December 2017 Chemo Starters

[KirstyH]

Hi girls, I am the same as you and Sam, Jo, and find the emotional side of it all the hardest, phystical side effects can be dealt with and will pass but the feeling of loss of future plans around startting a family has been the toughest. like Sam says we just need to look at it as ticking off each treatment, Im finding I am just having to give myself a strong talking to in my head to try and not dwell on things that cant be changed, so trying to focus on getting better. Life is just so unfair and **bleep** sometimes. Sorry not much help as to how to deal with it but we are all strong and will get through together xx

[SamH87]

Hey Jo - I have found the emotional side of things harder than the physical side effects. I have round 2 on Thursday and am hoping things are a little better. I found I had all of the feelings I had before my official diagnosis back... scared, angry, etc. I found yesterday especially hard. I guess we have to remember that we are one treatment down and we just keep ticking off those treatments!! X

[runawaygirl248]

Morning ladies

Hope you have all had a lovely Christmas!

I'm currently on Day 18 of cycle 1 (EC) with cycle 2 due on the 29th Dec. So far this cycle I've had nausea constantly for 10 days, heartburn and indigestion and a bit of an irritated bladder on and off around days 7-14. Other than that Ive had the expected fatigue and tiredness.

What I'm really struggling with is emotionally, Im starting to feel really angry, rageful, bitter, sad and fed up not only with the chemo but also just the unjust of hair loss (now got a patchy scalp) and how Ive ended up with breast cancer in the first place (stage 1, grade 3 IDC with lumpectomy). It's not helped by the fact that chemo will now make me infertile when we were due to start IVF treatment next year.

How do any of you ladies deal with these emotions? I'm really struggling at the moment and feel like I'm just getting angry at those closest to me and it's not really them that I am angry at, its the whole cancer journey. I really just want my life back and to be doing what I used to do.

Thanks and apologies for the whinge!

Jo x

[Chaffinch17]

Happy Christmas December ladies. Mixed experiences which is to be expected.
The tingling face thing is normal it’s something I’ve had, you may find you fingertips get it too, it’s worse when you are tired and does pass. I find later in the cycle it only starts up again if I over do it so if I feel tingly I rest.
You can do this stay strong ladies some of us October ladies are heading towards our 5th treatment the time passes quickly x

[Shi]

Rabbit and all December thread, hope you have all had a beautiful peaceful Christmas Day 💕💕✨✨✨shi xx

[Mamadeacs]

Merry Christmas lovely ladies xxx

[Karebear]

Happy Xmas ladies
Have a lovely day
and we'll be ready it take on this journey in 2018 with help from our friends on this forum ⛄❄🎄🍷

[rabbit28]

Merry Christmas to you all, hope you can enjoy the day without too many se's. xx

[SamH87]

Thank you Meesh - have a lovely Christmas too!
Wish Christmas felt like Christmas this year though 😞.... hmph!! Xx

[KirstyH]

Hope all you ladies manage to enjoy christmas as much as possible and the side effects are kind to you 😘 x

[Meesh73]

Morning and merry Xmas eve, December ladies!

Karebear, I would echo Shi's wise words. I called my chemo unit nearly everyday after first chemo with little concerns, they know what is normal and what isn't and can advise you what to do. It is better to be safe than sorry and also it stops you from worrying too and we don't need any unnecessary stress on this journey, it's tough enough as it is. 

Keep 💪🏻 💪🏻 💪🏻 ladies you will get there! 

