Starting chemo in February 2012

Morning all

Today I feel ‘normal’ ( hope it lasts) My daughter is taking me to the theatre tonight to see Rock Of Ages , a late mothers day present, as mothers day went by in a blur this year. We are going to covent garden a bit early to have a wander round, cant wait.
Jo - im on 6 FEC too, im amazed at how many different regimes there seem to be.
jane - scarves have not been a succes for me, cant get the hang of them at all, but Im getting fed up of putting my hair on to go out. I to thought of commando but not sure if it wil be too cold!
I to keep getting told how well i look. I saw a photo of me at the weekend and Im round faced and bloated, i think they’re just being polite.
The Party was good, most of my antenatal group were there ,our boys are now 21!! Good to catch up
Sarah Hope you get summerhouse sorted dissappointing when things dont go right first time.

hope those that are suffering are feeling better today
Gill xx

Good morning, lovely ladies!

Day 4 post FEC 3 for me. I felt a little nauseous the evening of treatment and really thought this one was going to be a toughie, but all seems to have settled down and I’m feeling ok. Managed a trip to B&Q yesterday and painted our front gate. Doing some tiling in the kitchen today and some paperwork later. I’ve been knitting myself a wide headband to cover my beautiful bald patch, and just realised, 20 rows in, that I’d misread the instructions and have to unravel most of it and start again. Can’t really blame it on chemo brain, though, as I often make mistakes in my knitting. lol

Gill, glad to hear you’re feeling good now - have a fantastic time in the City with your daughter - I’d love to go to the theatre…I’m more of a scarf/hat person - I do like my wigs now, but haven’t really worn them yet. I still have quite a lot of hair thanks to the cold cap, but it means my wigs slip too much to feel secure.

Twinky, I know what you mean about cake - I love it at the best of times but have had some real chocolate cake cravings on chemo. Am making one for my friend who’s helping me with the tiling and might just have to make some extra batter for a cheeky wee one for us! Enjoy having your hubby around tonight.

Jane, glad you’re feeling better, too. I don’t know how you girls find the energy to run and play tennis…just painting the fence did me in! But exercise is meant to help build blood cells, so go for it!

Loz, that stinks that you’ve just found out about having to do 8 cycles. My onc did suggest I swap to doing two more EC (dropping the F) and then do 4 Tax, and I said no, thanks, unless he thought it was absolutely a better option. He was worried about the toxicity of the F leading to my two bouts of neutropenia, but we talked it through and came to a compromise of keeping the F bit at 80% dose and raising the EC back to 90%, then just doing the three Tax. Maybe it’s worth having another conversation with your onc to explore the options…I definitely get the feeling there is rarely a ‘right’ chemo path, more that we have to work with our team to find the best path for each of us.

Fran, sorry to hear you’ve been feeling down. Hope things pick up soon.

Goldie and Pauline, sorry the Tax has been taxing! Thank you for sharing your experiences, though, as I’m sure it helps those of us following closely behind to get prepared.

Sarah, what a bummer about your summerhouse! I sure hope you manage to get them to sort it to a good standard. It’s awful when so much else is going wrong in our lives and then something like this lets us down. I’m not sure how our decking plans are going to pan out now as the deckboards which were half price suddenly aren’t now that I’m about to order them, and it’s pushed the price beyond our budget. :frowning:

Well, big hugs to everyone and hopefully this will be a good week - I’m enjoying the first peace and quiet I’ve had for over two weeks since the LOs have gone back to school today. :slight_smile:

Carrie x

Afternoon all,

Bad weeks following my chemo taking me longer to get over each time
not looking forward to the next three.

Now my left eyebrow starting to come out .

Hoping that the chemo is shrinking terry ( my name for the tumour on my lung}

Have a good evening

Love rosie

xxxx

Wishing everyone a good week having treatment this week and not too many side effects

Hello feb ladies,
Well I would love to do personals for everyone but this is my 3rd post I’ve lost two hope this one works.
I went to see the onc today before my number 4 tom. I had to wait 2 and half hours. Had my bloods before the appt as they told me too. Then when I got back to waiting for my appointment they said I had gone - said I hadn’t I was sent for bloods. Anyway my blood was fine the lady doing it got it first time no problem and it didn’t hurt.
Then I got to see an onc who was in such a rush I felt I was in the way. I had loads of questions about the chemo and they are going to reduce it by 15% and give me something for my tummy! Then I asked about scans he said they don’t do it and only do yearly checkups and the answer is too long winded to discuss now. I said about the tamoxifen and how I would still be pre menapausal after the 5 years and then what happens then. He said we can discuss this another time. He was sighing looked fed up. Then said I would be having 20 rads when all along was told 15. I was getting really peed off he said let’s just get you through the treatment then discuss things. Then handed me my drink as he didn’t want me to knock it over on the way out. I couldn’t believe it. I know this is the nhs and they were very busy and its wonderful it doesn’t cost me anything to be treated but today is the first time I’ve felt like they just don’t care. After I walked out he rushed off to lunch.
Anyway I’ve got the chemo tom at 1030 and see what happens this time.
Thanks for reading.
Love fran xx

