January chemo starters ?

[Shi]

Hi shocked 😘😘I’m sorry for coming over like a clucky mother hen, I just want you all safely through the chemo 😘😘I know our Oct girls have had the odd 🍷🍸🥂too, I’ve just been the steroid 💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻Queen for the chemo journey 😁😁😁can’t even put it down to a 🥂😂🤣😂🤣😂love you all 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Shocked]

Hi Shi

I was litereally just going to have a spritser - though my post probably made me sound like I couldn't live without it 😄 I did double check with the nurse on the chemo unit and seh said a glass or two should be fine so long as its not within 48 hours of chemo- it was going to be my little reward last night but no point if I can't even taste it.so took myself off to bed in a right huff. Off to find some non alcoholic treats later to replace it.

Promise I won't be on the pop every night though 😉

[Shi]

Hi ladies, not being a party pooper but please watch your alcohol and pace yourselves through chemo as the battering your liver and kidneys get on this journey can impact on their function too and these are checked each blood test and they can cause chemo delay if your onc’s not happy with the readings. Just want you all to get safely through so just thought I’d mention it 😘😘 there is the fever tree range of water that tastes like a gin and tonic that a lot of ladies on the threads have 😘😘💕💕✨✨shi xx

[Jamesy46]

Shocked , I’m gutted for you 😂🍸🍸🍸🍸xxxx

[Shocked]

Right things are really bad now - I can't taste wine 😞

[Crazytimes2017]

Yup... done the mouth thrush thing. Got some Orange flavour gel stuff... cleared up within a couple of days. Hope yours does the same. I found sucking hardboiled fruit sweets helped mine - stopped my mouth getting dry. Foxes glacier fruits. Give it a try x

[amyjb]

Tell me about it Crazytimes, I've been hooked up with more today myself for mouth thrush, ergh.  Just gotta remember to take everything!

[Crazytimes2017]

Flucloxacillin on board now to sort the spots... for a girl who rarely took paracetamol... all these meds are mind blowing!!!

[Theresa47]

Thanks shi, yep I have some difflan but no fluconzole. The hospital gave me a huge bag of drugs, difflan and doublebase gel! I will start using it today and call up about the fluconzole. Xxx

[Jamesy46]

Aww fec and it really is FEC how bloody crap is that !! I really hope they can sort it next time for you xx
I’ve got my pre ass Monday and I’m going to ask about the amend and sedative as I can’t sleep anyway so thinking that would be a good idea xx
Hang on in there ladies. Xxxxx

[Crazytimes2017]

Day 12 - lots and lots of spots!!!! Argh! Not had acne this bad since I was 15!! Called the info line and I'm off to see my GO in a mo - concern about them becoming infected...nice!
Not overly keen on sitting in germ filled GP waiting room...might loiter in the foyer instead. Hoping this can be sorted. Grrrr 😣

[Shocked]

Dance done for you Fec 😘

dealdoh - I will look the same as my bald brother as well. Hmmm 

Just back from another CT scan on my heart, lungs, and pelvis there really can’t be much left of me to scan as I a have already had a series of endless MRI scans. Just the bone scan left which I delayed until next Tuesday rather than have the day after chemo. I have had so many needles this week I may as well give up on my stupid fear of them.

Amy - sorry to hear you’ve been rough I feel like I am almost having it too easy just being achy and tired.

[Dealdoh]

Doing the dance for Fec and the dog is joining in.  So sorry you are having such a Fec awful time.  A hug and Best wishes with you. 

Braved the shave today - god I look like my brother !!!

[RosieH]

HI Fec I’ve been reading a thread about some ladies who are getting their Tax weekly and quite literally sailing along. One was changed to weekly because she was so ill on it? Maybe this should be the option for you?

Im sorry I can’t remember without going back (don’t take offence I’m struggling to remember my own name at the moment)you’ve still got you tumour is that right? If you have or anyone else who has...have you noticed changes in your breast? I’m not kidding if I showed anyone my boob at the moment they’d know it has cancer in. It’s an off colour and my slightly inverted nipple has gone all the way in with loads of skin tethering and it feels fairly solid. It hurt like hell when I had the first session. Not sure if the changes are good or bad. Seeing the onco next Wednesday so trying to hang on xx

[amyjb]

I've been feeling pretty rough last 2 days but nothing like what you're going through, FEC!  So I've also been up to do a dance for you, I really do hope those changes make a difference coz it's bad enough going through this with mild/common SE's let alone bloody hives, etc!  FEC-IN-HELL alright!?!  😕

[Aliand]

Hi FEC I've used Emend this time,(I'm a EC at the moment)  I felt horribly sick on the day of chemo - about 5 hours in but didnt vomit unlike last time. But the next day (yesterday) felt  so much better than the last round. I've heard others talking about Emend being the holy grail of antisickness meds.

