Mandy - what can I say that others haven’t already said on here? The frustration and disappointment you must be feeling… we are all right behind you & holding your hand. Big hugs & stay strong.
Yankee - I have sent you a reply to your pm, thanks for getting in touch.
Work issues - I’m in 2 minds whether to try and go back to work before and/or during chemo. Part of me is feeling I shouldgive it a try, at least on my ‘feeling ok’ days; the other part of me is telling me to run a mile & not even give it a second thought. Is anyone working through chemo? I think my trouble is that I would need to do an office based role as I can’t do my ‘normal’ job (which is working in schools & colleges) once the chemo starts. Any advice?
Caroline x
Day 8 1st cycle of FEC-T CC
Afternoon Valentines!
Sorry your second cycle may be delayed Angie fingers crossed for you X
Caroline I’m fortunate enough to be able to go in to work when I feel up to and have done just that. Takes my mind off of things and it makes the day go faster. I appreciate not everyone is able to do that and I would imagine working with lots of people there will only be certain days you can do this becasue of immunity problems
Thanks for the snippets Gill
I never even thought about the car insurance thing Linda good point!
Hope the fluey symptoms got soon Jackie and that you enjoy the day to yourself whilst your lovely friend has your kids for the day
Feeling OK apart from a head cold and streaming eyes and nose. Temperature is OK so no probs at the moment. Today I had a visit from a District Nurse to clean and flush my PICC line. She came with a warning from my Dr that I was a “bit of a character”. After spending 40 minutes dong paper work and 20 minutes trying to put a clip back on my very bruised arm where the line goes in she started shaking. I asked her if she was OK? She said she had never had this much trouble doing this before and was getting anxious because she knew she was hurting me. I could see her sweating and told her to take a break and I would make her a cupa . Once I calmed her down she was able to carry on. Who was the patient here? lolz. I wouldn’t mind but she was a senior DN and commented that she was glad it wasnt one of her juniors that was visiting me today. Good job I am a “bit of a character” *rolls eyes.
Funki X
Caroline , I’m staying off work till after chemo. I work in a hospital so going in there every day is hardly consistent with staying away from crowded places with potentially infected people, we also get a lot of cancer patients for whom things haven’t gone so well through our department, and I’m not sure that dealing with that would be great for my frame of mind at the moment.
My surgeon told me it was very important not to rush back to work too soon in order to give myself chance to heal properly.
Jo
Hi again
Just a little story for you all.
OH got up early from night shift and as we didn’t have the kids today we decided to have a treat and go out to lunch in a local pub/ restaurant.
I was so looking forward to it a break from all this Cancer C**P.
Anyway, when we arrived lo and behold it was full of people dressed in black for a funeral wake! It really sent shivers through me sooo not funny!! I expect before cancer I wouldn’t have taken notice at all. Bl***y typical. Lol !!!
Take care everyone just having a little moment here. Sorry xxxxxxxx
1945 (FEC3/TAX3)Cycle 1/Day 15 CC
Dear All – quite a day yesterday! Went to pick up my wig, which I was dreading. Not so much for the usual reasons, but because I hadn’t liked the wig lady very much when I met her the firsst time and felt that I had rather been pushed into chosing one that didn’t really suit me.
Anyway, things were very different. She must have been having a bad day before (I guess people withoout breast cancer DO still have those!!!). Yesterday she was very helpful --showed me lots of very different styles and wasn’t at all upset that I didn’t take the one she had ordered for me.
The new one I choose – a “Crystal” looks as Dynasty as the name implies, but I am assured that Assistant Wig Lady will be able to tone it down and cut off the straggly bits, so I won’t have to buy shoulder pads and chunky gold jewelry to wear with it. So I am now feeling much more positive. It will be ready for me next Tuesday when I go in to see the Oncologist and attend the Look Good - Feel Better course!
On the way home, we stopped at the Jane Scarthe House in Romsey, a drop in centre run by Wessex Cancer Care. I wanted to ask if they knew of any way to get hold of a second-hand reclining chair, as I was so uncomfortable on all our furniture during Cycle 1. The didn’t, but gave me some leads to follow. Anyway, it was yet another terrific facility and they insisted on signing me up for a complimentarty aromatherapy massage next week. How good is that! Came home exhausted!!!
