The Gremlins are certainly working overtime this evening Valentines!
I have known since original dx after biopsy that I would be on chemo. This has never been in doubt and I have been resigned to it for almost 3 months now. (Grade 3 IDC and HER2+++) I agree the chemo is a belt and braces thing for many of us, increasing our chances of it not recurring or appearing elsewhere by sweeping up any microscopic strays that have escaped undetected.
What is really confusing me is the type of chemo. My surgeon (NOT the oncologist) told me it would probably be FEC because this is the “bog standard treatment” (her words) Then the oncologist told me definitely FEC and not T because “we don’t give T to node-clear people.” Now he wants to see me to discuss it again so it looks like he is changing his mind because of my Herceptin element. Then I look at some of you who have not had chemo before and are on TC with a similar dx to myself, plus others who are on TAC (I know Jen is on this but she already had FEC on a previous occasion.) And there may be other types too. Oh for a website explaining it all!!!
By the way, referring back to a previous conversation about strong palpitations after infusion and needing to ring 999 - I think it may have been Alison who had this. Not sure.
Love the Poem Kath - made me laugh out loud.
Sleep tight everyone xxx
fec1 day 21
Evening Valentines,didnt get a call from chemo nurse today re rescheduling my round 2 due tomorrow.I hope I get call tomorrow.
Tried to have a rest day in case that helps body recover,ended up getting carpet shampooer out,whilst hubby was up the shops,cat had unfortunate accident in bedroom,cream carpet!!!Ended up cleaning all but one of upstairs carpets,well,while machine is out… anyway it knackered me.
Kath keep the poems coming,I am an allotment person.
Featherbird so glad you out,everyone out now then Hurrah xx
Elaine you really have got to grips with your head havent you ,mine is only shedding around my ears so far lol xxx
Annabelle you seem to be getting on fine with yours,lovely to hear from you.xxx
Girls my choice to have chemo was to get me up from 7/10 to 8/10 any improvement has to be worth the se’s
Well have a good nights sleep everyone,thanks for all recommendations on helping get bloods up.Talk tomorrow Love to all Chris xxxx
Evening valentines. I have been almost nausea free today – hooray. But have very sore mouth – boo. I actually managed a walk to the local shops which made me feel almost normal! I was so attentive to all the signs of Spring – as if for first time!
Kath – I love the poem please write more if you have the energy/time.
Louise – your cat looks so cuddly. I love cats but am allergic – I get asthma attacks if near them. When I met my OH he had a beautiful Ginger Tom who was the apple of his eye. We tried using air purifiers (large industrial type !) But nothing worked. I felt so guilty when the cat had to be re-homed.
Linda – So sorry to hear you still have to wait for a start date. AND that the chemo regime is not yet sorted.
Featherbird – so glad you have escaped stalag! The threat of being taken into hospital makes me almost paranoid. I keep washing my hands as if have OCD!
I have been reading all the info you all have been posting about types and actions of the different chemo drugs. It feels all so confusing but perhaps thats because Im feeling more than a bit fragile about this whole BC s***t.
Wishing you all a nightmare free night.
Tup x
Sorry not got complete hang of this cut and paste.
Chris - thats so frustrating that nurse hasn’t got back to you - have they any idea how IMPORTANT it is for us to get onto next regime!! (anger burst over) Looks like you used your energy more productively! Carpet cleaning! That looks a bit like 'displacement" - i.e. you really wanted to take that nurse to the cleaners!
Tup
Lola, lots of different factors determine your regime as they are basically tailormade for each individual. For instance I have TC because for grade 2 node involvement but also because of palpitations and a liver lesion which is suspect. Im sure your onc will clarify the reasons behind their choice for you and if they dont offer that information they wont mind you questioning them so ask.
Tup so pleased your still feeling ok, as well as the frequent hand washing take extra care with you mouth hygiene, make sure you clean teeth and gargle after every meal as your own body flora can become the infections as it did with me. my days on a 21 day cycle to wath are 7 to14.
Dont know whats going on with this but would only let me post half of what Ive written.