Today I feel great, still a bit tired but ready to get off the couch and do stuff, make up on today !

I know they often reduce doses of chemo to help with SE I've seen it on some of the other boards. 

Stopping treatment sounds drastic, what happens then ? There's other options surely.

Let's all do a little meds dance for you and hope and pray the new meds really make a diffenence to you.

I am so upset for you that you are having such a horrid time of it, you must feel totally miserable, get a treatment booked in, a manicure or pedicure maybe, something that wont interfere with your hives but might just brighten your day a little. Then get on asos or something and buy something new and lovely. You really deserve a treat x 

[Starfire9]

Morning ladies, Day 17 cycle 1

Just had my 2nd pre chemo meeting with my oncologist.

The hives are worse... completely covered and itchy, all over my head and face. I did look a sorry state in the welcome Centre with everyone feeling sorry for me. It’s taken me 16 days to go from looking normal to ditched,

This is what has been changed in an attempt to control the vile SE I’ve experienced in cycle 1.

Round 2 of Chemo will be reduced by 10% on both the Tax and the Carboplatin.

i won’t be given antobiotics as they think this is what has caused my allergic reaction but are not 100% sure. 

I will be given EMEND before Chemo.

i will be given another sickness medication that also acts as a sedative.

if this doesn’t resolve the issues he mentioned my treatment may be stopped,

 Has anyone else has changes such as these. Xx

[Shi]

Hi Theresa it could be start of thrush have you got fluconzole and difflam from onc? Ring the unit up, chemo can give you thrush mouth, I got it every round of chemo and the fluconzole and difflam from onc sorted it. Hope that helps 💕💕✨✨shi (Oct thread)

[Theresa47]

Hi ladies, 

I’m now on day 10 after having. EC and yesterday I noticed black spots on my tongue, they aren’t sore and I’ve been lucky enough to have very few side affects.

I’ve been brushing my teeth religiously after eating, Has anyone else had these? 

Theresa xx

[Poppywheel1]

Hello January peeps,

Hope you are all doing ok and se’s under control.

I just saw your post Alisnd and it reminded me... there are courses called Headstrong where you can learn tips for tieing headscarfs and tips about hats and turbans, I think. I’ve not done one myself but it might be worth seeing if they run in your area, and if so book on one. I was too poorly after my chemo to go to mine 😞

There are also Look Good Feel Better courses - book on one! You get a lot of lovely freebies and lots of make-up tips - both general and to help manage some of the chemo side effects. Really good 🙂

They give you a little tube of udder cream - it’s great stuff - really kind to skin (and you don’t need too much of it!). I think you can buy udder cream from amazon and eBay from what I have heard others say.

Take care and good luck with everything - you are all strong and can do this.

Xx

[Shocked]

Good night Fec you have had a really rough ride and I hope the next round will be easier for you. Sending you a big hug hope you wake to less itching. 

[Starfire9]

Nope I’m still itching like I’ve got chicken pox. The rash is so bad there is no white skin left. I am covered from head to toe in calamine lotion and look like I’m going to a Halloween party. Probably best to not wear the wig and I’m sure to win first prize for best dressed zombie.

Oncologist meeting tomorrow... got my ever increasing list of changes that need to be made before round two in the Chemo ring... I’ve been knocked for six in the first round!

good night all x

[Unicorngirlmummy]

Ah bless you 😘 Yes I’m sure your nurse neighbours wouldn’t mind at all.

FEC, you get used to the wig. I remember at first it drove me mad, quite scratchy & I couldn’t wait to get it off! It does get easier, although I was always relieved to take it off! I think because your scalp is quite sensitive & it’s gone from having hair to nothing! I tried a wig liner but found it too tight & just one more annoyance! You do get used to it xx

[Shocked]

Thanks unicorngirlmummy I’ll do just that - just remember having a sharps box when I did the ivf jabs. First jab done by my other half  it stung like heck but it’s over quick enough. I am surrounded by neighbours who are nurses so key call on them if needed as they have offered help. 

[Unicorngirlmummy]

I don’t use swabs either. My trust don’t give a sharos box. I put all the injections into a Tupperware tub & take them for the next treatment where they’ll dispose of them xx

[Aliand]

I didn’t use alcohol swabs just stuck it in. They did give me a sharps box though.