Yesterday was the first day of Cycle 1 that I didn’t need any of the pills. In fact, except for still not sleeping, I seem to be over all the side effects – well, still very tired, but I think thaat will be a constant. My love to those of you still struggling with bad news, and to those still stuck in the waiting queue. XXXXXX Louise
FEC x 6 - cycle 1 day 13 - Basingstoke District Hospital for chemo and Reading for radiotherapy
Mandy - sorry to hear about your medical b**gger up. How infuriating!! I had a rant on your behalf to my OH. I hope that you have calmed now and are able to focus on what’s ahead with a level head. Don’t rush into any decisions whislt angry.
I had planned to go out for lunch this week as my husband is off work (half term) - but I haven’t managed to pull my finger out all week. I will have to look online today to see if there are any offers locally. I hope there are no funerals where I decide to go!!
I am working from home during chemo. I have a flexible work arrangement so I can work as many or few hours as I need. Lucky as this week I haven’t felt up to much as I am so tired. I am going into work next week for a meeting and to see my colleagues. I am quite looking forward to seeing them as working from home is quite isolating. I am a research chemist so I wouldn’t be able to do anything other than paper work if I went into work. So doing paper work at home is a lot easier and the commute a lot better. I am glad I am able to do this as it saves me getting too bored. Thankfully the pup can go out now so I am getting out a few times a day which is a good excuse for some fresh air and change of scene.
I am going to the pink place on Monday which is a local charity for people with breast cancer. I am a little nervous as this isn’t my thing, but I know someone who works there so I am going with her. I get to meet local ladies in the same position as me and I can also have 3 beauty treatments or therapies per visit (up to 6 visits). So I am planning on being pampered whilst I am there.
I still have a whole head of hair (and lady garden - I love that term). It doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere soon and I have had no itching or pain in my scalp. I really want it to start as the waiting is terrible, I would just like to get on with coping with it rather than waiting to see if I can cope. I had a friend upset me about the hair loss the other day by stating she was surprised I would be upset an losing all my hair. Well so would she - but she isn’t!!! It’s such an easy thing to say you’ll be OK with, until you are just on the brink of losing it. I will be OK, but I hate the wait, and I hate the idea of people staring.
My little whinge over.
Alison xx
Hi all x Fec 2 day 2 & I’m on the sofa of ill ! My OH hasn’t realised but not only am I having a burning ceremony for my shays , wig & scarves when it’s over but the sofa is going in the fire too !! luckily the nausea is ok
Anyone of your lovely ladies having treatment at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle?
Day 9 of FEC. Felt a bit exhausted last night but up bright and early this morning and had a lovely trip to Rothbury. Granddaughter learning to drive so she needs the practice as test coming up soon.
Had a bit of indigestion but took a Rennies.
Worst thing so far has been constripation. Took Movacol for three days but didn’t work. In the end resorted to a Senna tablet which did the trick.
Going to see oncologist on Monday. Presume its to see how I’m getting on.
Love and cuddles to you all.
Jennifer xx
Hi caroline - my job is with schools and colleges and all my colleagues too and I was advised to keep well away from work. I know since I’ve been off (oct) I haven’t yet had a cold and I normally would have had a couple by now. Unfortunately I seem to have had quite a lot of issues between ops and chemo so couldn’t have worked anyway but I think I will stay away. Considering a part time return when undergoing rads if I’m well enough.
i miss work and my colleagues terribly so it’s a hard decision but its time to think of ourselves and get better first.
jan xx
Fec T
Fec 1 day 16
Mandy, I’m so sorry about your awful news. But I’m glad, in a funny sort of way, that your chemo will still go ahead. 28th is the date for my second Fec, so we’ll be virtually holding hands on that day. Oh, loved the language, might borrow a few of those words if ever I need to.
Linda, it can’t be long for your surgery now, surely?
Kim, hope they manage to get to grips with your sickness problem. Now I know you are in N. Ireland, whenever I read you posts I will hear a lovely Irish lilt.
Angie, good job I no longer have the hungry munchies, or your lunch menu would have started me off.
Featherbird, hope SEs are minimal on TC, sending hugs in case.
Jo, hope that shivering stops, don’t want any Valentine having more problems than they need.
