I haven’t been posting much because my chemo doesn’t start til this Friday so I only just qualify on the September chemo front!
But I’ve been following how you’re all doing and as ever am amazed by the courage and generosity of spirit of the women on this site. The whole thing is a really horrible thing to have to go through isn’t it?
Sgl - I had a horrible post mx infection that landed me back in my local hospital and then back in the marsden over about two and a half weeks and I know that your post about going back into hospital hides a multitude of small and large indignities and pain and horribleness! I really hope you’re feeling better, for me it was the fact that it was a halt to the progress of the treatment that was really hard to bear as well as the pain, indignities etc. My chemo has been delayed by s month because of that infection, and I just want to get on with it all. Hopefully it will start on friday and i won’t get another infection etc…and ive already worked out when its supposed to finish, hmmm maybe not a good idea to tempt fate.
Sandipantsshell - blimey if I could only look so good without hair - you look fab! I will look like gollum.
But I’m owing to take the plunge and put up a pic, it’s about time I did I think, if I can work out how to do it that is…
Yay we need more pics come on impy start the rest of the ladies off! Never thought I’d take my hair off this early but i was getting more and more strands in my hands and wanted to regain some control. It wasn’t horrible me and my sister had quite a laugh it feels funny having a number 0 and we took a photo of me half done too! If it wasn’t for my other meds having hair loss as side effect I’d have hung on a little longer but the combination of these meds and the chemo has sped up the process!
SGL - hope you are feeling better what a rotten time xx
Labbie lover - I really feel quite pleased with myself for buzzing my head and i can’t stop looking at it in the mirror and my kids love it the thought of doing it is worse than the doing but in your own time xx
South Luce -I’m doing GCSF too and seem to have gotten off lightly also Ibruprofen worked ask for the big mg dose, if it’s too bad ask for diclofenic (?spelling) my pain was in my hips - long bubble baths with a tea supply trotted up the stairs to me helped xxx
Sozza - see you getting some positive stories of being FECced it’s scary alright but we all react differently and I was so worried about the SE’s that I can not believe i’ve been ok.
Hey up Fitzi glad you been ok too chic and you are right about the fear it’s a nightmare xx
HJV i wasn’t feeling brave when we shaved but felt good taking some control back and sticking my 2 fingers up to chemo and singing nah nah na naaahhhh!
Not sure who’s got kids the right age but my two to the tune of Horrid Henry keep singing ‘It’s so not fair! that Mummy’s got no hair!’
Right need to empty my daughters bedroom (OMG!) and get ready to give it a lick of paint - love to all hope you well today and remember that sunshine isa coming!
Woke up feeling quite down today, I was ok yesterday!
Think it’s cos chemo is getting nearer.
Thankyou so much for your support and positive stories about the SE.
I’m sure that once I have done 1 , it won’t be so bad.
I have to keep reminding myself that there are other people including children who are in a far worse situation.
Just feeling a bit sorry for myself at the moment and ashamed to admit , jealous of women who arent going through it.Although wouldn’t wish it on anyone else.
It’s been a bit of a journey starting at the GP’s and being told nothing to worry about, then hosp , yes there was cancerous cells, then next week , good news non invasive then bad news invasive.
Grrrrrrrrr, sorry girls, wallowing a bit today!
Anyway must think positive vibes , going singing with my choir in a mo so that will cheer me up.
Big hugs to you all and lots of love.
xxxx
The hair issue is really hotting up now, mine feels dry and shedding a bit but still only on day 11, have not followed too heavily the advice to not wash daily or blowdry as am trying to enjoy it whilst I still have it. But I think it will be a relief when it is gone and I can stop stressing about it.
You’re looking good Sandipants!
I took Diclofenic in the end for the joint pain and it seems to have worked, also found that giving your own injections not as bad as expected and hurts less than the nurses giving them, not sure why that is and I’m a nurse, perhaps it’s a control thing.
Hoping you are feeling better SGL, you have had a rotten time of it.
to everyone else in the band have as good a day as you can muster and love to all xxxxx
Hello everyone and sorry I haven’t been around for a bit but I had a few low days and like you Sozza, I felt very sorry for myself and then felt guilty about it. It wasn’t because of the SE’s cos the worst physical thing for me after the first FEC (last Tues) was constipation and a hot face! So why should I complain particularly when SGL and others are having it so much worse! That’s why I didn’t come on here becasue I felt guilty about feeling so low when physically I was ok. I went for a wig fitting on Friday and looked like a man in drag, which didn’t help my self esteem and my weekend just went down from there really. I wanted a wig that made me look and feel like me but the ones I was shown were just awful and I didn’t recognise myself. It’s something about wanting to be ‘normal’ isn’t it. Luckily I bought a really lovely wig yesterday in a department store, so that cheered me up.
S’funny, for ages I can feel ok and suddenly, out of the blue I come crashing down. Often it’s when I tell someone for the first time what’s happening.
I’ve had a tight feeling on the mx site which feels like I’ve been stitched up too tight which makes it uncomfortable lying on it in bed. Anyone else had that?
Sandipants- it was good to see you back on the forum and looking so good! I think those of us that can muster up enough courage should post similar pictures of ourselves when we take the plunge.
Hope you are all ok.
Sandipants you look fab well done to you for taking charge.
