Starting Chemo in February 2013: February Valentines

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2901

FEC 4 Tomorrow

After a chat with my consultant oncologist, I’ve found more info on my tumour. It was 100% ER positive and 70% PR positive. I also have Vascular Invasion. A Macmillan nurse explained that by saying that the tumour had grown its own blood supply to feed from. This could have entered my blood supply before the tumour was removed, but the chemo should get rid of it - if there is any still there. She also told me less than 20% chance of local recurrence in chest and 50% chance under armpit. So I’m not going to have rads, but will have five years on Anastrozole and if necessary, at a later date, an ANC. No rush for that though so will wait until first annual mammogram (I assume they will scan mx side of chest and armpit) to see if anything is going on in there.

I used Derbyshire Transport yesterday. They arrived late to pick me up, making me late for appointment. Then didn’t turn up at all to take me home - again - I ended up catching two buses and getting home at 5.30pm. Only good thing was that our chippie was open so took fish and chips home for OH and me .

Mandy, I’ve read that low chemo moan song before, isn’t it brilliant.

Chris, the half way mark is good news. Although with 3 more still to go…keep thinking Peter Andre.

Jo, I had that problem too, just after Tax, it hurt when I tried to push tablets out of blister packs. It’s cleared up now though.

Elaine, congratulations on your escape. Had the place where your picc line had been become infected?

Alison, enjoy your day trip. Pity we can’t leave our cancer at home when we go away.

Linda, hope Neulasta is being kind to you. I find Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol works for me.

Karen, hope you have a good holiday in Devon.

Fec 4 tomorrow, next to last chemo session - whoo whoo. Daughter was supposed to be taking me but she’s full of cold, and is scared she will make me or others ill. So I have to rely on Derbyshire Transport again!!

2902

TAX1 day 1
Weill the first TAX is in! There was a two delay which felt even longer. Luckily they got cannula in first time so that cheered me up. So far I feel ok - high as a kite with all the steroids.
Good luck tomorrow Mandy and anyone else receiving chemo tomorrow .
Tup x

2903

Salcombe is a beautiful place for a holiday. We went there on our honeymoon but we spent so much time in our room we had to go back a couple of months later to really look around. Those were the days
X Yvonne

2904

Oh everyone seems to be ok and good Luck Elaine unless your already out my flipping eyes are driving me madd watering cant read all posts,Fec 4 tomorrow and im dreading it still not had a good nights sleep im going to ask for something tomorrow even if i can just get 2 nights full sleep.Came back from London yeaterday shouldnt have gone really but we had a great time ive comme home with dreadful blisters under my toes who spends nearly 3 hours going round Hyde park lost,we do,my hot flushes made me uncomfortable all the time we were there i kept nipping down side alleys to wip my hat off to cool down ha ha ,met up with friends Sunday night so sat bald in one pub id give up bothering,and came home to Mum and Dad theyd stayed at mine and i had a sparkling house and a lovely tidy garden bless them,Good luck tomorrow Mandi and ?? sure theres someone else brains frazzled hope everyone keeps SE free and enjoys the nice weather,im going sitting in the garden with a lemonade, loved the poems as usual…xx

2905

Fec x 6 round 4 Day …lost track

Thanks for asking about me earlier in one of the posts… I am still around… just having one of those moments…lack of sleep and upset tummy giving me gip… Saw onc on Monday and Ive never had so many apologies !!!..seems that the reasons Ive been admitted to hospital so many times is that I should have started having injections before I started chemo…grrrrr… and thats the reason Im having a crappy time with it all…they suddenly realised they have cocked up!!!oh well another learning curve of this journey I guess… told her that Im still waitng to have a good week…not had one yet :frowning:

Good news on the Vals getting out of hospital… nothing worse is there being stuck indoors … seems we all at different levels… I have 5th round next tuesday… roll on the last one… told onc Im wearing a bright pink wig and will be singing as I walk out that chemo ward!!!..lol

Sending much love n hugs to you all xxxxx

2906

Good luck to all you vals having chemo this week, I’m off to have tax 2 and herceptin 2 tomorrow,hoping all the chocolate I’ve eaten today does not show up on blood results tomorrow morning!
Early start I get picked up at 7.15, nite all hope you all get some ssleep big love and hugs from across the channel
karen xx

2907

Hi Valentines

Still suffering from round 4, a lot of nausea & dizziness this time.

On Sat when I was putting moisturizer on after the shower I noticed a lump in my breast under my incision site, so for the last few days I’ve been trying to pretend it’s going away. Anyway I finally plucked up the courage to see my GP today. She thinks it might be scar tissue but is referring me back to the Breast Clinic. Just when we start to see light at the end of the chemo tunnel!

Linda I asked my onc about being neutrophenic & he said that it wasn’t bad, it just meant that the chemo was getting into my bone marrow.

Elaine I’m glad you’re home.

