Well done Pips, sleep well xx
Hi there Stars,
Well done Jo and Pips for getting through today. Glad to hear you are not suffering too much. Hope you manage a good nights sleep. Still no news from Avonlady and Rachels I assume?
Hope everyone has a good weekend. Take care Shining Stars. Sleep well all. x
Sam- *mush alert* I’m sure he loves you unconditionally and will be the strength you need to get through some of your worst days. However, as you say brain can go into crazy overtime with all this going on.
PTB-am going to do both of the t/brushes as well I think to be on the safe side.
Really should start my essentials shopping soon! Dentist check up now booked for next week so one thing to tick off my list
Jo &Pips, glad you’re home safe & sound and hopefully Gold will check in shortly.
Keep well, stay strong and keep shining all you Stars. Xx
Hi stars
Jo and pips- well done for getting through the first dunking and reporting back, hope the headache and metallc taste bugger off and yours se’s stay minimal
Gold- hope today went smoother than yesterday.
Hegv123- hope you’re still feeling ok today.
Avonlady- where are you?? Hoping all is well.
Well I have my wig ordered and it just feels so surreal like I’m trying on fancy dress lol. Got a nice sleep cap and scarf too so at least I’m a bit more prepared, off to get comfy chemo clothes tomorrow.
Had my official dunking date too which is 11th sept so it’s all systems go soon.
Hoping you stars have a nice weekend whatever you’re up to.
Love and hugs xxx
Hi girls welcome back pips and jo glad you are both ok, fingers crossed for gold! Still nothing from Avonlady or rach really hope they are ok, and get back on here soon. I’ve had a busy day today been to the hospital for my heart Scan lovely radiographer we had a bit of a giggle which was nice, turns out I have a heart after all lol and all appears to be in working order so let the dunking commence! Just gotta get through the blood test next week then we are off! Had lunch with my lovely friend then a visit from,another good friend this afternoon so a great day …yay! I’ve ordered some xylotene which is good for mouth ulcers apparently cost bloody £20 can’t believe how expensive having cancer is! Has anyone ordered a toothbrush sanitizer off amazon? They clip on your brush to stop poo particles contaminating it from flushing the loo! I’ve got one so,will be interesting to see how the mouth gets on! I was thinking of comfy chemo clothes too, maybe trackie bottoms (nice ones like jack wills or something) but its just another fricking expense but then I think “I’ve got cancer why not! It’s only money” gotta stop this mindset or we are gonna be broke lol glad to hear everyone is feeling positive not long till we are all in the dunking process can’t believe its September on Sunday lets hope the dunking goes quick too! Hazey have you booked your brows yet? Better get on with it if your gonna do it or time will be up and you won’t be able to!! Updated the list it’s below, hope its right if not let me know, lots of love superstars Barbs xxxxxx
NME/DIAG. DATE/TMNT. NUMBER. LOCATION
Avonlady/no details. 28/8. #1. No details
Rachels/WLE gde3 ER/PR/HER2- 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Reading
HEvg123/MX/ANC(3/?). 29/8 FEC-T. #1. Kent coast
Jo43/WLE/ANC(2/20). 30/8 FEC-T. #1. Bucks
Gold63/MX. 30/8 no details. #1. No details
Pips64/WLE ER/PR/HER2- 30/8 FEC. #1. Cheshire
PTB/no details. 3/9 FEC-T. #1. Wrexham
Tracey46/no details. 3/9 FEC-T. #1. No details
Ally51/no details. 3/9 no details. #1. No details
hg12/no details. 4/9 FEC-T. #1. No details
Beam67/WLE gde3. 6/9 FEC-T. #1. No details
Thebatman/MX/SLN(0/2)gde2ER8-PR3+HER2- 6/9 TC. #1. E. Anglia
Barbarella63/MX ANC(2/16)gde2 ER+PR/HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Lincoln
Frenchfancy/MX/ANC(8/22)gde3 ER/PR+HER2- 9/9 FEC-T. #1. Chester
Hazey85/MX/ANC/(24/43)gde3ER/PR/HER2+. 11/9 #1. Warwicks
Cinderssarah/WLE/ANC(1/16)gde2ER+ No date yet.
NIkki49/MX/ANC(0/11). ". ". Fareham
Elma55/MX/ANC(12/15)gde3ER/PR/HER2- ??? FEC-T #1 Chichester
Bonnie8862/MX/ANC(14/16)gde3HER2+ER/PR- ". ". Gatwick
Samjs/WLE. ". ". Northants
Sarahsomething/MX/ANC. ". ". Berkshire
Jinxy12. Kent
Bonellie/MX/ANC(4/7)gde2 ER+|HER2? ". ". Unknown
Austigirl/MX. No other details
Morning Gold,
Sp pleased
Slippy fingers posted too quickly!!
