Starting Chemo in December.2012

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy monthly threads
1421

Hi Sarah,

Never too late to join in. Hows the cellulitis? I feel your pain (and it is very painful). If you have read back you will know that I am trying to recover from a bout in my arm/trunk. Absolute pits. Mine has brought my chemo to a stop. I see you had tax and carboplatin - was that your first chemo regime? It is slightly unusual for primary treatment but there are no rules. Really rubbish that you have secondary diagnosis. Do you have to go straight back into chemo? Sorry about all the questions. Thats what you get for being the new girl.

xxxx

1422

Sarah - my foggy brain has just realised that you prob mean that you got your secondary diagnosis at the same time as your primary diagnosis. What a pile of sh*t to take in all at once. That would explain the slightly odd chemo. I had carboplatin second time around. Have I got it right now? That doesn’t let you off the other questions tho, xxx

1423

Another horrible day. I’ve got a pre op appointment today and have just found out they will be taking my bloods for my mx on 24th Apr. What do they expect? This is FEC 6 day 6, are they going to take me in? I’m not brave enough to stay in hospital, I’m a wuss. Hell on Earth. I’m having hot flushes, shaking and feel badly sick, why is this happening? It was all supposed to be better after FEC 6. I always doubt the lovely people I see and they’ve never let me down really, but I guess I’m just totally paranoid.

1424

Hi Hamley,

Not sure if you mean you are concerned about them keeping you in today when they do your pre-op or when you have you Mx. The pre-op thing is just a case of departments not talking to each other - pre-op prob don’t realise it is FEC 6, day 6. They just send out apptmnts. They want to go through a checklist. You know the sort of thing - what meds you on? Are you diabetic? When was your last period? and so on. It is all part of routine pre-admission. So they take blood routinley as well. When they see you they will prob be all apologetic about dragging you in. Your bloods will be no good anyway cos of the feccin FEC. You could try ringing them and telling them and trying to delay it. They def won’t keep you in anyway.

If it is the Mx - you will prob have to stay one night. Some people do manage to escape on the same day, but you have drains in and you feel rough so staying doesn’t seem so bad. And I say this as someone who hates hospitals.

I am lurking about today as I have a cold so can’t get out, so I will be here for a chat, xx

1425

I continue to feel like Holy Hell - so much for getting FEC finished with - BIG mistake to get all excited about having done FEC6. FEC6 is not the end - the end of the side effects is the end, and God only knows when that is going to be.

I am now feeling iller, and weaker and being the least active since beginning chemo - just lying on the sofa looking at magazines, I can barely even focus enough to read. I’m desperate to get outside and go to the park, but my legs are so weak I’m actually quite nervous about trying to do so.

This is just horrible.

Hamley, my thought s are with you today BIG HUG xxx we seem t obe gonig through a very similar experience. Was v. interested that you had the Frankenstein thought, too - those frigging pictures of that dog HAUNTED me for weeks…

Sarah - WELCOME!!! you’re not too late, we’re all gonig t obe around together for some time, and we are even planning a Summer Party…

Sand thanks xxx loooking forward to hearing about your tattoo, as i have that to look forward to soon, too

Lolly - so pleased to hear you are feeling a bit better this time round xxx soon you will be joining us in saying goodbye to FEC…

Wendy - thanks xx yes - onwards and upwards for ALL OF US
Lisalouw thanks xx 0so pleased you enjoyed the story and hey, if it can happen for me at this stage in life it can happen for anyone!

Border Collies - boo to the toxic stomach, but very cheered o hear you are managing 5 mile walks - that’s where I want to be as soon as is humanly possible

Pammy. thanks xx and very glad the blog made you laugh
Cress - hope the cold is starting to get a bit better xxx soon you will be in Jersey and having a lovely time

I forgot to mention, I am still eating so much I am probably soon going to explode.
I am a Giant Fat Chemo Sofa Slug
and I’m still blaming the steroids…

1426

Cybele - it’s a cumulative thing. If you think about it logically no 6 should be the worst. That’s not much help. But you can also eat cumulatively. You should eat even more junk everytime, until no 6 becomes a junk food orgy. I don’t think you can explode, just make sure no-one sprinkles salt on you.

