Anyone due to start chemo April 14??

[rosie14]

Glad you found out about the gap between chemo and rads Nellie sorry about your tomatoes.

[rosie14]

Hi Nellie the blood finally went in by 11pm so they have moved the drip but the cannula they seem to keep in for antibiotics and any other little drama. I have just managed to give myself a flannel wash and put on one of my nighties so feeling a little more human. As I am in a private room at the end of the corridor I have to wait last for everything.
I wish you could bring me a cup of tea with cold milk too. X

[nellie2099]

Hi all,

Ooooh! Good news!  Dear Big Bro asked a Professor about the gap between Chemo and Radiotherapy.  Basically 12 weeks is the cut off and it does not matter when you start within that time.  The most important thing is to not have any days off. As the time my oncologist suggested included a bank holiday, and a day the hospital is closed due to the Nato summit I am better off delaying anyway. There is a God!!

Tlj - Tennis??!!! I feel really bad now - more effort on my part required to get out and about. I sit and think what I would like to do, then go for a nap instead!  I’m not sure if I am actually tired or if I pushed myself a bit I would manage to do more.  Half of me says I am perfectly normal and healthy, then the other half says I was filled full of poison last week so I’m not!

Cassie I am sorry you may have Thyroid issues to deal with in the future.  I believe drugs can modify a lot of thyroid function but even in a worst case scenario the operation although delicate is very superficial and recovery rapid so try not to worry too much.  You really have been in the wars to have 7 ops in 4 years - quite impressive!

Lovewine I hope bloods were OK? LAST ONE!  I wont miss the needles when its all over!

Anyway it is light enough now to go and water the garden.  I was upset to find a lot of my greenhouse tomatoes have blossom end rot due to erratic watering which I have had to pick off. There are still quite a lot left though and they are just starting to redden - yum!

Have a good day everyone,

Nellie

[nellie2099]

Morning Rosie - still posting in the wee small hours I see! - wish i could bring you a cup of tea with cold milk! 

I hope you can get out of bed if you need - is there a button for emergencies?

I can’t sleep on my back either so I know what you mean, I guess you can’t lie on all the drains and wound sites.  I hope you have managed some sleep though.  Did the blood go in ok over night?

How is DH managing with his wound?  He will have had to drive even if it’s very sore so I hope it has started to heal up quickly.

Bye for now

Nellie

[rosie14]

Hi Eam I am glad it is over but didn't get much sleep last night find it hard to sleep on my back. I haven't had wash yet either I must ask for help today. Most of them speak good English but others don't understand everything you ask! The care has been very good by most of the nurses especially the male nurses they make a joke with you but I don't want to be washed by a male nurse!
Wildpurl I have 2 drains and I noticed the one on the right at the top where the tube comes from had seeped some blood so I did call press the bell at 5am when I noticed it and two nurses came to sort me out. She went and put the other side up on the bed so I am stranded now until the ops team come which should be any minute. I like to think I can take myself to the loo when needed.
Hope the rest of you ladies are doing well I know some have chemo this week so hope all goes well. Xxxxx

[EAM28]

Evening ladies,just popping in to say a quick hello!  Have been trying to catch up - only one more page to go but tired now so will post properly tomorrow.

So glad the big op is over for you rosie & hope youre not feeling too groggy or tender.  Even though not been on - i was thinking about you on monday.

Hope all ok you lovely lot,catch up tomorrow.

Night xxx

[Jj1981]

If u havent got eyedrops already get from gp on prescrition for free or from oncolgist. Got sum great eyedrops from oncologist

[Wildpurl]

Oh yes I hated my drains. Two came out after three days but the last one was in for 10 days. I was so happy when it was removed!

[rosie14]

They are one of the worst things Lovewine!

[Lovewine]

Bet you won't be sorry to see them go Rosie!

[rosie14]

5 days lovewine!

