Starting Chemo in October

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Oh Nats, you did make me laugh, my nurse warned me the same as you and I just couldn’t keep still, was squirming all over the place, but not in a good way if you know what I mean.

I am going to work next week to see how it goes. Have got off really lightly after the first session and felt pretty fine so thought I would try to preserve some of my sick pay while I feel ok. Next session on Friday and head hair is still all intact so I am really hoping the cold cap will work although I know it is early days.

I hope everyone is doing ok tonight, and all your se are titchy.

Jules
Xx

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Hi Gill,

Take someone with you, you just don’t know how you will feel. I would have been fine to drive myself and had no sleepiness, but everyone is different. A bit of company is nice and someone to pop to Costa to get you a coffee (there is one in my hospital).

When I went for my first FEC there were other ladies there who were further along and they gave me lots of advice and we had a lovely chat, I may just get dropped off and picked up next time, but I’m glad I had someone with me the first time.

Good luck

Jules
Xx

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HI everyone,

I’ve been given the all clear to start chemo this week -two weeks ago I had an implant taken out after lots of trouble with it after it went wrong after the MX. So i have to get in touch with the chemo unit up the road on Monday, and with any luck I’ll begin on Tues, wed or thurs. I just want to get on with it now!

Tigger - I had a portocath fitted because I have crap veins. I haven’t used it for chemo yet because I turned up for it and they decided I had an infection still around the implant. In fact it wasn’t an infection, it’s just that my body was rejecting the implant. Yum.
But in the subsequent hospital stay they used the portocath to do the intravenous anti biotics that they put me on. It was great! Having had to have them in an infusion over an hour…yes an hour, when I’d had intravenous anti biotics before, it was just wonderful. No pain, very little feeling at all.

The site of the portocath is still slightly tender although I had it fitted about five weeks ago now. but there’s no pain.

And you can keep the same one in for years so I’m hoping mine stays put for the next two years - for chemo, radio therapy and then reconstruction a year later.

I’m thinking that I’ve had enough horrible bits from this before Ive even had chemo so I’m hoping I"m like the some of you and not have too many se’s!

Well done clare and everyone else who got through their first one last week.

Alison x

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Hi everyone

Just writing to update you on my first chemo cycle (TAC) experience, which was on Wednesday.

It was not as bad as I was expecting, overall, although I have been feeling pretty tired and low since (but as you can see I am up on the computer today!). Felt pretty sick the first evening I was home, but managed not to throw up, and even managed to eat a little bit. Kept on the anti-sickness meds and steroids, and since then I am having G-CSF jabs in my tummy every day for 7 days, and today I have to start antibiotics too. The jabs make my bones ache, but after a couple of paracetamol and a nap, it starts to ease off.

I am now approaching the danger zone for low white blood cells, so everyone is having to use anti-bac hand gel before they come anywhere near me! Also husband has a cold so is sleeping in the spare room, and I haven’t had a hug from him since Tuesday!!

In our unit, you’re only alllowed someone with you the first time, thereafter you’re on your own, due to the lack of space there, so I’m not looking forward to being there alone. Think I will download a film onto my ipod and watch that.

Gotta go now, along with all this teenage daughter having a strop about her make up :frowning: Can’t be doing with it!

Love to all
Teresa x

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Teresa our unit is the same. They like you to have somebody to drop you off and pick you up but not allowed to stay with you. I think that is terrible tbh having been through it all before I really depended on my Chemo buddy who was my sister abd she was fab. Don’t really wanna do it all on my own.

Nats I have just got a fabulous pair of bright pink suede sling back stilettos in preparation for the 27th… Chemo shoes! An inspired idea! Totally love them but hope I don’t fall on my ass if I’m a bit spaced on meds.

Been in Leeds with my nurse freinds it’s been great. And away for a few days with BF during the week before Chemo starts.

Take care ladies and may your SEs be little ones.

Lulu xxx

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Hey October Gang, not to sound smug but I’ve had a great weekend and caught up with friends and family before I go for second chemo on Thursday, where I will be asking for stronger sickness meds!!!

Hi Jax, my family and friends did their best but as you say coming on this site and speaking to ladies who unconditionally truly understand gave me the strength to cope with family and friends getting it slightly wrong with best intentions!

Hi Dizzycloud, fortunately for me I haven’t got a stylish bone in my body and so I am happily oblivious to what I really look like with the scarf tying and patterns etc!!! What can I say, it’s a gift!!!

Hi Nats, your post made me giggle and it could not have been a better description, much appreciated sharing xxx

Hi Gill, good luck for next Thursday. I got somebody to drop me off and pick me up on my first session, however one of the nurses was a friend of mine so I kind of had someone there throughout too! Like Jules says you just don’t know how you will react, and good to have a hand to hold xxx

Hi Jules, good luck with work next week. I’m going to see how my second chemo goes and if they can sort my washing machine of a stomach out I think I’ll be trying to go back too, there’s only so much “loose women” I can watch!!