Jan, in spite of the fact that I’m wearing a hat indoors to reduce mess, I’ve enough floating around to stuff a pillow with. And, I have a large bald patch across the front of my head. So I have a fringe, baldy patch, the hair at back of head!! Ladygarden almost disappeared too.
Angie, sorry you might have to delay next session, keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Re constipation, it hasn’t been too bad, but it’s enough to give me piles. Think I will try my Senna tablets tonight.
Sending everyone hugs, and best wishes.
Hi caroline - my job is with schools and colleges and all my colleagues too and I was advised to keep well away from work. I know since I’ve been off (oct) I haven’t yet had a cold and I normally would have had a couple by now. Unfortunately I seem to have had quite a lot of issues between ops and chemo so couldn’t have worked anyway but I think I will stay away. Considering a part time return when undergoing rads if I’m well enough.
i miss work and my colleagues terribly so it’s a hard decision but its time to think of ourselves and get better first.
jan xx
On the worjk question, I have a mainly office based job so I am working from home 8 days out of 15 on the laptop and calling into meetings on the phone. I will go into the office but haven’t so far as one of my team was infectious with chicken pox. It is still a bit tiring even on the laptop but it is good to keep in touch with what’s happening and to continue to set the direction for the team. I wouldn’t want them to forget who’s the boss! There is also the question of preserving as much paid sick leave as I can. I also do volunteering in the evenings (eg school governor; work with young offenders) but have had to put that on hold for a while.
Angie xx
Last post only put half of it on ? Anyway , feather bird I had that sensation in my nose & eyes on my first Fec , the nurse gave my 2nd round a lot slower & I never got it , was much better so I would mention it next time .
sorry Angie hope your ok by Friday x
alison , it is a big issue losing our hair I loved my hair !! people don’t realise what they say & to be fair it’s not until I’m in this situation I wonder what I have said or done in the past . I lost my best friend to ovarian cancer & now I look back & think did I really support her , knowing what I know I would’ve done a few things different for her
Work ! ive decided to take up to a year out ( work don’t know this ! ) my job is very stressful & involved long hours , evening work & sometimes weekends , not the job I can just pop in & out when feeling good , even had clients ringing me in hospital after my surgery & on christmsd eve . I love my job but not sure the stess is worth it , seriously looking at a new start with less hours . I’m getting to see my daughter much more , the one good thing to come out of this ! Plus I dont get sick pay but do have an insurance policy that pays up to a year if I’m off , so no brainer really for me !
Finally SE’s on day 2 is lack of appetite ( no fish n chips today bork !! ) extreme tiredness & very spaced out but little nausea !! Early days tho
take care everyone & avoid those wakes lol !!
Karen xx
I am sooooooooooo pleased I am retired, that’s all I can add to the work discussion. I know I haven’t started chemo yet, but after reading all about what you ladies are going through, I will be glad I can sleep whenever I need to during the day, stay in bed in the mornings, go walks or outings when I am able, and not have to worry about the added stress of work. Bliss.
Poems - my surgery is on Friday. Hurray!!!
Oh Linda, Good luck for Friday, hope all goes well for you xxxx
Thank you xxx
FEC 1 Day 19
Yes, good luck for Friday Linda.
Ksren - I hope you get your appetite back soon.
Alison - seems an odd thing to say but I hope your hair loss starts soon as that’s what you want. Mine has been falling out heavily in the last couple of days. Clippers tomorrow.
Jackie - I’m sorry your lunch wasn’t quite what you expected.
Sleep well Valentines.
Angie xx
Thank you Angie.
I have been reading the Drug Review (on-line) for my hospital in relation to the injections given to chemo patients to help prevent neutropenia. Apparently, the daily Filgrastim G-CSF injections that many of you seem to be having for a few days mid cycle have been replaced by a single injection of Prefilgrastin given 24 hours after each chemo cycle. This seems preferable to 5 or more injections mid-cycle.
Anyone else getting these? Are they OK?
Sleep well folks.
Linda xxx
Hope all valentines have a good night .
Tup x
Jan, I’m school/College based and I’ve not been in work since early December. have felqt well enough some of the time but docs said stay away from big groups of folks. Also is much harder to do a few days here and there due to requirements of cover. I’m gring to be on half pay by June 'cos setbacks have held up my treatment too…
Thinking of you all tomorrow. Thank you so much for all your kind messages of support. I’m feeling a bit brighter today.
M x