December 2017 Chemo Starters

[Dramaminx]

Thanks for the fridge tip!

[Dramaminx]

Thanks lesley62 for the Injection advice and you're right, often the thought is much worse. I start a seven-day course tomorrow so will stock up on clarityn. Sickness has subsided for now but I think I definitely need something stronger for that first 24 hours after treatment. I was thinking, I can't keep doing this for 16 weeks! Certainly couldn't face I'm a Celebrity last night! Hope you are doing ok xx

[scooterbek]

Mmmmm my OH better hide the credit cards! I can be pretty 'wired' normally so this could be interesting! My little boy is keeping me company & keeps telling me jokes!

[Shi]

😘😘👏👏👏well done scooterbek, that’s first one ticked off for you, drink loads and rest up, take meds and watch out for the steriod induced online shopping frenzy that will happen. 😁😁💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Meesh73]

I don't have the injections but others say to take hem out of the fridge 30 mins prior to doing them as that's also supposed to help.

As Lesley says don't suffer. I was told to call chemo team first rather than gp so I guess again it differs deoending where you are located.

Well done those of you that have had chemo 1 today, rest up now and remember to keep drinking!

[lesley62]

Also meant to say, if you are struggling with any of the SE then get in touch with your unit or GP.  

I struggled on with really bad nausea until day 5 before speaking to the unit, who can't prescribe and therefore cant really help.

I rang my GP and within an hour I had a prescription for different sickness med which within 30 mins I felt different again.

I had have these new meds for Chemo 2 and touch wood (touching lots of it!) I haven't suffered at all..... I can still feel a lingering background nausea, you know what I mean, if I got a whiff of something not good I would hurl but nothing like I had.

Always best to wave the red flag early!!

x

[lesley62]

Dramaminx, I have the injections for 5 days, but told yesterday that will increase to 7 days with the T. Some ladies have them for 10days and some not at all. I can recommend taking Clarityn over the counter one a day tablets to help counteract the joint pain that you can get with these injections (it means that they are working). It was a hint that I picked up on here and worked for me last time around - my Onc is now aware and has endorsed it by giving me the clarityn as part of my take home goodie bag! I was dreading do them myself but they are fine and not painful. As with alot of this chemo, the thought of it is actually much worse than it turns out to be xx

[scooterbek]

Back home after first EC. It went better than I was expecting although I was very anxious & was so much happier once I got back home. Feet up resting now, I feel abit groggy & still abit nervous how I'm going to feel over next 12-24 hours. Drinking lots of water & herbal tea. Take care ladies & keep wrapped up warm!

[Shi]

Grab belly fat and do injections alternative sides of belly button each day, the number you have can vary from trust to trust, do same time each day and keep them in the fridge. Some have been told to do in the morning and donebin the afternoon, again it varies from trust to trust. When hubby does them listed for the click when he’s pushed all the way down with the plunger. I’ve used antiseptic wipes on belly before and after each injection just to try and ensure area sterile, probably me going ott, but hey that’s just me😘😘hope that helps 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Dramaminx]

Well done us! The treatment was fine, even went to see Bad Moms Christmas at the cinema afterwards! But before you start getting envious...I have been sick as a dog all night!! Ugh couldn't keep anything down, not even a sip of water and certainly not my meds. Ended up ringing the hospital for advice, and they just said try keeping up the fluids. I eventually stopped being sick at 10am and have managed some scrambled eggs on toast and ginger biscuits. I too had sausage fingers last night and puffy eyes (probably from all the throwing up) but better today. If it's doing this to me must be kicking the hell out of my tumour. Has anyone got bone marrow injections to do at home? Hubby giving it a go from tomorrow 😳

[KirstyH]

I will do ladies, I wont be doing much at work at all, they have very easy tasks for me and will be sitting down all day in a quiet office. I think I will just do a half day then home to rest and will be resting all weekend as well, see how I feel by monday and take a day off if required x 

[Meesh73]

Kirsty, I would echo Lesley's advice. You need to do what feels right for you but remember that this is a long race and you need to pace yourself. I've been working during chemo but normally sign myself off for the first 4 days to let my body recover (even though I probably could've worked). I've got chemo 4 on Tuesday provided bloods are ok, haven't had any delays yet! 