Rosie and Fran
I just wanted to send you both a big hug!
Hi to everyone else sorry no name checks phone keeps freezing - I started to feel better today them overdid cleaning, tidying and cooking so I’ve got a strategically placed hot water bottle and am mainlining codine.
G xx

Good evening,

Rach I got some lovely headwear from Anna bandana. Sames as you, need the headwear to match the outfit :o)

Jane, I ran 5 miles today. Before I was diagnosed, running was a big part of my life. Really miss it but do get out when I can. This isn’t forever so will get back to proper training soon. Good luck with the tennis, hope you win! I won’t be doing much exercise for the rest of the week but do find it perks me up on my good days.

Fran so sorry to hear of your awful time at your appt. sending hugs your way. Hope all goes well for you tomorrow. I am in at 1pm for my bloods first, then fingers crossed chemo after that.

Take it easy Goldie! Feet up and rest.

Went shopping today, stocked up on the essentials for the next few days.

Just managed to finish off a bag of maltesers!

Hope everyone is doing good!

Ann xx

Good luck with treatment today Ann and Fran.
Loz hope you are feeling better today and you are ok for your treatment.
Goodie and Pauline hope the aching is subsiding by now for you both.

Love to you all, i I think we are all feeling quite low at the moment, but we can do this girls!

Sarah x x

Morning

Just adding a few more food stains to the duvet cover. Today it’s fresh pineapple. Got hubby to buy me one yesterday & just tasting some. Had my usual day 6 weird night of temperature thing again last night but this time had hubby stay. As he was here in case of a dash to the hospital I was much more relaxed & didn’t bother taking my temp after a while as it didn’t feel like it was soaring. I had a few weird sweaty dreams & have a slight headache this morning but at least I’m fine. Still got a slightly raw throat on the LHS ( always the same each cycle…achey/sore throat & then temp) but I know the worst is over. He had now done his bat out of hell impression, packed & left the house…although I did have to point out that maybe stopping & checking if I needed feeding/watering might be an idea as I’d had such a bad night!

I shall just rest up today. Arranged for a friend to come take me out for food Thurs to force me to fight the SEs & leave the house! My boss’s boss finally replied to my e mail. He hopes to see me towards the end of the month ( he is based in Glasgow but comes down quite regularly). Suspect my boss wasnt pleased I’d spilled the beans about him not keeping in touch but I don’t care. I need all the support I can get at the moment.

The tears appear to have gone too today. I know they’re an SE but when blubbing in the middle of the night it’s hard to remember that & I just keep beating myself up saying I must be horrible when everyone just leaves me to it!

Hugs to those of you battling at the moment. These SE’s are a nightmare!

Twinky x

Hi Ladies
not been on for a while been real sick after number 3 think grief and stress a lot to do with it .Got antibiotics for a temperature but have been so tired seem to have slept the last couple of weeks away.Getting ready to go for bloods as due number 4 on Thursday just feel like screaming and running away, sick of feeeling so unwell but hey it hopefully be worth it in the end.
Hugs to everyone Lynnx

Lynn big hug coming your way, must be so hard for you, good luck for Thursday.

I have taken my 8 steroids in preparation for tomorrow, so am bouncing off the walls, laid down to try and have a sleep as tend to have to in the afternoons, no chance, legs feel more like doing the river dance or trotting round the house on my imaginary horse, Miranda Hart style, such fun! Sleep deprivation here I come!..

Sarah x x

Sarah - your post made me laugh - just what I needed. Love Miranda!!

Half way through week 2 after FEC 3 and still feeling crap and tired. Went to GP this morning and stocked up on things I might or do need - antibiotic cream for very sore inside of nose, thrush cream and oral rinse, ibruprofen gel for arm, lactulose for constipation - what joy!!

Just been for a gentle walk round park listening to music and nearly ended up in tears. Positive mental attitude is failing me. Need to buck myself up - might try a glass of wine tonight!!

Jane x

Lol I was just thinking…(dangerous I know with chemo brain) but can those with pre-juicing steroid rushes come visit those that are just short of a coma & gallop around the house with cleaning cloths etc then you’d wear yourselves out & we’d wake to some cleanliness!

Twinky x

Hi Ladies,

I’m having a really tired day today. Managed to get out for coffee this morning but not done much else. Not sure if or how I’ll cope with tomorrow’s keep fit but I’ll give it my best shot.

