Anyone due to start chemo April 14??

[Cassie86]

My brother and his family lived in Red
Lynch Worcs, my sister in law has since moved to Ringwood to be nearer to her family, I don't blame her, things can be such a struggle.

[rosie14]

I am waiting for DH to get out of the shower so I can go and help with the shopping. I was hoping to be on the road by 8.30am so we can get it done and back before it really gets hot but it is really getting hot! I have been outside picking up dog mess, sweeping leaves from yesterdays hot early morning wind, emptied kitchen bins ready to take to big bins at end of road on way out in car and it won't be much longer before my legs begin to go weak because I have overdone it again on virtually no sleep! Men?

[Cassie86]

Hi Rosie, at the moment they are a bit sparse the bottom eylashes especially, but not too bad in general, I did buy a kit for the eyebrows at the begining but must admit I tried it out and did not find it easy to use the right eyebrow was ok but when I came to the left one, holding it in place and applying at the same time its not easy.

I also enquired about having eyebrow tatoo's but was a bit nervous, £150 seemed a bit much anyway plus the therapist said I would need a letter from my consultantant before she could go ahead and I felt a bit vain to ask. Fortunately the brows are sparse but still there, so there may be no need, who knows, I still have a fair hair loss every day a dozen on so on the pillow and the same when I brush my hair and god knows how many end up on the bathroom floor when its washed, but its still there, with a comb over on top to help disguise where the cap does not fit well, I am between sizes it seems medium is too big and small a little too small to tug on tightly enough, it is a bit of a palaver and maked the sessions longer but I have persevered so far and only 2 to go.

[Wildpurl]

Morning all,
I am very lucky to be a fairly sound sleeper but in the first few days of chemo I wake up frequently for the loo and tend to be done sleeping by 5 or 6 am, but I do realise that I am still sleeping pretty well compared to many, as I go back to sleep between wake ups. I'm having coffee and cake at the moment!

Cassie I am also using the cold cap and lost probably half my hair after the first FEC but retained overall cover, just very thin in places. Since then it has remained stable, and new growth has been slowly thickening the roots. I have had two hair cuts, I am lucky enough to have a specialised chemo hairdresser at the hospital who also does the wigs. She recommended getting it trimmed every 6 weeks or so and each time has shortened and shaped the longer hair so I suppose eventually the long and short will meet in the middle! My hair is very fine but from being a 90 year old's hair a month ago is now more like a 70 year old's since last cut, definite progress! I think it is well worth getting a cut but do make sure they are gentle and just spray your hair with water for a wet cut.

This morning I am as you say cooking on gas Rosie! I have a Pilates class at 10 and then am in the mood for housework and a bit of gardening. I still have marmalade to make as I didn't manage it yesterday so hope to get that done today as well. I will try to make sure I rest in between as I don't want to overdo it. I have a nice steroid glow this am! Also start Domperidone in half an hour. I hate being on so many meds but it is only for a short time and it is necessary I guess.

Booksandwine, sorry to hear you are in pain, I do hope it eases soon. I hope everyone is getting through their week 1 as well as possible and those having chemo next week enjoy their weekends and feel well.
Rolicarpit how does it feel to know you have finished now? Hope your SEs are no worse than previously.

[rosie14]

Cassie have you lost eyebrows and lashes or have those stayed also?

[Cassie86]

Hi Rosie, It sounds like your daughter and this guy I sat next to are in exactly the same boat, its good to know things are progressing, but not quickly enough.

Yes, I was offered the cool cap and it has worked fairly well so far, a lot of women cannot bare it, as it freezes your hair follicles, preventing the blood flow and therefore the drugs getting through. (They say where there is no sense there is no feeling. lol) I have probably lost half in fairness but was lucky to have a mass of fine straight but very thick hair, the colour had obviously grown out quite a bit too but you are not allowed to put any chemicals on your hair or to wash it more than 2-3 times a week, which to be honest with it short has not been a problem.

