Well girls, it is DONE! Fortified with some red wine (it is good for your bloods, you know!) I took to the shear and… voila! Number 4 is really, really short, but I feel so much better in myself! Loosing my hair rates right up there with getting the diagnosis that I have breast cancer.
DebbieC, how can you be on your 3rd chemo? You are way ahead of us! Thank you for taking over from me as ‘smelly bottom’! I really couldn’t take another day like Saturday.
Deedee, we are not brave. We all just do what we have to do, as will you. Deep breath … now exhale. Baby steps. Hope your infection is now cleared, which it is by the sound of it. Chemo will not be as bad as you imagine, even if you get the worst possible side effects (I was bricking it, no, really, I was!) - you will get through it. Deep breath… and exhale…
Kellc how disgusting I’m sorry you’ve had such a rubbish time. My stay in hospital was utterly ridiculous too. Nurse said she needed to do my b.p temp etc 1 and a half hours later she came to do. Level of care was pathetic. Went in and found blood on the pillow demanded to be changed asked every nurse to sanitise prior to touching me. One would think this was standard common sense and hygiene. I’m left seething and Will defo be making a complaint when upto it. You should Also make it clear how unhappy you are. X
by the way I used cold cap too fingers crossed it’ll work definitely worth a go. Unfortunately everyone is different so no guarantees but you’ll never no unless you try. If you’re using the paxman cc if you call them they are really good and give you all info you require. I looked on their website. Ask the nurse which cc is avail yo you. Best of luck hun. It’s a rubbish time but you Will get thru. X x
tank girl, i have 4yr old son and 1 yr old daughter. As we women do we just cope hun. It’s been abit difficult but on my down days OH has taken over. You Will manage with them. My 4yr old is gr8 and totally understanding my 1 yr old doesn’t really understand so it has been abit tiring. But I’ve even woken up in night with her to get her bottle. Don’t worry. Kids are so resilient they Will come out of this stronger like their mummy. I hope this helps. Brain not working properly today so sorry if it’s a load of waffle! X
Maryc - thank you for putting into perspective, my kids are great (honestly!). 10 yr old more worried about me taking mobile off her as she txting a boy in class!
My OH finding it very hard at mo as his mum DX with bowel cancer not long after me and something on lungs which she just had biopsy for.can’t start treatment for her until find out whats on her lungs. She has a farm so OH up 5am to do the animals, comes back gets youngest up and fed then to work for 7.30am until 6pm, back home to mad house! we argue about the stupidest things too and both tired and stressed!
These things are sent to make us stronger people im sure!!
I am still feeling great - touch wood - and this is day 10 so last of low days!
tankgirl - it really hasn’t been an issue with my lo’s (3 and 4 yr old girls!) OH has stepped in but even when i had my steroid “withdrawal” as i like to call it and was at my worst and at home ALL day alone with 3 yr old she was great - they understand that sometimes mummy feels a bit icky from her “special medicine”, if you are worried about their germs - my 3 yr old has had a cold this last week and a bit since my first chemo and i have been fine other than a sniffle and a slighty sore throat, she has had a temp even and i have been fine (and she’s been sleeping with me at night!)
I haven’t stayed home or anything the chemo - i have been out everyday except my 2 very bad steroid days - i have picked dropped off at school, bus, nursery, i have been to reading club and play group etc
If anything i think that i am being a better mummy at the moment - not rushing stressed about work as everything has a slightly different perspective - ie my 3 yr old scribbled all over the kitchen floor and 2 cupboards with red felt tip and it didn’t upset me at all!! didn’t shout stress etc - just calmly dealt with situation!
deedee - chin up - the waiting as always is defo the worst!
Mary C - hope you are feeling better!!
Evening ladies
Julianne - well done with the clippers. I think I’ve got a few more days before the shedding starts but scalp quite sore.
I am full of cold which I had before starting chemo. It did go away but is back now with a vengence. Temp ok highest being 37 so holding off ringing hospital. All your hospital stories are a bit scary.
Kellc- what reason did they give you as to not starting your treatment on Wed. It doesn’t sound like you have been treated fairly.
Yep, its confusing isn’t it? lol. I started with Docetaxol on 23rd December but I was allergic to it - diarreah (sp?), rash all over chest, neck, face and head - ended up back in hospital Xmas night and then again day after Boxing Day (when I was admitted and given IV antibiotics and steroids). They had to change my chemo from 3 x Docetaxol over 9 weeks to 9 weekly doses of Paclitaxol (Taxol). So, today I had my third dose - this is actually the last dose of the first course - if I am making any sense lol. Next Monday I have my 4th dose, which is the start of my second course. I thought, from reading all the literature, that my hair would be with me until I change to EC in March/April - but it looks like the 50ml of Docetaxol they got in me (before the fireworks!), has left me its calling card.
Mary C - sounds awful hun and I hope you are feeling better very soon - I know from experience how frightening it is. Sending virtual hugs.
Hi Scotianne
The nurse just said that they could not fit me in unless someone was ill and could not make it.
They must have know that before I arrived they could have rang me and let me know. She just said I would have to go back on Monday for blood tests but would ring me tomorrow with a time.
Do you know if you can have the blood tests done at your doctors as they send them to the same hospital for the results.