Morning all valentines. Ihope you all have a lovely day as SE free as possible.
Don know if Ive already said but my hair started coming out thick n fast on day 12 so when i got home from hosp on tueday night I got it cut almost to bald as it was so painful. Anyway (after she stops rambling), going to look at wigs today, first day out, sooooh excited. whooop. xxxxxxxxx
Seems the sofa is my second bed at the moment… lasted till 3am this morning… feeling ok… cup of tea is tasting better… thank God…wish the taste buds would kick back in… hospital prescibed some Fortisip drinks as eating not brillaint… see how I go with them…start injections tomorrow so doing as my oncologist said and starting painkillers cos I know what the side effects are like… not nice
Hoping all Valentines have a good day… Im heading for the shops today… random bits and bobs shopping which I love…lol
Much love n hugs to all
Tee! heee! hee! I gave in and went to make the poor fellas a cuppa! We’ve had the same window cleaners for 20 years but somehow over the past 6 months he’s one of the people I avoided telling about the BC. His kids are the same age as mine so we’ve sort of grown up together. Needless to say, he was lovely and very understanding.
Isn’t it odd the way we seem to have to explain ourselves to so many people? I wish I could feel as pragmatic about the way I’ve neglected the house over the past months as I say. In truth my mucky floors, unmade bed filthy window sills etc. make me want to cry!
x
Mandy you just brought me back to the land of the living with your statement about letting your toilet in,as I write this I am still laughing something I haven’t done for the last 10 days thank you so much
FEC 2 day 11 CC
main side effects this time was very low mood,am not the crying type but every thing set me off over the last week, the drugs might be successful in putting me into a early menopause something my oncologist will be delighted with.Today I am back ready to fight this, I still have my hair so far so am going to get out of bed and face the world outside.
I don’t write much on this thread but believe me valentines I read it every day and truly believe it is one of the things in my life that is helping me through this s…y time so thanks everyone
Heres to a better day xx
Morning Valentines!
I’m finally out of the waiting room, have boarded the train & had my first chemo session yesterday. Have to say I had a major wobble as I left the house… OH thought I was going to leap out of the car & run away!! Where on earth would I have gone?!
I had a portacath fitted on Tuesday which made yesterday so easy… So Linda please don’t worry about having it done… It really is as easy as your dr says. Yes, it feels a bit like a portacabin (that made me laugh so much!) for the first day & was a bit uncomfortable yesterday, but otherwise a breeze.
i also gave the cold cap a go… And boy, they don’t joke when they say its cold! So we will see. I’m not too keen on the idea of not being able to wash my hair until Sunday though. Does anyone know if I can use dry shampoo? Probably not, but my daughter suggested this for me… bless!
love & hugs to everyone. Meet up next Feb sounds great, loved the gardening poem, still trying tp pluck up some courage to post a pic but will try this weekend… im also a cat lover (havent been able to have dogs as i have always worked full time) my ‘little’ boy is called Monty.
Caroline
x
Fec 1 day 2: Swindon Ridgeway
FEC cycle 1 day 25
Morning Valentines - havent posted much over the last few weeks due to hosp incarseration and not feeling the best - but be assured I log on every day to see how my valentine sisters are keeping!
Was at hosp on Monday for bloods etc - after meeting with consultant my chemo has been deferred for a week to let me and my wee veins recover - to tell the truth I didnt want it - still dont … I know I am only prolonging the whole process but this first cycle has really knocked me for 6 - sick for the first 8 days (not physically just very bad nausea) then infection in right eye on day 10 then cold & cough then in hosp with neutropenia sepsis! Alsolute nightmare for me - I am just so glad that most of the valentines arent having such a bad time as me (and the other 7 valentines who ended up in hosp!) Is it any wonder I dont want cycle 2! lol
Just want to plug the site Anna Bandana - fantastic service and great prices - best site I have seen so far for scarves etc (I am not going to wear my wig - its cutting the head off me - and when I tried it on with hair it was great - now with no hair it seems very loose and might fall off! So I am sticking to scarves and hats - I know it screams ‘cancer patient’ but I feel much better with the scarves and everyone has complimented me on the ones I am wearing (I have opted for the multi coloured chiffon ones (they have a wee cotton hat with the chiffon parts attached and then its up to you how you tie it - I tie mine to the side and its very flattering!)
