Hi all,
I’ve noticed that there are several of you fellow bcc site users that are starting chemo tomorrow and I just wanted to wish you well.
I started my chemo (E-CMF) on May 14th and I remember it v.well!! I was absolutely terrified and don’t think I got a wink of sleep all night. My OH literally had to drag me out of the door and push me into the car. By the time we arrived at the chemo day centre I was shit**ng myself I don’t mind telling you!!
I really needn’t have worried though and I’m sure you’ll all be fine too. Its a scary business starting chemo (at least it was for me!). Once my lovely nurse started actually doing the chemo I cried like a baby, oh the shame!! Not for long though, much to my OH’s relief! I think it was a mixture of fear and relief and just an out-pouring of emotions really.
Anyway, I was fine and I know that you will be too. I have now completed my accelerated Epi and have had the 1st complete cycle of CMF. Feel like a chemo veteran now!!
So, I just want to wish you all the best for tomorrow. I hope all goes well,
Take care and be sure to let us know how you get on,
Kelly
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Kelly
Thank you so much for that posting. Makes me want to cry that someone I have never met and is having a tough time herself has taken the trouble to wish me well. I feel quite positive and know that I can’t really decide not to go for it - will give my treatment 150% so that I can have no regrets (fighting talk)
I have been the kind of person who would not even take a tablet for a sore head and find it ironic that I have to have poison pumped into my body to cure me. I feel I have a really good care team and have confidence in my oncologist so full steam ahead.
I had the 2.5cm lump out in June - recon went well and lets pray this chemo can zap the stray little sods that made their way to my lymph nodes but hopefully no further.
Good luck with your treatment - hope your body stays strong and your mind focused!!
Again thanks for your good wishes it really helps.
MuddyXX
Thanks Kelly.
I have noticed alot of your posts on the website - you are such a great support to everyone, especially us newbies!
I am feeling a bit tearful today and getting a bit shirty with some people being blasé about how i am bound to feel ok by Sunday!!! What the hell is all that about - I imagine they are trying to make me feel better but I am starting to feel like they think I have an ingrowing toenail or something. My best friends and hubby are great so I think I will avoid the others!
I have been eating ‘proper’ all week and been to the gym 3 times…so bring it on!
Will post with progress!
Hope you are OK with your treatment - how many more to go?
Love
Ali (bestie)
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Bestie+ Kelly
I know what you mean - people trying to make you feel better and they really don’t know what to say. I have had some funny reactions - someone I thought was a good friend has avoided me as if I had something contageous - her husband says she can’t face me - like I have a choice in this!! Mostly folk have been really, really good - lots of practical support with the children and making pies and casseroles.Also family and close friends have really helped. Hubby very positive and keeps me focused.
Bestie - You really have been a trouper going the gym - I went a few walks but still sore from my surgery so no long walks like I usually would do.
Kelly thanks again. Will keep you all posted how tomorrow goes! AHHHH!!!
MuddyXX
Good luck tomorrow Muddy - hope all goes well, what type of chemo are you having?
Not really a trouper as haven’t had my surgery yet!!! Chemo for shrinkage first!!
Take care
Ali
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Yes, good luck for tomorrow girls.
Fuschia
xxxx
Yes I have Fuschia, I have found that useful too. I am AliB on there not bestie! Have recently been on this one more though as it’s a bit busier at the mo!
Cheers
Ali
Oh right !!! 
Yes I like this one a lot actually, I find BCpals a bit full on sometimes, it’s a bit more ‘gloomy’ if you know what I mean. I daren’t click on some of the threads in there sometimes !!! The chemo 2007 thread is good in there though, and there is a lot of useful info and great support.
How do you join the BCpals forum?
Go to www.bcpals.org.uk. You will need to register and they will send you an email etc. Agree with Fuschia - this forum is a bit more ‘upbeat’ but the other one has loads and loads of great info - just try not to wander into the scarier stuff!!!
Ali
Hi ladies,
just wondering how it all went today?? I have been thinking of you. I really hope you got on ok.
Please let us know how it went as and when you get a chance.
Keep smiling, thats one down already!!!
Take care,
Kelly
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Hi Folks
Thanks for your good wishes.