[Mamadeacs]

Morning ladies...happy December....love and best wishes going for their cocktails today, especially newbies of which I was one yesterday.
My first FEC went well, I came over really tired during it and had a stonking headache that has almost gone this morning. Feel queasy last night but the 2 pills took that off as well. My usual temp is always around 36.4 that gradually went up to 37.4 last night but this morning 37.1. Have just had a low sugar protein bar to eat and 500mls water with the steroids and anti sickness pills, will take a couple of paracetamol I think to clear head (will that be ok or mask temp??). I did have tight sausage fingers on both hands last night as though you’ve been on a flight at high altitude but gone today. All in all I’m feeling just fine. Will try and drink the 500mls bottle of water with each cup of herbal tea today.
Hoping to go into town with my husband just to get a couple more Christmas gifts that I want to get for friends that have been so lovely. Also want to visit my mum who has Alzheimers and Lewy Body dementia before my hair goes....her not recognising me over the next few months is my big feat. I told her last week I was getting my long hair cut shorter and the wig I’ve ordered is similar to my new cut so I’m hoping it will be a smooth-ish transition but you never know do you.
Have a good day all, hope SE’s are kind to you xxx

[lesley62]

Kirsty - be careful pushing yourself, be kind .... dont do too much at work.

Some of the ladies in November found they felt up to doing stuff, did it and then paid the price for a couple days after.

You need to be careful for at least the first 3 days I would say.

xx

[KirstyH]

Thanks ladies, bit of a patchy sleep after them giving me the iv steroids at about 4pm lol but atill feeling ok so going to go to work for a few hours then home for a sleep. I will definitly trying get out for a walk as well. Now time for more steroids and water 🤦‍♀️ xx

[Karebear]

Good luck ladies who are starting their treatment this week
Am not starting mine till 20th dec so I'll be able to see how you all get on

[AnnaKarenina]

Mamadeacs and Kirsty, huge hugs and cheers for crossing that threshold and doing it with such grace and humour. I hope you both had a good night and can keep on with the water (another vote for it being crucial), medication and rest. I really find a walk or getting out somehow helps me if you can manage it. It isn't always what I want to do, but I always feel brighter for having done it. Thinking of you today. I am going to be with you as I navigate day1 after my second cycle. It is so strengthening to know you are out there, along with Lesley, swallowing steroids and gulping water too! xx

[SamH87]

Hey ladies!! Well done for today- hope you get a good night sleep and the SE go easy on you this weekend!! I’m in for my first next Wednesday now! Eeeek!! Xx

[KirstyH]

Thanks ladies, drinking water and herbal teas and have my meds lined up for the morning. Hope every one else is doing well xx

[Meesh73]

Well done Kirsty! As Shi says rest and drink plenty. Remember your meds too. 🌟⭐️💫⭐️🌟✨🌈✨🌈✨⭐️🌟💫⭐️🦄🦄🦄🌟💫

[Shi]

😘😘😘😘👏👏👏💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻great news Kirsty well done, drink and rest up lovely 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[KirstyH]

That's my first one done as well, wasn't as bad as I thought and she said I had a nice big vein lol and the drip was fast so went smoothly. Feel ok at the moment so just need to wait now xx

[Meesh73]

Well done mamadeacs, rest up now and remember to drink loads.

I cold cap and try and drink some water before chemo and I drink it throughout too. I make sure I go before they start and can usually manage to hold on until they finish the chemo so she don't have to drag the dripnto the loo with me. They can unhook you from the cold cap for a few minutes to go to the loo.

[Shi]

😘😘😘well done mamadeacs, rest up drink plenty and take it steady now. That’s the first one ticked off and out the way 👏👏👏💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Mamadeacs]

Hello ladies...first one done and feeling ok. Vein behaved but on my notes she said that it was marked as only having one go or it’s a PICC line so I’m sure she felt it was a challenge to conquer and she did. I’ve come over very tired and a headache but other than that it was fine...but it’s also 5.30 and blooming chilly so could be that.
Heart scan this morning was painful in the centre but she said she got enough pictures pressing gently albeit quite grainy. Next one in 3 months she will be able to get better pictures.
Hope you are all ok for the ladies done today and virtual hugs for those on tomorrow....it’s worse in your imagination than in reality. Lots of love xxx

[lesley62]

hi all

I'm just back from chemo 2, my veins are completely buggered after just one round and it needed a vascular nurse to come and find a nice fat juicy vein for them to go for ...... after 3 attempts elsewher 😞    so I will be having a PICC line sorted before the next treatment.

Fiona, dark humour is the best..... is there any other worth having??!!

Truly dosed up on the anti-emetics so fingers crossed we keep that little baby at bay this time around.

I can only speak for my unit, but they like you to get up and wander, you just have to unplug the drip from the electric and take it all with you...... so trips to the loo are ok and getting a brew!

For those of you having FEC - it is normally administered from a syringe into the line, so the nurse if with you for quite a while, you have someone to chat to!  I couldn't shut up today.  

And althought I should have been in and out in 75 mins, I arrived at 0940 and left at 1415 .... veins delayed things by an hour but its a time consuming process!

sing out if you need any of us and pop over to the nov thread if we dont come over to you....... just think, this time next month, you will doing this for the Jan ladies!!

onwards and upward ladies, together we can nail this bar steward to the wall!!