I am back at work for the last 3 days ( I work in an office so no manual labour - just sit in front of a computer all day!) but will finish today for poss 8-10 days pending how chemo affects me this time - I just hope they throw everything at me - anti sickness & white blood cell boosting injections - just dont want to feel as bad as I did with the first cycle.
Ok - rant & moan over - back to work - have a good Friday valentines and I hope everyones SE’s are minable and bareable.
Big cyber hugs to everyone xxoo
FEC1 day22 c/c
Should have been my No.2 today , Oh well wait again for phone call,bloody miserable weather outside,misty and drizzling.Will have to go food shopping with hubby,he loves shopping,I hate it.Usually bump into lots of people I know as I work in local Bank,so chance to catch up with them.
Tup glad se’s getting bit better.xx
Featherbird My head not sore but handful hair comes out into brush from around the ears,trying to avoid brushing during day.Hope you find a wig that you like,I love mine,yet to wear it.Thanks for the reminder re mouthwash,not done it much as mouth not sore,so good reminder.xxxxx
Sandra I was told fresh pineapple frozen chunks to chew on brings back taste.Careful if mouth sore though.Good luck with injections enjoy your shop.xxxx
Mandy you have chemo brain!! I presume you meant opened toilet cutain and window cleaner was there.We have a lovely window cleaner too,known many years gone through everything together,I discuss it all with him,was chatting other day as I was shedding hair out in the garden.Made me laugh with you hiding under covers.I am sure your house is fine,nothing that anyone else would notice needs a clean.I used to be a slave to it but no one ever noticed that I had been slogging my guts out cleaning all day,thankless task,only appreciated by the person doing it.xxx
Hi Buddy,nice to hear from you,doing well on round 2 then,apart from a bit of the glums,sure that will pass soon,have you lost any hair?Hope you have a good day to cheer you up.xx
Have good day everyone Love and Hugs Chris xxxxx<3
Hi Caroline,when I had cold cap I came home with hair covered in conditioner,they gave me a little cotton turban to wear,then rinsed it off when I got in,washed it a few days later as usual.So you should be ok.Glad your portakabin fitting went well xxx
Hi Honey you have really been through the mill first cycle,hopefully you be alright from now,Your wig should adjust at the back,your scarf does look nice though.xxxxx
Talk later Love Chris xxxxx<3
Morning ladies hope everyones well giggling here about the window cleaner,our dog nearly killed ours a few years back id forgot to close the large bedroom window so as the poor bugger got to the top of the ladder her head went through it barking like mad good job his ladder was at the other side,11 stone rotti kills window cleaner not good,we laugh about it now,ordered a medical alert bracelet last night think it was Lola who recommended the site,its a lovely silver one with a love heart ,i love hearts… still havent had longer than 2 to 3 hours sleep grr wanted to have my Grandaughter tonight i miss her so much she usually stays 2 or 3 nights a week but with the op and chemo havent had the energy since xmas shes nearly 3 and good fun ,makes it harder listening to the toddlers next door shes coming for tea so ill see how i feel also got some beanies of a lovely lady who has a page on face book Boldbeanies reasonable prices and quite pretty fabrics,hope everyone has a good day…xx
I’ve been thinking… (I know, too much time on my hands!) and want to say a few thank yous before I forget. I was reading through some of your earlier posts and a few sprung out at me which have really kept me going over the last few weeks:
poemsgalore - let battle commence!
Cucumber12 - stepping into the unknown
Karen1971 - scream if you want to go faster!
