July 2021 Chemo Starters

[Em77]

@veggiecaz ultrasound was done on Tuesday and oncologist confirmed the lump was now 1.4cm started at 1.7 so it’s shrunk 😄 I have a Kidney test booked for next week ready for when I change to weekly cycles. All washing done thankfully but she’s still overtired from lack of sleep 🤦🏻‍♀️
@Jude11  cycle 3 is tomorrow, bloods came back ok. After tomorrow only 13 left 🤪

sleeping tablets sound good, our dog kept up last night as was sick quite a few times. Keep your positive hat on you all the time. We can do this X 

[Jude11]

Morning both!

I hope you are both doing ok.

@Em77I think you are due for another cycle today - I hope it goes well

@veggiecazsounds like you are starting to feel better which is good to hear.  I guess that first week is always going to be more challenging.

I had my 3rd chemo yesterday which went ok.  A little worried that my white cell count and neutrophils have gone down.  It's been a stressful week after last Friday's drama and some tension with my 21yr old daughter + I haven't been sleeping well for ages.  Anyway I've now been given some sleeping tablets and had the best night last night.  Planning to take them for 2-3 nights to try to break the pattern. According to the instructions in the tablet box I am now considered elderly - Grrrr! 

I need to get my positive hat back on but I seemed to have mislaid it this week! Hopefully it will turn up soon.  Just off to do some yoga.

Hope you both have a good day and weekend x

[veggiecaz]

Morning both 

How are you doing? 
@Em77 how did your scan and chat with the oncologist go? Are you still going through a mountain of your daughter’s washing?! I hope she had a nice time away. 
Ive started with terrible hip and lower back pain from the injections, luckily today is my last one!! Phew!!

Hope you’re both doing ok ❤️ 

[Em77]

@veggiecaz 1 left after Friday of EC but then 12 left of weekly ones but it’s going in the right direction. 
I hope she sleeps well tonight but we will have lots of washing to do. She packed as if she was going away for 2 weeks 🤦🏻‍♀️ 

[veggiecaz]

@Em77 only one left afterwards sounds good! Bet that’s an amazing feeling. I’ve got my chemo numbers on the kitchen door, ready to rip those off! Did you find the side effects were less after each cycle?

I know what you mean about appointments. I went in yesterday and today, surprised I have any blood left! Oh the joys of covid tests, they don’t get any nicer do they?! 

Oooo the camp adventures sound fun I bet she’ll sleep well tonight. Roll on film days I say. Think I’ll be den building! X x 

[Em77]

@veggiecaz @I’m feeling ok about cycle 3. Once that’s done then one more EC cycle then move onto weekly. Everyone one I have I tick off. I have a telephone oncology appointment tomorrow and bloods and Covid test tomorrow. So many hospital appointments 🤪 My 13 year old has been away since Sunday and comes back today , so looking forward to hearing all about what she got up to at camp and spending time with her (all be it in the house 🤦🏻‍♀️) 

[veggiecaz]

I will keep everything crossed for you @Em77 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 when’s your oncology appointment? How you feeling about cycle 3? 
I’m starting to feel more like myself now so it took a good 7-8days a lot of migraines meds and antibiotics but I made it 💪🏻 So going to enjoy some of the summer hols with my little ones before round 2! 
x x 

[Em77]

Morning @veggiecaz , I’m at hospital right now waiting to have a scan to see if any change in the size of the lump from the 2 cycles I’ve had. Hopefully when I have my oncology appointment I will know the results. Cycle 3 is hopefully on Friday. How are you doing? 
Emma 

[veggiecaz]

Hi 
oh so sorry to hear you’ve had a rough time @Jude11 I really hope you start to feel more like yourself soon. I spoke to my oncology team yesterday about my headaches and they’re hot on with changing anti sickness meds for next time. Just don’t suffer in silence. Also, there are quite a lot of people on the other chat come and join @Jude11 

How are you doing @Em77 ? 

sending love ❤️ 

[Jude11]

I have my oncology appointment on 9th August but will speak to the nurse on Wednesday when I go for my next chemo and see what they say x

[Em77]

@Jude11 have you had your oncology appointment yet? If not maybe they can give you tablets that can help. X

[Jude11]

Hi there

I somehow started a new July 2021 thread by mistake.  I'm a bit of a technophobe!

Sorry haven't responded in the last couple of days.  Had a terrible day on Friday with severe abdo pains - excruciating and had to call the chemo hotline.  They sent a Dr to visit, was given IV morphine and paracetamol, took bloods and shipped me off to A & E.  It all settled down whilst I was there, my bloods were normal and I was sent home.  Have just felt very tired since.  It was all rather scary!

Last week I had a biphosphonate infusion as well as the Paclitaxel both of which can cause stomach cramps and heartburn so I'm hoping it was the combination of the 2 that did it.

