Starting Chemo November 2012

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621

Hi

Dont know if first post went through, so here goes again. I have only found this post and would like to join belatedly, starmy hem chemo in November.
After being diagnosed with mastitis in October. Four weeks of antibiotics and a hospital stay was sent for a scan, which was delayed as appt was messed up, then at appt when I thought I was going to have abcess drained was told I had lumps on lymph glands and none in breast. End of appointment was told that they thought I had cancer. this was on my birthday .
Next appt cancelled as biopsy not completed, but spoke to nurse who said they were treating as inflammatory breast cancer, and appt rearranged. as you can imagine my mind went into overdrive. Told my sisters who have been supporting me throughout.
next appt Monday and diagnosis confirmed and told that chemo would start on 19th November. 3 x FEC and then 3 x FECTT and then possibly surgery and then radio therapy . I have been lucky and not sick so far, but have been very tired and head achy.
Still have some hair at a grade 2, surprised. My hair dressers have been brilliant and helpful not had charging me until I have proper hair to cut again. I have been to cancer hair care in stevenage and they were brilliant .
I live on the borders or beds/Hert/Camb. Would be interested to speak anybody else in this area of anyone who has inflammatory breast cancer.
hope this one works

622

Hello Sparklers
What a week we have been having. I had 3rd FEC on Thursday and have been feeling poorly since, my sympathies to those of you who had to go into hospital.
I was given Emends this time and I think they worked, it’s my cold which is getting me down and I cannot seem to shift - I try and get out for a 10 min walk each day, but spend most of the day in my nightwear.
Had problems with my viens on Thursday, the first one was not going in well so he disconnected the pink pee stuff (E?) and it split on my hand and pillow. The nurse shouted over for help and put the wipes and pillow case in an incineration bag - how toxic is this stuff that a pillow case cannot be laundered?? He tried two other veins which are now completely bruised, before he found a vien for the rest of the treatments. Phew! I was there ages on Thursday but I understand the T treatments do not give you the nausea and only take 60 mins. The meds must be stronger though as I have been given double steriods for next time which I have to take from the day before.
SLH - hope you have managed to get home from hosptial.
jellymould - hope you had a good birthday, as far as possible
deeh - well done on the raffle win
Stay strong Sparklers - we’ll get there. My son’s classroom assistant was at our stage last year and this year she is feeling great, going to the gym, getting compliments on her new figure, looking fabulous and she sent me a lovely text to tell me that we will be there this time next year. Our goal for 2013 is to get better. A tough road, but we WILL make it!!

623

going for my3rd FEC tomorrow. dreading it. been away for weekend to yorkshire. it was wonderful. stayed in a fab b and b in borrowby. chemo in morning .normally have itinafternoon so hoping time sickness meds right so dont wake up in night nauseaous. ii notice some of you dont get emend as a matter of course. i have had emend from start as well as ondansatron and metaclopramide. would never have got by without them. hope your all feeling better and pleased to be half way through . keep strong . love clarebare xxxxx

624

Happy New Year’s Eve sparklers,

we are all preparing to move into a Brand New Year, we have all had an unbelievable year, from diagnosis, shock, tears, fear of the unknown, we are united in our battle, we are brave, strong and we will beat this!!

All the very best for 2013!!! I send you all a virtual hug and to thank you all for your support throughout my journey so far I couldn’t have done it without you!!!

Keep sparkling brightly. :slight_smile: x

love mummybear

625

Hi all,
thank you so much for the advice, support and kind words. You have all made such a difference. Came home on 28th, back today for FEC 2. Although my oncologist appears to be the coldest person I have ever met (ushered me out of her office whilst having a panic attack!!! )They have agreed to lower my dose, I have lost a over half a stone since first FEC, I am having emend (which from reading your posts really does seem to help), and csfg ? Injections to keep my bloods up. Just hope I manage less than A six night stay in hospital this time.
jelly mould. We can all help you celebrate your birthday when we meet. Sorry you spent it in hospital
col123 - whilst in hospital I tried to do a funny poem as yours never fail to make me laugh. Mine just didn t cut the mark. Please keep them coming.
shAzzaboro love your posts, soinformative
mummybear/ clarebear/ slm (and others I no doubt have missed) thank you and big hugs
SLM xxxxxxxxxxxxx
one last question, any suggestions on how to get some sleep. Tried pills they don t work. But my insomnia is a nightmare (excuse the pun).