[Lovewine]

Hi Rosie, you sound like you are recovering well, better you are in hospital too as you are not tempted to do more than you should,although not sure you could at the moment with wobbly legs, how long will the drains be in ?
Nellie, how awful to have such an experience, hope you get some answers too regarding delay in radiotherapy and a much needed break away!
Tij , you do very well to play tennis at all, not sure I could do much running about at the moment! And sons are charming aren't they, mine is just the same with his comments!
Bloods done this morning, oncologist tomorrow and chemo Thursday, hope everyone else facing chemo this week gets on ok.
Rosie, how will you sleep attached to all those things! Good luck.

[rosie14]

Had a blood test today and needed a unit of blood so I now need help again getting to toilet with 3 attachments! Just when
I was becoming a little independent. It an 8 hour one so it's going to be going through most of the night too. Better luck tomorrow hopefully. Mind you it's hardly surprising with last weeks chemo only 8 days away! It was always going to be a tall order.

[rosie14]

Hi Tlj I either have it on the stand on the side table or support on my knee until they have taken the food tray away. Don't be hard on yourself with the exercise the chemo drains us of everything!

[rosie14]

Thanks Wildpurl I will be looking for those.

[Tlj63]

Rosie, I'm impressed that you can even hold your iPad and type having had a double mastectomy. Hope the drains are not too annoying.
I managed a very sedate 45 mins of tennis this morning. I was very slow round the court and my once killer serve has temporarily left me, but hopefully by the time we get back to playing after the school holidays my strength will have returned. I feel very unfit and my younger son kindly pointed out that I had 'bingo wings' the other day whilst I was driving the car! Once the last tax cycle is over I am going to have to go on a fitness campaign.
I hope everyone who is working up to the next cycle is not feeling too knackered. The end is in sight.

[Wildpurl]

Rosie I did exercises that are in a breast cancer care booklet, you can view them on an iPad. I did them 3 times a day every day for two months and they really made a difference.

[Wildpurl]

Goodness Nellie, that sounds terrible, you must have really reacted badly to the first dose, thank goodness you had the presence of mind to call an ambulance! At least they lowered the dose after that. And no, it was certainly not you being pathetic, I think you did amazingly well to get yourself to hospital and then get through it, well done, it must have been a frightening experience.

[rosie14]

Thanks Nellie DH came at 10 and put my iPad on charge. He has now had to put my phone on charge! I am so glad it is behind me the surgeon has asked that I stretch my arm up above my head regularly that's quite painful! hope you are having a good day!

[rosie14]

Cassie thanks all is going well I feel a little wobbly today they took the catheter out this morning so I am allowed to go to the toilet with help . The drains are rather a pain! Brave you thinking about going into work. Hope your taste comes back soon it was usually 2/3 days with me maybe it was less as the sessions went on or maybe I just got used to it! The weight gain is probably a mixture of thing Cassie and I am sure will drop off once chemo is out of the body!

[rosie14]

Lovewine they are going to keep me in until Thursday so that should help with the recovery process. Google luck with your bloods hope all is fine!

[Cassie86]

Hi Rosie, and all other ladies,

Hello Rosie, its amazing that you have managed to get on line so soon after surgery! I am really pleased that the hospital staff are looking after you well and keeping you comfortable. I wish you  speedy recovery, I know you have lots to do and to think about.

I am thinking about going into work for a few hours tomorrow but will see how I feel outside today I am attending the hospital to have my PICC line flushed and re-dressed this afternoon. My mouth is still feeling furry inside and no tastebuds, cereal, tea, rice potatoes bread all yuk, but still managed to gain about 9lb in weight so far since the begining of my treatment, I am not sure if its the steroids, thyroid problem or just greedy me, time will tell. I have an appointment for the Endocrine dept end of next month, I really hope that I don't need yet more surgery, it would be the 7th in 4 years and somehow the throat area is quite scary.

[rosie14]

Jackie I am so pleased it is over I did enjoy my breakfast they bought me white bread roll cheese cucumber and butter. I then lashed my marmite on top. They bring you hot milk for you tea! Hope you are ok?