[Shocked]

Hubby not hunny flipping predictive text 

[Shocked]

Just sat down to do my first injection failed at first hurdle no alcohol swabs so hunny has been dispatched to boots in a hurry, also realise they haven’t given me a sharps disposal box is that normal??

[Aliand]

Major losses, thats making me laugh Rosie mine held on till day day 20 when it needed razoring.

[RosieH]

Blimey Fec you’ve been through it...hope the itching is settling.

Aliand can’t believe you’re on round 2...it’s gone quite quickly, reassuring that you’ve only had one awful day so far.

A hopeful  one for you ladies I’m day14 post first T and apart from being a bit tired I’ve felt fairly normal all week. Hair on head is hanging in there but elsewhere there’s been some major losses.

xxx

[Shocked]

Oh no Fec sorry to hear the hives have spread hopefully they’ll go quickly now they know why they’ve appeared. 

The only advice I was given by the wig fitter for comfort was to wear a cotton wig liner if I thought it was needed still have my hair at the moment so can’t really tell you if it will help.  I have been really open about my diagnosis so if I have to have a few wig free days then I can. I can imagine you must really be feeling it if you are wearing it most of the time. 😔

[Starfire9]

Well done Aliand no2,

Day 15 Cycle 1

The hives have arrived all over with a vengeance. Have had itchy areas getting worse but woke in the night covered and burning. Rang rapid response and went onto the day case ward. Turns out I’m allergic to the antibiotics I’ve been taking alongside the Chemo.  Calamine lotion and Piriton advised. Plus paracetamol as I’ve got my period to add into the mix.

As for wigs I’m wearing mine because I have kept all this quiet but I have to say I’m finding it really itchy and not as comfortable as I had hoped for. Any tips folks.

love to all xx

[Shocked]

Well done Aliand number 2 done and dusted.

the Chemo nurse mentioned Emend to me on Tuesday she said it was the best on offer so hopefully it will do the trick for you - unfortunately I can’t have it as when they checked with the pharmacy (after telling me how wonderful it is) it clashes with my Parkinson’s drugs. So far I have been ok with the domperidone which I can take though. 

Really poor of your wig supplier who should understand how important it is for us ladies. 🤨

[Aliand]

T2 (treatmet 2) day 2

yuk I felt awful yesterday, I tried new antiemetics - Emend which other people both here and elsewhere told me was a micacle. I wasnt sick but felt like I was going to be all day, you know that feeling you get before being sick when you just want to get it over and done with. I'm not sure if being sick might have been bettter.

However today I feel much better than I did on my first cycle day 2 not as nauseas and my taste isnt quite as bad as it was last time. Burping lots. So maybe the emend is doing more good than I'm giving it credit for.

Got the laxatives and the mouth treatment going from the day before so lets see how that manages.

Wig is in but I need someone to come with me so will have to wait until next Wednesday, I do wish theu would have told me I could have had a voucher and gone elsewhere as I've no confidence in this man. I dont even know what he's ordered.

Ah well its making me watch thos eyou tube tutorials on scarf tying, not doing too bad so far.

Keep going girls, we can do this 

[Shocked]

Thanks ladies for the advice on the injections 7 pm it is then - glad I asked now 🙂and the 30 mins out the fridge sounds useful as well.

I have just picked up my wig - I love it it’s like a much neater slightly longer version of my own hair - every cloud has a silver lining. The lady who did the fitting had alopecia I honestly couldn’t tell she was wearing a wig, false eyelashes and pencilled brows she looked fab so it’s given me hope. 

Still not too bad with any side effects just tired really. 

[Shi]

Hi Rosie the udderly cream with added urea from amazon is some cream that’s been passed down through the threads as a good one to have for hands and feet as your skin will get very dry during chemo. A good all over cream for body and face is Superdrug acqueous cream too. Hope that helps darling 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[RosieH]

I had a breakout of spots on my back a few days in, I quite liked it made me feel like a teenager again.

Top tip about evening injections I was doing mine in the morning and the pain was rubbish...

What on earth is udderley cream? Xx

[Dealdoh]

Hi Crazy.  I noticed a crop of spots on both sides of my face along the jaw line on the first few days post chemo.  I put it down to using my normal cleansing wipes and moisturiser and so stopped using them and now wash my face with simple soap.  However, this leaves my face really quite dry, which was why I was asking about face moisturiser in an earlier text.

[Crazytimes2017]

In terms of dry skin... mine seems to be mainly on my hands. I'm using LUSH Lemony flutter cuticle butter - smells amazing and seems to be doing the trick.
Anyone struggle with spotty skin? Mine went really spotty day 3 on my face neck and tops of arms. Any top tips for that would be good. Seems to be settling again now.

