Starting Chemo, June 2010

Public Archive
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Hi Sandra

The nurse seemed to think I would get the one big jab- rather than the granocyte. In the end I only had 2 jabs. But I am still achy now from them. Thankfully I haven’t got the headache anymore.

Sorry you are feeling emotional. I have had a rough week in the hormone department. Had my period and have to wonder if it will be my last before chemo induced menopause. Not looking forward to that. My mam always said she sailed through hers in her 50’s so I had hoped to be the same. Unfortunately mine looks like it mine is going to happen with a bang in my 30’s. Oh joy. Debx

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bloody hormones

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Hello everyone Tis FEc1 Day 10 . am feeling down and guilty cos I’m down !! no real physical complaints now, bit sicky and crave crisps and fizzy drinks to combat it and a bit headachey , nothing like last week though, no way , couldnt get out of chair at times and bouts of depression that were scary but didnt last long.

but am so uptight and fed up as cant find a wig that doesnt look like a rotten wig or stupid on me. Feel guilty as you guys all have such reasons to be under the weather . and I havnt even lost any hair but know its early days and want to be ready . wig lady is ordering in some more . Wish there was a store with hundreds in stock you could spend ages trying them all on. they look so different in real life - style and colour , after seeing in the brochure.

AFter FEC 1 the meds stopped me being sick but the nausea was awful, will ask for different meds next time. just feeling crappy. sorry folks. OH showing strain so that isnt helping.

Just needed to rant ! Kirsty

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Kirsty, rant away. Not sure if this helps, but I think after first treatment is a guaranteed low point. We worry so much about the actual event of having chemo, and don’t think past that. So when you’re through and seeing treatment stretch ahead of you, it’s hard not to be down. Be weird if you weren’t really. Hope you’re feeling better today.

You too Sandra. Sorry to hear you’re so down. Hope you’re up to Sports Day as at the very least it’s a good distraction. My son has his next week, but it’s the day after FEC3, so I doubt I’ll get to it. Feel quite upset about it really, though his dad can go, so am sure he’ll won’t mind.

Deb, hope you’re still building back in strength and raring to go for the party. FEC2 will be through before you know it. Feels better once you’ve done it - another one ticked off the list!

Happy weekend to everyone. Hope we’re all SE free. Julie x

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Hi all

I hope you are feeling a bit better Kirsty and Sandra. I remember from my first fec that it was around day 10 that I noticed an improvement so hope it is the same for you.

OH shaved my head today it is v prickly and I look like a punk. Quite like it- think I wil get my doctor martin boots out later to complete the look. My hair was driving me nuts yesterday- coming out in clumps so now it is done.

Physically feel fine at the moment just a bit tired. Dont think i will make my little girls sports day either but hope to be well enough for her concert the week after.

Take care everyone. debx

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Hi all

I hope you are feeling a bit better Kirsty and Sandra. I remember from my first fec that it was around day 10 that I noticed an improvement so hope it is the same for you.

OH shaved my head today it is v prickly and I look like a punk. Quite like it- think I wil get my doctor martin boots out later to complete the look. My hair was driving me nuts yesterday- coming out in clumps so now it is done.

Physically feel fine at the moment just a bit tired. Dont think i will make my little girls sports day either but hope to be well enough for her concert the week after.

Take care everyone. debx

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Hi Ladies
Had my 2nd FEC today but not yet in that foggy place, figures crossed. Ong said my blood count was still a little low so have to have injections next MOn, Tues and Wed. asked if I wanted to do it myself not sure if hes a bit of a masochist. at least my mouths been better this week.

Sandra hope yr feeling better

Tina so sorry about yr mother in law, hope you dont have to travel too far.
Mrs sloth - I think its terrible that the Ong didnt call you , they’re fully aware of what we’re all going threw and dont need the extra worries
MIdge - I also shaved my head last sunday using hubbies clippers- but now I look like Ive got 1000’s of tiny splinters sticking out they get stuck on my hat and pull - not sure if i should use the ladyshave to go to the bone or if they’ll just fall out my daughter wanted to use the bloody fluff remover roller on it

If anyone is interested I found a website Credence.org which has some good info about food which can boost your bloods and help with chemo. also bodykind.com which was cheaper than holland and barrats.
Hv a good weekend and hope the SE’s are low.

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Hi Ladies,
FEC 2 day 7 and l feel normal! well whatever normal is these days! Lol, mouth still feels yuk, but feel good in myself! Must remember next time, what my rubbish days are, and just get on with them.

Deb, my onc said in future l would get the ‘gold star’ injection, rather than the 10 day one, so that l look forward to. dont envy you going through this and induced menopause!
Well done on the shaved head, feels much better doesn’t it! l am sitting here with my wig next to me, to be honest my head still feels hot, might put a wet flannel on it!

Kirsty, I have had the crisps and fizzy drink crave, strange as l never drink fizzy drinks or eat crisps! but at the moment it is a case of whatever l fancy!! not happy with the few pounds l have put on though! will have to watch that.
Have you tried the Monofilament wigs, you can see your scalp through a parting, l thought it made them look a bit more real!! my NHS dont do them on the nhs so l had to buy it private, but whatever makes me happy!!
Where are you in the country? must be a wig shop near you! yes brochures are rubbish to look at, what looks good on a made up model does not look good on a ‘chemo’ lady!
Go and treat yourself to some new clothes, give the OH something to stress about!