[Sangeetha p]

Hi gud mrng all lovely ladies ..it was 13 th day of my 1st chemo .at least I can say I am ok today but first few days vere horrible but day by day it was quite manageable but was wondering what is happening inside me😱😱wheres my body ??just I was lying and taking rest .. really very scared to go for the second chemo luckily it was on 2nd Jan so I can enjoy newyear😍😍..let us kill this cancer any way😡..thankq very much all lovely ladies helping and motivating me and the new one in the grp .thank u with loads of love😘😘❤❤

[Shi]

Keep an eye on things karebear just in case it’s a tooth infection or anything. I always ring just to be on the safe side, they are the experts and know what to look out for when we answer the questions. I know none of us like to make a fuss, but while on chemo it’s not normal circumstances and we have to be extra vigilant. Hope that helps lovely 😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Karebear]

Temps ok
5 days into 1st chemo I suppose I don't know want to expect with S/E's

[Shi]

Karebear, how many days in are you and what’s your temp like? Just to be safe always ring your rapid response, they know the signs if it’s anything. Keep safe lovely 💕💕😘😘✨✨✨shi xx

[Karebear]

I woke up to a tingling feeling in my face is morning is that normal

[Fiona17]

Sam - the gift that keeps on giving 😕had a crop of spots this week and woke up this am having to run to the toilet several times! I took 2 immodium and that seems to have worked for now. Hope you’re feeling better as the day goes on. F x

[SamH87]

Hi Ladies... I’m now 17 days post first chemo. Every couple of days I seem to have an upset stomach (particularly first thing in the morning) Tends to then be ok during the day. Anyone else experienced this??? Xx

[Camilla9]

Also awake through the night which doesn't help...

[Karebear]

Same here but a rang my gp and stuff for heartburn and consipation

[Camilla9]

Had my first FEC 5 days ago. Bloated, constipated, no appetite at all. Tried 3 lots novocol today, nothing happened. Sitting here, burping, feeling sorry for myself. Husband leaping around at the gym.

[Shi]

😘😘that’s the spirit Mccorry keep 💪I ended up in casa nhs for 6 days after my first one, so understand your 😳😳😳but after support from ladybowler a cc on this forum and going with a load of questions to my onc, I’ve managed to get through the 3 fec and one t so far and have 2 more t’s to go. It’s best to take it one treatment at a time and tick them off as you go, you’ll be half way through before you know it and then on the Home straight after that. You and all the dec thread will get there, safely together 😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx

[cmccorry21]

Thanks for that Shi. I will definitely be talking to my onco. I know that they can't tell how I will react until I take the meds but it was a frightening experience. My head and eyes were rolling. Anyway all makes me stronger. This chemo will not beat me.!!!!

[Shi]

Cmcorry, sorry you’ve had all this on first round. Don’t worry, when you see your onc next week go with list of questions, I.e alternative antisickness meds, reduced dose of chemo is that a possibility there are all sorts of things they can and will do to help you. Please keep 💪and Just take it one treatment at a time you will get though this and you also have a great bunch of ladies on Dec thread and you’ll all get each other through safely. 😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx

[cmccorry21]

Hello everyone, had my first chemo last Tuesday. Had normal SEs. However had a allergic reaction to one of the anti sickness tablets . Apparently it's very rare. Sums it up for me as they couldn't get a pic line into me either. Anyway I think my first session is hard to judge due to the reaction as ended up in a & e and was given more drugs with different side effects. Drug free now that I'm in week two. ...at last. Just in time to get ready for Christmas. I'm a little scared now of session 2 when I thought I would know what to expect. Have you all found it easier or just the same?xx

[rabbit28]

I was told by the oncologist 'I have good juicy veins' not sure how they'll hold up over 12 weeks though. Fiona I was told can't have anything done on the arm which was the side of surgery as you risk getting lymphodema.  I never had any underarm swelling or problems after op, had three lymph nodes removed. Definitely worth you asking the oncologist. xx

[Fiona17]

Sam - I’m hoping if veins no longer bruised next wk all will be well but see onc following wk before that chemo so will definitely bring it up at that point as they’ll have had 3 strikes by then. I’m just a tad concerned as they’re doing it weekly and in only 1 arm, thinking I’ll ask as only sentinel lymph removed and was clear can they not use other arm too. Can only ask and see what he suggests, happy to go with pic line if it’s on offer tho.