Just had a vanilla cream slice for my lunch. And they come in packs of 2…

1427

Hi All,
Arrived back from Rome early this morning and have now caught up with all your news. I have both laughed out loud in the last hour or so (at BC’s bra lobbing-so, so funny) and cried (at Cybeles Ode To Joy link). I know I should be unpacking and generally de-holidaying but needed to catch up with all the news on here.
Shellebelle -last I heard you were feeling ill. Hope you are recovering now-you’ve gone quiet. Fingers crossed for you.
Lolly- Sounds as though you are having a really horrendous time. Even if you’re last in the chemo queue it just means you will have a bigger, happier group waiting for you at the finishing line!
Mz- Hope the Tamoxifen is ok. I am still too scared to open the packet and, I know, I was going to start after my holiday but I am going to wait a little longer…just till after a wee family party on Saturday. God I’m such a coward.
BC- Your bra lobbing made me laugh so much! Hope you are feeling a wee bit better you’ve had a rough time of it.
LisaL- How anyone copes with chemo and an ill mum is just beyond me…and neuropathy…and sore teeth.
Hamley- Am cheering you on from laptop land. You’ve finished! If it’s any consolation my sister’s recent reconstruction looks amazing. It’s not been easy for her but her breast looks really good to me!
Sand- You sound low. The whole weight thing is a nightmare. My sister has recently started slimming world and has lost masses of weight. I’m still resisting because I keep hoping I can shift the weight on my own but if not I will be signing up. It really does seem an amazing weight loss system.
SP- Welcome and please join in and post here and please come to our party.
Cressida - By God that holiday will be well deserved. Just hope the powers that be come up with some brilliant plan to sort out your arm problems when you get back. Throughout this experience your posts have always made me laugh…right up to the salt sprinkling!
Cybele -Just caught up with your blog and was thinking about your last Fec when in Rome. I was very close to your namesake’s temple but kids were all ‘ruined’ out and I had to be dragged away from the Forum to provide ice cream. I, of course, had wine. Things are tough for you now but you’re at the end of the worse bit and you’ve made it through. Do not listen to any Demon’s insistence that holidays are ill-advised. I was worried that I would be tormented by post radiotherapy fatigue and skin ailments but I was fine and am so glad I didn’t postpone my trip.
So, Rome was great. I was worried that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations but it did. In spades. I was really tired on day one after a long drive to the airport, a late arrival in Rome and the after effects of the previous weeks. I had a worryingly odd stabbing, spikey pain in my spine that I thought would ruin my trip physically and psychologically but it disappeared and after that I got my energy back. I didn’t think about breast cancer once (apart from the Cybele’s temple tribute). I walked constantly and ached so much, but it was a good ache. One word of warning though-if you ever go to Rome-suss out toilet stops beforehand as they are few and far between. I can recommend the McDonald’s on the approach to the Spanish steps (not the one near the Trevi fountain) as having minimal queues and more than one cubicle. I’m not suggesting you eat there of course.
Bear in mind that I only had 4 lots of chemo so I’ve had it easier than most. My one experience of Fec buggered up my left arm that I just don’t know how I could’ve endured 6, so Cybele’s vein story chilled me to the bone…My arm is still sore many months after that infusion in late November (but on the mend now-still got another 14 herceptins to go so cannula stories remain v. worrying)
Anyway, the holiday was a brilliant tonic and I highly recommend the power of a complete break from all that the big C can throw at us.

1428

Oh and one last thing on the alpha male medics. I came across one of this species when in labour with my third child. Having puked with every contraction (as with all my labours) an alpha male anaesthetist that was visibly pissed off when I couldn’t answer his question re previous operations (I was mid contraction and could not breathe let alone talk) made me so angry I still visualise punching him more than once in the stupid, arrogant face 10 years later.
The only other species that can rival the above is the breast feeding stasi.

1429

Maire - welcome home. I’m so envious, I bet Rome was warm and wonderful. You sound as if you made the most of every day and thoroughly enjoyed yourself. I just hope you brought the sunshine home with you.

1430

Im really sorry for everyone not at this point but I AM FINISHED WITH CHEMO!!! WHOOP WHOOP. LAST BLOODY TAX TODAY. NO MORE NASTY CHEMICLES IN MY ARM AGAIN
and no rads or tamoxifen either sorry WHOOP WHOOP

1431

Well, the paranoia is over. They didn’t make me stay in and I was just in mega panic mode. Thanks for your post, Cress, you put everything into perspective for me which I read and replied to before I went to my appointment but my post has disappeared. You were the voice of reason that I needed to hear before I went OTT. The Sister who explained a bit about what happens says I’ll stay in overnight after the op and possibly a bit more like you say (drains etc.) and that I’ll probably still be too knocked out from the surgery to be worried about not going home. I hope your cold improves and you feel better soon.
My mx on 24 Apr will still hopefully go ahead, but is dependant on the outcome of more bloods to be taken by my GP nurse on 22 Apr, just 17 days after FEC 6. I’m just going to wait and see what happens, if it doesn’t come up to scratch then so be it, I’ll just have to wait until they’re OK and try to keep my head.
Cybele, we’d best not sit on the same end of a bench for the upcoming party, we may well upend it because I’m getting a fat bum! I’ve eaten some much consolation chocolate it’s untrue (usually with Turkish Delight in it). It was 2 sausage sandwiches for tea today too.
Maire, it sounds like you had a lovely holiday, that’s great and I can’t say I blame you about the Tam, but don’t put it off for too long.
SP, sorry you had to see my panic moment as you walked in our door. Welcome to the fold.
Bordercollies, I’m defo going to remove my bra before rads now. I might not bother putting one on in the morning just in case!
Coyotegi, congrats on finishing, it’s fantastic that you’ve got there and can look forward to the rest of your life now.
Hugs to all, I’m off to bed early tonight.

