August 2018 Chemo starters

[Cat67]

Hi Jo - good to hear you’ve got your radiotherapy start date sorted now; hope all goes well on Wednesday

Hi Jude - thanks....we’ve come a long way already! 👍

[Sunflower18]

Hi Jude,

I spoke with my oncologist today and I will now start on Weds.

The concern related to the position of my heart and the fact that they will not be able to treat all the nodes located under my sternum as it would damage the heart too much.

Jo x

[Jude1962]

Hi Jo

Sorry to hear your rads have been delayed, fingers crossed it’s only something minor - thinking of you

Jude x

[Sunflower18]

Hi all,

Cat- Good to hear you are coming to the end of your chemo.

I was due to start radiotherapy today but had a phone call on Friday to say it would be postponed.....

Apparently the radiologist wants to discuss my plan with the oncologist but oncologist was on leave until today so they couldn’t discuss! I just hope it is a minor issue - not really sure what the problem could be.

i think you just get slightly paranoid that something else has been found or treatment not worked so far......hopefully they just want to discuss the regime over the Christmas break 😀 or something like that!

Some one I know had radio postponed because the CT scan taken at planning stage showed that the heart/lungs had changed shaped during chemo and it altered all the calculations!

I should get a phone call today to let me know when I can start.

Best wishes x 

[Jude1962]

Hi Cat
That’s great news that your last chemo is next Friday, it will be lovely to put that behind you - hope you are feeling ok from the last cycle
Good luck with your rads planning meeting as well.
Step by step we are getting though this 👊
Jude x

[Cat67]

Hi Lovely Ladies,

I had my penultimate chemo session on Friday, last one this coming Friday - bring it on! 😀

Jude - great to hear radiotherapy is going so well for you.

Sue & Jo - good luck starting radiotherapy this week, hope all goes well 👍

I have my radiotherapy planning session on 21st Dec but already been told that I will have 3 weeks plus booster. I was 50 when diagnosed too.

Have a great week everyone!

Take care 😘

[Jude1962]

Hi Sue
Since my op in June I’ve been wearing non wired very soft t shirt bras which are comfy. Although as my scar & hence where the radiotherapy is targeting is only just inside the bra line, I’m just trying to limit any irritation by going bra less for a couple of hours. The bralet style look good though & are quite in vogue at the moment!

Jude x

[SB1610]

Hi Jude

Pleased to hear all is going well. I might copy your no bra tip. I've been thinking of opting for one of those bralets (I think that's what they are called in m&s) - they look a bit like tight version a cropped vest top. I'm expecting that they maybe a bit more comfortable although one of the radiographers told me that the post-surgery bras are usually ok too. So I might dig those out when my chemo brain can remember where I stashed them for safe keeping 😂😂 x

[Jude1962]

Hi Sue

At the minute I’m finding it a doddle, I’ve had 4 out of 15 sessions & no sign of any skin irritation or soreness. I’ve used the Aveeno moisturiser that they recommended but also I’ve not worn a bra whilst travelling to & from the hospital so less chance of anything rubbing immediately after treatment (one of the few times having small boobs has been an advantage!)

I am tired but I was tired before the radiotherapy started so no change there!

Have to say all the staff are lovely as well

Good luck with your radiotherapy, hope it all goes well

Hope all you other ladies are doing ok

Jude x

[SB1610]

Hello Jude.

How are you finding the radiotherapy now you've had a few? Any soreness developing yet or any other SEs. I start mine on Thurs.

Hope everyone else is ok

Sue xx

[Sunflower18]

Hi all,

Jude- glad your radio session went well.

Sue- I’m also having 3 weeks plus a booster week as I was 49 when diagnosed and as you say, it hopefully gives us added protection. They will also be targeting my collar bone as my cancer managed to get into 7 nodes so I think it is again an extra protection to that area. I start on the 10th Dec. So glad they advised me to have 3 full weeks off after chemo...I’ve needed it!

i had my first bone strengthening infusion yesterday back in the chemo unit.....luckily mine was really quick and easy and I only need it every 6months for the next 3 years. I also start my hormone therapy drugs next week - Letrozole.

Nearly there.....

Hope everyone is ok.

jo x

[Sunflower18]

Hi all,

Jude- glad your radio session went well.