Yankee - bring on the FEC-T no matter how hard it is
HaloB - let’s all grip tight and hold on
Elago - tummy doing back flips and not in a good way
yankee - serenity prayer… Post 131 (Wonderful)
poemsgalore - poem in post 137
MrsPiggy - I refuse to let cancer win
and of course… KEEP CALM AND CHEMO ON!!!
there are countless others … Thank you one and all … You are an inspiration! Oscar speech over (or was it Brit awards?).
caroline
x
Morning ladies hope everyones well giggling here about the window cleaner,our dog nearly killed ours a few years back id forgot to close the large bedroom window so as the poor bugger got to the top of the ladder her head went through it barking like mad good job his ladder was at the other side,11 stone rotti kills window cleaner not good,we laugh about it now,ordered a medical alert bracelet last night think it was Lola who recommended the site,its a lovely silver one with a love heart ,i love hearts… still havent had longer than 2 to 3 hours sleep grr wanted to have my Grandaughter tonight i miss her so much she usually stays 2 or 3 nights a week but with the op and chemo havent had the energy since xmas shes nearly 3 and good fun ,makes it harder listening to the toddlers next door shes coming for tea so ill see how i feel also got some beanies of a lovely lady who has a page on face book Boldbeanies reasonable prices and quite pretty fabrics,hope everyone has a good day…xx
Second cycle happened yesterday and it was a long day. I had an appointment at 9, but when I got there it was actually 10.30. We went and did some chores and got back for the correct time. I then was given the all clear for chemo and had to wait another 2.5 hours until I could have it. Didn’t leave the hospital till gone 3. Thankfully we are only a short drive away and managed to get home to the pup for an hour during the wait. So far I am feeling OK, but a little tired and cold. I came home with a carrier bag full of drugs – looked like a junky!! I have my usual anti-sickness meds, plus mouthwash, fibrogel, and the injections. It was almost like Christmas as each new med came out.
I was sat next to a lady having herceptin yesterday and she said it was fine and nothing compared to chemo (she had FEC-T). Gill , It was me that had an irregular heart beat first time round. So far it seems OK. But I will take your advice and if it happens again phone the hospital. Chris , the only way to help the neutrophil count is to have the injections. They are no walk in the park and I am not looking forward to them. But if you haven’t been unwell then you may not be able to have them, but if you are concerned ask your oncologist if you are eligible for them. Granny P , you sound like you have a lovely family so warm and comforting. I have a love of ritz crackers and cream cheese and my friend bought me a huge pot of smoked almonds (I am not sharing those). However, I also love sweet at the moment too and have baked rather a lot of cake and have a slight addiction to mini magnums!!! Sandra and Funki , I have to do the injections myself – although they told my husband how to do them too (no way am I letting him loose with a needle near me). I am also a bit nervous about them as there seem to be so many horror stories. I start mine on Monday for 7 days. Louise, Havoc looks like he’s been mis-named!!! How laid back is he??? Thankfully today pup is having a fatigue day too and has slept nearly all morning!! Lisa , we have chemo as a precaution – as what we actually have is no DETECTABLE cancer. That’s what remission is. There may be some undetectable cancer – so as a precaution we are given chemo. As my onc put it ‘belts and braces’.
As for memory – I have to take so many tablets I have my alarm set for each time (that’s 6 alarms a day) and the times written on the boxes so I know which one I am meant to take. It’s the only way I would be taking the right tablets at the right time. I have injections to add to the mix soon, but I am also on my last day of mega antibiotics (no constipation this time – too much info???).
Alison xxx
, Oh well wait again for phone call,bloody miserable weather outside,misty and drizzling.Will have to go food shopping with hubby,he loves shopping,I hate it.Usually bump into lots of people I know as I work in local Bank,so chance to catch up with them.
I presume you meant opened toilet cutain and window cleaner was there.We have a lovely window cleaner too,known many years gone through everything together,I discuss it all with him,was chatting other day as I was shedding hair out in the garden.Made me laugh with you hiding under covers.I am sure your house is fine,nothing that anyone else would notice needs a clean.I used to be a slave to it but no one ever noticed that I had been slogging my guts out cleaning all day,thankless task,only appreciated by the person doing it.xxx