That is brilliant news Kay, especially with your journey time x
Someone told me that the length of Radiotherapy was based on how many lymph nodes were affected so Iâm hoping I will get away with just 3 weeks worth especially as it will mean traveling into London every day.
Had my 5th chemo today, a second dose of T and this time I have been given so many drugs to prevent the dreaded side effects but Iâm hoping I wonât need them. They have agreed to take my PICC line out straight after the last chemo provided I have no problems after this treatment
Hi all Pumpkins
Catzooo, so glad youâre out!!! Hope you enjoy every minute of the things youâve got planned!
Jayne, glad youâre feeling good today, completely agree re meeting up - we should arrange it when weâre all thinking a bit clearer post chemo!
Andie, glad SEs seem to be better on reduced TAX, hope infection clears up soon though - lovely encouraging post.
Kay, SO good about your rads!
Nonnie, hope the SEs keep at bay.
Had TAC 5 today. Three cannulations; first one not in far enough, second one leaked, third attempt successful. Yuk! Am tucked up in bed - v nauseous +++ but no vomiting thanks to Emend! Tomorrowâs another day âŠ
Lots of love all Pumpkins xx
so glad you are out Catzoo - enjoy your birthday - you are a survivor which is good for us all to remember! - Congraulations Jayne - first one through - we are getting there - this second Taxotere has been as bad as the first - totally shattered - pains awful - taste like the bottom of the budgie cage!, awful indigestion, lots of tears - how my poor husband copes with me I donât know especially since he has had to mind grandaughter for the last 2 days as I just couldnât cope - he has been such a star - I have kept a log of how I felt on each day of each cycle - just looked up last one - didnât improve until the 10th day !!!- 3 more to go!!! - Iâd like to think we could meet up in the autumn when we feel normal again and part of the real world not the one with cancer in it
Hi All Pumpkins ( especially those on 2nd TAC)
for the very first time I have experienced no nausea and havenât taken any medication to hold it at bay. I even fancied a fry up for supper and thoroughly enjoyed it - another first since I started chemo - Iâm hoping this is a good omen. The advice Iâve been given re joint pain is to take Codeine Phosphate every 6 hours and paracetamol every 4 hours from day 3 -6 which is the days that I struggled with last time and not to skip the doses even if I think Iâm feeling slightly better.
Iâm now hoping that I will be able to sleep after the steroids tonight, off to make a large mug of hot chocolate as that is what most of the chemo ward seem to swear by!
Nonni
Hey Pumpkins!
Princess had a lovely birthday - thank u for your birthday wishes⊠xx
Had to take para for aching joints last nite so i could get to sleep (hips, shoulder blades, neck, jaw). Am i right in thinking this is due to the Pegfilgrastim injection i had on Sat? Had slight aches before but never required painrelief. Feeling very fatigued today (day 6). Looking forward to improving soon⊠Major difference in SEs to previous sessions is feeling sick/uncomfortable pain in chest after eating - im hoping this passes (already on omeprazole & gaviscon!) Also BAD headaches again all day, so taking para & ibruprofen on a domino effect⊠Did think i probably hadnt been drinking as much as i should so am drinking (& peeing) loads now & will see if that eases them off.
Im on FEC (just had #5) & am wondering wot to do with the bristles on my head! XH pointed out it resembles a soft brillo pad! Anyone else having FEC got this âregrowthâ? Its like its grown since i had it shaved originally but i dont know whether its a good idea to keep this hair or have my head shaved again.
When my chemo sister came round, we were talking about our new hair. Im quite looking forward to seeing how it grows back⊠Always been blonde so will be weird if its dark (ive been told this is probable). And im sure a bit of hairdye will sort out any greys⊠i mean, natures highlights⊠that decide to come through! 
iâve decided once its âreadyâ, iâm going to treat myself to a trip to Toni & Guy in either Preston or Manchester for my 1st âhaircut/styleâ. Ive been told they have someone in every salon who is trained to deal with âchemo hairâ. And i figure the amount ive saved on haircuts the last few months is enough to cover the cost!!!
As regards length of rad treatment, Ive been told i need 3 weeks worth of rads (0/20 lymph nodes were affected). Just waiting for my measure up date & start date.
Jayne - no more chemo - whoop whoop!!! 
Catzoo - hope you have a lovely birthday. Def belated parties all round i think!!
