Lesley62 you've hit the nail on the head. All about resources and 'saving of'. However as you rightly say the time, energy and strain on resources with nurses having to find veins must exceed the time for nurses using lines. I was in shock when my chemo was inserted in 15 minutes. That was the nurse taking her time as it was my first chemo. That was me done! ! Heading for my second next Tuesday and not looking forward but as you say each time one is done it helps mentally. ...only a good thing.
Sorry also meant to say Happy New Year to you all - as you have said quite a few of you are a 1/3 of the way thru. Being 1/2 way has made a big difference to me in my head. But there are also ladies on different regimes - who might be taking slightly longer - but we will all be holding hands regardless of when you cross the finishing line!! love and hugs to you all xxx
cmccorry - having a static line inserted prior to treatment does seem the most efficient way for everyone, the unit dont have to faff about, its a much better experience for us gals and we all know where we are up to. I cornered the Matron of the my chemo unit and also the Trust's Lead Anaesthetist.... they would love to do it but they need agreement from the commissioning CCGs - and having large numbers of patients requiring weekly flushes of permanent lines puts too much pressure on the District Nurses. So I suggested that like me they return to the unit - again this puts additional pressure on the unit. And because it would have to be planned it would have to rota'd so staff allocated which then would take away from administering ... where as spending time faffing around with veins just goes under the radar. Not a great reason .... but I can see how it affects clinical practice!
Happy new year to everyone. Hoping we all find the strength to go through what we have to to beat this thing that had changed our lives. Sorry to read about the difficulties with administration into veins. Sounds very painful. I had a hickman line fitted and although not pleasant to have put in. It appears to saved the veins. Not sure why this should just not be standard practice 😕
Sorry to hear about your bad experience on Friday foo Mamadeacs 😕 Sounds like you've had a far worse experience than me but hopefully your cycle 3 will be much better. Sending a big ((hug)) to you too and hope that you start to feel better over the next few days. We are a 1/3 of the way through this journey and we CAN do this with the love and support of family, friends and other ladies on this forum ❤ Jo xx
I feel for you Jo....I had a similar experience myself on Friday with my 2nd FEC. One vein popped on the E part, took a while coaching a 2nd vein then had anaphylactic reaction to the C part and never got the F. Couple of days in hospital. Yesterday no energy at all. Big hugs to you, hope side effects are easing and recovering is swift. It feels like such a slog. Love Nikki xx
Haopy New Year to all you lovely ladies and here's to the year we all kick cancer's butt!! I had my 2 EC cycle on Friday and its safe to say that it wasn't a pleasant experience this time around. Had 3 different canulas attempted as 1st one the student nurse couldnt fit, the 2nd one the E part of the drug caused burning sensation half way up my arm so was removed, 3rd cannulation the last of the E caused redness around the cannula site and burning again up my arm so they had to stop for 20 minutes as vein irritated. All the meds were pushed through far too quickly in mine and hubbys opinion as the unit seemed short staffed with nurses all over the place. When it came to the C part it was pushed through in less than 10 minutes. As a result of it all I ended up with burning sensation and tingling arms and hands for the rwst of the day until late evening. My heart rate was also 20-25 bpm faster than normal and did not calm down until yesterday afternoon when it came back to my usual 70bpm. I think it was a result of the chemo drugs and steriods shoved in far too quickly. The steriods have also affected me more this time around so will discuss with my chemo assessment nurse before the next cycle along with Friday's poor experience and care at the Day Unit. Was a very unpleasant experience this cycle time and am so glad that wasnt my 1st cycle experience otherwise I wouldnt have been keen on showing up for my 2nd cycle. Apologies to moan as I know others on here have had a far worse experience!
Hiii all...my second chemo fec is on 2nd ..ER positive and HER positive invasive ductal carcinoma grade2 ..I had my hair for 2 weeks it was almost gone by now .my kids were shocked and were asking me mom wher's Ur long hair .I just need to confirm does it grows back 😃...making me sick i was waiting when I will be back to form 😱.... anyways I wish all the lovely ladies a wonderful and joyful new year❤🎉🎆🎊🎇
Thanks for that, Cassie, when so newly into the journey it's so helpful to hear from someone further along.
With FEC I haven't felt fuzzy headed or nauseous, but as if I have a brick in my stomach. Dreadful mouth taste and, day 13, still have my hair - not for long, I suspect...
Well, New Year's Eve and husband leaping around at a party. I'm on germ avoidance so stayed home!
This time next year let's hope we're all in a happier place!