Sue- I’m also having 3 weeks plus a booster week as I was 49 when diagnosed and as you say, it hopefully gives us added protection. They will also be targeting my collar bone as my cancer managed to get into 7 nodes so I think it is again an extra protection to that area. I start on the 10th Dec. So glad they advised me to have 3 full weeks off after chemo...I’ve needed it!

i had my first bone strengthening infusion yesterday back in the chemo unit.....luckily mine was really quick and easy and I only need it every 6months for the next 3 years. I also start my hormone therapy drugs next week - Letrozole.

Nearly there.....

Hope everyone is ok.

jo x

[SB1610]

Hello All

I've had my radiotherapy setup appointment today so I'm now sporting three tiny blue freckle dots 😁. The process was really very quick and unlike my chemo appointments it was all on time and I was in and out of the hosp in under an hour inclduing an explanation session, the session to line everything up and then a session with the doctor. The tattoos can't be too obvious as it took my partner ages to find them.

I start my treatment on the 13th and was a bit surprised to learn they have decided to give me the standard 15 plus 8 booster sessions that will focus on where the lump was. So 23 sessions in total rather than the 15 that I'd previously been told to expect. I've been told booster sessions are generally given for the under 50s (which I'm not but I was 50 at diagnosis so not too far off that mark). Still if it gives greater protection against it coming back I'm all for it so bring it on.

I've been told to use E45 cream but I think it's very similar to Aveeno and I've already got some in the house so I'll see how I go with that and then maybe switch if it's not doing the job.

Hope everyone is doing ok and looking forward to Christmas 🎄🎅🛷🎁⛄🌲🍾🥂🍸🍹

Sue xxx

[Jude1962]

Hiya ladies

Had first radiotherapy today, was all very straightforward. They recommend drinking plenty of water & using Aveeno moisturising lotion, other hospitals may suggest other products but I’ve bought Aveeno 😂
Also had my 4th herceptin injection today but the first one that I’ve had at home - took a couple of hours with all the paperwork but the next one should be quicker. They only have to wait with you for 30 mins after the injection to check you don’t have a major reaction so that’s good.
My photos have the potential to look like mug shots but I’m loving seeing the subtle changes in my hair each week!

Hope you are all doing ok

Jude x

[Tarnia]

Hi Jude
Good luck with the radiotherapy on Tuesday, hopefully it will be a walk in the Park compared to chemo!
I’ve decided to take monthly pictures of hair - took the first lot yesterday although because I’ve cold capped I still do have hair it’s just very very thin and grey 🙄
Keep us posted with how you get on with radiotherapy along with any tips you pick up along the way!

Take care
Tarnia

[Cat67]

Hi Lovely Ladies,

Tarnia - good luck with the op on 27th, hopefully you can relax and enjoy Xmas first 😀

Sue - thanks for the link, I came out as No. 2 aswell. Really interested to hear how everyone gets on with Nioxin.

Jude - weekly photos of hair growth are a great idea! Will be stealing that idea 😂 Good luck with the start of your radiotherapy on Tuesday. Let us know how you get on.

Take care everyone

Cat 😘

[SB1610]

Hi Jude

I'm doing exactly the same re weekly photos of hair!! Not sad at all - an interesting photo diary 😂😂

Sue xx

[Jude1962]

Well done Tarnia!
It’s a great feeling having the last chemo - hope your side effects aren’t too bad & you cope ok.
Good luck with the operation, hope it goes well.

Cat - it’s good that you’re back on track after your little delay - hope all goes well with the remaining cycles & you are not suffering too much with side effects. I’m desperate for my eyelashes to grow back, I look sad without them. Rapid lash could be the answer, once my eyes have stopped feeling sore.

Sue - I’ve not heard of Nioxin but might give it a go once my hair is through this initial fluffy stage. It’s a bit sad but I’ve started taking weekly photos of my hair so I can see the ongoing progress! I’ve come out at 1 on the consultation! Let us know how you get on with it.

I got through the last chemo cycle relatively unscathed - tiredness was the biggest problem!
I start my 15 sessions of radiotherapy on Tuesday
so nearly there

Take care all

Jude x

[SB1610]

Hi Cat

I used this tool to determine which one use.

https://www.nioxin.com/en-GB/consultation-tool

For me it came out at 2.