[Fiona17]

Thanks Shi and Sue, I don't need excuses for shopping frenzy though it's usually yarn related and not the industrial quantity of Udderly cream 😂😩😂. Am going to work my way through the list. Having checked the chemo thread it seems everyone has varied experiences of weekly which is kind of what I expected. So it's suck it and see, hang on tight and try to stay in the now. Thanks and lovely to know we're all in the same storm propping each other up. ❤️❤️

[drbexl]

Hope everyone who's started today doing good! I woke up feeling sick this morning, and chemo not even started, so that's fun. Got plenty of things to sort out though and knocked myself out with a sleeping tablet last night to give me as much sleep as possible! 

Trying to work out re drinking loads of fluid - presuming once you're hooked up to cold cap/chemo - need to sit there, so don't want to have drunk a ridiculous amount in the hour beforehand?! 

x

[Shi]

Hi Fiona, just hang on for the ride take it a treatment at a time and if you have on line steroid induced shopping frenzies, it’s normal we all do it 😁😁you have the love and support of all the amazing, kind, strong compassionate ladies on these forums, we look after each other 24/7. 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Sue C]

Hi Fiona

Welcome to the forum.

It maybe worth posting in the Chemotherapy section and hopefully someone will come along shortly. I know Blueash (community champion) had the herceptin, and I had the rads and am now taking letrozole. 

Best wishes

Sue xx

[Fiona17]

Thanks Shi I'll get my shopping list ready! and will have a peek at the threads suggested.

I've a warped sense of humour to start with so who knows what this will do 😂.

[Shi]

Hi Fiona, I’m from Oct thread, you could private message ladybowler who is community champion and she will be able to help put you in touch with someone who’s done weekly tax, or if you jump on earlier thread and post a message asking about weekly tax, try May, July and sept threads, I don’t think anyone of us on Oct thread is having weekly. On t, paint your nails black polish, fingers and toes, get Epsom salts for baths, loratadine antihistamine, Imodium for bottom, sudacream, anusol, udderly urea cream for hands and feet, if you get thrush mouth get fluconzole and difflam from your onc. These are tips that lovely ladies from earlier threads have given us Oct thread switching to t in Dec, so also feel free to jump on Oct thread as we all navigate t together in dec😘😘😘we are a chatty crazy bunch on the October chemo 🚂 and we all love and support each other through this so you will never be alone on this journey. 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Fiona17]

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with grade 3 IDC in October, WLE and lymph node removed November and start chemo on 13th December. I'm both ER & HER2+.

As tumor small and lymph node clear I will be having 12 weeks of weekly Taxol as well as Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. Radiotherapy and letrozol to follow after that! Not worrying about that till the first lot is done with.

is there anyone else doing 12 straight weeks? Looking at the thread it seems that you're all on 2/3 weekly chemo. I've no idea how this is going to work apart from that fact it's going to nuke the b*****d to kingdom come hopefully.

Hope we can all help each other through both the ups and downs of this journey none of us wanted to go on.

[Dramaminx]

Ooh yes, I had a heart scan yesterday and of course you have to lay on your left side which is so sore at the moment. But they don't actually touch your breast so just grit your teeth and it's over in about 15 minutes. Good luck xx

[Chaffinch17]

The water does help with both veins and to guard against uti’s. I think that FEC is quite acidic and seems to turn digestive system acidic too. I drink a glass of cranberry juice daily to help too it’s supposed to be good for water works. If you find it hard to drink during the first few days try very cold or slightly sparkling drinks through a straw. The drinking does seem to help.
Good luck today ladies x

[Mamadeacs]

Thanks Lesley....I only have one good vein left as mine pop easily. I’m hoping that one will be ok otherwise they say I’ll have a PICC line...she did say I could have it straight away but I thought I’d have a go first. I have dipsticks at home and Onc said if I’m bleeding 2nd day I have to go in. Hope today goes ok for you too xxx

[lesley62]

Drinking the 2l is mainly for the veins, the plumper they are the easier it is for the unit to a) get the cannula in b) the Chemo to get thru the system.
The F of FEC is quite think and sludgey, my nurse injects it manually into the cannula fitting. Afterwards it’s to help flush it thru your system.
Shi is the expert on UTIs but she always says first sign of any stinging when having a pee let your unit know regardless of temp etc

Good luck today - just off to get the chores done, then I’m in!! 🤗🤗🤗

[Mamadeacs]

Good luck Anna...I see you had a very early start on the November thread. I was similar but nodded back off luckily. I have my heart scan at 11am and more concerned about that than the first chemo as my boob is still painful for them to be pressing a scanner on it.
One last question - what is it with drinking 2L’s?? Is it for veins or does chemo sting on way out or something?? I have had 8 UTI’s since end of June so I am being put on antibiotics from today as a precaution. It does need further investigation but it isn’t as important as getting the rest sorted out first in the scheme of things.
Virtual hugs to everyone....we CAN do this xxx

[AnnaKarenina]

Popped in to wish all those beginning today all the very best. Be gentle with yourselves and I will come back to check in and see how you're doing after this big step - think of it as progress in a pesky process. xx

[lesley62]

Good luck to everyone starting tomorrow!
FEC 2 for me at 10am tomorrow and I’m actually looking forward to it - 1/3rd of the way thru - woohooo!!

