Hi All
I was also diagnosed at the beginning of Feb and have had MX & SNB followed by a ANC 2 weeks ago. Saw the oncologist on 3rd May and will start chemo (FEC-T) in around 2-3 weeks although do not have exact date. Was a bit concerned that oncologist did not have all my notes and was asking me what grade my cancer was and how many of my lymph nodes had been affected.
Just wanted to ask whether other that have been through the chemo had any success with ice caps and retaining their hair? Or does it just extend the eventual loss?
Am feeling nervous!
Claire
Hi Ladies, Hope you are all doing OK. I’m still feeling OK - I went to work Thursday & Friday to my surprise! Took my daughter to dancing this morning then we went up to the farm shop - I’d had enough by then though. Have spent this afternoon finishing off her dance costumes ready for the dress rehearsal tomorrow.
Claire - I decided not to have the cold cap. I think I’d be more upset if I’d tried it and then it falls out anyway. Think it’s my way of being in control
Vivibell and Ambarose- hope you are feeling better soon
Helsbeth43 - I’m sure the heart scan will be fine - I’d feel better to have it checked out - I’m taking Amlopidene and Losartan for high blood pressure but no mention of any scans!
Hello to squeakymouse, anni, emylou9 and rattles.
Merc hope you’re still feeling OK!
Julie
Thanks ladies for your replies yes agree it is best to have the scan first to make sure everything working fine.
Julie I’ve been persuaded to try the cold cap even though I know a few people who have tried it with not a lot of success but will give it a go… …
Hope you all enjoy your bank holiday weekend.
Helen xx
not too good atm, ladies. hope to be back soon.
have a good bank holiday those that can !
sorry cant stay atm. love to all
Hope you feel better soon Merc sending lots of gentle hugs xx
Hello ladies, at last I have found everyone again. I am now feeling much better and eating nearly normally so it does pass even though it seems like forever.
Vivibell, hope you too are feeling better and also Merc and hope all others have not succumbed. Does anyone know when the other SEs like sore mouth may start or if am free now does that mean its not going to happen?.
Lets hope website gets itself sorted soon.
Love and hugs to all.
Merc, sorry you are feeling poorly, hold on to the fact it will pass x. I saw a friend yesterday who has just finished her chemo treatment and she really reassured me and gave me some useful tips which I’m passing on in case it helps:
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keep a diary following each dose so you can make note of your symtoms and energy levels for each day in the chemo cycle. That way you can plan ahead abit more ie. the days you will feel better with more energy.
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stock up on constipation tablets just in case. Also Corsodyl mouthwash works great for ulcers etc.
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drink lots- water squash whatever tastes ok.
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be prepared to go off certain food/ alcohol(!) or lose appetite altogether.
We are all different and will respond differently but hope some tips will be useful to my May buddies. This time next week it’ll be me feeling awful!! Until then im trying to enjoy the sunshine.
Love and hugs to you all,
Em Xx
thanks ladies
amb hunnie - started going down hill yesterday/friday (day 4 or 5). mouth seems to be disintigrating rapidly.
M xxx
Em, enjoy the sunshine! There is no sunshine here in London, just grey, grey.
Merc, hang on in there. I too am feeling ill now, the inside of my mouth looks like an old carpet (uugh!) I am struggling to find things to drink. I think that maybe coming off the drugs is making it harder.
The Carb/tax combination causes diarhea, and have had horrible stomach ache.
Agree with Em, that it is good to keep a diary, but dont have the energy!!
Ambarose, glad you are feeling better.
Keep going…
Rattles, xxx
Em, enjoy the sunshine! There is no sunshine here in London, just grey, grey.
Merc, hang on in there. I too am feeling ill now, the inside of my mouth looks like an old carpet (uugh!) I am struggling to find things to drink. I think that maybe coming off the drugs is making it harder.
The Carb/tax combination causes diarhea, and have had horrible stomach ache.
Agree with Em, that it is good to keep a diary, but dont have the energy!!
Ambarose, glad you are feeling better.
Keep going…
Rattles, xxx
Rattles, sunshine didn’t last long - chucking it down in Cheltenham today
Rest of my post disappeared!!! Can’t be bothered to type it all again, sorry all…em x
Hi may girlies,
Just hopping in from the April thread to wish those of you starting this week good luck. I had my first chemo on the 25th April and after some initial sickness and nausea have bounced back to almost normal. Some of us have done cold cap and others just feel it delays the I inevitable. It also increases the length of time you are in the unit. Finally do not suffer in silence, phone your unit if you are sick or struggle with any side effect. One of our ladies was actually allergic to one of her drugs so it was really important that she phoned. Anyway good luck to all of you having chemo this week. Remember as each day passes it get a bit easier.
Vanns x
Hi there
Love the idea of this group being “The Darling Buds” , perhaps you could all have pics of buds?