Hi Alison, good news about the go ahead, let’s crack on xxx

Hi Teresa, glad the first session went ok and hope your daughter’s make up crisis wasn’t too bad bless her xxx

Hi Lulu, I’m loving the chemo shoes idea, undfortunately I’ve never managed the high heel thing, I just end up going down like a sack of spuds!!! sooooo envious!!

Clare and Joy, hope you’re both doing okay, sending you gentle hugs xxx

Mahoosive hugs to the Posse, Simone xxx

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Hi all

Just a quick one from me. Im still feeling ok, just a bit tired and spaced out at times prob from all the tablets. Concentration levels are loowwwww too

Nats - I was warned about the itchy bum feeling but didnt get it?? sounds like it was very weird but at least you had an entertaining friend with you lol

Gill - good luck with your onc appointment, i would suggest taking someone with you at least for first session. Im a wuss so will be taking someone with me for all of them but i guess its a personal decision once you know how it affects you after.

Alison - glad you finally got the all clear for chemo, know what you mean about just wanting to get on with it

Simone - glad youve had a great weekend catching up with f&f. Cant believe your going for your 2nd chemo, its gone quick (prob not for you tho i guess) hope you get some stronger meds for sickness

Im off to watch another twilight movie :o)
Hugs to all
Clare x

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i think i’ll take everyone advice and take someone with me for the 1st time, i’m just usually so independant and prefer just to get on with things, i’ve hated not being able to drive since surgery.
i’m not sure about the shoe situation, if i went in high heels i’d fall and my prostisis (can’t spell it let alone say it!) would probably fall out!!

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Hi Gill… as an “oldie”, I echo what everyone says about taking someone with you. It’s not a matter of independence, it’s a question of having another pair of ears there… sometimes when they say something you go spiralling off wondering about what that might mean, and you miss the next few minutes!!! Also, write down your questions before you go, and, later on (for everyone) make a note of your symptoms/side effects before you go! You probably have a helpful little bookie… Hope all’s going well for you guys… Love the image of high heels making your boob fall out!!! Jane

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Hi Girls
I’m joining you late - my chemo starts on 26th October. But I appreciate reading all your comments & also those on the top chemo tips string - that took me three days to get through… now have a massive shopping list!

Have decided to try the cold cap and see what happens…

Am also thinking of chemo as my ally in this battle - not a very nice ally like a nuclear warhead or mustard gas, but its better that its on my side and not the enemy’s.

Also moving house two days after first chemo - not ideal but getting cancer can’t be timed to be convenient - just hope I’m well enough to break open the bubbly.

Sue

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Morning ladies, hope you are all feeling ok.

I’m feeling stronger and less sick now, but the smell of washing powder makes me feel ill, so can’t do the washing.(well thats my excuse and I’m sticking to it).

Pat x

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Morning Ladies, turns out as well as the anti-sickness meds not working so well on me, neither does the cold cap!! On the pillow, in the plughole and on the hairbrush was more hair than I now have on my head!! To be fair though, I do remember reading somewhere between 15 to 18 days was when the hair loss can begin, happy 18th day to me!!! On the plus side, I’m going to save a fortune on veet and have got myself a free brazilian (sorry tmi)!!! Oh and there’s another thing, I think a bit of “chemo brain” has started to kick in as I looked at my bra this morning and just for those few split seconds I couldn’t remember which way round I should fasten it!!! Roll on Thursday for my second lot as that will mean I’m a third of the way through this mess!

((Hugs)) to all and tincy se’s, Simone xxx

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Sorry to hear your anti-emetics aren’t working Simone, have you tried eating ginger biscuits. M&S do a nice one. I found eating little and often helped my sickness. Things like cream crackers or rivita or a plain biscuit. I’ve got a few more days left before hairloss kicks in yet. Good luck with your next treatment.

Pat xx

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and ginger tablets… 2 days before chemo and 3 days after it… worked for me… Available from Boots (or any healthfood shop presumably)… hoep all the se’s are small this week…Jane

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Oh Simone :frowning: sorry the cap didn’t work for you. I have convinced myself utterly that it is going to work for me but I am one day behind you and have been using you as a bit of a barometer. I have shed a few from the sides above my ears, but not so you would notice at all, everywhere else on the head seems to be fairly well anchored for now. After an initial shedding of the lady garden, that seems to have stopped too. Oh well, what will be and all that. I don’t know why i’m so het up about it really, i’m not a vain or girly person, I just have this thing about other people being able to see from the outside what I am going through on the inside.

