starting chemo in January 2012

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1321

Dawn - congratulations! What’s her name? Hope everything goes well tomorrow (I am sure it will!). I would love to watch tomorrow too, I love machinery and boats!

I was told I have to take steroids because of Docataxel? I have not been taking any on 'EC (only 1 just before juicing). So here is my story: MUGA scan on 7th of March (this is for Herceptin), steroids day before, on day and day after Docataxel. Apparently they cannot give you the juice if you don’t take the pills and it is to combat any allergic reaction to Docataxel. ‘Normal’ juicing day for Docataxel, it takes about an hour, so I am told. It will go through the machine as opposed to just ‘normal’ IV of 'EC (mine was through IV drip). No observation period… Herceptin next day, 1 ½ hour drip with 4 ½ hours observation period. Next dose of Herceptin at the same time as next Docataxel, with no observation period, so a ‘normal’ juicing day.

Scary or what?

Tankgirl - wow! Did you get any comments about your beautifully shaped head? I *think* I could do it too, I am wearing the wig more for other people’s comfort then mine. I am now used to baldy me…

Sue, I specifically asked my onc nurse if there was any food I couldn’t eat and she said ‘no’. I love cheese, especially partial to a nice gooey Gorgonzola, yoghurt and shrimps. I can see why you shouldn’t eat them maybe on your ‘bad’ week but do you guys refrain from them all the time? I don’t. Good luck tomorrow>! Hope all the nurse finds a juicy vein at first try!

Emotional, that’s quite a party trick you have developed there! Did you show your beautifully shaped head to him afterwords?

Mr Clooney is on telly - must go have good oogle! It’s Burn after reading - find that movie hillarious!

1322

Thanks Dawn, I needs ALL the help I can get !

I’m with your oh on large vehicles Joyce - they are amazing. There used to be a prog on tv about buildings in the USA that were moved from one location to another, and the trucks they used to transport them wow, they were something else!
As far as I know, the good old low days are the same ie 7 or 10 (dependant upon who you believe) regardless of the Neulasta.
Hair is funny isn’t it, mine is hanging on for grim death lol, or at least most of it is - wish i’d kept it an inch longer now:). No doubt it will desert me tomorrow now. Going hair free is quite liberating isn’t it, I’ve only worn ‘Sammy’ on the odd occasion, but feel as though I’m wearing a hat! Much prefer my Buffs.

Lovely picci Emma. 10 years old! - no wonder I’ve not heard of them then. I know how you feel about dreading your next cannulation, I’ve been counting sleeps - and surprise surprise, as it’s got closer the one thing I don’t do is sleep! Ah well, this time tomorrow:)

Hi Julie, the long session only applies to us lucky lot who get Herceptin with theTax. Bet you’re glad you’re not HER2+.

Thanks Clare, I’ll ask about your Lansoprazole along with Julie’s Omeprazole - they both sound similar. These may suit you too Joyce. I had no probs with FEC1, but FEC2 was another story! I’ve not had the cannula in my hand yet, Christies seem to pop em in your lower arm - yuk! I’ll have a word with them tomorrow re alternatives.

Looks like Julianna has found her DVD, either that or sis has sent her to bed early. Anyways, going to watch something inane on tv, then an early night. Don’t know why I’m bothering with an early night as I’m not expecting to sleep well:( I bet you’ll struggle sleeping tonight Dawn, thoughts of new boat churning through your head!

Sue x

1323

Evening all

Just dropped in to say good luck to Sue and anyone else due for their juice tomorrow. Sue, I will be willing your veins to behave and the nurses to do an excellent job first time with that cannula. Well done with that sample. Big hug.

Tankgirl - hog roast mmmmm - what a brilliant birthday celebration idea. Lol at the image of the Jan. gang with all our oddities and raging appetites devouring a whole pig. On a serious note, n the past I have had many hosp. appointments changed for no apparent reason so try not to worry or read too much into it. Hope all goes well.

Liking all the new photos.

Oops, sorry I was a bit wonky for a while on the photo front - thought no-one would notice my lack of aptitude - should have known better with you eagle-eyed lot lol! Don’t seem to be able to do anything properly these days - or without it taking three times longer than usual.

Big hugs to all x

1324

Angel, that is a lovely lovely picture of you two!