Hi Camilla. I'm not Her2+ but there are some on the Oct thread that are if you have any questions feel free to pop over. I'm just taking paracetamol as advised by my onc. I wasn't sure about taking it too often as I didn't want it to mask any sign of infection but he has told me to take it. With T I've found less of the fuzzy dizzy head Feeling, no nausea, still got crappy mouth and cant taste much. Got the achey bruised feeling and painful bones which could be the injections. My eyebrows and lashes have thinned quite a bit but my head hair is growing back which has given me a boost. I also get a couple of slightly down days after coming off the steroids. Last cycle I found my good days on T better than the good days on FEC. I also find my hands and feet get quite warm especially at night so often take a little walk round the tiled bathroom floor to cool down. Epsom salts in bath is good for muscle aches but watch you don't get hands and feet too warm. Currently feeling like I've gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson so a chill out day on the sofa for me. Hope all you lovely ladies are having a good day. Cassie x
Mamadeacs glad you are home. Phone thecrapid response and check with them before you pop a Claritin with you having the piriton, always best to check with the experts at hospital, they know what you can take with what safely. Camilla, have you spoken to them about alternatives to ibruprofen? I know on the t some of us are having a loratadine a day and Epsom salt baths. But again always better to just check what’s safe to take for you. 😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx
Thanks Chaffinch. Son gone back to his own flat after visiting for Xmas and I am on day 12 and almost felt normal today, so was able to do food prep myself and can cook for the freezer if some better days coming up. Had first toast today after chemo, didn't stomach it before.
Hi Whytefawn, I am on same as u, 3 FEC and 3T, but am only into day 12 of first cycle. Were you HER 2 positive? What se can I expect from the T that's different from the FEC? Unfortunately because of kidney probs I can't take Ibuprofen and similar as pain relief ( if needed)
I have a question for ladies that do GCSF injections.
I know you advise to take Clarityn for bone pain but I have been put on Piriton until my chest pain has gone following my anaphylaxis yesterday. Should I not take it now?? Are they much the same thing? Xxx
Evening everyone....I’m home now from hospital. Heart rate still hovering around 97 but better than 140 yesterday and BP back to normal. They were happy I was out of the danger period and I feel I will get more rest if not much sleep thanks to sleep thieving steroids! Happy bunny. Need to write a rota out of all the meds, there are so many. My poor tummy isn’t going to know which part of my body it’s sending help to - I know omeprazole will help for tummy issues. Still eating my food ok on day 2, last time day 3 was the very worst but I think if anything it will be day 4 because of increased steroids. A couple of my friends took this really hard and it’s sad reassuring them I am absolutely fine, really I am. I just need to rest up for the next few days. Love to you all, hope your side effects are being kind. Xxx
Hope you are feeling better Mamadeacs, sounds scary. Camilla, I know what you mean about eating good good condition cooked from scratch but just after chemo we just need to eat something. I have found bland carbs like whole meal toast with marmite and banana or handfuls of almonds. I also like porridge with blueberries, scrambled eggs and omelettes. Soup can be comforting too and you could make this in portions that could just be reheated by your husband or son. Hope you get some good food and are now feeling better x
I want to get a head start on the painkillers now then! The pelvic pain was the worst for me... i also struggled sleeping on my left hand side for some reason?! Then it all went away... ready for round 2! 🙈 How many rounds have you done/got left WhyteFawn? Xx
Exactly the same here Sam. I'm not sure if it's the injections or the docetaxel but I had the same last time. It moved down to my pelvis and lower back and sat there for a bit then moved into my legs.
Ah ok - that makes sense! I wasn’t sure if it was the filstigram injections but I am on Docetaxel too so guess it’s that then. The pain seemed to move down my back last time and into my pelvis/hips. Best get on on the ibuprofen now!! Thank you!! X
Hi Sam. That is where my docetaxel pains start in my neck and back. Feels like skin is bruised but no actual bruising. I had the same on my first T and just started feeling this again on my second round.
