Just got back from pre-chemo appointment, full steam ahead for TAC5 tomorrow as bloods are fine, I still forgot to find out what level they were at! I spent some time asking questions this time an apparently my IBC is triple negative, so no pills for me for the next 1 or 5 years, apparently it is more likely to re-occur as well so they keep a closer eye on you. It is grade 3 and they said it is T4, now that isn’t anything to do with grade or stage so what’s that? Still wont know if I will have rads until after the op.
gingersmithy, sorry to hear about your tooth, hopefully it will be ok until after the chemo.
Hope everyone else is doing OK today, must go and do some work now I’m back from the hospital while I still can - the brain gives up after chemo for a week at least so need to get it done while I can.
LL - i am eating all the time too and never seem to have a full feeling either. i am actually craving sweet things, if i didn’t know better i’d think i was pregnant!!
As Pleasant1 said, marathon training in the spring, hahaha, maybe race for life…
GG - I was given Nystatin for mouth thrush, ask for it at next treatment incase you have thrush again after next session
i had my dentist nightmare the week before i started chemo, with a tooth being extracted, i felt like my whole body was beginning to let me down.
i’m a bit worried about the veins in my hand, the needle went in at a funny angle at last chemo and was bit uncomfortable, the the next day i knocked my hand and the vein swelled up a bit, now the whole vein in that hand is a reddish bruised colour and a bit swollen, any ideas anyone?
Went to see my lovely (quite dishy) dentist this morning and he has managed to patch up my tooth with no prodding, drilling or poking about. Probably the least stressful dentist appt ever. He was sooo careful and is v hopeful that the temporary dressing will last til I finish chemo so its all good (fingers crossed).
Those with mouth problems - have you tried some high strength manuka honey? I had a few sore spots while in hospital and when I came out I had some manuka honey on toast and literally the next day they were gone. It might be worth a try anyhow.
Talking about loosing the extra pounds we are putting on (I am eating huge portions atm), I have just been reading about the ribbon walks for BCC in Woman and Home magazine. They have a discount offer on the entry fee in this months issue. My local one is at Blenheim Palace in May and so I am going to try to ‘persuade’ some friends to do it with me. Anyone else game?? My sister has also managed to get a place on the Walk the Walk over the London marathon course and is busy drumming up sponsorship for that. Don’t think i will be up to 26.2 miles tho’ LOL.
Have a great day everyone. Hopefully Jude is still recovering from a fantastic birthday and that is why she is AWOL.
Gill: PICC line! Definitely the way to go with vein trouble as they may never come back; so I was told by a nurse last time. I wish I’d got the PICC line done after the first dose and saved my vein. The chemo strips their lining and makes them harden. Get the ruddy PICC line! x
It was lovely to meet Trudi yesterday for coffee and biscuits at the Big C, glad you enjoyed the makeover day Trudes, lovely goodie bag as well :o) Not long until your turn Kym!
I went for my blood test this morning ready for chemo on Friday, changeover from FEC to ‘T’ Taxotere Docetaxel (same thing). They gave me loads of steriods to take, I’ve got to take 8 tablets tomorrow in total, not looking forward to any of this at all :o( Gotta be done tho. I am wondering if the se’s are worse than FEC?
My next 3 sessions are 20 Jan, 10 Feb and 2 March and hopefully that’s it! mastectomy 3-4 weeks after end of chemo. Feeling sick already, wondering if it’s all psychological!
Just catching up with the ironing pile whilst waiting for the Sky engineer, before that another trip to the fridge for custard slice lol - Gill I also had 2 cream eggs yesterday :o) lol
I’m also eating constantly and never feel full. I go from savouries to chocolate and can’t believe how much junk I have eaten in the last ten days. The strange thing is I don’t seem to have put on any weight and yet I’m being totally lazy.
Hope all you mouth problems heal up soon - there’s not much worse than a constant sore mouth.
Hopefully the missing posters are catching up with previous posts and will be back soon.
Gill - Chemo can make you bruise easily, but might be worth checking with your chemo unit if you noticed it within the first few days after your chemo, just in case it’s been caused by chemo leaking into the tissue. I was told to keep an eye on the vein they use for any sign of it being red and/or tender. It might not be a big deal if the angle was funny as veins aren’t always too straight; the nurse found a vein for me last time but had to give up because of the way it bends.