Clare, I suggested my nursey to use a vein in my hand but they insist on trying to find one in the wrist area! I have good veins in the crook of my elbow, but no one (so far) has looked that far up on my arm!

Julie, do you need the pram? I think it is free at the mo’ - baring Anne’s husband needing it? Are you having ‘low’ periods? I am ‘just’ angry. A lot. And irritated. A lot. Into my eyes, not around the eyes … We will get through this…

I’ve read that poem too - resonates, doesn’t it? I’ve started (if ever so tentatively, to think about what the ‘normal’ me will be after this… I really don’t want cancer to define me, but … I can already see it has.

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rrrrr thank you Julianna…know what you mean about wondering what the “normal” me will be too…i have had to stop reading some of the forum posts as they scare me too much…

1326

Bloomin heck Julianna, didn’t know you were tip tapping away at the same time!

It’s very confusing as all our treatments whilst similar aren’t the same. I’m only having a Heart Echo, on the 5th march, but no Muga. With FEC they give you a steroid injection following juicing, then you take steroids twice a day for two days. FEC is given by hand via a syringe through the cannula plus a saline infusion. I believe Tax is given by infusion into the cannula - not sure whether it goes through machine, should find out Monday. Same observation period as you for 1st Herceptin, but believe there is also a 30 minute obs period on the 2nd infusion.
Regards forbidden food, yep, I avoid the whole time, and yes it’s heard - rather partial to a bit of Gorganzola myself and I’ve a ton of Stilton that. I can’t touch:( It’s amazing how we all get told something slightly different. I was also told to avoid citrus fruits. I keep telling myself it’s not forever, but you know what it’s like when something is banned! I’ve also googled neutropenia diets and they pretty much say the same thing. I would say that common sense tells me that the low week carries the biggest risk, and the others probably less so, but then I think…

Enjoy George

Sue x

1327

Hello everyone!

Haven’t had time to post lately - ED was home with cold for a few days last week and then no 3 was Friday.

Doing really well - arm much sorer this time - it got quite cold this time so think it might have been that rather than just the chemo? Still being cannulated - no probs with it yet - fingers crossed!!

Neutrophils recovered back to high levels so didn’t have to have jab to boost them - quite pleased about that! Managed again with just steroids and odenastron via IV and domperidone since - make SE’s much better!

On the condom front - have read only (maybe) necessary for days immediately after chemo - drugs leave system rather quickly i believe. One benefit of sex is it helps relieve terrible bloating - allows wind to get out somehow?? TMI i know!!

Gosh this thread grows so quickly that I can’t remember any of the stuff i read really over the 20 or so pages it has grown since i was last on!! Dawn - so excited for you!

Anyway - gonna go pay bills before dancing on ice results - what a rock n roll life i lead!

Take care everyone!!
Marina

1328

Julianna I seem to be angry for around 3-4 days then just slump into a really dark mood…better to just stay in bed for around 3 days where I just feel alone and cry a lot …I know its not the case as I have my lovely family and friends around me but was thinking it was a SE of the steroids…

Sue there is a plus that I am triple negative lol

am going to ask my BCN about the new test being offered to see if I carry the cancer gene but because I have sons don’t know if this will be available to me

Good luck to all having juicing this week and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the lovely DN will be able to get my picc line to behave

Night all x x

Julie x x

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George was delicious, as always. My sort of guy - with that mischievous glint in his eye. Do you think he fancies a loopsided, bald rather gaseous girlfriend? No? Blimey. Might need the pram then…

Julie, I would mention this to the onc team. I can’t remember if you are on FEC or TAX (chemo brain!) but it might be better to feel a little more ill than so … so ‘emotional’, for a better word. My heart goes out to you, I know how dark THAT place can be. I believe triple negative does not automatically mean you have the gene but it would be worth a test - not sure this is any help for you but if you have granddaughters, it might be worth knowing this. Hopefully by the time they grow up, BC (or any other cancer!) will be curable or preventable by taking a pill or having a jab !

Goosey, welcome back! Good to hear you are doing really well! Your poor girlies seem to pass that cold back and forth! But I guess this is what happens when you have small ones.
Hahaha! About sex and wind relief!