[rosie14]

Oh Cassie my goodness your family have certainly been through the mill!
My daughter was diagnosed 15 years ago. She was recently sent for an MRI scan and now she has to be monitored by a nurse for the next 3 months and if she is still suffering with as much pain the committee will allow her to have the new very expensive drug! I think its disgusting that they have to wait so long. Her consultant and the nurse are both confident she will be granted it. She is a full time teacher and has 2 small children 5 and 3. Her husband is fairly supportive especially when she is having a flare up.
I used to live in the county of Worcestershire when I was a child and know Worcester well. I used to anyway its probably changed since I was a child!!!
What did you decide with your hair, have you been using the cold cap? I wasn't offered it here so I only have a layer of baby thin hair with scalp visible!
I didn't shave it off I just kept my little thin layer! We all have to do find our way of coping don't we!

[Cassie86]

I am not sure if its worth it but the 3rd of hair I have left has become a bit shapeless, maybe I could risk a haircut, my hair has always grown very quickly and I suppose it has been a while since I decided to get a crop before the treatment started. I think I will go early before the salon gets busy, I don't want anyone gorping at my bald patch.

[Cassie86]

Rosie, I was seated next to taxi driver from Enfield at my last chemo that suffered from ankylosing spondylitis, he was having some wonder drug infused for the pain, apparently he used to go about every 6 months but goes far less now, he was about 40 I guess, I wish I had paid more attention, but drug names never stick with me. I know what you mean about not telling your Dad, we did exactly the same thing, I had three brothers, I fall third in the brewed. My mother died in Oct 2007 at the age of 74 after having a terrible time with Rheumatoid arthritis from the age of 52, she was just like a 8 year old child in pain and inconsolable in the end, Dad looked after her mostly and we all rallied round, me cooking for everyone every day after work. My father was 86 bless his heart was diagnose with inoperable lung cancer he had given up smoking 36 years before he died October 2011, but everyone smoked in those days I guess. My middle brother had Lung CA and vascular disease, he was a life long smoker he died Oct 2012 aged 56, he was ill at the same time as my dad and even had a leg amputated, horrific but we hid it from my Dad which sounds impossible I know but he lived in Worcester.

[rosie14]

Thanks Cassie I think I will take them from tonight then because it is getting less each night and not managing more than 20 mins nap in daytime !

[Cassie86]

Hello Rosie, I am awake too, I have taken sleeping tablets all the way, since the beginning of treatment because I could only ever get 2-3 hours a night before starting HRT then I had the diagnosis and had to stop it then back to square one. I was told a decent nights sleep was essential to get me through the chemo or I would not make it. Yes I have taken one every night, mostly they work well 5 + hours but not always, not when the injections are being given and also not when the steroids are being taken.

[rosie14]

Daylight breaking here at last 5.07am!!!

[rosie14]

Oh dear booksand wine I shall be so glad when all this is over will we ever be able to sleep again?I hope your pain has subsided. I have just had second mug of tea with a slice of toast and marmite!

[booksandwine]

I'm awake too Rosie. Not heat Neuropathy I think my feet shins ankles are sore pins and needles and shooting pain. Took pain killers thought best not to add sleeping tablets as well. Used sleeping tablet last night not a resrful sleep. Man I thought tax one was bad from Friday feel rotten. So over this

[rosie14]

Well ladies this is getting a bit silly. DH decided he was going to bed early last night 10.30pm as he was very, very tired due to a series of late night work. Well although my eyes were tired my body wasn't but I went up too. The A/C was struggling to cool the bedroom as the roonm temp  was  30 ! It eventually got to 26 which was manageable. Any way after 2 trips to toilet at 2.37 am gave up and came downstairs. Made a cup of tea and here I am! Two more days of steroids- I hate them. Does anyone else take sleeping pills whilst on them. I haven't done at I thought it wasn't a good idea?
I bet some of you have only just gone to bed in UK?
Anyway I hope everyone wakes ready to face the day and any S/E it may bring. Thinking of you Jackie especially and hope you are recovering well and if not home yet will be very soon. Hang on in there they will get you sorted! xx

[rosie14]

Cassie this is a worry to me as I have a daughter who is 30 and she suffers with a disease called ankylosing spondylitis which effects her joints very badly when she has a flair up. I would hate for her to be a BC candiidate! My mother had breast cancer but breast cancer was was not discussed in those days and who knows what sort it was? I only know she had a mastectomy. She died when she was 63 of a secondary but she had survived for over 20 years after the BC. She was 5 years older than I am now when she died. This is why we haven't told my 93 year old dad about my diagnosis. He struggles with his breathing and gets very breathless without having the awful thought that I have the big C!!!

