Hello Valentines! It’s been a while since I posted anything so I thought I would pop in & give you all an update. I am now 10 days post FEC 1 and feel reasonably confident that I have managed to escape without most of the hideous SEs you have been describing. I’ve had a really gurgly tummy with the expected toxic consequences but other than that have not suffered too much. To say I’m feeling slightly guilty when i have been reading your posts is an understatement. however i am trying to stay realistic as I know this could all change during round 2 & have a cumulative effect beyond.
My OH has been away this week but my lovely Mum came over to be with me in case it all went tits up (so to speak!). We had a lovely few days together although I’m not sure who was looking after who… I realised just how fragile she is becoming in her old age. We did have a lot of laughs though… priceless and very precious moments. her mother was Irish, born and married into a farming family near Newton Hamilton, so we both loved your Cushendall poem Kath ( and I laughed my head off about FEC being an irish swearword!) It was great to have hubby home last night… he has been my absolute rock & hero throughout all this.
I spoke to my boss about working from home next week, but her response was that they didn’t have anything for me to do… so much for all the promises of being flexible and working things around me! I can’t tell you the language I used when I told my OH!! Maybe it’s just as well, but it was a huge disappointment for me as going back to work was one of my main objectives and milestones in getting better.
thinking of you all, and hoping the SEs stay manageable. I am sure my time will come.
Caroline
Fec 1, day 10
Fec T
Fec 2, day 17
Everyone seems to be having an awful time of it. Alison, after I posted about hemorrhoids, had an awful thought. Does your bottom bleed when pooing? Hope not, because that COULD be C Diff. Had it the other year after one of my many and varied stays in hospital on IV anti biotics. Thought it was diarrhea with hemorrhoids. A year later I was back in (for 14 days) and sent home with two different antibiotics. Ciprofloxicin, and Colymycin (to nebulize). They warned me that Cipro might cause tendonitis (it did) and coly might cause C Diff. Looked that up, and it was exactly what I’d had before. Runny razor blade poo, lots of bleeding from bum. Went on for two weeks. I’ll know next time. Hope nobody was eating while reading that!! 
Jackie, never heard you scream, but glad you did. Even prisoners get better treatment than that - Pah! 
Jennifer, keep your eye on spot. We all have to keep a careful eye on any sores, spots, cuts etc. I worried the other day. Was shaving OH neck (he’s VERY hairy) wiped hair off blade and promptly cut my finger. Double whammy - it was on side of surgery, so was worried about lymphoedema too.
Annabelle, how awful to have collapse in vein. Hope they hold out until chemo ends.
Ami, good luck for Tuesday.
Tup, Jessie J has nothing on any of us. Remember, she had the choice. It’s good she did it for charity, but she did have the choice. We didn’t. I’ve put that on my FB page too. We are ALL stunning, well, you lot are anyway.
Glad the poems are keeping you going. Will sort another out to put on shortly. Big Hugs and love.
Kathxxx
Bit late for this one, but never mind.
Autumn’s Purpose.
See the trees, as they bend and bow.
Their swirling leaves fly high and low.
The smell of autumn is in the air.
horse chestnuts and acorns everywhere.
With twitching nose, the squirrel leaps,
to search for acorns among the heaps,
of fallen leaves: gold, brown and red.
To hide away in his secret bed.
Before the coming of Winter’s chill;
this glorious season must fulfil;
destruction of the Summer’s story;
for nature to re-create her glory.
Love Kath xxx
What lovely words Kath, especially the last line. Isn’t that what having the chemo is all about… “for nature to re-create her glory.”
We might be in our Autumn, with hair falling out and dark Winter yet to come, but our Spring and Summers will surely follow! Hang on in there girls!
cx
Hi C, I never thought of it that way. I’m glad these small offerings of mine are allowing you to see things in a positive way. One problem I have posting poems on here, I copy and paste, but keep forgetting to put the verse breaks in. These forums don’t seem to keep the formatting correctly. 
Oh well.
Take care, Kath xx
Hi Kath… do you use the ‘paste from Word’ icon (last button on right next to smileys)? This ‘should’ allow you to copy and paste from Word and keep the formatting. I haven’t tried it yet so can’t tell you if it does actually work. Cx
Lavendersun…you and me both hun… finished 5 days of GCSF jabs on wednesday… ended up back in hospital Thursday night… temp reached 39.1 within half an hour…took hubby 20 mins of being passed around the switchboard… he wasnt happy considering you have to get there within the hour… one consolation I had my same room and amazing nurses who are friends and family look after me… 8.30am was watching telly in the dayroom and went lightheaded and dizzy… temp had hit 39 again!!! so it was hit and miss they would let me out today…but they have with another lot of anti bs…tummy in pain so out come more tablets to take… grrrr…glad to be home though…good job I had packed my bag x
Evening ladies
I hope everyone is ok this evening with minimal SE and Jackie i hope youre ok being stuck Where you are. I’m not sure if I’m starting to have any SE or if they are in my head but boy I’m achey including my head and scalp is sore, anyhow enough of my whinging I’m off for an early night thats if the sleep fairies are good to me. They’ve abandoned me since Thursday the rotten bu@£4rs!