Like you, Angel, I have stopped reading some of the threads here. But some makes perfect sense to me. As much as I hate having chemo and as much as radiation is daunting (not for side effects or even the rays just for the sheer going there every day for six weeks!) I wonder how I will feel when this is all over? I know even now every little twing gives me palpitations - what will it be like when I won’t see a doctor for 6 months? Un-imaginable… at the moment… :slight_smile:

1330

Morning ladies,
Well my lovely plans for yesterday were dashed as I spent the afternoon in hospital. Queit an odd thing really, where I had the blood taken last Wednesday on the inside of my wrist suddenly balooned up like an egg and was stinging like mad. After a panick I did remember pressure and elevation. I did think there might be a problem with my clotting as steroids can interfere with that. After a long wait bloods all normal but dr thought I just had frigile veins (I think I’m getting the message my veins are knackered). Hand nicely swollen now and aches. Gonna ring unit later to discuss PICC.

Sue, good luck today.

Dawn, must be very exciting getting your boat and seeing it again after such a long time.

Marina, good to hear you are ok, you have been a bit quiet lately.

Julianna, I love George Clooney as well. Even on voice overs; I watched Fantastic Mr Fox last week.

Emma, loving the pic. One Direction are good your ED will love it.

On the TAX topic. I have been given my steriods already to start the day before juice. I have to take 4 twice a day instead of the 2 twice day as we do now. Gonna have ADHD at this rate. I got them with my usual pills Friday from the pharmacy who just assumed I knew all about them. So not sure if I get the chat or not. I don’t get MUGA scans only ECHO’s cos there is no radioactive stuff being injected it to me, thats cos I have to have extra scans for the trial.

ES birthday today so off to buy cake, can’t be bothered to make one.

Anne xx

1331

Morning chatterboxes!!! :slight_smile:

Well, I can honestly say I’ve felt like total shit since the afternoon of 3rd juicing! The nausea is unbearable as I’m phobic of it big time! Barely eaten all week but I’m feeling a bit more myself today thankfully. Also suffer v badly with acid indigestion and I use zantac or supermarkets own .

Have to say it’s taken me ages to catch up but you’ve all made me giggle! Lol

Sex, condoms… I’ve become a nun! But I think
I’m going to change that now I feel better!
I was told to use condoms for the first 72 hrs after juicing, I laughed cos I thought Jesus am I gonna feel that well? Er no I fecking am not!!! Argghhhh lmao

Good luck to juicers today and you lot really cheered me up this morning :slight_smile: thankyou xxx

Jo xx

1332

Jo, good to hear you are feeling a bit better. I have omepapzole for acid. I just put a request into GP for everything as its free.
Anne xx

1333

morning ladies

Hi Jo glad you are feeling better

Julianna i am on 4 x EC and 4 X TAX only had 2 x EC up to now

Anne I have had 4 steroid tablets daily for 3 days after juicing isn’t it strange how even our medication is different

Off to watch the unfortunates (jeremy kyle) it does make me feel better about my life lol where do they get these people from?

Have a good day all xx

Julie x x

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Hi Julie, yes I still have 4 steroids a day; 2x2 a day for 3 days, but for TAX I have been given 4x2 a day starting the day before juice.

Jeremy Kyle really does my head in but can be compulsive. I want to know where they get them from.

Anne xx

1335

Anne, your arms sounds really painful!

WOC, are you on Emend? If not, ask for it.

To Ikea or not to Ikea, that is the question of the day!

1336

quiet day for me…and i missed Jezza Kyle today!!! I used to hate watching him,and to be honest was never home anyway as was always at work,but his programme can be addictive and so true Julie makes our lifes seem so tame!!
Hope today was okay Sue
Julianna…Mr Clooney…mmmmm yes please
Well i did make a chocolate cake for my 2 girls earlier…think they will be pleased…but they gotta eat all their dinner first lol…

xx

1337

Thanks everyone for your positive cannula vibes! I’m saving the details of today’s trials and tribulations till the end of this post - no peeking and skipping to the end! That’s cheating!

He he needahug, as if we wouldn’t notice one of our team can float on her side! Good party trick! But at least you did it - I had to ask oh!

