a few more days and you’ll have turned the corner.
MandyP we’re chemo twins-mine’s is on 17th too. No 3 is quite a milestone I think and we’ll be old timers by then.
Wendy-hope your mouth is feeling better. I rinsed with salt water as a precaution against infection.
Felt a tiny ulcer in mouth this morning so applied Iglu gel-wow! It seems to create a gel dome (an igloo I suppose) over ulcer. I just used it as a precaution against infection. It does seem to be very effective at creating little igloo villages in the mouth!
Good luck to Chemo crackers this week.
Morning Ladies,
Cybele - there is a thread about blogs - I have bumped it up by adding yours, but it is in “your views” under “helpful and interesting”. There is some sort of competition you can enter. Go girl. Hair sounds like a huge success. Yay to PARTY.
Lisalouw and Wendy with furry/slimy mouths and Maire with sore mouth - yuk. I had this throughout FEC-T and have it again now. I find that I needed to be careful about keeping my teeth clean - gently tho. I use Corsodyl (or Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.2% as it is called when prescribed) twice a day. Use it straight away - don’t wait for symptoms. The worst thing that will happen is staining your teeth - you can get this sorted later. Ideally you need to seperate using it from tooth brushing and eating/drinking. If the mouth gets sore or ulcers appear you can get Difflam oral rinse which anaesthetises your mouth. This is fab stuff. Thrush is more like white platelets in your mouth - I admit to scraping them off but don’t know whether you should - the weirdly delicious Nystan is what you need then. Some docs prescribe tablets but I have not needed them yet. I am fed up of tablets.
Really hope your chest pains have gone away Maire. Anxiety? Indigestion? Lots of things it could be before heart attack. You are absolutly right to get it checked though, and never feel stupid for looking after your health. Hope you feel better, x
Hope everybody is managing to keep on keeping on. If anyone remembers Kevin the door man, he is actually coming to do the door tomorrow. Well, he says he is, and he’s said that before. It would have been day 6 if I had had chemo, so that would have been fun, but now I am well enough to make him tea. Just have to get up early enough to not frighten him by being mad one breasted woman.
xxxx
Oh great, Kevin just phoned - the order is late (again) and he will fit it next Tuesday - on day 6. Am I being punished for being bad in another life?
afternoon eveyone,
Had a nice morining today, had Picc Line flushe and re dressed, but just started to bleed, but will keep eye on it (again) and have ordered my wig, very much the same as when i cut hair into a bob, will be ready in a couple of weeks, just in time me thinks.
I went to work for a visit, was lovey to see all my work freinds, but only managed about an hour before i started to feel tired, so now back home watching tv again.
i hope all you lovely ladies are managing and not too much out of sorts.
lolly
x
Hi Crackers
so had some good news today saw my onc before my second cycle of T on Wednesday- he is very happy and says that he thinks the tumour has softened and shrunk (I had hoped this but wasn’t sure if I was imagining this) ct and bone scan was also clear so really it was the best I could hope for!! Hair is very thin now with just about enough of a covering for me to go out without a hat/scarf but I don’t think it will stay long!! (I didn’t use the cold cap). Have my final appointment with the wig lady tomorrow she is bringing one over in my colour- still not convinced to go with it or not, also seems a lot of money in something I’m not sure of! I managed to go into work for three days last week but only completed very light duties and had to leave early as so blooming tired!
Loving the idea of a summer party.
Big hugs to all crackers
xxx
Supachick - that is just great news (an irony really!). You must be releaved…
When I tried a wig on I looked like a transvestite (not that there is anything wrong with that, just not my normal look!), so I think I will stick with scarves.
mxx
Hi Mandy
Thanks I was so happy and when I told my husband I barely got a grunt! Can’t complain really as he has been amazing so far! Just wanted to share with others who can appreciate finding the good news where we can!!
thats one of this things I’m worried about LOL!! the only reason I’m trying it is sometimes I want to go to tesco (or any other leading supermarket!) without everyone looking at me and knowing what I’m going through! I think I will also go dowin the scarf root ( have already bought quite a few-oops) just thought I should give it a go!