Nite Vals

Dyane

FEC 4/6 day 8

2908

Karen, re holidays, I love Salcombe but it is a very boaty place. Now, I like boats so I might be biased. Crabbing off the harbour wall was always a great favourite with my family. The shops are nice if a bit pricy. Beware not to book accommodation on the opposite side of the estuary to the town - it’s a long drive round. There are lovely walks but it an be hilly, and the beaches are lovely if it’s beachy weather. I’m sure wherever you decide to go you’ll have a lovely time come rain or shine.

We want to go to Wales for the end of May Bank Holster but it will be TAX permitting.

Elaine, everything crossed that they let you out tomorrow.

Granny P , how can one body leak so much water. I’m a nightmare at the moment. If I go outside everything drips. It takes me half an hour each morning before I can SE anything! Grrrrrr!

Wattie, bonne chance pour le demain.

Tup, I’m high as a kite to. Have been out at the sailing club this evening watching the race and having a social drink with everyone. I’m sure they must’ve thought I was drunk cos I never stopped talking ( yes, I was worse than usual!) I feel like a Duracell Bunny! Hope I sleep. OH is away on business so at least I won’t disturb anyone. Hope the SE’s are minimal.

Poor Sandra, you sound a bit poorly. So good to have that darling baby to cheer you up and keep you going.

Kath’enjoy’ your FEC tomorrow, I know you’ve got very excited! :wink: better the devil you know eh? Sorry to hear you’re on transport again. Good luck.

Yvonne, if the boat is rocking, I won’t be knocking! :wink:

Linda, all being well the Nulasta won’t hit you too hard. It hasn’t bothered me at all on FEC- I wait with baited breath to see how I fare on TAX with it. Fingers crossed for us all.

Hope you feel better soon Dyane. I worry about all my scar lumps. How do we tell the difference between a scar lump and BC. It’s a bit scary :-

Ahhh well, it’s all part of this big chemo journey so we’ll have to learn together. Special hugs if my bouncy Brian’s missed anyone in need.

Good night ladies, sleep fairies all round.

Mandy

X

2909

Hi all
Glad everyone is out for the weekend I hope it stays that way.
I should of had my PICC line fitted today but for some reason it will not be until next Thursday so no chemo for me. That means I have had a two week break. Happy in one way but would of rather of to tax number one under my belt but its great to feel half normal for a tad longer-just drags out the finishing line.
Hope everyone has a great bank holiday weekend and best wishes to all that are having treatment over the next couple of days.

Annabelle xx

2910

Good luck to everyone having treatment today and tomorrow hope all SEs are minimul,sorry Linda but im still giggling over the bench incident im the one in the family whos prone to accidents (always my fault)…Hope everyone has a great weekend lets hope we need sunscreen…xxxx

2911

Afternoon Valentines. FEC T 3; TAX day 16. We are having glorious weather in the South East. Have made two trips to the garden centre in the last couple of days and have repotted and planted herbs, flowers, shrubs etc etc. Even bought a small lemon tree! It’s nearly all done now so we can enjoy the garden over the weekend (hopefully). Mid afternoon today I suddenly wondered where the dog had gone. Searched high and low whole getting increasingly agitated as she wasn’t in the house or garden. Found her locked in the garage, poor thing. She’d followed me in unnoticed when I went to get something and I just closed the door behind me not realising.
Feel ok after my mini break in hospital. I have TAX 2 and Herceptin 2 next Wednesday. Keren - you and I are very close! I hope your round 2 goes well.
Elaine - really hoping you escaped and are recovering at home.
Yvonne - I love your dog! Another one who enjoys posing for the camera.
Kath - hope you and everyone else having treatment today and tomorrow has a reasonable time and that it doesn’t spoil the bank holiday weekend.
Jackie (Lavendersun) - haven’t heard from you for a while. Are you ok?
Dyane - I’m sure the GP is right and there is nothing to worry about.
Tup - hope you continue to do well.
Take care all. Sorry if I’ve missed anyone.
Angie xx

2912

Evening Valentines,

Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin Cycle 2 of 6, day 3. Day 2 of Neulasta!

Been taking the paracetamols as instructed and so far no hangover/flu symptoms but feeling a bit spaced out. Managed to drive to meet up with two old friends for lunch, and a very small amount of lazy gardening later on. Taste buds gone on some foods but not all. Diarrhoea is the most irritating symptom - not so much lack of consistency, more a question of frequency! The train hasn’t arrived as yet.

Elaine - are you home yet? Annabelle - sorry about the unforseen delay, but an extra week for you to enjoy before Tax. Angie - poor pooch, hope you gave her a cuddle!