Bit nervous about the next chemo on Wednesday!

Hope you are both ok x

[veggiecaz]

Hi Em77

oh the food thing is good to know. Will try eating a bit before and after. Hoping if I mention the headaches to the CNS she might be able to help ready before I do it all over again. 
Roll on liking coffee and all things nice again!!!!!!! X x 

[Em77]

Hi @veggiecaz

My first EC wasn’t great, immediately after it was done the room started to spin and I felt like I was so drunk, the next day the nauseous had gone (I was sick) I was very tired as well for the first week but then my energy came back. I have EC once every 2 weeks. Cycle 2 was completely different. I didn’t feel nauseous, I’m fact when I got home I had quite a bit of energy (my husband was very shocked) I do struggle with sleeping at night but definitely a better experience. I’m not sure if cycle 1 was worse due to the build up and anxiety, I was more relaxed with the second oh I also ate more before and after the chemo so that might have helped with the sickness.  
What I really miss at the moment is coffee, I can’t stand the taste of it since chemo 🤪

[veggiecaz]

Hi Em77

Didn’t realise there was another July starters chat. Will have to search to see if I can find it, thank you. 
How did you feel after your first EC? And how are you feeling after your second? Are you managing the side effects ok? 
I think they’re definitely wiping me out at the minute, praying by the weekend I feel a bit more like myself. I’ve read week 1 is rubbish, week 2 a little better and week 3 better still. 
I hope you’re feeling ok ❤️ 

[veggiecaz]

Hi Jude11

Glad yesterday went ok and fingers crossed the cold cap is working. 
Wow online yoga sounds lovely although I don’t a Maggies Centre here. Most of our centres are still closed due to covid and to be honest I haven’t found what online things they’re offering. Definitely something to look into, thank you.

Still feeling the side effects from Monday, but my body has always enjoyed a side effect. Praying the headaches and nausea subside today and I find a bit of energy. 
I hope your side effects are minimal 🤞🏻❤️

[Em77]

Hi,

sorry I’ve just seen this thread. There is another July starters forum. 
I had my first cycle of EC on July 9th and had my second cycle last week. I still have 2 more EC cycles then it changes to weekly with different chemo drugs. 
How are you feeling today?

[Jude11]

Hi veggiecaz,

Yesterday went ok.  The cold cap seemed much colder than last week but was bearable. It was a very hot day last Wednesday so that may be why it didn't feel so cold.

I feel ok this morning so far but then last week the nausea kicked in on Friday and Saturday.  Fingers crossed it won't this week.

I've just done a yoga session on zoom organised by the Maggies Centre. Do you have something similar where you are? I believe there are a few Maggies Centres around the country.  It was a good session and I feel like I'm doing something positive aside from my daily walks. 

How are you feeling, better than the other day I hope? 

You're right, we can do this! have to stay strong and try to keep feeling positive about the road ahead x

[veggiecaz]

Hi Jude11

How did you get on today? How was the cold cap?
Yes my chemo is 3 weekly so I have time to recover. I hope you’re side effects are less especially as you go each week. 
I know what you mean about dealing with this toxic combination of drugs, like being injected with the flu and then some!
I keep trying to remind myself it’s to get rid of something worse. We can do this 💪🏻 ❤️ 

[Jude11]

Hi veggiecaz,

Thanks for replying.

Sorry to hear you've been struggling today.  I totally understand that feeling of being perfectly well before and now having to subject ourselves to this treatment.  I've always tried so hard to be healthy and I hate the idea of my body having to deal with all this toxic stuff!

I'm lucky that because my chemo is weekly, it is apparently a lighter dose and better tolerated.  I hope that's true!  When is your next one?  Is it 3 weekly?

I'm going to persevere with the cold cap and see what happens.  It wasn't too bad last week so hope it's not too painful tomorrow. 

I hope you start to feel better soon x

[veggiecaz]

Hi Jude11

i started chemo yesterday although I’m on FEC-T there are so many different types of chemo I have no idea if it’s completely different to yours. So far I’m really struggling with headaches and nausea took over last night. Sudden realisation that I’ve got more to go! And I felt well in myself before this. Is that how you felt? 
I hope the cold cap works for you. I decided not to try as my hair is quite fine anyway so felt like maybe it wouldn’t work for me. 
I hope your second round goes well tomorrow x

[Jude11]

Hi everyone,

I started chemo last week. I am having weekly Paclitaxel for 12 weeks and 3 weekly Herceptin for 1 year.

Is anyone else on this regime and what is your experience?  I have my 2nd chemo tomorrow. I had some nausea for 2 days + indigestion and have had a very grumbly stomach which has continued through the week! I'm using the cold cap which wasn't too uncomfortable but not sure how effective it will be.

I'm interested in others experiences