[Crazytimes2017]

Hey all, so 9 days post round 1 and as much as I hate to tempt fate....but I'm starting to feel a bit more human again!
Being very careful this week with the while zero immunity thing... seeing this week as my 'recovery week' ... eating lots of yummy treats and chilling in the sofa reading and watching tv avoiding the bugs and germs as much as poss.
Hoping this continues.

[Unicorngirlmummy]

Hello, I’m from the December thread & being nosey! Shocked, like Dealdoh I was also told to take it out of the fridge 30 minutes prior & to do it around 7/8pm. I’ve been quite lucky with the side effects too. I have to have them for 10 days & having my third cycle tomorrow. It’s the remembering to get it out of the fridge, I set a reminder on my phone! Like Dealdoh, the day I forgot & did it about 10.30pm I had awful back pain about 6am the next day. Good luck, the thought of it & any extra side effects is more daunting than the actual process xx

[Dealdoh]

Hi Shocked.  I was advised by the chemo nurse to do the injections about 7pm so that hopefully I wouldn’t be bothered by any side effects. This worked for me. Strangely, the day I had the painful episode, I had taken the injection a couple of hours later due to the visit to hospital.  Not sure if that was coincidence or not.  Nurse also said to take the injections out of the fridge 30 mins before you are due to have them.  Hope it all goes ok. 

Thanks for the suggestions about the moisturisers everyone and will probably give the Superdrug one a go as this might prove “cost effective” (read cheaper - as this whole treat the side effects gig is working out quite expensive!!).  I have got some of the udderly cream and it is lovely 

Glad to read you are feeling better Rosie x

[Dealdoh]

Hi Shocked.  I was advised by the chemo nurse to do the injections about 7pm so that hopefully I wouldn’t be bothered by any side effects. This worked for me. Strangely, the day I had the painful episode, I had taken the injection a couple of hours later due to the visit to hospital.  Not sure if that was coincidence or not.  Nurse also said to take the injections out of the fridge 30 mins before you are due to have them.  Hope it all goes ok. 

Thanks for the suggestions about the moisturisers everyone and will probably give the Superdrug one a go as this might prove “cost effective” (read cheaper - as this whole treat the side effects gig is working out quite expensive!!).  I have got some of the udderly cream and it is lovely 

[Shocked]

Ladies with a bit more knowledge than me (well that's pretty much all of you 😉 ) I start my injections tomorrow - the nurse just said any time of day but keep to the same time for the 7 days. Just wondering if there are any SE which make morning or evenings better to do them??

[Shi]

The udderly cream with added urea from amazon is usually on hands and feet darlings, I’m not sure if anyone’s used it in their face. Superdrug acqueous cream is a good all over moisturiser, I’ve got very sensitive skin and have been fine with that all over and in face, you can get a big tub and not too expensive. My cousin who is a bc survivor recommended it to me before I started chemo. Hope that helps 💕💕✨✨shi xx

[amyjb]

I've heard others mention Udderly Cream with Urea for dry skin.  You can get it on eBay and probably Amazon too 😊

[RosieH]

Dealdoh Im using Clarins which has been fine. They do some great stuff in Holland and Barett which of course is more natural, might be worth a look.

Aliand...Great picture and great smile. Still no loss for me but lots of tingling.

I asked my hairdresser to book me for a trim on Saturday and could he have a look at trimming my wig...he replied and I quote I have booked you both in!!!!!!

Shocked Im glad you are underway youve waited long enough. No idea about the Clarityn but interested to know as Im going to try it too on my next one..

Oh dealdoh...Forever Aloe do some lovely moisturisers xx

[RosieH]

Hi Dealdoh...It was a grouchy, fed up about cancer moment

Ive slept it off and am feeling a lot better this morning thank goodness xx

[Dealdoh]

By the by,  an anyone recommend a good moisturiser for my face?  The one I have been using is scented and my skin really doesn’t like it at the moment.

[Dealdoh]

Great picture Aliand and what a lovely smile!  I was going to ask when I should think about braving the shave as I am 13 days post first cycle and although hair still seems to be intact, I’m sure the inevitable will happen.  Well done Shocked and Amyjb, first one down 👍  Amyjb, can’t help with the Clarityn question as I didn’t take it for this round of injections but with regard to the bottom action, as I don’t normally have a problem I thought I would wait to see how it went but I think I started taking senna on day 2 or 3 but only needed them for three days.  All then was fine until day 10, when things started to go the other way.  Now, all seems to be well. God luck to you both, hope the SE go easy on you. X