626

To all fellow sparklers,
Just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and best of luck for 2013 and hopefully an end to all this sh**e.
Whatever you are doing tonite hope its a good one. My OH got to work so early nite for me (that’ll make a change lol)
Catch you all next year.
Stay strong sparklers, xxxx

627

Hi Everyone
I have slept most of the weekend. I had my 3rd FEC last Thursday and that night I was great, Friday night really sick and then have been really tired ever since, just trying to work up some enthuiasm for New Years Eve!
Santas Little Helper - Phenegan antihistamines, 10mg. My onc knows I take them and he is ok with it, they help me sleep, initailly got them through my gp at 25mg but you can get them over the counter and 10mg is enough for me, hope they help.
Shazza- my veins have come up all bruised on the hand I had my first 2 chemos in and the nurses said that it was quite common.
Have a good New Year everyone, suppose I should make some effort as I have slept all day!
Lots of love xxx

628

happy new year my lovely sparklers hope we all have a fantastic new year and we get over that hill.
love yvonne xxxx

629

Happy New Year Sparklers! Hope we all have a healthy and happy one next year. Just want to say a big thank you to everyone for your support over the last few months. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Keep strong and carry on sparkling!

Shazza xx

630

Wishing all the sparklers s a Healthy new year to all you All. You have supported me in such a huge way and became people I trust (without even meeting - how strange)
you ll get the jingle.
Merry Christmas all. Who says Santa is not real. !!!
My Run Up To A Cancer Free Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my Santa sent to me
A lump in my largish left boob
On the second day of Christmas my Santa sent to me 2 Days of waiting and a lump in my largish left boob
On the third day of Christmas my Santa sent to me
3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A lump in my largish left boob
On the fourth day of Christmas my Sants sent to me,
4 examinations, 3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A lump in my largish left boob.
On the fifth day of Christmas my Santa sent to me
5 Dreaded words,4 examinations, 3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A lump in my largish left boob.
On ther sixth day of Christmas my Santa sent to me
6 weeks of waiting, 5 Dreaded words,4 examinations, 3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A lump in my largish left boob.
On the seventh day of Christmas my Santa sent to me
7 Theatre Staff, 6 weeks of waiting, 5 Dreaded words,4 examinations, 3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A lump in my largish left boob.
On the eighth day of Christmas my Santa sent too me
8 Feet of drainage, 7 Theatre Staff, 6 weeks of waiting, 5 Dreaded words,4 examinations, 3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A Iump in my largish left boob.
On the ninth day of Christmas my Santa sent to me
9 friends at chemo, 8 Feet of drainage, 7 Theatre Staff, 6 weeks of waiting, 5 Dreaded words,4 examinations, 3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A lump in my largish left boob.
On the tenth day of Chistmas my santa sent to me
10 Bowls of vomit, 9 friends at chemo, 8 Feet of drainage, 7 Theatre Staff, 6 weeks of waiting, 5 Dreaded words,4 examinations, 3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A lump in my largish left boob.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my Santa sent to me
11 Sleepless nights, 10 Bowls of vomit, 9 friends at chemo, 8 Feet of drainage, 7 Theatre Staff, 6 weeks of waiting, 5 Dreaded words,4 examinations, 3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A lump in my largish left boob.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my Santa sent to me
12 added problems, 11 Sleepless nights, 10 Bowls of vomit, 9 friends at chemo, 8 Feet of drainage, 7 Theatre Staff, 6 weeks of waiting, 5 Dreaded words,4 examinations, 3 breast care nurses, 2 Days of waiting and A lump in my largish left boob.

Thanks a million Santa.

631

Hhappy New year sparklers!! here’s to a happier and healthier 2013!!!

I just want to say how much I’ve appreciated being part of this special group - admittedly it’s not a group any of us would be in out of choice but you have all helped me so much on this bloody awful journey of battling cancer. You’re a brilliant group of people and I would have struggled so much more without you all to help me along the way.

I’m toasting you all tonight (with a glass of lucozade but the thoughts still there!!) and wishing you all the very of luck for 2013.

lots of love, Col xxxxx

p.s. for those of you with very little taste, I do have some new ditties on the go but just don’t get any time to look at them with it being school holidays. I’ll post them next week when I’ll have more time. xxx

632

happy new year to everyone. 3rd chemo went ok and today feel okish. feel rough if i do much. on apositive note were halfway through with a glimmer of light at the end of the dark tunnel.2013 will be a better year for us all . keep strong. clarebare xxxx

633

happy new year sparklers, hope you ahad a good one, me well i was taxi service. made it to midnight so not bad. ive decided this is the new year and a new me, gonna kick some ass this year starting with beating the dreaded C word. so lets get this party started, new year, new me, health and happiness.

big virtual new year hugs, xxx

634

Happy New Year all you lovely Sparklers!! I hope most of you managed to celebrate the onslaught of 2013.

Thankfully I was well enough to get out for a while, and also managed a walk in the lovely sunshine today (what a lovely start to the year!). I am looking froward to this year, as it is going to prove to be a better year than last year…and it represents the year where we will all get well again! So let’s tackle this head on, and I’m sure we’ll all get there together. Count me in for meeting up in Birmingham later this year.