Kath loving the poems you’re very talented 
Night all
Lisa x
FEC2 day 1
Evening all Valentines,just a quick post as can’t read all from yesterday,eyes going a bit funny.Had no2 was fine,didnt have cold cap so was only in there 3hrs in all.Felt rough inthe evening,bad acid stomach,then felt queasy,took my 2 anti sick tabs,then threw up 5 mins later.!!Went to bed really early for me 8.15 woke at 10.30 bad acid again,had some milk,then took the tablet you have 12hrs after chemo,was able to lay down and settle by 12.00.Had a good night,spent day on sofa answering txts,phone calls,then friends and family visited,that perked me up.
Was so sorry to hear the heartbreak this disease brings to our girls of childbearing age,sending big hugs to you,where is that bloody Magic wand we need.xxxx<3
Jackie get out of hospital,you have a nice bed at home that needs you.LOl xxx
Annabelle glad you got another one under your belt.xxx
Thanks for the poems Kath,lifts the mood.xxxxx<3
Love to everyone,will catch up tomorrow,when can see a bit better Love Chris xxxx<3
FEC 1 day 17
Evening ladies
I’ve spent today on the Huddersfield narrow canal with some friends on their boat. Spring is springing, birds are nesting ( hopefully using all the hair I sent their way) and we only got rained on for about half an hour. It was lovely and reminded me that there is life other than BC Mind you, my legs can feel the unaccustomed walking now.
Well done with the head shave Tup. I’m dying to do the same but tomorrow I have to meet up with some people I’ve not seen for a long time. I still have a thin covering all over so will probably leave it 'til Monday. I think the Jessie J thing was in poor taste even if it was a bet/fund raiser but perhaps I’m just being grumpy. Is your head still sore or did shaving cure it?
Jennifer , I’ve got a nasty bit I’m watching too. I had some lovely silver earrings bought for me at Christmas. Unfortunately I’m allergic to them and I forgot and wore them all day Thursday. Now I’ve got a gammy ear lobe. I’ve cleaned it all up and slavered Savlon all over it but I’m keeping a close eye on it and taking my temperature regularly. If it’s not stopped weeping by Monday I’ll have to go and get it looked at but I’m really embarrassed about it 'cos I feel it’s self inflicted but I just never thought! Just goes to show how low our immunity gets.
Alison , I hope you’re feeling better and they’ll let you out soon.
Sorry to hear work isn’t turning out as you wanted Caroline. I feel the same about mine but have come round to thinking ’ what the heck’ and am now concentrating on getting through this chemo cr*p 'cos first round I tried to do too much too soon. BTW the post from word thingy works well. Just write your stuff as a word doc, copy it, open the post from word box and paste. Hey presto… I think. I use the notes app on my iPad now so I’m just telling you that from memory. It’s something like that anyhow. Good luck, at least it stops posts vanishing.
Nearly time for session two and this time I’ve got my V shaped pillow and snuggle blanket at the ready and I’m not afraid to use them!
Sleep well Valentines. Keep tight hold of the sleep fairies.
Mandy xx
Good morning Valentines. FEC 2 day 23. Back yesterday from our trip to Cornwall (as expected very limited access to wifi/3G). Daughter also back from uni. Yesterday evening spent with daughter asleep on my lap on one sofa and dog asleep on husband’s lap on other sofa. Domestic bliss! Cornwall was great, the cottage was perfect and the freezing cold weather didn’t stop us from a couple of walks on the beach and a bit of sightseeing (Tintagel, Port Isaac). And I got to wear an assortment of hats. And to do lots of eating. Husband treated me to lunch at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant which was excellent and the man himself was at the bar. Getting away made me feel almost normal for a while. I still felt tired and my (cannula) arm has been quite sore but 10 days of not thinking much about anything other what we were going to do that day and stocking up on logs and kindling was just what we needed.