Morning Gold,
So glad to hear you were looked after yesterday. One of my friends had mentioned her hubby was given leg massage during his sessions as well. How lovely! Have got to admit of all the possible se’s, I’m least looking forward to any nausea. Dreading it actually. It’s good you’ve been able to get some work done as well though. We need to keep it real wherever we can can, right?
Had debated whether to try cap myself but if there’s a good chance the hair’s gonna go anyway, then won’t be bothering. Sounds like it made it a little easier having the children around for you as well. Lucky lady!! ( ‘lucky’ is probably not the best way to describe us all though, is it?That’s the last thing thing we are!!)
For you, and all the other ladies who’ve got the first dunking over with, have a lovely weekend and no worsening of se’s. And for everyone still got to get going, lets try not to worry too much.
Am now tired again, so might have another little nap before I get up. Sounds like a plan x
Forgot to ask, did they give you tablets for the nausea?
Good morning Stars,
Great to hear you got through yesterday ok, Gold, after all the events on Thursday. I like the idea of a foot massage too. Perhaps you could try for a manicure next time. Lol.
Hope the SE’s remain minimal for all you ladies who have been dunked.
Looks like I’m up next so I’m planning to enjoy my last weekend. Take care all. Love and hugs . x
Morning frenchfancy! Forgot to mention my cocktail buddy!!! Hope you’re ok lovely how you feeling about the 9th? Have you had your heartscan yet? I’m tottering between let’s get this party started and EEK it’s getting closer!! The other girls are showing us the way so lets hope it won’t be too bad! Is everyone having a cannula no one has mentioned any of those implant things to me so its the poor hand for me! Lets hope the vein holds up in my one good hand! Girls that have already been and had no 1 dunking ru having the daily injections? What are those like?
Barbsxxxxx
Welcome back Gold, so relieved all went well for you yesterday - take things nice and easy xx
FEC-T - 1st FEC - day 2
Glad to hear that everything went well for Gold, Pips & Jo on dunking day.
I’m glad to say that after days of worrying the actual chemo yesterday was fine.
The cold cap was awful at the beginning - 20 mins of pain but after that I went numb which was great! Any one planning to try it, I would say that I wished I had worn something warmer as I was very cold despite being given a blanket, and a bare neck was not much fun as the freezing cold water pipes leading to the cap were resting on my neck. Just hope that it works - in any case I think I will buy a wig as my hair looks terrible today and with another couple of days without washing or styling it will be hideous - my children will not be seen in public with me looking like Professor Snape!
For the first 3hrs after chemo I felt normal but then queasiness set in - if anyone is given Domperidone anti-sickness tablets to take at home, it may be worth taking them before bed even if you don’t feel too bad; I really should have taken a couple before bed as I woke up after 1 hrs sleep feeling really sick and despite taking my tablets then I didn’t get any more sleep (probably due to the steroids). But at least taking the 2 Domperidones worked really well to make the nausea disappear and I still feel fine this morning.
Another bit of advice is try to write down when the chemo nurses tell you to take your medicines & the minimum gap between doses as there are lots of pills to take - and even though I was told at the time it is hard to remember when you get home especially when the prescription unhelpfully doesn’t specify. I have also written a mini-timetable (OTT I know!) but I’m worried about forgetting to take something.
I am also having Neulasta & have volunteered my poor husband to give me the injection today (at least 24hrs after the chemo - again a timing that I have to remember!). Luckily he is not squeamish and it will save me having to go back to hospital.
One thing I have noticed is that my iron levels (Hb) are 12.5 which sounds low - should I be worried about this? The nurses said that I can’t take my usual A-Z vits & minerals so this can only mean iron levels will reduce. Has anyone else been told that they can’t take vit/mineral supplements?
Good luck to everyone else waiting - hoping it all goes smoothly with few side effects.
Rachel xx
Hi Barbs, my BS suggested a picc line because my veins can be temperamental so I was surprised when onc didn’t - had to ask, but she thought cannula was the easiest option. If I do go for a picc it has to be fitted before chemo starts… Seems that some hospitals actively promote lines, others don’t - mine doesn’t so I’m still undecided but will probably go for cannula and see how I get on - distance from hospital is also a consideration for me unless they can do it at the same time as heart scan xx
Hi Rachel, glad to hear it went well. Thanks for all your tips especially on meds and making notes. I asked about taking supplements and was told that some supplements (sorry don’t know which) can interfere with chemo and that a healthy well balanced diet was the best way to go. xx
After spying on Maisie’s I see they have a Facebook group that is secret I’ve joined it and its great to see everyone as they have posted pictures and stuff wondered if you stArs wanted one too or don’t you use Facebook? Just a thought let me know what you think Barbs xxx
Just back from the final pre-chemo shopping trip. Spend, spend, spend. That’s all I seem to be doing at the moment. Think I have everything covered now for any SE’s. Hope I’m as lucky as you first Stars have been.