Let me know how you get on with it!

Sue xx

[Tarnia]

Hi ladies
Thank you all for the good wishes. I have another op on 27/12 as one of my margins was close in my lumpectomy but I recovered very quickly before so I’m not too worried about that! That will need to heal before radiotherapy can start but have an appointment on 11th Jan with my oncologist to discuss it!

I will be very interested to hear how you all get on using rapid lash and Nioxin please keep us updated.

Enjoy your weekend ladies, take care.

Tarnia x

[Cat67]

Hi Sue,
Thanks!
I think Amazon have an offer on Rapid Lash at the moment. I plan to start using my serum once my eyelashes start to grow back naturally.
I will definitely try Nioxin too, just had a quick look on line, there seem to be a lot of different products in the range. Which one are you getting? Will be interested to hear how you get on.
Good luck! Cat 😘

[SB1610]

Hello Cat

Good to hear things are back on track and that you will be done with chemo before Xmas. I've been looking at reviews for Rapid Lash and they seem mainly positive so I might give that a go but I'm going to leave it for a while to give my body a chance to settle down - maybe add it to my Xmas list.

My hairdresser has suggested Nioxin for encouraging and supporting hair regrowth - again reviews are largely positive so will be giving that a go too once my hair is past its current very delicate baby fluff stage.

Hope everyone is well and managing ok.

Sue xx

[SB1610]

Hi Tania

Congrats on your final chemo. Ringing that bell is a fab feeling - I had the biggest grin on my face when I did it last week. I'm sure it won't be too long before your hair starts to come back.

Hope the SE's are over quickly and that you get back to some sort of normal so that you can enjoy Xmas.

Sue xx

[Cat67]

Hi Tarnia,

CONGRATULATIONS on ringing the bell! Fabulous timing, just in time for a nice break over Xmas before Radiotherapy starts in January. Well done you! 

Cat Xxx

[Tarnia]

Hi ladies

well today I had my last chemo yay 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 And what a lovely feeling it is ringing that bell!! 

Just got to get through this week of side effects and wait for the hair and eyelashes to re grow! But for now I’m happy to be at this stage.

Hope everyone is doing ok.

Tarnia x

[Cat67]

Hi Lovely Ladies,

Pleased to report that after an unwanted delay I had chemo again today. Just 2 more sessions to go now so fingers crossed my last session should be Friday 14th December - yippeee!

Jude - great news that eyelashes and eyebrows are coming back so quickly too! There seem to be a number of serums available to help encourage eyelash growth. I brought 'Revita lash' but another one I heard about more recently is 'Rapid Lash'; I heard about this through one of the nurses at the hospital, she had the most amazing eyelashes I thought they were false but she said it was down to 'Rapid Lash'!  

Sue & Sunflower - good luck with radiotherapy!

Ktk - congrats on completing radiotherapy - another milestone reached! And thanks for the top tips.

Tarnia - glad you got a 'fix' sorted for your runny eyes.

Good luck to everyone going through traetment.

Take care, Cat Xxx   

[Jude1962]

Hi Jo

Good luck with the radiotherapy & the holding your breath malarkey - hope you manage ok
K - good to hear your radiotherapy went well, hopefully with plenty of hydration & creams we should all sail through it - always an optimist!

Well ladies I said I had a bit of grey fluff on my head & now my top eyelashes are coming back & I can see some growth on my eyebrows as well!!

Take care all

Jude x

[Sunflower18]

Thanks ktk, that is good to hear.

best wishes 

jo x

[ktk]

I had my last of 18 rads yesterday. A walk in the park after chemo. I was told to expect fatigue but I am fine! The only SE is an itchy boob!! Using plenty of moisturiser and taking Piriton for the itch. Good luck with those starting rads. Kx

[Sunflower18]

Hi all,

I had my radio pre assessment meeting the other day, which consisting of a CT scan, lots of measurements and breathing exercises. My cancer was in the left breast and obviously concerns re location of heart. Apparently by breathing in pushes the heart and lungs out of the zone....well I hope! 

I know start on the 10th Dec as they want 3clear weeks from last chemo before I start. Initially due to start on 3rd.

4 weeks of radio so due to finish first week in Jan, but as others have said at least the traffic won’t be so bad over the Xmas period! 