[nellie2099]

Hi all,

Good to see all you ‘week three’rs managing to get to work I am very impressed with your energy.

Rolicarpit I hope you like your new school it’s not often one gets the chance to work in one!

Jackie sorry to hear you are having a rough time sleeping and have temperature issues again.  The temperature thing is such a worry as getting it wrong could have such serious consequences.  I hope it’s just the chemo making it a little high and it will settle soon.

Cassie I am glad you are over the worst - I agree wobbly legs must be a side effect as I had them too. Disappointing about the dress from China - we got my daughters prom dress from one of the online Chinese shops but it also had a base in the uk so we could return stuff which was handy.  I have just checked and they also do wedding dresses so if you’re still looking: https://www.sexyher.co.uk/Wedding_dresses-8.html

Louise I think it would be nice to have a new hobby!  Let’s hope we notice and appreciate all the spare time we will have without appointments and not let it just disappear into the daily grind.

I had my radiotherapy planning meeting yesterday which went well and I have joined the tattoo club - feel a real rebel!! Unfortunately no sign of a break in treatment - they want me to start three weeks after chemo. I asked to delay the start by 4 weeks to have a long weekend away with DH and be able to do things with my daughters for the last 2 weeks of the summer holidays. But all the oncologist would say is that it was not ideal but up to me.  I am very frustrated as I have no idea of the importance of starting straight away or the significance of delaying by a few weeks and she did not offer any guidance.  I should have asked her what she would have done in the circumstances!  Think this is one to get my medic brother to ask his colleagues to make sure I don’t make a stupid decision. 

She was very sympathetic about my reaction to the first Tax dose explaining that they had lowered it for the second.  When I had felt so terrible and called the ambulance the bloods the hospital took showed massive drops in blood counts and impaired liver function.  I don’t know if I am just intolerant or they gave me too much, but it was good to know it wasn’t just me being pathetic!

Wishing everyone a good day,

Nellie

[nellie2099]

Hi Rosie!

Great to hear from you so soon - It was very strange without you yesterday!  Excellent news that the operation went smoothly and you are comfortable  and being looked after. You can’t really ask for more at this stage.  I hope you have a restful day and DH manages to visit soon.

Nellie

[Lovewine]

Lovely to hear from you Rosie, glad it all went well!! Rest and recover, you have a wedding to be fit for!!
Wildpurl, off to work too, bloods on the way there and then all day fretting there is a problem!!
Good luck everyone today, Jackie, you will have to tell me if new book any good!

[Wildpurl]

Thank you jackie, I will take a look at some of those.

Rosie how lovely to hear from you, glad all went well and you had the double. I thought the aftercare was terrific at my hospital too, I am glad you are being well looked after. Just relax and rest and let your body start healing.

Another day at work for me, hate getting up early!

Hope everyone has a good day

[Jackie09]

Sorry Wildpurl I remember you asked me about mindfulness and relaxation apps. I downloaded a few, including
The power of mind
MFN - mindfulness
Simply being
Take a break
I think up you can listen to samples before you download

[Jackie09]

Rosie - welcome back x x. How well you are doing to get on here. We have all been thinking about you. So happy it all went well and the staff are looking after you well. What a relief it's all over. I'm glad your op was so soon after you arrived - saved having to wait around and you had your double. Enjoy your breakfast and get plenty of well deserved rest. X x x x

[rosie14]

Google morning ladies I have read you thread but reply individually latter as I only have a17 percent battery left on IPad will get DH to charge it when he gets here I can't leave the bed yet! Well it's all over I had the double the surgeon said that the tissue was very thick I think he took a small sample for testing.i can't fault the medical staff I herring. We arrived at 7.30 am yesterday an I was taken down to theatre within half an hour. A nurse did do an ECG before we left room i. Was a little worried as I had been getting those day 5/6 tax heartpains. I asked if everything was ok she said something about it but surgery could go ahead! 1 was taken it the theatre fully v
Conscious after the surgeon had been to see me and cover me with lines!
The staff were all getting gowne up an game an smiled one can
Me to talk to me and tell me she would look after me in the recovery room and sure enough she a
Was the first person I saw Isis is it done and she said its all over it went very well! Ihva it say the pain killers are working well I seem to be having lots of anti biotic injections as well. Waiting for breakfast have my marmite read!hope you all have a good manageable day catch up later. I even mangaged to skype my Z3 children last night theory were booth very surprised and relieved! Xxxxxxxxx