Col - thanks for your ditties; just love them! Santas Little Helper - also love your 12 days of Chrstimas. Keep them all coming!!
Mummybear - sorry I didn’t reply earlier re: port, but yes mine sticks out somewhat and feels a bit like I have an alien stuck in my chest. The stitches and scars are rather unsightly, and if I stretch or move too suddenly it can be quite painful. I did ask the nurse about the discomfort and she said that it can take a couple of months before your body accepts the port and it stops hurting. However, from what I understand it is nowhere as uncomfortable as the needles going in and out for IV chemo or the pain in the veins which many other people experience.
Keep smiling everyone as we continue our journey!! xx

635

Hi all,
Going for third FEC tomorrow . I think I have not been feeling too bad as they reduced the FEC to 50% last time due to liver enzymes. Going back up to 100 this time, so going to be positive and convince myself not going to feel bad. ThinI that is prob why hair a lot all gone either.

has anybody else had their nails change colour? Mine are looking as if they are all bruised at bottom. Onc said to wear nail varnish.

Anyway positive thoughts to everybody and a good new year.

kim

636

Hi all, happy new year.
Not been on for a while, have actually been sleeping at nite, that was when I usually visited the forum during the nite when awake and the house was asleep. Have been doing ok , long walks with the dogs for the last few days, felt like my old self for once. Hope se pass for those suffering. I’m due 3rd FEC next week and not looking forward to it as suffered sickness last time so am expecting the same again. My veins are sore as well, also noticed my nails are a bit discolured and splitting. On a bighter note had a good new year although it was quite. Take care all big hugs all round. xxx

637

Hi all, this is my first post, even though I started Chemo in November I have tried to avoid forums and tried to cope with non cancerous friends. I should have had my 3rd on the 31st Dec but because my veins collapsed 5 times on only my 2nd time they are going to put a central line in which i am really not looking forward to and quite a bit scared about to be honest, this is being done on Fri 4th Jan and then my 3rd dose is on the 7th. I never considered having the cold cap to keep my hair as i didn’t want any more discomfort than was necessary, my side effects have been normal tiredness, slight nausea, pain in arm, splitting nails, tender scalp which was start of hair loss but no weight loss and considering i put weight on especially :wink: i’m a bit peeved. Happy New Year to you all. x

638

Hiya Tracey4044, my veins collapsed to with my 3rd treatment so they deferred it and I had a line fitted Xmas eve at Christies. My anxiety was through the roof but once I told the lady who was doing it all my concerns she made it a lot easier to deal with. I’m due my 3rd chemo tomorrow and must admit I’m happy that there will be no more needles. Good luck for Friday and let us know how you get on. Happy new year Sparkles xxx

639

Hello Sparklers
Sorry I have not been on for a while but I have struggled with chemo from the off!
I have had my 3rd chemo and feel terrible low and tired.
AFter my first 2 chemos both times I ended up neutropenia sepsis and in hospital and I am so scared its going to happen again. They have lowered my dose because of this which I’m not happy about. I have started the Gcsf injections at home to get my count up.
I have 2 small children and I know it’s the seasons for bugs and colds but I don’t know what to do to do to stop becoming ill.
NOt getting much support from husband who seems more concerned with not letting work down and leaving me trying to cope with a 2 and 7 year old. I cannot take much more of him telling everyone he had to wrap all the presents up and how his cold is awful - I dont understand him anymore instead of thinking wow my wife has done so much over the years he is mad at me ! I feel like he is putting my under more stress and I want to leave but have no where to go.
Feeling terrible guilty at leaving kids in front of TV all day and serving up microwave meals for them. I hate myself becoming short with the kids and feel like I’m putting on them all the time. SO mad my kids are affected by this terrible thing.
No support from family but have some great friends who have helped at times but some days feel so weak I struggle getting out of bed- it’s like I need a carer from 7am till the kids go to sleep.
Keep having dreams about secondary cancer and panicking that its going to happen to me and don’t feel positive anymore
I feel so low and fed up and just want it to end and go away for good
Im so mad this has happened to me and has changed me from a happy and healthy 42 year old woman to someone who doesn’t recognise herself anymore . I did all the right things no smoking, not overweight, rarely drank and breast fed both my Children. I hate the way they the drs talk about my life in 5 year survival rates it makes me furious that This has happened to me at 42 why did it not come in 20 years time when my children will have grown !
Anyway sorry this is a rant but actually feel better already putting this down and having a good cry x

640

Oh Lady of Surrey sending you lots of vertual hugs …This is such a tough journey and the fact your no getting any support at home makes it all the more harder.
Perhaps it might be an idea to have a word with your GP and see if they can offer you any drugs to help you through this tough time, and also get in touch with your BC nurse who can put you in touch with other ladies in your area who have and are going through this .
This is a tough journey but try to hold on to the thought every day your one step closer to the end. You can do this try not to beat yourself up it will get better
Were all here for you to hold your hand
Take care and keep strong x