[SamH87]

Fiona - I had a port fitted yesterday for that very reason!! Can you request one... or a picc line?? X

[Fiona17]

Hi Rabbit, the actual chemo infusion takes about an hour but they have the hunt the vein game for a bit 🤪 then flush, then pre chemo taster cocktail followed by a wait for the crap to circulate into your system them another flush followed by chemo infusion. I’ve not been there for less than 4 hours yet but live in hope.

This time round I’d already drunk 2ltrs, was holding hand warmer and had one strapped to arm in attempt to coax veins out but ended up getting it in hand rather than arm. 

If they are diluting yours it may take longer - hope they give you early appointment  to allow for the extra time you may need. Fingers crossed it all goes well for you, be sure to let us know. x

[rabbit28]

Hi Fiona, Glad your'e weekly chemo is going ok. I am hoping this will be ok for me if it's not they will try abraxane and if that's no good then the chemo will be stopped altogether.  How long do your infusions take? The oncologist said as they are going to water it down it will be four bags over a long time, about eight hours I think. Not sure whether this will be the case each time or if its just for the first one.  

Like your idea of an advent calendar, think you should have a treat each time though, I'm thinking maybe a glass of wine!! Can't believe my second herceptin is next week already, time flies. xx

[SamH87]

Hey Karebear... I had both! I was prescribed Lanzoprazole for the heartburn and laxido for the constipation.
I did find that I actually ended up going the other way between Day 5-8 — nothing horrendous but something to watch out for!

Fiona - I love the idea of post it’s!! I’m defo going to do that!!

Ladies I do have a question. I was in yesterday for my port/ Zoladex injection and was chatting to the oncology pharmacist. I mentioned that I was counting down the next 5 rounds and she said something about a chemo maintenance session and that we would chat about that nearer the time? Anyone heard of this?? I thought I was having 6 sessions and then a year of Herceptin. Any ideas?? Xx

[Fiona17]

Mamadeacs - Glad you made the escape hatch 😀 hope it all works with the next cocktail.

KirstyH & Sam87 - I’ve got a countdown in post it’s on my fridge 1 for Herceptin 17 to go and 1 for chemo 10 to go. Somehow once I get back and get to rip another number off I get a bit of a buzz 😋 double one next week as I get to take 1 of each off yay. Maybe I’m nuts it’s a bit like a treatment advent calendar but without choccies and works for me.

Rabbit - I had  2/12 Tax yesterday, I’ve not had any reactions at the time of treatment. SE for me seem to be dizziness when walking any distance but stopping and sitting for a couple of mins sorts it just a weird feeling and a bit tired on and off. I know we all react differently but BCN says the weekly taxol is a bit kinder onSE same ones but not severe. Apart from feel bit wobbly occasionally touch wood i feel ok. Finding veins is becoming a pain ended up with it in back of hand yesterday as arm still black n blue from last week 😏.  Hope it’s  kinder to you this way round, just shout if I can help in any way.

[Shi]

Hi rabbit, mishy18 from July thread got switched from t because she had a reaction, you might want to post on July thread to mishy and ask her. Hope that helps 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Karebear]

Hs anyone suffered from really bad heartburn ??
If so did you get stuff of the gp and also constipation

[rabbit28]

Hello all hope you're all going ok. I saw the Oncologist today and they are switching me to paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks following my severe reaction to the t. The herceptin will be the day before just to rule out it wasn't a delayed reaction to that. Weekly chemo sounds quite daunting, guess I'll just have to see how I cope with it and hope I Don't react to that as week as it's still the same group of drugs but they are going to densensitise it. Has anyone else had this? xx

[KirstyH]

Thats good, hopefully you get a good sleep tonight.
Yeah 6 for me as well! am so yey, 1 3rd down. We can all do this 💪💪xx

[SamH87]

Feeling ok- little sore and sleepy but glad it’s done!
Yep... 1/3 off the way through - if you having 6 as well?! 🙂 x

[KirstyH]

Oh hadn't thought of it like that! Like the sound of that, 2 down before NY 🙂 how are you feeling now Sam? Xx

[SamH87]

Well done Kirsty! Hope cycle 2 is good to you!
I was in today for my port fitting - all ready for round 2 next week! Can’t believe we would have ticked off 2 before the new year! 🙌🏻Xx

[Meesh73]

Evening December ladies!