But back to reality. I haven’t caught up yet with all your posts and poetry (spellcheck wants me to write ‘optometry’) but so sorry to read that you are back in hospital Jackie. It is clearly distressing and I hope you get home soon. Jo - both OH and I were very moved by your story and especially moved by how you are dealing with it. This is the life we’ve been given and the test is to live it the best we can. Elaine - I am sorry you’re coping with an eye condition along with everything else. I will get through everyone’s posts over the last 10 days I promise and do them more justice than I have so far.
My 3rd FEC cycle was delayed by 4 days to accommodate my holiday. So I’m off to see the oncologist tomorrow. My side effects have been easier this cycle but I have a residual worry about the liver ultrasound I had 3 and a half weeks ago. At the time I was told by the ultrasound person that everything looked fine but I haven’t had any formal results. They’d have said before now if there was something wrong wouldn’t they? Anyway I’ll also have more blood tests tomorrow as usual and FEC 3 is due on Tuesday. And then I will be HALFWAY THROUGH CHEMO!
My 32 year old son is coming to stay on Wednesday for a week. He lives in Cyprus. He won’t be affected by the bank levy as he doesn’t have any money! He’s thinking about coming back here to live which would be lovely.
Have good Sundays Valentines.
Angie xx
Thank you ladies for all your tips.
Spot (not sure if its spot or scratch) is just red now, not weeping. Keeping an eye on temperature.
Love to all
Jennifer xx
Hi Angie K
I am due my 3rd FEC on the 26th and if its as good as the others I will be very happy. Just feel ill for 2 days! Horrible taste in my mouth at the moment. Glad you enjoyed your Cornwall break. We went to look at Swansea University with granddaughter for two days. It was a nice break.
Good luck on your next chemo.
Jennifer x
Good morning valentines,
fec 2 day 20 cc
Happly Saint Patrick’s day to everyone, am hoping to go out today and have a few little drinks and listen to some live music which I just love. Angie am glad you enjoyed your holiday we have 3rd chemo on same day now. Kath keep your poems coming you have such a talent.
Quick question is anyone suffering bone pain on fec and not having the injections , this seems to be my biggest complaint but is not mentioned in any of the information leaflets.
Cold cap seems to be working so far as still have a full covering of hair, really hope I have not spoken to soon, I admire all of you who have shaved your heads but it still really frightens me. Have never seen a bald girl whose face is covered in freckles but sur I have the wig ready and waiting.
Really hope today brings minimal se to everyone
Buddy xx
I have a bald head and a face covered in freckles Buddy , it’s not as bad as you might think…
Glad you had a good holiday Angie
Jo
x
Hi Ladies
is it the injections that causes bone pain? I’m really suffering at the moment and it’s 2 days after my injection I’m on TC. Does any one know what’s best to take?
Good luck tomorrow Linda
Lisa x
Hi Lisa,
Thanks xxx
From what I have read on here and elsewhere the injections can cause very nasty bone pain, but so does Tax. I think you need to speak to either the chemo nurse or your GP and ask for a prescription. I doubt over the counter pain killers will touch it if it gets really bad. Sorry you having problems Lisa - take care.
Happy St Patricks Day Valentines!
I haven’t posted for a while as I’ve felt bloody awful although my energy levels are starting to lift a little now. Ended up going to hospital on Friday with high temp…again, although they let me home with antibiotics as my bloods were fine and tests showed no concerns. Injections have been doing my head in as well, I’ve felt like someone is sticking pins in me all over bit like a voodoo doll ha ha
Jo& Lucy- I was so moved to read what you have both been through, as if a diagnosis of this wretched disease isn’t enough…you never know what is around the corner…after having chemo previously i was told that i wouldn’t be able to have children, i now have two (conceived naturally) I call them my miracles of hope- you never know, stay strong lovely ladies xx
Kath- love the sleep fairy poem, I’ve actually read it to my son before bedtime as he wakes us at least 5 times a night for his dummy, may place a copy above his bed ha ha x
Alison- glad your feeling better x
AngieK- your trip to Cornwall sounds like bliss x
Lisa- im on Tax and get the awful bone pain, I’ve been taking paracetamol and codeine at night which helps x
Featherbird- Hope you’re and SE are minimal x
Hope everyone is having a good weekend, remember…TOUGH TIMES DON’T LAST, BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO!
Sarah xxx
LisaG I learnt the hard way from cycle one that I need to start taking pain meds for bone pain the day I start the injections. I take 1 Diclofenac and 2 paracetamol 3 x day on the first 2 days then drop in down to just 3x Diclofenac for the remaining days on the injections. I didnt have ant bone/back pain at all this time.
Thank you, I’ll be on the phone first thing tomorrow to ask for some. I’ve taken some ibuprofen but doesn’t seem to ease. xx