Everyone is quiet today. Hope this is a good sign. Linda xxxx

2913

No side effects as yet and grabbed a couple of hours sleep,Onc doc wouldnt give me anything to help me sleep nurse suggested askinf my own Docter,Mandi i mentioned my eyes and the sweats shes given me some cream for my eyes and suggested the highest dose of evening of primrose its on offer at the moment at Holland and Barretts and buy 1 get 1 for a penny some Mums going to grab me some tomorrow she said it would be a few weeks before id notice a change but its got to be the 1300mg ones think they work out about £27 you get 120 per tub so thats 240 so 2 a day 1 morning 1 night should last about 4 months so not to expensive,hope everyones ok…xxx

2914

TAX 1 day 2
Evening all.
Hope all is well with the Vals. I have had lazy day and feeling ok. My mouth feels sensitive but that’s all so far. Started the five days of injections this evening and hoping they are same as with FEC because I didn’t have any pains with them then. I have taken a sleeping pill as a bit high as a kite with steroids so will say night night and hope sleep fairies are in abundance for all.
Tup x

2915

Hi Valentines
yes I’m home in bed exhausted. Managed school runs today and tried to catch up with 18 days neglected housework - I was still suffering Tax SEs when I went into hospital! I will try to catch up with you all over the weekend but have to give cleaning priority at mo as terrified I will get another infection!
Think it was Kath who asked, PICC line was not infected at all so as far as I know all the trouble was caused by a kidney infection so minor that I had none of the usual symptoms. Just showed as slightly swollen on CT scan!
Wishing you all a goodnight
Elaine x

2916

TAX1 day 1
Brief update 'cos I’m desparate for some sleep and I can see a fairy…
All went well today if slow but found out from Onc that I’ve only been taking half the dose of steroids I should’ve had up to now - for all of FEC and the pre TAX dose due to a Pharmacy error. Wrong dosage dispensed and wrong info on box. Perhaps I’ll not feel so sick this time. I couldn’t believe it - neither could my Onc!
No noticeable SE’s so far except exhaustion from last night’s lack of sleep. Still awake at 3:00 and woken by a wood pigeon at 5:00!
Sleep well everyone - so glad you’re free Elaine
xxx

2917

Morning Valentines

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who wished me well regarding the new ‘squatter’ I have back in my breast. At least this time I’ve only a 2 week wait for a hospital appointment rather than the 3 months I waited first time round. Fingers crossed it’s just scar tissue. Either way Girls I’ll let you know. Thanks again for the support.

I hope everyone is coping well with their first Tax. I think that’s everyone who should change, has changed? I’m sure it’s quite nerve-wrecking to start a whole new regime. You just get used to one set of SEs only to have to start all over again.

I’m still suffering with a lot of nausea but at least the dizziness seems to have stopped.

Love to you all

Dyane

FEC 4/6 day 10, Antrim Area Hospital

2918

Morning vals
well all went well yesterday for my 2nd tax and 2nd herceptin. Had blood done early then off for meeting with radiologist to discuss my rads. Bit of a pain as they want me to have my rads with them not at a place more local as they have up to the date new equipment, so that means a three hour round trip, quick twenty minute zap every day for six weeks! Thank god the French health service provide free taxis to get me there and back or I would be knack erred going back and forth to Toulouse every day!
they will give me a ct scan on the 30th may after my last chemo on the 22nd , to acuratly pin point radio sites, then am programmed to start first radio on the 17 June so its going to be a long hot summer! I will try a get a break in beforehand to re charge the batteries.
Good meeting with onc before my treatment too, who prescribed me sleeping tabs and lots of pain relief to see me through my final two tax, typical France I came out with a shopping bag full of medicine but needs must!
Had a bit of a cry when I got home, just tired from not sleeping the night before and all the emotions catching up, like just not feeling in control of my life etc but hey ho must pick myself up and get on!
Hope all of you are coping withn Se and treatments, and please no hospital visits I hope for anyone this month.
catch up soon, hope to get in the garden this weekend and do some planting, might even atremor to mow the lawn, it is a ride on so fairly easy but with hay fever god knows how I will fair might put a mask on! Ha ha!
love and hugs to all keep smiling through it! Karen xx:)

2919

FEC-T; Tax 1 day 16
Morning Vals,

Hope everyones side effects are being kind today.

I’m feeling pretty good, I managed to make it to windband practice last night, and I’ve just been for an 8 mile bike ride, I’m sure I was slower than I usually would be, I had to stop a couple of times, and at about 6 miles in, when the wind decided to get up, I was wishing I’d picked a shorter route for my first effort, but now I’m back I’m really pleased I went, getting out there and getting some exercise has made me feel much more like the normal me, rather than the breast cancer me.

So pleased to hear you’re home at last Elaine , don’t go exhausting yourself with all the cleaning.

Fingers crossed for your squatter just being scar tissue Dyane.

Jo
x

2920

Morning Vals,

Dyane - fingers crossed with the squatter. Hopefully it wil just be scar tissue. xxx

Elaine - don’t go overdoing it and end up back in Stalag. Take it easy, the dust will be back again tomorrow! I do understand what you mean though about anxiety over every day household germs. I’m just the same and driving myself bonkers.

Jo - I couldn’t even have riden 8 miles when I was fit and healthy. Well done you!

Wattie - you will be exhausted with all that travelling, but free taxis sound good. Don’t let Kath know!

Mandy, that cock up is dreadful. You have grounds to complain about that. I hope the fairies came. It’s the blackbird that wakes me up every dawn. Bless his cotton socks. No more raisins for him!

Tup well done on surviving so far on Tax. Hope it continues well for you.

Well done everyone else who changed over to Tax this last time, and my best wishes for a peaceful weekend for you all. Linda xxx

Paula - good luck with the eyes and sweats.