[Jj1981]

Hi nellie im going to penny brohn next mon hopefully if not having too bad se from t tmrw. Im also going on the two day residential course on 19th aug ay after my birthday so hoping they might make me a cake lol

[Jackie09]

Louise - the advice was not to swim whilst on chemo and on my card it says if you have had chemo within the last 6 weeks ............ So maybe they like you to wait that long? Having said that, I've found that each region is quite different in their protocols, so yours may be different.
Wildpurl - anything that tastes great is a success in my book!
Lovewine - good luck with bloods tomorrow. I've just downloaded a new book broken dolls - a new author for me - got some good reviews so fingers crossed it's another series I can get into!
Hope everyone has a good night's sleep x x

[Wildpurl]

Well I've had a good day at work and a nice dinner and now I'm tired!

Yesterday I had a serious case of chemo brain when making banana cake. I selected a bag of flour thinking it was self raising and weighed it out and thoroughly mixed it in as directed. After I had poured the cake mix into the loaf tin I went back to the cupboard to get some brown sugar for the top. At this point I realised I had used strong white bread flour instead of self raising and NO raising agent. Aaaaargh! I added some baking powder and stirred it in as best I could, and put it in the oven. It didn't rise as much as usual, but fortunately it did rise a bit and it tastes fine. Doh!

Good luck tomorrow Lovewine, I am sure it will all be fine.

Louise, glad you are keeping cheerful and that you are so close to the end now.
Cassie, sorry you have had aches and pains. I enjoyed reading about your daughter's wedding dresses and the bridesmaids dresses though. White and teal is a lovely colour combination.

[Lovewine]

Hi everyone, Louise I think it's roughly 4 weeks before rads start after chemo, so hopefully you may squeeze in a break, god knows we all need one now! Amazing what people say isn't it, they say to me oh you look well as I hobble along, no eyebrows or lashes and a beanie hat on!! I wouldn't recommend the chemo diet though and would also rather be fat!!
Cassie, how exciting planning wedding outfits etc, quite stressful though! Good luck😀
Jackie, have you read lynda la plante books? I enjoy her crime stories, have you read " gone girl" I enjoyed that by Gillian Flynn, sure you have as everyone seems to have!! Hope you are staying well?
Wildpurl , hope your working day has gone well, rolicarpit, you too getting sorted at school! Must say am quite tired now from nearly a full working day!! Am going to have a sneaky glass of red wine and hope it doesn't show on bloods tomorrow! Get very stressed this week thinking of all the hospital visits!!

[Louise3721]

Hi Ladies I hope you are all well and enjoying the weather?  Well Thursday looms large again and I will be a zombie.  5th FEC of 6 and to be honest dreading it but can not wait for it all to be done and dusted. Although also wondering what hobby I can take up to replace it!  What with all the tests and the hospital appointments we are all going to have a lot of time on our hands.  Funny how many of us take solace in the garden. How good will it be to say  " I had cancer and I have the radiotherapy tatoos to prove it ! "  Waiting to see how long they leave between last chemo and radiotherapy hoping to get a break.  Can we swim in this lull between treatments?

Had such a snigger the other day met a lady I have not seen since all this started.  She said I looked well and hadnt I lost a lot of weight! You would thing the bandanna was a give away plus I can not walk far now and look like a 90 year old lady.  I told her its the worst possible way to loose weight and I was happier fat!