Fran - so sorry to hear about your appointment with your onc. I didn’t see mine before my 3rd treatment but my previous appointment with him lasted all of 5 minutes. I like to know what’s what and he prefers to say the bare minimum!Hope your next appointment goes much better xx

Ann - I love Anna Bandana! My 3 jersey scarves arrived today so I can start matching different clothes to them. I hadn’t realised that being bald would be quite so complicated!

Jane - FEC3 has definitely been the toughest so far. I can’t say that I’m looking forward to number 4 this time next week but at least with each cycle, it’s a step closer to the finish line.

Take care everyone!
Love Rach xxx

Ladies
It seems we are all struggling at the moment, but at least we still have our sense of humour. I am finding my energy levels are in a permanent state of decline and each ‘good’ period is less good than the one before. I even succumbed to online grocery shopping today as just the thought of hauling my backside around the supermarket was too much effort.

My best friend told me today that she is going to host a party for me. 10 days after my last chemo to celebrate. Love her. Hope I will be well enough. Fantastic to have something to look forward to.

Sarah - good luck tomorrow.
Lynn - hope all goes well on Thursday
Twinky - hope you’re starting to feel better

Keep smiling
Big hugs
Pauline x

Oh the power of sleep! Woke a couple of times during the night but went straight back to sleep. Would like some more now but got bounced on by mad bunny Pebbles ( in pic) who got up on the bed to say hello & ask for treats! The pair of them are a bit looney toons this morning! They didn’t go out into the garden yesterday so have some excess energy.

Don’t feel so nauseous today ( yippee) & stomach had settled so I reckon I’m on my way out of the tunnel! Rough ride with no.3 I must say. Hugs to those of you suffering too. Never thought I’d look forward to trying Tax!

Won’t be doing much today. Just feel like resting so I guess that’s what my body wants. Chascat tempted me to try a pot noodle last night & have to say that hit the spot! Hope she’s feeling better today after delayed sickness last night x

Hugs all round

Twinky x

P.S will try & change picture to other bunny Herbie do you can see him. Although Pebbles is pretty & mischevious he deserves his 5 minutes of fame too. He’s white ( so you know when I’ve managed it)

Morning ladies,

Just been reading all your comments, it does appear that a lot of us found No. 3 the hardest, I know I certainly did. I went back to work last Friday for a few hours in the afternoon and went in Monday, Tuesday as well but struggling this morning. Went out for some tea with a few friends last night and really suffering for it this moring, very tired and ache all over! Oh the joys of chemo!

Lynn - I know what you mean by feeling like wanting to run away I was exactly the same last week, every time I think of No. 4 I feel physically sick, dreading it but one less I suppose! Hope your feeling better soon. X

Sarah - haha, your post made me laugh - Miranda the horse!!

Jane - I think I have been more emotional with No. 3 - I still keep crying a lot, very emotional but nice to get out and go for walks and hey if you need a good cry then let the tears flow, I do! Hope the wine went down nicely!!

Pauline - how fab a party at the end of all this, what a lovely idea and how very nice of your friend/s. Lovely to have something to look forward to, it’s my 40th in August and my hubby has booked a party for me, really wasn’t bothered about celebrating the big 40!! but after all we have all been through its nice to have something to look forward to!

Hope everyone having No. 4 either this week or next are all ok and good luck with the SE, lets hope there not as bad as No. 3!

Have a lovely day - take care. XX Jo

Morning all

I slept better too last night and think I might have turned the corner. Have got a cold which I don’t think helps but might explain why I still feel so thick in the head. Have got lots of nice things planned for next week so hope I feel OK.

Sarah - good luck for today

Jane x

Morning

Lovely infection , in hospital now so fed up looks like
No 4 chemo going to be delayed

Hope you all doing well and no bad se

love rosie x

Morning Rosie

Really sorry to hear that you are in hospital - thinking bout you, I know its hard but you are in the right place, keep strong and think positive. Big hugs. Jo. XXXX

Hi ladies,had 4th fec monday after spending hours in the poorly bay,didnt think I was going to have treatment as I,m full of cold,sore throat etc,however doc said I could have it,so now I,m back to feeling crap with chemo and worse with snotty nose and banging headache,having an ultrasound on the 26th to see if this “thing” is shrinking,and then doc will decide if I,m having 4 more fecs or having docetaxil which I really dont want(heard too many stories about that stuff) this is all taking so long and just want the treatment done so that I can have the surgery,got 2nd grandchild due in 6 weeks and always hoped chemo would be done by then,doesnt look like it now seeing as docs added on 2 extra treatments ( nice to be told about these things)feeling bit down and look horrible too,bald head and getting fatter by the day! hubby says I look like paddy of emmerdale!! how lovely!told him to take a look in the mirror! might just see the fat controller staring back at him!! anyway,big hugs to all struggling this week but we will get through this wall and up to the top of the mountain…love lozxxxx