1432

‘Still totally FECked…’: today’s post on chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

1433

Thanks for the lovely welcome.
Cressida - you’re right, unusual chemo regime was for primary and secondary at the same time. Next step probably ongoing Herceptin + Tamoxifen, but I await results of scans from today to be sure. No radiotherapy at this stage as apparently it can only be given on one tumour at a time…
Cybele - I too am still struggling with worse fatigue than I’ve experienced so far, and I feel really down. My nose has been bleeding for 5 weeks now, and the cellulitis is extra! Hoping for progress within the next week…
Had surprising news during ultrasound scans today. My liver tunours were not visible. This is extraordinary, given the largest of several was the size of a tangerine in December! Apparently this is the effect of chemo + herceptin, but I await the CT scan results to be sure.
You all sound fabulous, hopefully I’ll start to catch up with each of your stories over time.
Sarah.x

1434

Marie
Glad Rome was amazing.
Open the tamoxifen. I take 10mg in the morning and 10mg at night.
Its actually making me feel protected. My last BC in 2009 after chemo and radiation I didnt have tamoxifen and if I had I might not be in this position today. So taking it now is in a strange way making me feel more protected.
The thought of it is the harder than taking it. But saying that its early days! Still plodding on with the radiation treatment, might have to abandon my bra soon.
Keep well

1435

I have emailed the moderator about disappearing posts. I wrote a long one and it has just gone up in smoke. It was hilarious and supportive at the same time.

Will try to remember bits of it and do it all again later, xxx

1436

Hi, going to keep it short in case it disappears.

The cold is actually getting better. All by itself. It’s amazing. No injections, no antibiotics, no A&E, no admission, no need to monitor my temp. Thought you would like to know that some sort of normal service does resume when you stop chemo.

Only prob is that hubbie has started to cough. Now I may have to deal with man flu. This, of course, will be worse than cancer and chemo and having bits surgically removed and even cellulitis. Maybe I will slip him one or two of my pills so that he sleeps until he is better…

xxx

1437

Maire - this one is for you, so take a seat.

First of all, what a fab holiday and really glad you made the most of it. Lets hope I can enjoy myself as much.

I don’t have to take Tam, so you can tell me to shut up if you want to, but - you have endured all the horrors of chemo in order to see off any nasty stray cancer cells. My understanding is that Tam is the thing that tries to stop any such cells getting their lunch and growing fat and mulitplying. I know that there is no crystal ball to tell you if you really need it or if it will really work. There is also no crystal ball to tell you what side effects you will have. You don’t want to let any stray nasties get to the buffet. Open the box and let the Tam get between them and their lunch.

C’mon girl, we are all cheering you on, xxx

1438

So far so good.

Coyotegi - whoop away. It makes me smile when people get to celebrate when they have been feeling so sh*t for so long. Go for it.

Mz - keep plodding on with the rads

Hamley - 24th and day 17 seems quite quick. My surgeon told me he likes to wait 6 weeks after chemo before Mx to give the body chance to recover. So I went on holiday (of course). The other side of the coin is, that at least you are getting on with it and getting to the finish line quickly. Don’t worry if you are not quite there by the 26th and have to delay a few days. The main thing is to be well enough. Hang in there.

Sarah - Yay to shrinking. We like shrinking.

I can’t remember anymore - sorry if I left you out - blame the posting gremlins who keep running off with the posts.

keep on keeping on, xxxx

1439

Hi, all - guess what?

I’m finally starting to feel a bit better… a tiny, but discernable feeling that the tide of poison is on the turn, that it is starting to abate. Today I am not just lying on the sofa howling at the moon…

It’s just as well, because I really was beginning to lose it psychologically over the last couple of days… and now I can start to relish the fact that the poison is going, I a will be getting a little bit stronger every day, and _ I don’t have to go back to the chemo ward and have any more feckin’ FEC pumped into my veins ever again. _

Maire - welcome back ,you were much missed, and it’s great to hear you had such a brilliant time xx Glad to hear you have been paying your respects to my namesake - Cybele has always been my favourite fertility goddess, and I have even visited one of her very oldest temples in a tiny little village up on the Anatolian plateau in Turkey, near to Ankara.

Cressida glad to hear the cold is starting to get better - and perhaps you should write a short instructional monograph on ‘The Care and Sedation of Husbands’; I’m sure it’s something we would all find useful when considering questions of dosage, etc.

Sarah - EXCELLENT news about the disappearing tumours. How did your scans go yesterday?

MZ - interested in what you said about not having Tamoxifen before - why? I thought it was pretty much mandatory if you were oestrogen receptor positive.

Coyotegi - YAYYYYYY!!!

Lots of love and hugs to all, especially those who feeling rotten, and those who aren’t on the last cycle yet - soon, soon, soon… xxx

1440

‘Doing the math…’ : today’s post on chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/