[Cassie86]

Hello Nellie, It is really difficult to know exactly what comes into making up a complete picture of individuals but I have no family history of cancer either only two family members who were life long smokers, which I am sure does not count in the grand scheme of things.
I am 54 and started the menopause aged 51 and was on HRT when diagnosed I have the neg type, not hormone receptive so the GP breathed a sigh of relief. I have two daughters 25 and almost 31 years old and when I asked about genetic testing the oncologist did refer me but the appointment was refused on the grounds of me being over 50 and not Polish or Jewish? I guess the line has to be drawn somewhere but it is a worry.
I asked what my daughters should do and the oncologist just said they should ne vigilant and ask for screening early before 40, but I know the NHS and I don't think it will happen.

[nellie2099]

Humm That reminds me I also I have not had any feed back from the docs re any significance of having a very early menopause - age 35. Does that put my biological age much later? They keep assuming I am pre menopausal despite me correcting them every time. I must remember to bring this up next time i see someone important!

[nellie2099]

There is no history of cancer in my family but as my Consultant surgeon brother (specialising in colons sadly- we call him the bum doctor!) pointed out I am likely to be a new mutant! Brotherly love for you!!

[rosie14]

I am with you there Wildpurl online party!!!!

[rosie14]

Hi Nellie like you I am finding it hard to keep track of everybody and I hope I don't offend anybody by missing them out! So sorry to hear about your friend its not the sort of news we want to hear you are quite right! I hope I sleep a bit better tonight even 3 hours would do! The steroids really wind me up!
Have a good evening!

[Wildpurl]

Nellie I have a BRCA2 defect, I was tested on NHS as my mother had BC and my aunt ovarian cancer, and was found to be positive, so am planning preventive surgery on other breast and ovaries. All three of us did not get cancer until our mid 50s (I am 57) and after the menopause, so the diagnosis was unexpected.

My daughter does not have the defect and neither does my brother, but my cousin does. My son has not been tested yet. I am hoping to track down some of my mother's family as it seems the gene defect came from my maternal grandmother, but was not diagnosed of course as in those days it was not known about. I do not know if others on that side of the family are aware they could be at risk.

You are right that this week is the start of the cycle for a lot of us, which I think means that in three weeks time quite a few of us will have our last chemo. I think we should have an online party!

[nellie2099]

Hi all,

Jackie I am so sorry to hear you have had to go into hospital, we really don’t need setbacks like that on top of everything else but I guess its par for the course.  I hope you are feeling better very soon.

Seems a whole bunch of you have been in  for chemo this week - Rosie, Joan, Louise, Whirlpool, Rolicarpit, Rachel and Lovewine - Fingers crossed for a smooth ride for all.  Been back through a few pages of posts so I hope I have not missed anyone - it’s getting harder to keep track as my brain has pretty much ground to a halt.  As you mention Rosie the fatigue is building and despite being on day 14 after first Tax I can’t seem to get going at all.  I’m not sure if it’s the chemo or just the building dread of what’s to come next week or a bit of both.  Also feeling down as my lovely friend who finished treatment last year and has been such a positive figure in my life has been recalled for further tests in her other breast.  Not news any of us want to hear.

Seems several of you have had red faces (!) I didn’t notice if mine went red but have had 2 days of it feeling tight and itchy despite loads of cream.  Good to know I’m not alone and have not developed something bad!  Most of my remaining eye lashes and brows went this morning as well, leaving heroic little spikey bits that are hanging in there - mostly covered by the frame of my glasses so not a worry.

Cassie I think you and I are the nearest in timing as far as I can see and having number 2 tax soon. I have clinic for bloods Tuesday, and results permitting (and if I haven’t run away!) treatment Friday. 