I also start my hormone therapy next week, just tablets so hoping the se won’t be too bad. Bone strengthening infusion as well so back to the chemo unit for that and that take place every 6 weeks. The hormone treatment can cause oestioperosis (if that the correct spelling).

Nearly there everyone xx

[Tarnia]

Hi ladies

Cat sorry to hear you been in hospital, hopefully you will be back on track very soon!
Good luck to everyone starting radiotherapy keep us posted how you all get on.
I saw my oncologist yesterday and she’s given me some eye drops to sort out my runny eyes 🤞🏼They work!!
Jude that is fantastic news about your hair, I hope mine grows back as quick!
Have a good weekend ladies.
Take care, Tarnia

[Cat67]

Hi Jude,
Thanks, will be taking it easy over the next few days and hope I can get back on track soon.
Fantastic news that your hair has started to grow back already. I’ve heard that it’s normal for hair to grow back like that initially and then to start growing back stronger afterwards.
Good luck with the radiotherapy.
Take care, Cat 😘

[SB1610]

Hi Jude

Me too but I've been warned that the fatigue is usually worse than most people experience on chemo.

Still at least winter is the right time of year for daytime hibernationon the sofa 😁😴😴😴😴

[Jude1962]

Hi Sue

Fingers crossed you get finished for the end of the year - I’ll keep you posted how I get on, I’m hoping it will be a doddle 😂

Jude x

[SB1610]

Hi Jude

Finishing by Xmas sounds just perfect. I'd really been hoping I'd be done by the end of the year just so I could start 2019 fresh but I think it will drag over by a few days. I've got my set up appointment on the 4th Dec but won't start treatment then but will be given my schedule. I'm going to push to see if being done by 31st will be possible but I'm not holding our much hope.

Let me know how you go with your sessions

Sue xxx

[Jude1962]

Hi Cat

Sorry to hear you were hospitalised, hope you are starting to feel better now. I know it’s a bummer being delayed a week but at least it will give you time to recover
I had my last chemo in the 13th & the hair on my head is starting to come back!! It’s only grey fluff but it’s there, hopefully eyebrows & eyelashes will start sprouting soon

Take care

Jude x

[Jude1962]

Hi Sue

Well done on your final chemo, it’s a lovely feeling isn’t it! Hope the side effects are minimal, I’ve tiredness to have been the biggest issue thus last cycle.
The holiday in Austria sounds idyllic, the winter walking sounds fabulous
Good luck with the radiotherapy, it sounds like you are all equipped for it - I start mine on the 4th but luckily should be finished on the 24th

Hope everyone else is ok

Jude x

[Cat67]

Hi Sue,
Thanks and yes I’m sure it’s best to build up my strength for the final 3 sessions. Won’t be long before I’m ringing the bell too!
Take care, Cat 🤗

[SB1610]

Sorry to hear about your hosp stay Cat - not what any of us want. I'm sure you'll bounce back quickly and be ok to go ahead next week. I ended up having a weeks delay at round 4 as my liver was rebelling but the weeks delay allowed things to recover.

Rest up and fingers crossed for next week

Sue

[Cat67]

Hi Lovely Ladies,

I haven't posted for a while either.

I'm not long home from a 4 day stay in hospital. Temp spiked, low BP and Nuets etc. Feeling okay now but chemo has been delayed this week (I was due in today). Hey ho, fingers crossed I can get back on track next week.

Sue and Amanda,

Congratulations! You've got to the end of the very long chemo road, it must feel great. Happy celebrations! 

Sue - the winter walking in Austria sounds like fabulous fun.

Tarnia - I have a constant sore and runny nose but haven't suffered so much with runny eyes despite having lost 95% of my lashes. Sounds like it's one more of the many SEs we have to put up with. Thank goodness they are temporary eh!

Good luck to everyone elso who is still going through treatment.

Take care all

Cat Xxx

[SB1610]

Hello All

Hope you are all doing ok. I haven't posted for a while as I've just been keeping my head down as I plow through this. However I'm really happy to say that I had my final chemo yesterday and had a huge grin on my face as I rang that bell. It was such a good feeling to know that part of treatment (apart from resulting side effects) is now behind me.