I’m feeling a lot better today as far as se’s are concerned a bit more energy, but got a very fuzzy head again, before all this started I have from time to time had vertigo and this feels a bit like that (but so do the se’s) so I’m not sure which it is. I havn’t had a bad attack of vertigo for a couple of years and what I do get I can manage quite well.
Does amyone else suffer with this and if so did the chemo set it off again?
Have a good day everyone
Hi Gorgeous Gals
I did it I did it I did it!!!
Looks totally shite but feels FANTASTIC. Dunno why I made such a fuss. Not sure Im ever gonna want long hair again.
Thanks Kate for being a major inspiration.
Ali…good luck for Thursday. YOU ARE GOING TO BE JUST FINE !!!
Alison…same to you for Friday !!!
and Sozza, I hope you end up saying WHAT WAS ALL THE FUSS ABOUT???
Sandipants…you look totally gorgeous. You got a nice shine going there, girl! You look buffed and beautiful!!!
SGL…sending you all the positive energy over the net that I can. Go easy on yourself. Really hope you feel better soon. Miss your wicked sense of humour on the thread.
My next session is Friday, so I leave for South Africa tomorrow. Hope you all have a really good few days
Big hugs
Lil
xxxx
I’m so in denial. Feels like I’m having a couple of days off work, great with this sunshine, but actually I’m due to leave for the hospital shortly to have my groshong line fitted. Feels surreal, like it’s happening to someone else!
I agree, all those that have taken the initiative with your hair look fab. Probably helped by the big smiles!
Hope you all have a good day and the ses aren’t too bad.
Well I had a tough hangover yesterday - sick a couple times (phoned hosp, no temp so didn’t need to go in - I have a dicky tum from IBS so not worrying too much). Taking it easy today… being a little idle to be honest!
Sandypants & Lil - you both look great! I’ll post my photo up with I have it done on Saturday! Good luck in Sputh Africa, Lil - I hope the journey is kind to you x
Lil, u look fabulous, everyone is being so brave about their hair.
Annie, sorry your feeling bad today, have u been taking all your anti-sicknes meds? You’re entitled to be idle, your body has been through something huge, it needs time to rest so just keep your feet up & relax x
Wow, lil and sandipants you both look amazing. Feels good, doesn’t it!
I have mostly been sleeping today. I think I used up all my energy yesterday going shopping and now need to listen to my body and rest.
Hope you feel ok soon Annie, your onc should be able to adjust your meds for next time so you don’t suffer with sickness again. I found eating plain food, little and often kept nausea away.
Wishing everyone else minimal SEs and easy treatment.
Ouch…talk about coming down with a crash. Was feeling so brave about my shaved head, and sent a pic to some of my closest girlfriends. Definitely DO NOT want to put the pic on Facebook.
Most of the comments were good, like they were sharing this with me, but one comment came back…Definitely wear a burqa…
I know she was joking, and its my fault for having lost any sense of humour I had, but I dont think that people realise just how sensitive and Edge of the Ledge we can be at this time.
NINJA…need you to come up with a real snide and sarcy GOODY to throw back. I am all out of energy.
Need a hugs, gals…
xxx
Ooooh Lucky Lil sending you a big hug.
What a bloody insensitive thing to say!!!
I think all you girls look fab and I really mean that. If Britney can do it then why not us?!lol
Anyway I am still a bit chicken!! I almost wish I could go somewhere for a few months with all you gals and we could all go through this process together and not have to bother about real life! Then come back all well and looking lush!
I think that one of the hardest things about this is other peoples reactions. I’ve had people crying, saying prayers which is all very nice but I’m going to be fine as we all will be.
Big love to all of you, it’s getting nearer for me and what scares me the most is that I can imagine that it gets worse as the sessions go on as more drugs inside but I may be wrong.
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LuckyLil - big cyber hugs for you, I think you look brilliant ((((()))))xx
Annie - I hope you’re feeling better after your snooze.
Alison - we have the same name so we can be a pair of gollums together
Omg Thursday is getting closer and closer and I’m getting more and more apprehensive. Not doing cold cap. More concerned that nobody is taking notice of my questions about having a port of some kind cos i’ve read the chemo wrecks your veins. I’ll shout harder but I think they want to see how things go first.
Got my prescription exemption certificate to fill in and booked a flu jab for the 11th October but don’t know whether this is a bit early for what will be my ‘good’ week.
Hi Ali
I aked my oncologist how they administer the drugs and it is a cannular, she said only about 3% of her patients have a line.
What is this perscription exemption?
Good luck for Thurs , I will be right behind you, start next week.
I am really looking forward to getting it over and done with and have worked out that it will be finished in Jan!!
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Lil, i cannot believe that someone said that to u, how did u not punch her! U definately need a Ninja putdown, she has such a wicked sense of humour & always makes chuckle.
Good luck for thurs Alibaba
Sozza, go to your drs & ask for a medical prescription exemption form, fill it in & give it back to the drs & they will sign it & send it off. You’ll then receive a card which will give u free prescriptions for the next 5 years & it covers all meds not just cancer related ones.
Sozza - thanks for the good wishes. Can’t believe it’s coming round so fast but at least that means it will be over quicker. Hjv123 has answered the prescription exemption question. My first chemo will be by cannula, but will be chasing up other options having read what it does to the veins on other threads.
Have a BBQ to go to on Saturday. Am I likely to feel up to it and be ok to drive so OH can have a drink?
x