It’s a daunting time waiting for it all to happen and not knowing which if any SEs you will suffer from, but take the meds, drink plenty to flush your system and sing out if you’re suffering!

And remember to have something to eat before you go in - the meds start as soon as you arrive and you’ll need something in your tummy!!

Sweet dreams everyone - I’ll be thinking of you all in the morning and sending positive vibes!! 👍👍😍😍

[Dramaminx]

I am almost excited to be starting tomorrow because I know it is the start of getting better. Spent the morning buying soft toothbrushes, mouthwash and a bra I may have worn when I was 12 - glamorous it ain't! Currently drinking lots of water in the hope that all will go well with the cannula tomorrow. I've made a chilli tonight that is so large it will probably keep the family fed for the full 16 weeks. No cold cap available tomorrow so I am just going for it. I've had long hair all my life, it's my security blanket and my best feature but I see it as part of the old me and experimenting with my new shorter hair will be part of the new me. Please remind me of that when I'm crying about it! Good luck everyone, tomorrow is our first step towards getting better. I'm starting at 10.15am and will be thinking of you all. All the best to drbexl and everyone else starting on the 1st xxx

[Ruth07]

Good luck to all our December ladies for tomorrow and Friday 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈
I am up for FEC 3 tomorrow - see you all on the other side and then you will be first one done 🤗🤗🤗♥️♥️♥️

[Meesh73]

Good luck 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀all you December ladies who are starting tomorrow! Hope it all goes well for you. Just remember to drink loads and also try to eat something even if it is just a biscuit as that can help with the nausea. As others have said take the meds they give you! We'll all be thinking of you tomorrow 💫⭐️💫🌈⭐️💫

[Mamadeacs]

Thanks Scooterbek...I’m quite chilled out about it at the moment, maybe that will change in the morning but hopefully not. Sooner it’s started the sooner it will be finished.
Good luck to everyone else, will be thinking of you xx

[AnnaKarenina]

Hello December women, I am about to do chemo 2 tomorrow and just wanted to say I am a lot less apprehensive than I was before chemo 1. The anticipation is tough, but once you are underway, it feels less daunting. And you'll have taken a really big step in the pesky process. Bon courage my friends. I will hold you in my thoughts.

Re: accelerated EC-T. I am doing four three weekly cycles of EC and then the plan is 4 fortnightly cycles of T, but on the understanding it may need to be extended over a longer period depending how I do. Great advice (as always) from Shi about taking it one cycle at a time. I find it hard to do, but so helpful if I can remind myself not to go crossing bridges before I reach them. The trolls I imagine under bridges always tend to be worse than the realities! 

Good luck everyone. xx

[Jay68]

Poppywheel - I can answer one of your questions! I had FEC-T accelerated - basically it mean't having the chemo every 2 weeks rather than every 3. Once I changed to T it was every 3 weeks.

[KirstyH]

Thanks scooterbek, getting nervous now but hopefully goes ok tomorrow. Good luck to everyone else starting both tomorrow and Friday xx

[scooterbek]

Good luck all you ladies starting tomorrow... SamH87 Mamadeacs Kirsty H AnnaKaremia & Dramaminx keeping everything crossed that it all goes as well as possible. DrBexl & myself follow you on Friday! Hope you all have a relaxing evening & a good sleep tonight. Scooter x

[Shi]

Sam, I’m from Oct thread and just done 3rd fec, I switch to t next week. Don’t worry, just take each treatment one at a time, take meds as told and if they don’t work tell your team, be vigilant on temp and any other se’s. If your pee burns but no high temp ring up as that’s a uti, if you get thrush mouth then make sure they give you fluconzole and difflam mouth wash, everyone is different and you just have to take it one treatment at a time and the main thing is you arebon the forum and we all look after each other and we will get each other safely through this journey. Much ❤️❤️❤️💕💕✨🕺shi xx

[SamH87]

Thank you scooterbek for your lovely comments. It’s so nice to have such great support in here. It’s s genuine lifeline in these early days!!
So nervous for next week... but at the same time really want to get it started and get going! X