Xx
Stupa chick well done for trying work but don’t push yourself unless you really have to. Is it just T your having. I am having 4 TC to shrink mine and think they scan after 2 to see on progress But wow what a result for you if the dreaded Tax is working like that for you. Long may it continue and blast the bugger into touch.
wishing you well
Wendy x x
Supachick - Yay to shrinking! 
Hi Mandy
im on the FEC T regeime but having three T first as I’m on the ARTemis trial so on three T with avastin then three FEC with avastin on the first FEC if that all makes sense??
My onc has booked me for an ultrasound in between cycles three and four to check how things are going!
I feel torn with work I love my job and have a really understanding boss and only get paid 6 months sick leave so I kinda feel like I have to make an effort on my good days to extend my leave to cover me later on (surgery then rads).not sure what anyone else has found re work?? People keep telling me not to worry but I have a mortgage and bills to pay and am concerned what happens after my 6 months of paid sickness!!
Xxx
Thanks Cress
xx
Fantastic news Supachick! It’s great to have some tangible proof that the horrible drugs are good for something!
Supachick - boring advice that I hope you never need but I was made redundant a few weeks before my lump (I am not very lucky) and MacMillan filled in a variety of forms for me quite painlessly and I got employment and support allowance (ESA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Both based on my NI contributions from my many years of working and not financially assessed. If you apply for financially assessed benefits you can get more. I also had a critical illness policy with my mortgage that paid out very painlessly too. Working and chemo is a very individual - I could not have done it but I know many people swear their sanity depends on it. It’s up to you and your side effects, but just be aware that you can get financial help if you need it. I have never claimed anything before but I definitely deserve it. Good luck, xxx
Hi ladies i do hope your all coping ok-ish
Day 21 for me today just been to have my bloods done for tomorrow fec 2. Not really looking forward to it at all the thought of having another sicky week… but its got to be done.
My hair is starting to come out now as from yesterday really, but i have decided not to do the cold cap this time. Just the thought of it puts me off.
I feel very tired today, don’t really know why i thought this was supposed to be your good week!!
Good luck to everyone else with apointments or chemo this week. Xx
Sharon Xx
Good afternoon ladies, I’ve just had a grim day 5 , what is it with day 5!!! Had day of stomach cramps followed by most of the day sat on the toilet ( sorry) but I guess our bowel habbits are not the worse of our problems , I was in so much pain my temp rose which put me in a state of panic , it’s now day 6 of TC and the stomach is behaving itself and the chemo brain has lifted very slightly , I still can’t concentrate , spell, string words together, and the fatigue! My oh my, walking upstairs makes me feel like I have run a marathon , sweating with palpitation , it’s hard to get in your head this is to make us better
cybelle , well done on the walk , I’m so hoping I feel like getting out soon as I’m sick of being indoors
wendy , I’m having 6 TC , I’ve had surgery WLE and bilateral breast reduction, I’ve one undefined margin so I have to have a scrape after chemo, I so hate that word scrape , how many did you say you have to have and did you say it was before surgery, my little swine was 4.5 cm , but underneath area of breast
cathie hope you and your daughter feeling better and your hubby gets a day off for your chemo, I went on my own and it was fine the staff were lovely and looked after me , fed and watered me xxx
suoachick that’s great news !!!
I just want to thank everyone for there tips and sharing , it has really helped me get through some crappy moments , love to everyone xxxxx
Sharon -I had pretty much the same - felt awful at day 19 and 20 just as i was expecting to be brilliant - dont know what it was all about, but i dont think i made it up?!? which is what everyone around me suggested…
…Had CT can today and stupidly looked at xrays on screen on my way out and saw lots of blobs, so am now panicking!
feel sick
x