I am one of the easter chemo bunnies - the April 2012 warren, and just hopped in to wish you all love and luck.
Do, do ring your chemo unit if your se’s are bad. I was allergic to one of the meds and got very unwell. Taken in as an emergency admission and by 4pm the same day was shopping in Debenhams. The chemo teams are just so knowledgeable and will do everything to make it as doable as possible.
Other thing i would strongly suggest is getting a line in. I was able to get a portacath before chemo as am having herceptin. If you are chemo only, a picc line will last you the 6 months. Some of our thread have now had 2nd chemo and there are several very sore paws around.
The best medicine of all is laughter, the medicine of the soul. Make sure you get your daily doses.
Much love
Pixie xx
Hi there May Buddies… old May bud here! I haven’t read all the threads I’ve missed, but someone asked about drinks… a nurse friend of mine did a survery of cancer patients and what was OK to drink… the best one was lemon/lime lucozade - and I have to say it worked for me too… Fresh mint tea was OK sometimes… I couldn’t drink my favourite tipple (white wine), but COULD sometimes tolerate red wine! It is so weird the way it plays havoc with your mouth… The ONLY benefit was that I ate very little in the first week after treatment (just a little of what I fancied, and it was a very little) then, when it began to ease off in the 2nd & 3rd weeks, I got taken out for lots of cream teas (fab!) and because I’d eaten so little in week 1, I ended up keeping a constant weight instead of putting any on - which has to be a (little) bonus! Drinking enough water is a real trial though isn’t it? I used to drink it like medicine, 1pt at a time, x times a day…
Hang on in there my friends - there IS light at the end of the tunnel.
Jane xx
It is lovely to get some encouragement from those ladies who have made it! I like the idea of being called a darlling bud, nothing bud-like about me, of flower-like for that matter. Feel like a very stiff, heavy, rusty lawnmower…
I’ve had a better day today, got up for a few hours this morning, slept less.
Drinking is worse than eating and water esp. seems to make me feel sick. Have been through nearly a whole packet of boiled sweets (only thing that is doing it for me). I have tried custard, yoghurt and smoothies - nice and soft, but sits dangerously on the tummy lining.Hoping gravy and mashed potato will be okay, was thinking about pasta?
Pixie- Shopping in Debenhams?!!!
Jane - Drinking water by the pint?!!!
RESPECT.
Re. cold cap. I didn’t have this. Because I have had chemo before, was advised that it would make it much more likely to coming out but I have seen other ladies using it. It is good to have options.
Starting to finally get the hang of posting.
Rattles, xx
It is lovely to get some encouragement from those ladies who have made it! I like the idea of being called a darlling bud, nothing bud-like about me, of flower-like for that matter. Feel like a very stiff, heavy, rusty lawnmower…
I’ve had a better day today, got up for a few hours this morning, slept less.
Drinking is worse than eating and water esp. seems to make me feel sick. Have been through nearly a whole packet of boiled sweets (only thing that is doing it for me). I have tried custard, yoghurt and smoothies - nice and soft, but sits dangerously on the tummy lining.Hoping gravy and mashed potato will be okay, was thinking about pasta?
Pixie- Shopping in Debenhams?!!!
Jane - Drinking water by the pint?!!!
RESPECT.
Re. cold cap. I didn’t have this. Because I have had chemo before, was advised that it would make it much more likely to coming out but I have seen other ladies using it. It is good to have options.
Starting to finally get the hang of posting.
Rattles, xx
Hello Darling Buds,
So reassuring to hear how everyone is. Am feeling a bit more energised-can manage to do something for an hour or so then need 2 hours to recover!!. Have now come to painful realisation I am not the superwoman I thought I was. Funny how the taste buds swing everything around. I went shopping with husband this morning and half way round sedate Waitrose just had to buy some pastrami bagel chips as that was what I craved. Energy flaked and we sat in coffee shop and I could not stand the smell, or taste of coffee at all but I could eat half the packet of crisps!
Tomorrow am going into work for 2 hours max and then after a rest I have appointment at breast surgery recovery clinic to have talk on Lymphodoema and exercises etc. very pro-active in this area it seems. Anyone else in West Berkshire??
Rotten weather for bank holiday but at least it stops the frustration of not having the energy to do anything and i can lie on the sofa with no guilt.
Thinking of you alland thanks to the bunnies from April who jump in and out. Sorry i deserted the warren when May 2012 arrived!
love and hugs
Thanks all the April bunnies for thinking of us and coming back to offer encouragement and practical tips.
Squeakymouse xx
I had my fist FEC on Fri 4th May, i tried the cold cap because a friend of mine tried it, and, although her hair thinned a bit she kept enough hair for her to feel confident. Which is really why i wanted to give it a try. It made my treatment time double to nearly three hours, which was not good on the Friday afternoon 3 o’clock before bank holiday Monday. I am going to give it another try next time though. luv viv x