Teenagers ecstatic that I am having a tattoo as they now think this opens the door for them!  Both are pierced and enjoy festivals but we have banned below the waist and extreem ear lobes!  Honestly they both do the piercings themselves i need one of those metal detectors that they wave over you before you go on a plane!  Loving all the talk about weddings can not wait till my kids reach that age Lord alone knows what they will look like!

[Jackie09]

Lovewine - I know what you mean - whenever I talk anything C related it's with a big chunk of wood at hand! But what a great, great feeling to be whispering about the last one!!! I've just finished the latest mark Billingham Tom Thorne novel - not enough detective work in it for me so am trying to look for another series to get my teeth into. I might try to get back into eeny meeny.

Rolicarpet - enjoy the new school. My previous school was a new build - and it makes such a difference being in a building which isn't falling apart! My current school is also ear-marked for a re-build, but these big standard one size fits all is very frustrating.

Wildpurl - another of us on the final chemo cycle - yay!

Cassie - I am an avid watcher of all things bridal and currently have "Say yes to the dress" on series link! I loved planning my wedding. Sorry about the first dress - how disappointing. I had achy and sore neck and shoulders last time - although I tended to get sore in a different place each day of the injections which was strange. Are you taking any meds for it? I hope it passes soon. Well done for getting out and about at the weekend and I think wobbly legs are par for the course
Love to all x x

[Cassie86]

I too have a problem with teary eyes and aches and pains at the moment especially in the shoulders and neck area also loss off taste. TAX 2 day 6 I hope I have turned the corner now. I did manage a quick outing of shopping and a lunch out at our lovely local Spanish restaurant on Saturday with my eldest daughter although I must say I did not really enjoy the food as much as usual, with no taste buds working, I enjoyed getting out for a while but was so exhausted after getting back home, its only about half a mile walk but I am obviously so unfit now, it is really frustrating, my knees were creaking I swear and very wobbly.

Sunday we decided to have another look online at wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses and some cravats for the groom and male page boys best man etc, which was nice and we have ordered quite a few things. This is the second wedding dress the first one was custom made in China but not very good quality or fit, so my daughter has put it on ebay! We have had very good reports from may different people that have had dresses made in China, but it did not work for us. Teal and white is the colour scheme at present, so here hoping to more sucesss this time, we ordered litlle ivory dresses for the two little bridesmaids with teal sashes, Debenhams and BHS being the suppliers at least anything can be returned this time if it is not right. My younger daughter will probably need several inches chopped off the bottom of the chief bridesmaid dress as she is a 5ft 2in size 8, lucky girl, or wear sky high shoes! Hope all goes well Rosie and you are not too uncomfortable when you return home, the Chemo SE's hopefully a thing of the past.

Love to all Cassie x

[Wildpurl]

Morning everyone, I am also at work this week, not so busy as last time thank goodness but plenty to occupy my mind. Like Lovewine, this is the week of my last chemo, all being well. I agree though that until it's happened I feel almost scared to say it!

Hope everyone has a good day either recovering or preparing themselves!

[rolicarpit]

Morning all,

Hope everyone has a few things lined up today, not sure about all that ironing though Lovewine ... take it easy! Jackie, I got up at 9.00 ish on Saturday and was back in bed at 10 lol, so I wouldnt worry too much just do whatever your body needs you to, sorry you had a rubbish nights sleep. It's so random, I slept really well on Saturday night (8 hours!!!) but then last night was fitful and sweaty, up at 1, 4 and 6 ... very annoying. This time last year I was recovering from a hysterectomy and couldnt sleep during that time either, took me ages to get a sleep pattern back, but it did return so there's hope for us yet!

Well, I'm off to the new school today.. exciting, hope everyone has a good day.

See you soon

Lisa

[Lovewine]

P.s what are you reading next?

[Lovewine]

Hi Jackie, yes this is my last chemo week( hopefully!!) am a natural pessimist so hardly dare say the words! I have loaded up the second mo book on to my kindle ready to start, but just to gave a breather from mutilation and murder I am reading " before we met" which is a thriller from richard and judy book club, I am finding it very good so far! Have a good day!