Lots of Love Pumpkins XXX
Good morning Pumpkins
Im glad you are sounding so positive Ribby despite still suffering aches and pains x. I went to my local salon where they have been trained by Toni & Guy under their My New Hair scheme (for any local ladies it is Fiona Povey in Crowthorne near Bracknell/Sandurst). She was lovely and gently trimmed rmy cold cap hair. Mine is growing back too, the balder bits are filling in nicely and a few people have commented that it is looking thicker. The longer hair is still shedding though and Onc said it would be be 6 - 8 weeks before I could go back to normal washing etc and no dying (ignoring that bit of advice as Iâm sure natural dye is fine). Someone advised Keratase shampoo for helping growth and most good salons stock it so worth asking.
im feeling really positive now Iâm over the chemo and just hooping the steroid dip wonât send me back into the black over the weekend.
Have to get up and wash two days of post chemo conditioner out of my hair now then have two work calls so will try to engage brain!
hope you all have a good day
Jayne x
Great news Jayne that you have finished chemo⊠Weâre all following you!
ribby, I have bristles too. My family insist I have hair but it doesnât look like anything I would call hair! Not sure e what to do with it really.
Nonni, great news about no SEs this time, makes you feel really positive doesnât it?
Perkinjeff and Andir, so sorry that âTâ is giving you such a hard time. Bless you
Little Bear just the thought of your experience makes me feel queasy!
catzoo, whoo hoo, you have escaped. My ONC says its the 10 days of Figrastim hat keeps me out if hospital.
well better gt a wriggle on, OH goes in today for his knee replacement and I will be in charge of the remote controls for a few days!
have a good day all Pumpkins
kay x
Good morning pumpkins.
Good to hear you are all getting through your treatment, even though its not easy.
I feel quite behind, as I have another 12 weeks of chemo before surgery, Is there any one else in this position?
It has been interesting reading about radiotherapy, its seems a long way off for me but info is good.
Expecting post steroid dip tomorrow, so not looking forward to next 3/4 days.
My daughter is going travelling for a year next week, I am going to miss her loads 
Love to you all
xx
Weâre here for a natter Susanmary, It seemed like a long way off to me too but I can honestly say its passed quicker than I thought it would. A friend of mine I met through this forum is in the same position as you having chemo first her screen name is polly 1, send her a private message I am sure sheâll be happy to chat, I am hoping to see her this week when my SEs from Fridays chemo go.
My Macmillian nurse recommended Regain shampoo, worth a go, Iâll be very happy when I stop looking like Uncle Festers fat auntie.
Hi All
I havenât written here for a long time but have been following posts. I went into a real dip in spirits at chemo number 3 but just wanted to say I finished chemo today. Congrats to all who have finished and best wishes to all of you who are now past the half way mark.
I have been getting some abdominal pain for the last week. I spoke to the onc nurse at hspt and chemo nurse today who said to monitor it and contact the onc nurse if still worried. Guess I need to get over side effects of number 6 first. Anxiety has set in again reminding me of the worry after the op and waitiing for the appt with the surgeon. If I still have them next week I will ask to get it followed up. Guess twinges and aches will bring it all back sometimes. Have any of you had abdominal pains with chemo?
xxx
Hi Dragonbunny, I was wondering where you had disappeared to! Like you I had a big dip after no 3 and 5 and so pleased to be have seen the back of number 6!! Have had abdominal cramps quite badly mainly after 4 and a bit after 5 so hoping I dont get that again!
I moved my day to Tuesday to avoid feeling rubbish over Xmas so finished on Tuesday - have been full of energy for the last 2 days which I am sure is due to steriods but starting to feel very tired now - early night with the sleeping pills me thinks!
Chemo brain in overdrive early this morning, think I am talking myself into getting a dog - would certainly mean a healthier lifestye! I grew up with dogs and often walk dogs with friends but havent owned one as an adult.
Hope all are doing ok today
Jayne x
I have been warned by others that we will always worry about what aches and pains mean for years to come!!! - it is normal! - we have all had a big shock and shocks like this change you - we just have to go with it when it all finishes and continue to deal with things as they come like we have all dealt with this - we are âwomen that canâ!!! - so glad to hear that some are at the end - sounds great - we will stay with you Susanmary with your surgery - it really isnât as bad as the chemo honest!1 - since last Jan i have had a hip replacement - , lumpectomy, mastectomy and wound repair and Iâve already forgotton about it!!! - no that i like only having 1 boob!!!
by the way - my new grandson will arrive on feb 14th by planned c section - 2 weeks after my last chemo - whoooooo!!!
Hi Pumpkins,
Took a bit of a dip after starting off well after last Thursdays Tax! Took the last steroid and that was it⊠aching joints dry mouth so tired and couldnt eat except soup and ribena! Well perked up again mamaaged an egg for bfast with soldiers :)large glass od ribena. Only one left to go :)) Oncology going to talk about radiotheraphy when I go 21st and the start of drugs for 5yrs which is going to start at the same time as rads!