I never properly introduced myself - I have just turned 47 and I have grade three triple negative IDC diagnosed after 2 inconclusive biopsies and a lumpectomy.  I then want back for a wide incision and SNB which fortunately was clear.  Is there anyone else who is triple neg?  I think it is recommended you are tested for the Brca genes if you’re under 50 with triple neg but my NHS won’t do it.  I am planning to get it done anyway as I have two lovely teenage daughters and want to be sure of their future as far as I can be.  Also the result may change my own future re preventative mastectomy and risk of ovarian cancer.

Sheba rest assured the veins will get better quickly mine felt horrid after the fec but are pretty much back to normal now. 

Tj I hope you manage your son’s school play it’s one of those little mile stones that we can look back on that are so important.

Must try to do smaller posts - seem to ramble on when I finally get organised enough to write.

Sweet dreams to all - even if only brief,

Nellie

[rosie14]

I am hoping he will Wildpurl I am taking DH with me in case I miss anything or get the wrong end of the stick.

[Wildpurl]

Rosie while I completely understand how you feel, I think it is worth exploring the risk of a new primary in the other breast if you have no genetic defect, because I think it is not very high compared to the risk associated with the surgery. As for symmetry, you can have the other breast lifted to match the reconstructed side. I'm sure your surgeon will go through all this with you.

Well I'm back from the hospital, all done and no problems apart from they forgot to fax the district nurse but that is sorted now. So I am currently in the high of I got through another chemo and there is only one more to go, but I'm aware that in due course I will be in the low of SEs and everything tastes horrible and I still have go through this again. Hey ho!

I still feel fine so am wondering what to do today and I'm thinking I will make marmalade and get some washing on the line but not do too much else. I've booked myself, rather optimistically, into Pilates tomorrow morning, going by last time it should be OK but one of the things about chemo that I hate is you just never know what each cycle will be like!

Hope everyone else is doing OK.

[Lovewine]

Rosie, totally agree, it's my dread too!

[rosie14]

Oh Louise this is what I dread I think it depends on different surgeons. I am seeing my surgeon on Monday I will let you know what he says!

[Louise3721]

Hi ladies when I saw the onc he said next time we meet it will be round 5 out of 6 and we will discuss radiotherapy he told me i can not have reconstruction until a year after all therapies have finished

[Cassie86]

I would think there are two benefits of the double mastectomy, peace of mind regarding no re-occurrence, better symmetry after reconstruction. We are all routing for you. Off to work now Cassie

[rosie14]

Cassie I am grade 3 invasive ductal with 3 lymph nodes and need full mastectomy. I am contemplating elected double as it will be easier for reconstruction and I couldn't stand going all through all this again!

[Cassie86]

I don't blame you, I would be exactly the same. The regimes are all different depending on the exact diagnosis. Mine was invasive ductal hormone receptor negative clear lymph nodes and a lumpectomy within 2 weeks of diagnosis. 6 courses of FECT the first 3 were with the red bag a triple therapy I believe and the following three will be Docetaxel know as TAX, clear bag, then I am due to have 4-6 weeks of radiotherapy. The radiotherapist said there is some fatigue involved but nothing like with chemo, so not to worry about it at all...

[rosie14]

Cassie yesterday was Tax 3 I have one more session to go on July 10th. I have had 8x 2weekly sessions the last four being Tax I guess the first four were FEC but it is not a term used in Cyprus - it was a red liquid. I have just booked an appointment to see the surgeon on Monday as I can't stand waiting anymore to find out exactly what he is going to do and a date!!!

[rosie14]

All the best Joan hope it goes smoothly! x

[Cassie86]

At what stage are you Rosie?
Mine was the 1st TAX 2 to go PICC line next week, surgery completed in March (walk in the park to chemo)

[rosie14]

Cassie its good that you have turned around so quickly and are taking advantage of less side effects. I think the fatigue increases with the chemo doses and we are all suffering quite badly now. Have a great weekend! x

[Cassie86]

Sorry to hear you have been admitted Jackie, I hope the hospital get you back on your feet soon.