[Jackie09]

Morning Lovewine,
Is this week the run up to your last chemo? I hope you have a good day at work today - not too busy though! I'm in a bit if a lull re my reading - just waiting for the latest books coming out - end of the month for my next favourite one! Just in time for last cycle. Are you going to read the next Mo?

[Lovewine]

Morning, Jackie, I bought a v shaped pillow a few weeks ago and find it really comfortable for watching t.v and reading in bed, sorry you had a rubbish nights sleep, good luck with clearing and tidying! Hope you stay well😀
Have a busy full day at work today as have to do extra today to compensate for the rest of the week compensating for hospital visits! Quite welcome the distraction really! Will be tired tonight though.
Hope everyone is well, have a good Monday,
Really thinking of you rosie.

[Jackie09]

Morning everyone,

Rubbish night's sleep - toilet stops and tender chest - nothing awful, but enough to wake when I moved. Injections start today. Have bought a "V" cushion, so hopefully that will help me be more comfortable when I try to catch up on some sleep - can't believe I've not long woken up and I'm talking about going back to sleep already!
Thanks Wildpurl. That's the confusing part - I've always felt fine when my temp says otherwise - very confusing. I'm going to try not to take it as much and hope for the best. What are your plans for today? I'm going to try to tackle the huge pile of work related mess and organise it into our new bureau. Hopefully there will be lots of throwing out done.
Not sure what time Rosie's op is - it might be all over now and that will be another stage conquered!

[Wildpurl]

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow as well Rosie. When you wake up, the tumour will be gone and as Lovewine says, you will be recovering.

Jackie I've got my fingers crossed for you too, if you feel OK then you probably are OK so I hope you continue to feel alright and your temperature stabilises.

[Jackie09]

Hello everyone,

I hope you've all been enjoying the good weather today? My temp is up again after tax on Thursday, so I've kept out if it! Please cross your fingers that I don't end up in hospital again!
Rosie - I hope you have managed to get everything you wanted done - and if not - it can wait! Wishing you the very, very best tomorrow - we will be all thinking of you and wishing you a very speedy recovery. I have read lots of reports that ladies feel okay relatively soon afterwards. But I think if anyone deserves extra recovery time it's you. Love to all x x

[Lovewine]

Rosie, good luck, will be thinking of you, enjoy toast and marmite! This time tomorrow you will be recovering!!xxxx

[rosie14]

I would like to thank all the ladies on this thread for their support and encouragement over the last 4 months we have all shared a journey we that we wished we hadn't had to! Also to other ladies that have popped over from other threads to give us their pearls of wisdom. I have really appreciated the great support over the last days as I have approached my surgery. I am now signing off going to watch football with DH and have my final cup of tea and slice of toast and marmite before the midnight hour.
I will get back to you all as soon as I can!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Wildpurl]

Joan thank you for the information about the tear ducts and runny eyes, that is interesting. I have searched on the forums here and in general people have reported that it clears up after chemo is finished, so I guess it's a case of just get through it. One lady said she found optrex eye drops helpful and I might give those a try. It's better today but then I am indoors.

Rolicarpit I hope you have a lovely holiday, I was talking to my son this morning about our holiday in September, in Snowdonia, and I am really looking forward to it, just getting away and being out and about, resting and eating lots of good food.

On the subject of good food, thank you for your kind comment on our meals lovewine! I think probably other people's menus always seem more interesting than one's own! Both OH and I love cooking, and it is one of the things we enjoy at weekends, finding and trying new recipes. When we have a glut of vegetables from the garden we search for new recipes to make with those ingredients so we don't get bored.

[rosie14]

Thanks Lovewine I actually didn't have light lunch I had chicken pasta decided I needed a pre surgery decent meal. DH walked dog his morning thank goodness and he found some ripe figs dog bags do come in useful on dog walks! I have just used some Greek yoghurt and a fig and the last of the stawberries together with some runny honey and ended my pre surgery feast!
Lisa I hope the weather will be kind to you and you have a great holiday!x