Jayne love the nails great you are finished chemo I can hardly wait to get my last one over with!!Kayteeb53 hope OH op goes well and you are taking good care of those remotes :)Susanmary it does seem a long way off at the start but its suprising how quickly it seems to go. Hope this is so for you.Little Bear so sorry to hear about your treatment wednesday hope you are improving and your arm isnt too sore
Good wishes to all you Pumpkins and all get rested and Take care Thinking of you all xxxxx
.
Hi all
perkinjef that is great news about your grandchild and what a fantastic focus after your last chemo!!
Kirstie, only one to go and the time will fly - although I am getting my normal side effects, the thought that it is over makes them les of a struggle somehow, perhaps knowing I donât have to go through it again in another 3 weeks.
Any dog owners among the pumpkins? I have wanted a dog for years having grown up with dogs and now I am reflecting on my life think it is time to get out and about more, I am out all day 3 days a week but OH works from home so dog wouldnât be lonely. I have had labradors in the past so may go for another - loving making plans that donât involve hospitals. I know I will never have the piece of mind or take my health for granted ever again so going to focus on love, fun fresh air and a healthier lifestyle
take care today and keep warm, itâs freezing out there (or so I am told, Iâm still chilling in bed)!
jayne x
Good news youâve finshed Jayne and Dragonbunny! I have had abdo pain following Tax1 and 2, they told me itâs prob gut irritation from chemo destroying the mucosa that lines it. Also had diarrhoea and constipation and bleeding piles as a result! Been told to report if it doesnât improve or if I get a sudden and or prolonged increase in pain level. I just canât wait to have my last dose of poison, Iâm so looking forward to feeling better!
iâm on day 8 after Tax 2 now, and Iâve spent half this week in bed. Feeling a bit perkier now, but sense of taste has really gone wrong this time, which it has only slightly before. Almost everything tastes of soap, apart from my morning porridge. Iâm a dark choccy lover, and canât bear the taste of it at all. also have awful heartburn, so swigging from the gaviscon bottle like a Pirate on Rum!
Perkinjeff - brilliant planning on your daughterâs part, something exciting to look forward to post chemo. My daughterâs going on a school skiing holiday at Easter, so I have booked myself and OH five days in Barcelona while sheâs away. Think we deserve a bit of culture and nice food! Daughter was momentarily annoyed we were doing something without her, but then realised weâd be traipsing round art galleries and museums and said she was relieved she didnât have to come with us. Win win for us all then!
As regards hair and lack of, a word of warning from my hairdresser about dyes - natural and the usual chemical ones. She said to steer clear of anything other than the gentlest of shampoos for a few months. The destruction that chemo does to your skin means it is unusually vulnerable for some months afterwards. Using anything unnecessary on it at this time can give rise to allergic reactions that wouldnât normally occur, but once a theyâve happened once, the sensitivity to that particular substance doesnât go away. She knows a couple of people who have been left unable to use dyes at all because of this. Even natural hair dye is pretty strong stuff. Iâm going to be brave and see just how grey I really am when it all grows back!
Hope all are ok, and coping with the latest range of âSpecial Effectsâ as my daughter refers to them.
xxx
Hi Fifirosalie
have you tried Omeprazole for heartburn, i got some on prescription from the doctors and it worked immediately.
Jayne x
sorry posted twice
Hi
Thanks Fifirosalie and for tips re hair. I had always meant to try to grow out colour so guess this is my opportunity and if I donât like it eventually go back to the bottle. Hope you side effects improve soon. My abdomen feeling bit better today but twinges in left kidney. Drinking lots water and think this is helping.
Jaynem - thank you for replying - liked the ideas you have re dogs and was going to ask what breeed you are considering. I have been thinking along the same lines but I have two rescue cats so still thinking. I need to sort out some other things in my life first.
I have always liked labbies but wondered also re border terrier. This will be longer term but is firmly on my list.
Rest up and take care
xxx
Hi Dragonbunny
We are thinking Lab as have had one before. Timing wise, we are looking at early july as I want to make sure there is someone around a lot all day in the beginning. we are off to Florida in May for would need to be after that. Struck lucky in that we have a friend who will board the dog if we are away, dont fany kennels.
I know that it may be chemo brain driving me in this direction but I feel a very strong need for a lifestle change, we live in the country and donât take advantage and having a dog will change that. Many of my friends have dogs and I love joining them for walks.
We also have a cat so need to make sure I get the right dog and labs are fine with cats, I have had that combo before.
Did you give up on the cold cap?
Jayne x