Mamadeacs that's a shame about delay but at least it's Xmas week so you don't mind the delay so much. My unit won't give it if you're under 1.5 but I do know others have said their cut off is 1 just seems to depend on where you are. 

Kirsty, well done on chemo 2 rest up now, drink loads and try to get some food in you!

[Shi]

Mamadeacs glad you are home, keep the fluids going in and rest up a bit if you can, my trust won’t give chemo below 1.5. Kirsty glad you are home too. Step by step you are getting there and keeping each other safe of this journey 😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx

[KirstyH]

All done, so home now with feet up getting my tea made for me 😉
it's funny how they all do different as they said would have given me it at 1 but with the extra anti biotics, varies place to place it seems

Yes definitely think of the positive, feeling good for xmas dinner 🙂 🙂 take care xx

[Mamadeacs]

I’m home now, luckily for me there were no female beds available! Oral antibiotics and told to take my temp more frequently and if it goes up I go in for IV antibiotics. Wouldn’t consider chemo under 1.5 so although it came up he said not by enough. Next Friday now. I will be given the gcsf injections to do for 5 days after and another antisickness med but can’t remember the name of it.
Negative - delays the end, I know it’s only a week but mentally 16th March was my goal. Better safe than sorry.
Positive - I’ll get to have Christmas without feeling grotty.
Kirsty I hope it’s all gone well today and you continue being lucky with the se’s. Xx

[KirstyH]

Aw still a good increase in 1 day tho so should be up again tomorrow! They told me here they ideally want them up to 1.5 but woukd still give chemo if they get to 1, just with extra anti biotics. Hope they ley you home!

My chemo is today, so im hooked up to pre meds now then fec starting shortly. They got me to come in an hour early to re test my bloods before starting xx

[Mamadeacs]

Still in hospital waiting to see if they are keeping me in for obs for 24 hours. Bloods today up to 0.9 from 0.4 yesterday. I thought that sounded good but Dr said ‘you are still neutropenic so no it isn’t good!’
Good for you Kirsty...is your chemo tomorrow? Xx

[KirstyH]

Bloods back up to 2.5 from 0.54 2 days ago, just shows the difference a couple of days can make. Hooked up on the steroids now x

[Shi]

Mamadeacs, sorry to hear neutraphils low do you have the injections? Not all trusts give them out, might be worth asking if you don’t get them as standard. Keep strong and better to get a delay and be safe, also you will get Christmas Day now 😘😘hi Holliepea glad you are having a better day today, you just have to hold on tight and the ladies on the threads will be holding onto you tight too and we will get each other safely through. I’m from Oct thread with meesh who got back to you last night. Have you had surgery or are you chemo 1st? Are you 3 fec and 3 t? Meesh coldcaps if you need advice on that and she also makes a great curl cream if you are cold capping. I’m a tn too, there appears to be a lot of us with tn on the threads o don’t think it’s as uncommon as they are making out. Keep 💪and we are all here with 😁😁😁😘😘😘and plenty of 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂💕💕✨✨shi xx

[KirstyH]

Aw no,so frustrating mamadeacs! Hope the antibiotics clear up and infection and your neutrophils go back up to get treatment soon, but yes at leaat you can enjoy xmas dinner hehe

Im at the hospital now to get repeat bloods done to see if I can get my chemo today as were 0.54 on tueaday x

[Mamadeacs]

Hospital just phoned to say my neutrophils only 0.4 so cant have chemo tomorrow. I have had niggly earache, sore mouth and swollen glands for a couple of days. It wouldn’t be something I would have felt I needed to see a doctor about if I wasn’t on chemo.
Hubby taking me to be seen in oncology now to be checked over and get antibiotics. Disappointing for first round.
On the positive I can enjoy Christmas dinner! Xx

[Holliepea85]

Yep I am triple negative. Feeling much better today thank you. It's just so up and down isn't it!!