I am at work today but I don’t think I’ll last all day, pretty tired, but it’s nice to catch up with everyone. Chose my christmas dinner options which will be something to look forward to.

I can’t believe some of you arent allowed to take someone with you, thats awful. There are always lots of buddies in my unit (basingstoke) and always someone to get you a coffee or whatever if you are on your own, its very lovely and friendly.

Hope everyone is having a good day

Jules
xx

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Hi Everyone

Hope you are getting on well and the SE aren’t too bad after chemo. I was turned away last Monday and today for my second chemo as bloods too low. It is so frustrating but I guess it is best to be on the safe side. I just wanted to remind everyone to rest and listen to your bodies to try to keep your chemo on track.

See my onc on Friday to find out the next plan.

I can’t believe that some hospitals do not allow people to take someone with them. This is a lonely enough time without being allowed to have loved ones by your side.

Big hugs to everyone.
xxx

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Thanks for the kind thoughts and words ladies. No great shakes though, “plodding on” I think is going to be my new motto!!, as I read some other threads it could be a lot worse (even though there is no competition!). Unfortunately for me, even before all this, the mere wiff of ginger could make me heave! However, tried a bit of ginger ale and a couple of ginger nuts before and after, then ate little and often with dry cereal, dry toast and dry water biscuits and up it all came! (again with the tmi, I need to stop sharing so much!!).

Jules, like you I go for the what will be attitude in general, but I think even if you’re not particularly girly, (I’ve never worn make up until now! mainly so I don’t scare people with the pasty grey look), I think it’s just going to be plain odd not to have hair. I don’t think I’m worried just more confused that there won’t be a scrap of hair on my head very soon, it’s just such a weird thought!!! Sorry my barometer duties are a bit squiffy, but hopefully after 2nd session they may be more on track, fingers crossed xxx

Love to all, Simone xxx

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wow, you have all been busy while I was resting yesterday!

I have spent most of today working from home, in between answering the phone with phonecalls from work – at last count six calls. Result – I am cream crackered. I am visiting my workplace tomorrow so I can catch up with everyone there – mostly men, but they are great and have all been asking about me. I am looking forward to a change of scene from the lounge in my house and daytime tv

Nats – your first session sounded interesting with the steroids, it did make me laugh!!. Hope you blood count improves soon

Jules – work, just do what you can. I am so tired everytime I do any work from home. The tiredness stays with me for days so goodness knows what I will be like when I do back next year

Alison – good news on being able to start chemo, though I guess you are not looking forward to it xx

Teresa – know what you mean about teenage daughter, mine is driving me insane. I have threatened to send her to her days next week (half term) if she doesn’t behave. She constantly is in and out, and when she is out her friends all congregate in my garden, so I can’t look out of the window without being spied on!. Its terrible that you are not allowed to take anyone with you to chemo session xx

Simone – I am definitely not stylish, wish I was lol!. So sorry the cold cap didn’t work for you. I spend a few minutes every hour plucking hair out. I have tried to stop for now as I am heading into work tomorrow and don’t want to have to try out my new headwear yet!. The weirdest thing is that my short hair on the base of my neck appears to be the fastest to disappear – just hope no one looks at the back of my head!. My hair also hurts, especially when the wind blows. My free brazilian is well on its way. I am going to wear make up for the first time in three months tomorrow – want to look semi ok for work visit tomorrow!

Clare – hope the twilight movie was good

Sue – you are brave moving home so soon after your first chemo, I know you don’t have much choice but please take it easy. It’s a good excuse for you to supervise the packing and unpacking (if you feel up to it) and leave all the hard work to others!.

GIJane – that’s a great tip ref the ginger tablets. I am going to get some in on wednesday just in case my next session on Friday makes me feel sick this time

Take care everyone, and hope side effects are minimal xxx

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Hi ladies

Well…i thought it was going too blooming smoothly. Not had any sickness at all and apart from a bit of tiredness have felt right as rain. Went in to get my picc line redressed today and i mentioned had a niggly pain when i breathed in or yawned thought it was just picc settling in but she looked at me funny said she will speak to doc.

Next thing i know the doc is rushing me through to aau for tests as theres a possibility ive got a blood clot in my lung. They admitted me as a certain blood test came back raised so its indicating it could be a clot.

They wanted to keep me in but i didnt want to so they injected my tummy with a blood thinner and said i have to go for daily injections till i can have ct scan…joyeuous!

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Clare - oh no, just when you think everything is going ok. Thinking of you and hoping CT scan gives good results. Do you have a date for CT scan yet?

When you go for CT scan be sure to take some reading material as there is lots of waiting around for liquid they give you to drink before scan to work its way though xx