Has anyone experienced really tender neck/back of the head about 3 days after chemo? I had this last time and I have it again today. Feels bruised/sore to touch??? Xx
I've been using the m&s manuka honey this cycle as I read that's supposed to be one of the better ones and my neutrophils were down to 1.55 last cycle thus time they were up to 3.42! As Shi says it's expensive but not as much xpensive as the life Mel honey and I'm also willing to give it a go if it keeps me on track with the chemo! The cashier looked 😳😳😳at the price tag to which I then felt the need to explain I was on chemo and needed it for immune system 🙄
Ali and I have been on the Life Mel honey since round 1. Expensive but touch wood neutraphils not been on holiday since taking 2 teaspoons of that a day. Just thought I’d mention it if you didn’t know about it. I’ll give anything a try to get me through the chemo, knickers to the cost, of it works its worth it 😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx
Camilla - we’ve had some meals from Cook, I don’t know if you have a branch near you. Homemade freezer food that you can get out when you fancy it. Do you have a slow cooker? You could throw some bits in in the morning and see what happens! Might be a good thing to get your son involved i- us girls like a man that can cook! Homemade smoothies are also a good idea. You can get loads of fruit and veg in there when you really don’t feel like eating. Try to have a teaspoon of Manuka honey each day too, it’s meant to give your immune system a boost. Keep going, you will soon get into a routine that works for you xx
Glad you’re feeling a tad better than yesterday, let’s hope it carries on and you can get back home soon. Even when you feel yuk it’s always nicer to be back home. Fingers crossed that all goes well today and they let you escape. Xx
Mamadeacs, sorry you’ve had a crappy night, it’s hard to sleep when they are in and out all night with things but good you are being observed, hope you manage to get out today or tomorrow. Try some of those breathing exercises that meesh has suggested, meesh is our well being guru on our Oct 🚂😁😁💕💕✨✨shi xx
Morning lovelies....I had the crappiest nights rest ever between steroids, drip going off and obs all night. I am feeling better this morning and my obs almost all back in normal range. Still needing oxygen and my chest hurts when I breathe but I feel ready for my own bed and peace and quiet to get rid of my headache. Thanks for all the well wishes xxx
Hi mamadeacs, I'm also on fecx6 and had fec5 this week. Luckily I haven't had any reactions to the drugs but on one of my earlier infusions it did feel a bit strange and I highlighted it to them straight away and they confirmed it was normal. I apologised to them for being such a stress head and bothering them and they said they would prefer me to let them know of any strange feelings straight away rather than sit through them as it could be something. I know it's hard but try to relax a little, have you tried some breathing exercises as these can really help bring your heart rate down and the stress won't be helping with that. Hang on in there stay 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻And try not to worry you're in the best place and they will look after you. Sending you love ❤️ and hugs 🤗🤗🤗and some 🌟⭐️✨⭐️✨🌟✨🌟💫🌟⭐️✨🦄🦄🦄 to help get that heart rate sorted.
Hi Sam, I’d rapid response your symptoms just to be on the safe side, they will pick up if it is anything to be concerned about because not having a temp doesn’t mean nothing is going on, my temp was fine but I had a uti after my 1st fec, so worth a 2 min call. Mamadeacs, hope your chest and symptoms ease off today, I was lucky they were on me immediately. Your onc will know what to do on doseage, they might even switch you to a different chemo, there are so many things they can do for us if reactions happen. Keep strong and rest up darling 💕💕💕✨✨✨shi xx
Oh wow... sorry to hear about these reactions ladies, this sounds more common than I thought?? Hope it gets sorted though.
I have a question for any of the Zoladex people out there. With cycle 1 my Zoladex injection was 2 weeks before my chemo. This time around I had it last week and chemo this week. Tonight Iv been having really bad hot/cold flushes. Temperature is normal on my thermometer though. Is this likely to be the Zoladex or the chemo?? I’m on a pretty tough cocktail of TCHP so understand it could literally be anything... but any one else experienced this? Xx
Shi - mine was feeling dizzy, followed pretty much straight away by tight chest then tight throat. I could breathe by I can’t swallow. The swallowing has eased some but the discomfort in my chest and throat is still there. Xx
It’s certainly a bummer. My heart rate still won’t come down, my SATS won’t go above 95% on oxygen (is this high enough??) and temp rising every time it’s taken. I feel like I’ve been sat on by a giant! Yes Shi it happened really quick. I’ve had an anaphylactic reaction years ago and recognised the signs fortunately. I’m having 6xFEC. I think I went from FEC100 to FEC75 today so I assume that is already a reduction. How are you feeling today? Xx
Mamadeacs Blimey I bet that was scary for you, hope nothing further comes of it. At least they were v quick to respond and will be keeping a very close eye on you overnight. Try and get some shuteye and fingers crossed you have an uneventful night and are allowed home tomorrow. Big hug 😘
Mamadeacs, sure sorry you’ve had a reaction and glad they got you sorted quick. I had a reaction on my 2nd t yesterday. About 15-20 mins in, I went hot and my chest started to tighten, I told them straight away and 3 nurses were there within seconds stopped it and by which time I had flashing lights in front of my eyes, this all happened within 5-10 seconds the reaction struck that quick, did yours happen like that? They say it can just happen at any point in treatment and it doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen again. I just wanted you all to know so when you switch to t, if you have same feeling as I had yesterday let them know straight away so they can take care of it immediately don’t just dit and think you are imagining it and it’s part of the chemo infusion. Rest up mamadeacs and try not to worry, they will probably recommend lowering your dose. I 💩 myself yesterday as my first t 3 weeks ago was fine, so not expecting that yesterday at all. Keep strong and they will know what to do for you, they see this happen a lot, it’s not uncommon from what I could gather yesterday. Hope that helps 💕💕✨✨✨shi xx