Julianna, I’ve not read the poem yet, but I so get your not wanting cancer to define you, but it already has. Same here, but I guess it’s to be expected as how can you ever look at anything in the same way ever again. How can you ever take anything for granted ever again - simple things, like your health, having a tomorrow, you know, small insignificant things like that lol! But you know what, as I see it we have a choice at this crossroads in our life. We can let the negatives take over and rule the rest of our days, or we can take this as a wake up call. Life is here and now, there are never any guarantees, above all, this is not a dry run this is our life and we must make sure we make the most of it. It’s hard right now as we go through all of this, with the sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, but with the passage of time I hope we gain confidence and live life to the full!

Good to hear you are doing well Marina - I notice you say you skipped through the pages you’d missed, but I can’t help but notice you didn’t miss the sex bit lol. One track mind you! Go girl…

How scary Anne, can’t offer any advice, but does it ease with massage?

Good to hear you’re feeling human again Jo, I’d ask at your unit about getting better nausea drugs as I thought that in the main this was one se they could control.

Chocolate cake Emma - I’m jealous, I could just go a big gooey slice! Our house is a cake free zone at the mo - only hot cross buns in store:)

Well what a day! Still, all done, and budge up girls, make some space as I’m in the half way house too. FEC? That’s so last year lol.

Long day at the hospital over 7 hours! Major cock up I say, all down to the rediculous appointment system used by the Herceptin team. Why oh why do they make 30 minute appointments in the full knowledge that each app takes 45-60 minutes!!! Not acceptable, especially when your’s is the last appointment and so they are running 3 hours late! Grrrrrr.

Anyways, the upshot is I haven’t seen the Herceptin team, but I have had my FEC3. And, you will all be pleased to know that big wimp ie me, sailed through the cannula! They arranged for me to be done by a very experienced nurse, and she was brilliant, I honestly never felt a thing. If only I could always have her, interesting she used my hand as opposed to wrist, so maybe this made a difference. Like you Julianna I have juicy good veins there and also in the crook of my arm and as you say, they never look that high.

So, it’s fish and chips tonight - they are on there way as we speak, complete with mushy peas.

Like you Anne I have my extra steroids lined up to take the day before Tax, same dose as you.

Back to the water, 3 down, only another 6 to go!

Sue x

1338

What I didn’t tell you was how impressed nursie was with my hair!

Sue x

1339

absolutely thrilled Sue that your cannulisation went well…what a relief…here’s hoping your se’s arent too bad either
I think half the chocolate cake has gone already,my ed who is only small took a HUGE slice,it was bigger than her!!She had it topped with squirty cream!!
may have a small slice later with a cup of tea…would be rude not too …lol
xx

1340

Hello everybody!

So glad your cannulation went well today Sue, what a relief. I hope you enjoy your fish and chips. And have a good night’s sleep.

I’ve been taking Lansoprazole every day as instructed for stomach acid etc. After my major stomach upset with FEC 3 I’ve really needed it. I keep some rennies beside my bed in case I get a bit of heartburn during the night.

All this talk of condoms! I find it hard to imaging feeling at all like having sex the first few days after a juicing. I’m seriously impressed by anybody who does!

Tankgirl. I’ve never had a hog roast, it sounds fantastic. Something for you to look forward to. Have you got any baby lambs yet?

I’m shattered. Been standing around in the cold watching boys play with their toys most of the day. Very big toys actually. The crane was a bit crap though and I thought somebody was going to get crushed. Anyway, it’s now off the lorry so the driver could go home and hopefully when we get there tomorrow it’ll be in the shed.

The boat’s called Pronkjewail. It’s a Dutch built boat and this is a Dutch slang word which means something special or precious, something of value. Isn’t that nice! The name has grown on us and we think we’ll keep it. The boat is 34 years old and it seems wrong to change it’s name now. It’s supposed to be unlucky and if you change it you have to have a naming ceremony and say some traditional words to Neptune to keep safe. Sailors are a suspicious lot you know.

I’ve run out of time now. Got to switch the electric blanket on, get the tv organised and lay the table or I’ll be in trouble with OH.

Got DN coming in the morning to service PICC. What a nuisance! Want to be off and out really. Must remember to take my hat.

I’ve completely lost track of what’s going on with everybody. So good luck to those who have a juicing tomorrow and I hope everybody’s OK.

Dawn XXXX