Julie, Ok back to being ‘me’ well not the old ‘me’ just the new ‘me’ but you know what l mean!
Yes got to sports day, the grandsons face when he saw me, was a picture, good job l had my sunglasses on! l know most of the mums as l used to take him to school, before this rubbish started, most were lovely and came to say hi, and pleased to see you, then you get the odd one who want to make a big thing of it, Oh how awful, how do you cope? you must feel dreadful and so on! l smile and say ‘l am fine thank you’ when l really want to say, ‘clear off, you nosey woman, what do you care’
oh but it was hot, really wanted to pull the wig off and put my head in a bucket of water, but l restrained myself as grandma’s do!

Love and hugs to all for a s/e free weekend
Sandra xxx

PS Hi satp, sorry missed you, must have jumped in while l was making a drink! oh the injections are easy, l do mine for 10 days after each chemo! good luck with the side effects xxx

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Hi Guys,

Sorry haven’t checked in for a while. I’ve just been really down in the dumps and haven’t been bothered to do anything.

I went back to work and have been feeling really tired and just have a can’t be bothered attitude to everything.

I have to say I’m getting on my own nerves. I’m still managing to plaster the smile on my face and be the happy cancer patient but it is starting to wear thin.

I’m just hoping that if I keep faking the smile I might trick myself into believing it!

Lots of love to you all and hope you are well.

Joxx

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Hi Jo

sorry you are feeling down at the moment, been there, done that, revisit it regularly. I am sure you will have some up times again soon but in the meantime, big broadband hugs from me,

Vickie

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Thanks Vickie,

Much appreciated. Really pleased to know it’s not just me was feeling like a real moaner! That’s why I love this forum it’s the only place I feel normal.

Cheers,

Joxx

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yes i know, but then i start to feel like i am living my life in a cyber world…where are you up to on your treatment? thought it was easier to ask than search thru all old posts! I had wle and snb in march, have had 3 fec chemo, had first tax last thrusday and got two more, then rads and tamoxifen. How did you cope going to work? I have sat on my backside for a week. literally.

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I had WLE and SNB (nodes clear). Am having 3 FEC and 3 Tax then rads and Tamoxifen. Am day 16 after first FEC. Had MAJOR sickness so need to sort out new anti-sickness drugs when I see onc on Wed. Then if bloods ok have 2nd FEC next Thursday.

Work was great and awful all at once really. Loved my brain being busy but was absolutely knackered afterwards. Fell asleep within about an hour of being home.

I think that’s what’s made me really down. I was feeling great before I went back to work and had been fine since day 10 but was so tired after work I couldn’t believe how badly I coped and it really made me feel like I’m still ill!! It just gave me a big reality check!!

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Am on a 3 year career break from work anyway, so don’t have to face that til april 2012, but must be hard. I have not got the mental ability to concentrate enough at work so can’t imagine if i had to go in, but it must be nice to get stuck into something and be normalish. I don’‘’‘’‘’'t do the smiley face much really, if i feel shit i tell people i feel shit, i am happy to pass it around! can you reduce your hours or something to help? your treatment plan is same as mine then.

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Hi, Bennyboo, sorry you had such bad sickness after your 1st FEC, I’m sure they will give you some thing else for that. I just felt a bit sicky but had some thing to eat and felt better. I’m due for my second next Thursday but asked if I could defer it for a week as I have been invited to a garden party from work as a long service thankyou, and didn’t want to miss it. how many hours do you work?. I have 2 jobs Im just doing a few hours of the admin one, but I have to have a nap when I get home, can’t get used to this tiredness taking over. we just have to listen to our bodies telling when we need rest.

Carolxx

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Carol, Fancy asking to put your chemo off to go to a garden party!! you haven’t even found anything to wear! or have you?
Sandra xxx

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I’m due back in on Monday and Tuesday but am then off for next chemo so i think I’ll do less hours Monday and Tuesday and see how that goes. What’s the career break for? sounds fantastic.

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Carol - I love the idea of postponing chemo for a garden party how chic!

I postponed my first chemo for my little one’s 4th birthday - definately not as glamourous!

Jox

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Jo, yes l can understand postponing for your sons birthday, but for a garden party! Carol is far too posh for us!
Carol can we all come please! we will be very well behaved.
xxx

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Morning, ladies

I’m not posh, but the garden party might be. I’m going because I couldn’t go to one last year down south to celebrate the long service of people who had worked for the company for more than 20 years (I have been there for 24!) This one is a bit nearer to home.

Sandra I am going dress hunting this morning-if I don’t find anything, I shall give up and wear trousers, I do have some very smart ones I got for my 60th. The invitation says ladies-hats optional. as I can’t wear a hat on top of the wig it will have to be just the wig!
You can come - I will feed you some canapes under the table!
I will take some photos and put one on my profile so you can see how posh we are!