Also wondering what’s happened to Lulu, Judes and Jean. Lulu - hope you’re OK for chemo tomorrow and don’t have more problems with the Hickman line after your infection. Hoping Judes just had a good birthday and I’m sure someone mentioned a while back that Jean was having problems with computer or broadband connection.
I’m also hungry all the time. I’m trying not to give in too much as was told if I gained more than 5 kilos from my weight at the start they would have to up the dose and I don’t really want that for my first TAX. Alternating between cravings for crisps and chocolate. Also really fond of Pret a Manger tuna sandwiches and currently could really go a burger and chips although just had lunch.
Gail - i had a craving for a cheeseburger from the local kebab house, i never usually eat such junk, but had one delivered with chips and a piece of chicken from my cat and her best mate lol. Then we went to Burger King the other day and I had bacon double cheese burger was yummy but I could only manage half! I’ve been junking out on chinese roast chicken and cream eggs, my craving for fruit seems to be subsiding lol, can’t imagine what the steroids will do :o(
Yes where are the missing posters? Hope all is well with them.
On the eating front I CAN’T TASTE ANYTHING sorry for shouting, but I needed it. I had a “big” day, didn’t do much, but just feels big as I can never switch off, I actually never just do nothing, it’s incredible. I was at Morrisons and felt so weak, nearly dizzy, had not much food today, slice of bread and some soup that’s all. Well had now some (home made) banana milkshake and some more bread with black olives and although they have a strong taste I didn’t taste them, eating feels next to useless these days. I have cravings too for crips, but won’t give in, I do not want to get overweight, never been overweight all my life and not staring it now. I have to go on Tamoxifen for five years (if spared) that would make losing weight very difficult. Nonetheless everytime I go for my pre chemo app I weigh a kilo more aaarrgggghh.
LOL reading back it sounds like a weird combo banana milkshake, black olives and bread lOL
staying on our favourite subject…Food. I’ve just had lasagne and garlic bread for tea, followed by a piece of homemade banana cake, then i had a warm belgian waffle with syrup and cornish ice cream… Mmmmm…
i have to say Well done to Christine, for having much more will power than me
and i phoned the unit about the veins on my hand, they want to take a look, so i’ve got to go in tomorrow. its probably just bruised but i was a bit concerned about chemo next week if its still like this.
Not too sure about picc line, my veins are usually pretty good.
My current weird craving - tuc biscuits and tonic water!!
Just made a lovely healthy organic chicken casserole with loads of veg followed by apple and ginger sponge pudding and custard. Am domestic goddess LOL!
Debbie x
Ooohhhhh STOP talking about fooooooooood…it’s too delish! I’m imagining eating all the food you guys are talking about…but Debbie Hun…you can keep your Tuc biccys and tonic water looool - I’m craving stodgy stuff, that chicken casserole and all the spongy cakey puddings will do nicely! Loool. Don’t forget my custard though ummmmmm!
Christine - I tweaked the recipe from the link below. I added crystallised ginger to the apple compote and used ground cinnamon. I left out the star anise also.
Sorry iv been missing in action… Iv been having Internet problems and just trying to catch up with Internet life… A wee dude has been out and gave me a new modem and wifiand a new socket out in the street so that should me be connected properly now… I hope!
Judes sorry I missed your birthday but hope you had a lovely day.
Gail I’m in at 10am tomorrow so hopefully see you when your in.
Lisa great news about smear but hope they can get to the bottom of your problems.
Hi to everybody else and will hopefully read and reply in more detail soon.
Just popping in to say good morning. Nice to see you back, Lulu.
All this talk of food - I’m permanently starving too! On TAC I lost about 7lb, but I’ve put it all back on after 2 FEC treatments!
Debbie you certainly are a domestic goddess - looking forward to seeing you at LGFB (and maybe a big fat lunch!) on Wednesday. So sad Wendy (Weme) can’t get into that one and join us too
Mmm Christine, olives. There’s a thought, might pop down to Waitrose this morning and get some…
Off for a shower now, get dressed - it’s reflexology for me later on, looking forward to that.
I’ve heard from Judes, she’s OK but has been busy. So don’t worry!
Lulu - I’m so pleased you just had a dodgy internet connection, although it must have been so frustating. Probably too late for you to get this but I’m in at 11:00 today and have to get the blood counts done again, so should have time to wander about while waiting for results if we’re in a different area.
x