I've got my radiotherapy appt early Dec and after attending an open evening session last week to look around the department and meet staff I'm expecting to start radiotherapy mid Dec which means I'll be going over the Christmas period (boo) but at least traffic will be light (hurrah) my partner will be able to take me to those appointments (double hurrah) and I should be finished with it all early in January (AFA). We've booked a holiday to our favourite part of Austria for early March - a bit later in the year than we usually go but we are hoping the snow will still be there. We do this thing called 'winter walking' - you walk on compacted snowy paths through forests and along side lakes. It's amazing - fresh air, amazing scenery and plenty of mountain huts for hot chocolate, cheesy spätzle and kaiserscharrem stops. I'm not sure I'll be able to do the usual 10 mile days we rack up but I'll do my best.

Interestingly I've been told by a few sources at the hospital that accupuncture can be good at helping with hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms so I'm going to give it a go. I'm also experimenting with the Ladycare magnet - I'm still a bit sceptical about this but it has around 70% postive reviews so I'm giving it ago - fed up of restless nights and waking up soggy and damp.

So good look to those of you still having chemo - hopefully you won't have to endure this for too much longer - the end is insight. And I guess at some point we'll be switching from comparing chemo SE stories and tips for coping to radiotherapy stories - I've been told to get plenty of moisturising cream and to start using it now as well as switching to a deodorant that doesn't have aluminium in it. I'm using E45 lotion all over with a double dose on the affected boob and some soft & gentle deodorant!

Happy Friday everyone 😘🤗😘

Sue xx

[Sunflower18]

Hi Tarnia,

Yes runny eyes for me, as well and a runny nose! As like you worse when I go out. My nose just constantly runs- spoke to Onc about it and he didn’t really come up with anything.....just another SE! 

Good luck

jo

[Tarnia]

Hi Jude

It’s driving me mad! But eh ho just another annoying side effect🙄 Can’t wait to finish now think iv3 had enough of thi# chemo malarkey now!

Take care.

Tarnia

[Jude1962]

Hi Tarnia

Yes I’ve had runny eyes after docetaxol - the only thing I’ve found helps is wearing sunglasses when I go outside. The lack of eyelashes also contributes to the problem
Sorry can’t suggest anything else which may help

Take care

Jude x

[Tarnia]

Hello Ladies
Hope everyone is doing well. I’m just wondering if anyone else has suffered from extremely runny eyes on Docetaxel? I’ve had 2 rounds so far and this time round my eyes are streaming especially when I go outside! Anyone else suffered from this or have any tips?

thanks
Tarnia

[Tarnia]

Hello Ladies

Hope everyone is doing well. I’m just wondering if anyone else has suffered from extremely runny eyes on Docetaxel? I’ve had 2 rounds so far and this time round my eyes are streaming especially when I go outside! Anyone else suffered from this or have any tips?

thanks

Tarnia

[Tarnia]

So good to hear you’ve finished Chemo Amanda! I can’t wait for 30/11 which will be my last FEC-T woohoo cant wait. I too think it’s gone so fast. For me I have more Surgery on 27/12 as one of my margins was Close so for me radiotherapy won’t start til the new year, but the end is creeping ever closer for us all! Hopefully a happier 2019 lies in store for us all.

Big hugs to everyone
Tarnia x

[Jude1962]

Hi Amanda

Well done on completing your chemo - it’s a lovely feeling to think that you don’t have to go again! Good luck with the radiotherapy, I hope it’s not too tiring for you with all the travel.
I have to say that to me the chemo has dragged - it’s been the longest few months of my life!

Take care

Jude x

[AMB67]

Hello ladies-not written on here for a while but have been keeping up with all your progress you brave ladies and some of you have certainly been through the mill!!!

I rang the bell in chemo unit yesterday after X6 FEC-T. Not been the easiest few months have to say and at the beginning of August that last date seemed way off...... It goes remarkably quickly doesn't it?  Been in a bit of a chemo blur all the way through which could probably be partly to do with it, as well as in built coping mechanisms!

Have 20 radiotherapy appointments starting 12th December (80 mile round trip) but small problem in the grand scheme of things.

wishing you all a speedy recovery- the end of treatment is in sight and we will be glad to see the new year!!

Best wishes

love Amanda X

[Cat67]

😂 Thanks Jude! Cat x