Got back from hospital a short while ago. Went ok - initally needle felt sore so they changed it to another vein and it was fine.
Now home and tried to sleep but no joy. Feel a bit flu like - a big yuk but not too bad. Staff were lovely and said I am on high doses so hope my body can cope. Managed to do a red pee when I got home - something to do with one the lovelies they pumped into me which was bright red. Yep the joys of chemo - wouldn’t miss it for the world!!
Great fun trying to sleep last night - not!! Ended up doing musical beds - left my husband so that at least one of us might get a decent nights sleep and went to spare room where I battled to try and get any shut eye. Reckon I got about three hours and this is a lady who needs 8 hours to function at all. Lets hope I manage a bit more tonight as I will be a demon otherwise. I need to take the steroids again tonight so it will be great fun in our house tonight!! AHHH the experience of it all.
MuddyXX
Hiya Muddy Fuschia and Kelly
I had a ‘wiggy’ appt at our ‘Big C’ centre at the hospital first - that was a laugh, god almighty some of them werre horrendous. My husband was trying not to laugh…gonna try some more next week as she didn’t have my colour/length in the right combination. My chemo was not booked til 3.30, but they managed to get me in at 1.30 which was handy.
Drip was fine,nurse fantastic. Did the cold cap thing, and it was very very cold but not unbearable. Thought I was gonna get a blinding headache to start with but after 5 mins it was OK. Hubby really couldn’t contain himself when I put that on my head - was quite funny, he took a photo so I could see!
Went to my best mate’s for dinner, they had my kids for the afternoon. Still felt fine and then got home about 7pm, feel quite tired now but started my anti sickness drugs and feel ok at moment. Have drunk loads of water and lots of red wee too!
Dreading waking up tomorrow though…hubby taking kids out 4 day so I can hopefully sleep it off if I need to.
Hope you sleep tonight Muddy and feel OK (ish).
Take care
Ali
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Oh meant to also say, I have been given the dubious honour of being one of the first in Norwich to have this dose and combination of drugs (FEC x3 then Taxotere x3 or x6 depending on shrinkage)…hmmm supposedly a good thing they tell me as taxotere is immensely expensive and you have to fit the ‘criteria’ to have it - that makes me angry for those that don’t get it. But cos I am 34, big lump (6cm) and trip neg - think that ticks all the boxes for them!!!
I wonder if anyone else around the country has/has had the same as me - if so how did you get on?
Ali
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Hi ladies,
welcome to the ‘red wee club’!!! I was once a member, but mine expired a couple of weeks ago when I switched from Epi to CMF! I’m a big girl now! LOL.
I’m sooooo glad to hear you both ‘survived’! I absolutely dreaded my first chemo and remember being chuffed to bits when I got home. I didn’t do the cold cap thing as I’m a bit of a baby really, glad you found it to be ok though ali. Its great that we can always rely on our OH’s to take piccies at inopportune moments such as that! I bet you had a right giggle.
Ladies, if poss try to take your second dose of dex no later than 2pm or you will really struggle to get to sleep at night. I always have my first 2 after brekkie then my second 2 after lunch. The only time I’ve ever had a problem sleeping was when I took them after 2 once, never again!!!
I wish you well and hope your side-effects are almost non-existent!! Enjoy your weekends, in spite of the weather. Rest when you need to and allow yourselves to be pampered and spoilt!
Take care,
Kelly
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Hi All
Had a better sleep last night - still not my full quota but a little better - still in spare room to allow hubby a sleep. Feeling better today - really yukky during night and thought I might be sick but breathed through it and thankfully at about 3am it passed.
Thanks again for good wishes from everyone. I wasn’t offered cold cap but my hair is very fine anyway so doubt it would be able to save much of it - yeah the wigs can be a hoot but some are good. The girl beside me yesterday had a lovely one - looked so natural I had to ask if her hair had come out. Good luck with the wig sorting - I took my hairdresser with me on her day off which was great as I was so vague and hadn’t a clue.
Bestie, apparently taxotere is over £1000 a pop so that’s why they only mix it as soon as you get to clinic - well in the words of LOreal “because I’m worth it” - hang in there folks one down!!
MuddyXX