Hi Austigirl
Lovely to hear from you. And really pleased to know that you are managing to get through the SE’s. Let’s hope they stay minimal. I have been more than lucky on that score.
Like Nikki says we are quite active over on Facebook too so if you feel like it come and join us over their too. x
I think I must be really green as to what to expect. I’ve been told I will have steroid put into picc line at first dose but nothing about any tablets other than anti emetics and haven’t been told I need to inject myself with anything. What are the injections for ? Stressing myself a bit !
Thanks Nikki. Perhaps they’ll mention that on Monday ! Have enough flab on my tummy so I won’t struggle to find somewhere to stick it.
Hi I’m starting FEC chemo on Thursday 26th so it would be good to join the September stars! Feeling apprehensive and any comments on what happens , how it feels etc would be appreciated. I opted to have a PICC line put in, how does this feel, does it get in the way?? Argh so many questions going around my head!
Hi Lisabeth
I had a daily course of seven injection starting two days after chemo, also for the production of white blood cells. My son did mine, alternate sides of tummy. Not painful at all. xx
Hi suzzie-g, I’m from West Sussex too. Had MX/ANC in July and start my first cycle of FEC-T on Tuesday. I have a seroma but haven’t had it drained - It is smaller than it was but still a nuisance as it restricts movement. The group has been a great help to me, not only for support, but for information based on personal experiences. There’s also a private Facebook group version which is less impersonal and good humoured. Where are you having treatment? I’m at Portsmouth because my local chemo unit doesn’t treat breast patients. xx
Lisabeth up tomorrow for everyone’s info xxxx
Hi Julo,
I’m so glad you’ve found us here, though not so pleased about the reason why you’ve had to join us. It’s an awful thing to happen to anyone and believe me, we all understand exactly what you must be feeling right now. I’m sure everyone here will be as supportive as they have been so far. A more understanding, friendly, funny group of girls you’ll struggle to find and with them my journey so far has been so much more bearable.
Regards your PICC line, I had mine fitted 3days before my first round (about 2-3wks ago). I made the decision to have as the thought of them searching for a suitable vein every time I have a treatment or they need blood etc was unthinkable. Virtually non existent! I truly thought a PICC would be my best friend and in a lot of ways it is. It doesnt really grt in the way as they fasten it down securely and put padding and dressing on to avoid you catching it. I have a district nurse that comes to flush it weekly which keeps it from blocking and to ensure no infections develop. When they put it in initially it can take a little while to make sure they get it in just the right position, and they will do a chest X-ray to confirm this. It’s worth making sure you leave plenty of time from beg to end.
There some things I wish I’d known before hand though. They may only provide temporary covers so that you can have a shower or bath, so you’ll need to get a more substantial one (found quite easily online). Also, as mine is on the opposite arm to surgery site they are now not able to take blood pressure from either arm. Had lots of fun trying to do it on my leg recently!!! That’s a story for another day. And also it’s worth investing in a heat pad of some description as they advised to apply gentle heat to your upper arm 3x daily to avoid mechanical phlebitis (again you can find info online).
Hope this helps Julo, sorry so long winded.
It might help to know, though I’m sure someone will already have mentioned it to you (Barbarella63!!!) that there is also a secret Facebook group which I think nearly everyone here belongs to now. It’s another, very fun and relaxed way of getting the same advice, experience and all round knowledge from all the ladies AND with lots of hilarious extras to go with it. As I said, could not have coped so far without it. if you want to join, send a Private message to Barbarella with your real name and she’ll get you sorted. If you don’t already have FB, it’s worth setting up just for this. I can reassure that everything through that group is TOTALLY private & will not be seen by anyone you don’t want!!
Stay strong, keep smiling and welcome to the September Stars xxxx
Thought you’d be impressed Miss!!
Thanks girls for the support and info I’m still trying to understand the lingo for different treatments and medicines. I had a Wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy in August. The node biopsy and surrounding tissue of the lump came back clear. I was told it is grade 2 cancer that’s ER+ and HER2+. The onc thought hat chemo would give me the best outcome possible so I starts 6 cycles of FEC on Thursday. Then 4 weeks of radiotherapy then Herceptin once every 3 weeks for a year. At some point I will start taking tamoxifen for about 5 yrs. to me it sounds like a HUGE amount of stuff to be taking when the cancer doesn’t appear to have spread? But I will do whatever the onc recommends to be rid of it completely.
I haven’t been offered a cold cap but I don’t think I would use it as the hair loss is the thing I’m least worried about.
I’ve already written a long list of questions to ask the nurse/doc on thurs but the list keeps growing!
I came off of fb about a year ago as I was fed up with the rubbish some people put on it but I will start it up again as he secret group sounds fun.
Is anyone from the Exeter area?
Xx
Hi Julo
Welcome to the Stars. Can’t say anymore than the other Stars have already said except that without them my adventure through chemoland would be a lot more unpleasant experience to deal with. The Stars are the best support team you can ask for. Hope we will be able to help you through this too. xx
Good luck to Lisabeth for tomorrow. I know there will be a lot of virtual hand holding going on. Check back in when you can so we don’t worry too much. xx
Good luck also to anyone who has appointments or results tomorrow. Hope everything goes well. I have my pre chemo blood tests tomorrow.
Enjoy the rest of Sunday Stars, take care and most of all keep shining. xx
welcome Julo,sorry you find yourself here but its a good place to be under the circumstances. hope you go over to FB too. Ill be joining you at the bar on thursday as I have 3 days of treament this week, wed, thurs and fri so you wont be alone and its my first one too xx
Just wanted to say good luck to Lisabeth for tomorrow and hope its not as bad as you may be thinking . Hope all goes well with your PICC line as well. It should make the future ones even easier for you.
If there’s anyone else with appointments, scans, bloods etc tomorrow as well, will be thinking if you.
Hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend and wish every one if you bright beautiful stars the very best if weeks to come .
Bonne nuit xx
Good luck for today Lisabeth. I’ll be thinking of you. I hope it goes as well as possible.
X
Hello Julo, glad you found us! There are lots of us having our first or second cycle this week so you are not alone. Lisabeth, good luck with your first dunking today, and to all Stars with appointments today. xx
Well Julo. Sorry you find yourself on here but you will find friendly people who offer support, virtually hugs and advice/their own experience.
Lisabeth. Hope all goes well today. hugs. xx
Hi Stars. Hope you are all doing ok.
Just wanted to share my most recent chemo purchase with you. Eye brow stencil kit from EBay, cost £4.15 free p&p. Might find it useful to enhance eyebrows as they begin to fall out and also when they have gone completely. Stencils are available for 99p. xx
Good luck to all the girls up at the bar tomorrow and don’t forget to drink that water as soon as you get home. All the best as well to everyone who has appointments tomorrow. Love and hugs to everyone. Keep shining bright, Stars xx
Blimey stars 76 posts tro catch up on. Can a girl not have afew days away? lol
Hello to the following new ladies, Suzzieg, Austigirl, Julo and Lisbeth. Are any of you on our facebook page? Just put names to faces on FB for Lisbeth and Austigirl.
Suzzieg I work as year 1/2 teacher so am off work for the duration too.
Well aldies now I am nearing the popping cherry time, time seems to be running out!
Hope all that are having a cocktail tomorrow get through it SE free x