Great to hear that you are ok too Rachel and thanks for all the tips. I will be making notes .
Starting to feel a little apprehensive now so trying to keep busy this weekend. OH is away but my darling Grandaughter is coming to stay tonight and hopefully we can go out and enjoy a day somewhere with Daddy. She wants to go to the zoo to see the unicorns so that could be interesting.
I asked my oncologist about supplements etc. I have been having Yakult for many years but he said that was a definite no. It seemed omega 3 and Glucasamine were ok but I have decided to stop everything and just eat as healthily as I can while I go through the chemo.
It would seem Barbs that since all this landed in my lap or should that be boob sleep has become a bit of a luxury.
Only managing about 4 or 5 hours a night, 6 if I’m lucky. Doing a lot of reading at stupid o’clock though and the dog certainly enjoys the early morning walks.
Btw I don’t do Facebook, sorry. Will continue posting on here.
Keep shining Stars x
Lovely to see posts from everyone now that have had their first dunking, except Avonlady?? have I missed her ??
Thank you for all the welcome back messages ladies :)
I must say I think myself and my drinking partners , pips and gold have been very lucky so far and may it long continue.
I was a little restless last night and at 1 point thought the small bowl of stroganoff I had for tea was going to reappear but all was well after I had taken my back up sickness pill.
Just got a flushed face this morning but temp is fine 36.6 which is about norm for me. ( incedently I know this because I was adviced to get used to checking my temp before chemo started so that I knew what was a normal temp ,as we are all different) I must say I have found that very useful to know and it easies the worry.
The best advice I can give to all you waiting for your 1st dunking is :- do eat a little of something an hour before or during your dunking depending on time you have it even if nerves have kicked and and you dont feel like it .
Drink plenty of fluids ,before and after. I "m struggling with the taste of water at the mo but am finding pineapple squash refreshing and it seems to help me with the nausea , which incedently really isnt that bad at the moment.
Most importantly the moment you feel even slightly nauseous , take your sickness pill/ pills pending on what you have been given. Always better to prevent so I’m told.
Enjoy your weekend ladies , whatever your plans:) xx
Elma hun are you up too next week , I cant see a date on Barbs list but am sure I read a post to suggest you are ?? or have I got this wrong??
Would like to wish PTB, Tracey46 and Ally51 Good Luck For Tuesday . I know I"m early with the good wishes but I"m just making sure I do incase any SE"s kick in and I"d hate it if I missed the opportunity 
xxx
Morning Stars
Well glad all the Ladies made it back safely form their 1st dunking with minimal side effects
So far I was wide awake at 2am and said hello to the big white telephone wasn’t pretty 
. Took my backup anti sickness and had more this morning. Just feel nauseous at the moment due to nasty metallic taste . I’ve managed to go right off coffee, I have no idea how I’m going to cope without my shot of caffeine 
could be dangerous.
To be honest I feel like I’ve got a hangover , which is doable but shame there was no alcohol involved. I agree with Jo, try and eat something small before your chemotherapy
I’ve been up and out thins morning, Dog to the Groomers , short trip round Tesco and then A trip round the duck pond with the dog. I’m now under OH orders to put my feet up
I’m also having to inject myself today (as I chose not to have District Nurse do it) Its to Help against becoming Neutropenic from what I understand. Is everyone else having this too?
Have a great weekend everyone
Glad to hear you girls are doing ok afte ryour dunking, just hope Avonlady is ok.
"I’m tottering between let’s get this party started and EEK it’s getting closer!! " Barbs this is me too.I feel I am limbo land at the mo- know i need to get more stuff like thermometer etc but don’t want to cos it means thi sis really happening!
Onc appointment on Monday. Not getting my hopes up but I am going to ask if we can have a week in Greece before I start chemo- 2 reasons: 1) I have had two holidays cancelled this summer due to operations 2) Oh’s friend is getting married there on Friday actually 3 reasons: 3) I bloody well want a holiday!!!
Went out last night and had one too many wines(making up now for all the time I won’t be able to sink them like a demon during chemo months) and how I managed to cook steak when I got in last night, God only knows. This morning I went down stairs to make a drink and my first thought when i saw the state of the kitchen was- flaming kids then realised it was my mess!!!
Lovely and sunny here, just going to be chilling for the rest of the weekend. OH is off work Monday so I am hoping he will take me out somewhere for the day as my appointment isn’t until 4.15pm.
Have alovely weekend ladies xxx