It would save me a long bus journey and time off work
Kellc and Mary - nothing worst than the people we put so much faith in (we have to! I thought about getting a medical degree just so I can have an informed discussion with my oncologist - but alas, it takes too long) deserting us in our time of need. I’ve been lucky and I’ve had trust both in my surgical team (even though the bastard couldn’t get clear margins the first time around - eventually I learned to accept that he is only human and not infallible). Still, if you feel you were mistreated, you must speak up, and ask for someone you can trust.
On a personal note, my 4 mm hair still falling out - I think I will brave number 2 tomorrow. Not that won’t fall out, but at least being that short will stop me tugging it.
Girlies, let’s rally - the end is in sight. What will you do at the end of your chemo? I am going to Berlin to see Radiohead - it is something that would deffo be on my ‘bucket list’ if I needed to have one!
Kellc yes you can have bloods done at docs make sure it is day before tho so results on system.
Thanks everyone for your kind words. Feel abit better now after a shower and a sandwich. Hoping i sleep tonight as slept most of day today!
Debs Lol Yea you making sense. Hope 4th dose goes ok for you and se’s not too bad. I’m thinking of calling chemo unit tomorrow and asking them about portocath etc was such a nightmare i became abit needlephobic in end.
Anne if you’re 100% sure you’ve not got an infection take paracetamol that’ll lower your temp or keep it in check. Hope your cold goes away soon. Plenty of vitamin c required!
Marina lovely to read your post you are right i too have carried on as much as Poss and i Also think I’m being a better mum than ever before it’s wat i focus on i think during this rubbish time.
Tankgirl my goodness wat a stressful time for you all. My heart goes out to you. You’re poor OH is there nobody that can help him out with the farm? Arguing is only because of the exhaustion. But you need to spend maybe a day together just appreciating each other and not worrying about anything else. My OH has fallen asleep at 8pm this evening on sofa i don’t have the heart to wake him sleeping so peacefully! Youngest just wouldn’t sleep as i wasn’t in bed he was up from 2am till 430am then up at 6!
Julianna well done with clippers so proud of you all who have had guts to do it. X
My first chemo is on the 2nd February so I shall be a February starter! I’ve made a new thread but I shall try to come on here too, to see how everyone is getting on
It’s been so good reading about what to expect and all the tips- thank you!
I’ll definitely be buying extra tins of prunes. Mind you that might not help with the farting
Jules68 and Scaredofchemo - glad I made you both smile
Debbie1234- well done on raising that money!
Keeping positive- sorry to hear about the lymphoedema. Hope the massaging helps.
Lynzi- hope your ear infection clears up soon.
Deedee- you’ve got the same start date as me!
DebbieC- that’s great news about the biopsy results!
wineoclock- so glad you’re better and Happy Birthday
Minty- good luck for tomorrow!
MaryC- glad you’re feeling better
Tankgirl- hope there’s someone who can share the farm duties with your OH.
Well done to all those who’ve just started and good luck to all those about to start
The day has arrived…just got the kids off to school and college(no mention of today so that is a good thing I think)
Feel so alone and teary although i know I am not alone its really scary…I am sure these feelings are natural. OH finishing work at lunch time and then we will be off to the christie in Manchester, bloods at 2.00 Oncologist 3.00 and chemo scheduled for 4.30 (not holding my breath as am aware how busy this unit is)
Thought I was prepared…
Need to snap out of this or will need calm pills before i go!!!
Good luck to others starting this week x x we can hold each others hands x x
My mouth has been really tender since first chemo. Got my OH to check it last night and there little white ulcers all over roof of my mouth. Has anyone got any advice on how to help get rid of these or prevent them for zapping number 2?
White ulcers in the roof of mouth sounds like thrush, you’ll need to get that checked and treated.
The mouth ulcers i had after chemo were sore red wounds in the gums around teeth and inner lips.
I’m off to Paris for the day tomorrow, my present from OH
Re mouth - I sat and sucked on ice poles during my chemo and have no
Problems with my mouth at all , I also use corsodyl daily twice a day.
Have another scan to check blood clots on thurs, then more blood tests fri and mon, and then it’s time again on Tuesday for 2nd dose! FFs how did that come round so quickly?
I’m expecting to have to clipper my hair soon, I get 3/4 hairs everytime I kind of pull fingers thru it, but hey ho, wig will be more comfy with no hair.
Just popping in from the August girls thread to wish you all well on the chemo road. I’ve finished surgery, chemo and rads now final rads two weeks ago. The help from others is invaluable on here. Any of the August ladies are always happy if anyone wants to pop in and ask any questions.
The August girls are all very excited at the moment as we are now planning to meet up at the end of April in the middle of the Country (as we are not all close together) in a hotel to see each other in person and have a good old chat face to face. Never thought back in August we would ever get to this stage.
So there will be good days and bad days but you will get through it.
Thanks Ducky!! it is so nice to think of all of us being at the stage you are now!
Well littlest one had really high temp and hallucinations during night - quite scary but also quite humorous - lol! terrible mummy!
On the plus side it’s just a virus but she is on an inhaler for a wheeze. Best plus is kept other little one home as i have been promising her a day and the three of us are cuddled up on sofa watching Belle!
Tankgirl - i’m in Wales as well! Where are you based? you can PM me if you like!
Julie - i was the same the morning of my first! good luck for today!
Jo - have a great trip!
Day 11 here - hair still hanging on but i haven’t been treating it gently ie washing every second day so i think it’s just a matter of time before it goes despite cold cap! Does body hair go at same time?