I did managed 3-4 hours a work yesterday and intend going in again today, day 11 TAX, long may it last, still permanently knackered the usual but all other symptoms are now far less tum and chest pain horrible mouth, bits bellow etc. I will need as much energy as I can get just to read the emails, I managed to clear 54 yesterday more than that left in my inbox. Staff at work all think I am totally mad for even comming in, after being in hospital at the weekend but its amazing how things can turn around, thats just me. 🙂

Love to all ladies out there  X

[Lovewine]

Joan, all the best for chemo today! X

[joan47]

Jackie, so sorry you finished up in hospital. I hope they get it sorted quickly. I had to go in as well soon after my first TAX with neutropenia fever and and infection which turned out to be oral thrush but was out in 24 Hours. It did lay me out for several days afterwards though so you will need to take it easy. Good luck. I was interested that they gave you flucolozole as a per give this time, my oncologist didn't prescribe this. I had been given an antiseptic mouth mouth Chlorhexidine Gluconate to take alongside the difflam and my mouth didn't ulcerated as with FEC but whether that was TAX, medication or sucking ice poles during the treatment I don't know. Re painkillers, don't try to be brave, take whatever you can. Just take your temp before paracetamol. I have been prescribed codeine this time which can be taken alongside paracetamol because it works in different ways. Some ladies have been prescribed Tramadol which is stronger. They're both mild opiates. You can also take ibuprofen, again because the ingredients are different. I am wondering about trying Voltoral gel this time because the pains were mainly in my legs, but obviously not alongside ibuprofen. Finally I take antihistamines for asthma and it is does to be accepted that they can help. Hope you are out of hospital soon and make a swift recovery.
Nellie. Sorry you also finished up in hospital. I don't think you should feel at all embarrassed at calling an ambulance, this is serious stuff. It's awful that you had to put up with the pains for the rest of the week with only paracetamol which barely takes the edge off. I wonder if they had kept you in longer you could have continued with the morphine.

Cassie, commiserations too on your hospitalisation but pleased that you are now starting to feel better. Hope they manage to get your thyroid issue sorted out soon. You don't need additional worries. What a shame the radiology appointment was a waste of time. I have been sent one fore. My last chemo so hope I do t have the same experience. Have any other ladies had theirs booked and at what stage in chemo. I must admit I will be relieved to get an accurate picture so that I know whether I am facing a mastectomy or lumpectomy.

Good luck today Wildpurl. I wish I was your chemo twin in other ways than just date. I envy you your energy. I think it's quite common to start wondering about whether one wants to continue in the same way with work after all this is over. It's so rare, isn't it, to have time out enforced on you and to be able to reflect. But as others have said, this is probably not the time to make decisions.

Jos, glad you are feeling better. Loved the joke.

Re people comments esp cancer-lite. Yes, they are irritating but I try to remember that they are trying to be reassuring. I sometimes respond by saying, yes, if you have to go to the cancer supermarket, this is the. One to choose.i would pre feroeople to say something than just ignore the issue.

Rosie, Rolicarpet, Lovewine, Louise, -and anyone I have missed who had chemo In The last few days, hope it is not too awful, the pains are not too bad and don't last too long and you manage to get some sleep.

Apologies if I've missed anyone, must fit in a bath before the fitter arrives at 8.45, then off for TAX 5. With I confess some trepidation.

[Lovewine]

Oh Jackie, sorry to hear that😔 hope they get on top of it quickly and you can come home, thinking of you.
Wildpurl and all other ladies facing chemo today thinking of you too- it doesn't get any easier does it.
I also have a very red face and neck! I did manage it have a good nights sleep amazingly given my state of mind! I did take a cyclizine anti sick pill and found it does make me sleepy so maybe that helped! All the best time you all x

[rosie14]

Good luck Wildpurl hope it goes smoothly, it will soon be over! x

[Wildpurl]

Oh no Jackie, still you are in the best place, they will sort you out as quickly as they can and I do hope you feel better soon.
Rosie I have red face from steroids, a little bit this morning and gets more noticeable over the three days after I am taking them. Also up to wee several times a night as steroids reduce fluid retention. Having toast and coffee now and then getting ready, packing bag, off in one hour. Get to hospital early so I can take first steroid dose of day. V apprehensive again but hopefully all will be well.

Hope all is well with everyone else and thinking of you jackie

[rosie14]

Oh Jackie I am so sorry I do hope you make a speedy recovery and they let you out very soon!!!! Lots of well wishes sent from Cyprus! xxxx

[Jackie09]

Hi Rosie - in hospital with neutropenia. 😞

[rosie14]

Another very early good morning from Cyprus dear ladies all on this monthly thread!
Now after my long day yesterday I expected to get more sleep than this...
Tired on return home at 5.40am. Have a shower due to being hot and sticky and very sweaty poor head under scarf. DH cooks very nice omelette with salad, Been snacking all day on marmite sandwiches and cheese and biscuits. On exit of hospital visit snack bar to get iced lemon tea and slice of cake to eat in car! Cake turned out to be virtually full sugar looked like a very nice slice of moist swiss roll. Cakes here always look better than they taste! Anyway ate it made me feel slightly sick in hot car on way home as it was so sweet!
Daughter Skyped at 8.45pm, on for an hour by which time I am wide awake after hearingf about more of her school sagas- bless her. Saw the 2 grandchildren briefly who were more interested in seeing our dog! They haven't been out for 18 months, but are coming in October as I won't be up to travelling after surgery. They love our dog she is very good with them!
Well following that helped DH solve a class issue for next year. Went to bed at 11.50. Slept till 1.10am. DH still up go down to find out how he is getting on, make a cup of tea! Sit down have to sign some certificates for final assembly today. Then poor DH still trying to place staff and classes together. so stay to help. Notice it is 2.30am and DH is looking very tired. Say we must get to bed now. I go he doesn't come. Keep shouting him he eventually got into bed at 3.07 and was asleep at 3.11. How I wish I could do that! I was then awake for a further hour. Must have dropped off between 4 and 4.47am. Then wide awake again so called it a night and here I am. We have a very hot hairdryer wind blowing in this morning not a refreshing one. It is going to be 37 later, it was still 30 last night when I went to bed! We are having a mini heat wave at the moment! It doesn't usually get this hot till later in July through to mid September. May have to resort to a blast of A/C b downstairs this afternoon!
Any way enough of me except to ask does anyone else get a very red face on steroids? I do it really looks like sunburn!
Tlj good luck for Tuesday and make sure you rest up until your son's school play and if you are determined you will get there!!!
My goodness Lovewine I would have yelled for some else to do the cannula after the second failure you are brave!
Wildpurl its a lovely feeling seeing that last appointment good luck for today!
Jackie, 1 to go sounds wonderful I am ready to face these side effects to get to the end!!!! I would take those pain killers Jackie, I sat here all day till 4.30pm one day feeling very sorry for myself with aches and pains and didn't take anything until that time and within half an hour I felt the relief. Will take them as soon as I feel I need them this time! I would ask for sleeping tablets.I don't take mine all the time eg before or after chemo whist on steroids. They don't zonk you but I find they relax the mind and even though I still wake at least twice in the night I can actually get back to sleep- unlike last night!
Hope all you other ladies are ok Nellie , Louise, roicarpit, Rachel, Jos, Sheba hope my chemo brain hasn't missed anyone?! xxxx

[Jackie09]

Day 5 rolicarpet x x

Just to up-date - my temp hit 37.5 at around 9.00 tonight. We have been taking it randomly since and it has gone up to 37.8 and then 37.6 in the space of 10 mins. Since starting tax my temp gas generally gone up and definately in response to the tax/gcsf combination. I will be inconsolable if I have to go to hospital. We've rang the unit, who obviously say come in and check bloods. I don't feel unwell - apart from excruciating intermittent pain in my pelvic area! So we are going to do a final temp at 12 and fingers crossed it's on it's way down! Love to all x x

[rolicarpit]

Jackie ... When did you start taking the flucozole ?

[Jackie09]

Well done ladies for fretting through today - another one down

Lovewine - wow - talk about patience. I would have baulked at the mere suggestion if a trainee - infact I did when pregnant! You did very well to tolerate that! I hope you manage to get some sleep/ rest tonight. X x

Rolicarpet - hope today went well. Did you make a sign for your last one? The flucolozole has worked a treat for me - no sore mouth at day 8.

Hi Rachel - I've heard anti-histamines are good for gcsf injections and some ladies get it with their tax infusion to help them tolerate it

Rosie - what can I say. It wouldn't be a trip to the hospital without a hiccup! I hope if nothing else the very long day helps you to get some rest tonight. How good does "1 to go sound!'

Hi Joan - a support network sounds a very good idea. I found a group of ladies in my area - but the meet up was on a day when I didn't feel great, so hope to make the next one.

After having a good sleep night before last and a (relatively) pain free Wednesday, the injections hit a new part of my body and had a terrible night's sleep. More discomfort today and after my injection another new achy part tonight. I haven't taken any painkillers so far, but think May have to tonight. I can't tell whether I feel pants due to tax, or sleep deprivation. I think I may ask for sleeping tablets at my next onc appt. and, although am drinking, my thirst never feels quite quenched on water! Rant over!!

Wishing us all a peaceful night with lots of zzzzzzzzz collecting. Live to all x x

[Wildpurl]

Evening all, nice to hear from you Sheba. I hope you don't find our posts too scary. I think we are all doing very well.
Rosie, glad all went well, only one more to go now 🙂 I have been ticking things off too - only one more blood test to go, one more pre-chemo check , tomorrow I will get my last appointments in my card...

Today was a better day at work, then we did the supermarket shop which I quite enjoy at the moment as I don't go in the other two weeks of the cycle. We've had a lovely chickpea and apricot curry (from a Girl Called Jack's blog).
Rolicarpit and Rosie, I agree now is not the time for taking decisions, thanks for reminding me, it's true I am not as rational as usual at the moment. If every week in the office had been like this one I might have given up but I think it is an exceptional week, and I do usually enjoy them, so I'll give it another go. As I mentioned, I have booked 1 day's holiday in every week in August and early September to have some me time and a break from work. I could also reduce to 4 days either temporarily or permanently , and I am considering that but I want to wait and see how I feel when I am recovered and have been working more normal hours.

Two female colleagues told me today that they thought my hair was looking lovely and really suited me. Of course that was nice to hear but then I did think oh dear, what will they think when I go back to my real hair!

I managed to take my steroids on time. Don't feel normal but am more used to the megadose this time round I think.

Joan we are chemo Friday twins, good luck tomorrow! You are doing brilliantly setting up a network of other ladies going through BC treatment.

Hope everyone who has just had their chemo is doing OK

[Lovewine]

Hi everyone, had chemo 5 today, had a trainee nurse today to insert cannula and took half an hour to get the vein , tried 3 veins two of which swelled up like a balloon and then trained nurse took over for last attempt, but by then my hand had swollen up like a balloon and quite puffy.
Rachel I have heard about taking antihistimene for bone pain and asked chemo nurse today and she did
say it can help, so I am going to give it a try!!
Rosie, you have had a long day, hope you sleep well tonight, at least the nurses were on top of your reaction today too and enjoy your dinner, much nicer when someone else cooks it for you!
Booksandwine sounds like you have been busy, hope all goes well for your next few days!

Tij, I was also not given emend On my Tax, I felt queasy for one day, but found it was kept under control by clylizine and I also had some ondestron left over from Fec, so took a days supply of those too and wasn't too bad. So hope you don't feel too bad.
Jackie thankyou for your best wishes, hope you are feeling relatively well now?
Rolicarpit, hope you got on ok? Last chemo yay!!!
Jos, hope you get some sleep tonight too,bloody steroids are good for bursts of energy but crap for keeping us awake all night, glad you can have some good times with your lovely daughter planned, she must bring you so much joy at that age!
Hope everyone else is coping well, and all the best for Tax tomorrow Joan, will be thinking of you, and everyone else, am sorry if I missed any lovely ladies!!
Nellie and cassie, hope all is well? And Louise hope your FECing wasn't too bad and you don't suffer as much this time, all the best! X

[rosie14]

joan47 I knew someone else was having chemo this week its my chemo brain! I am glad you have been enjoying some time doing productive things finding other ladies on our journey Only we really understand what we are going through!
Good luck tomorrow and another one to chalk off! x