June 2020 chemo starters

[cecilia]

Good morning ladies

hope you're all doing okay thank you Anna for  your concern

My stomach cramp across by constipation so have been given some medicine to help me go

Since the last time I spoke to you  I have opted to take the picc line which was incepted on Wednesday 

Only four more section of chemo to go  and seven more Herceptin 

take care everyone

[Shi]

Hi Tara, the t can made you have a very runny bum, Imodium at the ready, it can also cause you nails to lift, again this does not happen to everyone. Epsom salt baths were handy for the bone pain, it can make you feel like body is in a vice again not everyone has same se’s and some sail through t like a stroll in the park 👍 be aware you might have a reaction during the t infusion if you get hot and your chest starts to get tight shout your nurses immediately, they know what to do because they have seen it all before ❤️ Just wanted to let you know so you can be vigilant when starting and going forward during the t 👍 you are all doing fantastic 💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻 Keep dancing in the kitchen you are dancing through great 💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[ttyler]

Hi everyone,

not been in for a few days, been so busy! My mum had my boys sleep over at hers last night and me and the hubby watched a film. Was so hungry at 10pm I sent him for a Big Mac. It was lovely!

 Horseylass, well done and fair play to you for walking straight after chemo!

Ann, I spoke to my oncologist on Wednesday who told me that I will have T from round 4. He told me that I might feel like I have been hit by a bus for 3 to 4 days after. He also said sickness should not be bad. How was it having the Docetaxel, was it manageable? Any taste changes, headaches whilst having it?

 You are right about my bloody spelling mistakes it’s because my fingers are too fat for the phone and it predicts my words incorrectly. It makes me original though, you will always remember me for this and also for the random stuff I talk about!

 I’m off to be now, but I hope everyone is okay and have a nice nights sleep.

 Lots of love to you all 

 Tara xxx

[ann has cancer]

Hi Girls, just completed my 4th infusion, so just past half way, 3 more to go, this one was a day and a half for P & H and Docetaxel, apparently main side effect is aches and pains. I will soon find out.  How are you all especially Cecelia who I think was having stomach cramps, what did your team say, did they help you?  Would love to hear everyones news as and when you are feeling up to it, especially from Tara and her presumptive text!!!!!!!!!

Hope you have a good week-end, Love to all  aNN

[Horseylass]

Hi All, 

Thank you for your thoughts. You were all with me today.
My bloods were good and my treatment went well, thank you. I’ve got the injections this time so I asked about them. They are to help boost your white blood cells and neutrophils, my Oncologist is prescribing them as a matter of course to try and keep peoples immunity up because of Covid. 

I even managed a small walk this evening and just sat on one of our field walls looking at the view, it felt really nice. 

Tara, I think you do sometimes just need to let things go and have a cry. You do feel better for it, no point in bottling it up. I agree it does also make you consider what is important in life too. 

Hope everyone else’s treatment went well today. xx

[ttyler]

Hope treatment went as well as it could for you today Horseylass. Been thinking about you xxx

[ttyler]

Hi Anna,

I totally agree with what you have to say. I also think we will be stronger people after all this. Not so sure I will let people put on me so much anymore, especially at work.

Before my diagnosis I worked in a school but had far too much put on my shoulders. I am a ta but was doing more than the teacher, but without the pay. I have decided I am not going to be going back to that stress again I just can’t and won’t. It is really making me rethink my career!

 Hope everyone is having a good night

 Tara xx

[Anna45Anna]

Hi Tara,

The little cry is sometimes just what’s needed. I can understand your feeling when you were diagnosed - I also had the feeling of ‘it’s okay, I can do this’ and while I’m glad that’s been the prevailing thought, we need to let out the big feelings (the negative ones) too once in a while. Take care, 

Anna

[ttyler]

Hi ladies,

Thanks for the birthday wishes I had a lovely day. Even had a little cry lol. Not because I am sad but just felt so exhausted. My husband brought me some lovely clothes, but because I am such a funny shape due to the steroids and my breasts are two different sizes, which is not bothering me because I am alive emotionally I am exhausted. I just sat on the bed looking into my wardrobe thinking what on earth am I going to wear? I feel so much better now. Don’t know about anyone else but when I was diagnosed I did not cry, I had this amazing serge of energy come over me and I knew I could not let this beat me. Felt good to let it all out yesterday.

 I hope everyone having chemo today is okay and it goes as well as it can.

 Hope everyone else is feeling okay. At least it’s dry today, might get done washing done 😝  have a nice day!

 Lots of love 💕 Tara xxx

[Jo77]

Happy belated birthday Tara!

Hope all ladies are coping well this week x

[Anna45Anna]

Belated happy birthday, Tara. I hope it was a good day! 

Anna

[ttyler]

Good luck for tomorrow Horseylass and to all the other ladies having chemo tomorrow!

sleep well

lots of love 💓 

Tara xxx

[Horseylass]

So pleased you’ve had a good day Tara. 

Good Luck to everyone else having treatment tomorrow. We’re going to beat this horrid disease, one treatment at a time. Tomorrow after round 2 I’ll be a third of the way through. Yay. 

lots of love and sleep well. xxx

[ttyler]

Hi ladies,

Thank you so much for wishing me a happy birthday you are so kind. I have met some lovely ladies on this site that I hope will be friends for years to come. I’m having such a lovely day and are glad you my virtual friends are part of it xxxx

💓love to you all xxxx

[Shi]

🎂🎉🎉happy birthday Tara 💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Claudia3609]

Sorry to gate crash I'm a July starter but wanted to wish Tara a happy birthday xx

[ann has cancer]

Hi Cecelia, we are all getting different drugs at different rates and in different orders so could it be a side efffect particular to your sort of chemo? No doubt your team will give you an answer, here;s hoping for you.  Love aNN

[ann has cancer]

Happy birthday Tara, hope you have a lovely day with lots of bril pressies.  Love aNN

[ttyler]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, it’s kind of you x

Cecilia, don’t sit there in pain, make sure you ring your unit, like the other ladies have said they will be able to help you.

 Now my mum orders are over, hope everyone has a nice day, weather not too brill here but never is on my birthday so will make the most of the day anyway. Have a lovely day!

Tara 😘 

[cecilia]

Morning all

It’s been like this since my second round of chemo 

I'm due to fifth of nine on Tuesday xx

I’ll get in touch with them later thank 

happy birthday 

[ttyler]

Hi Cecilia,

I am so sorry for the late reply, my phone did not alert me to your message for some reason.

I too get tummy cramps and also pulsating in my bottom and lower back the day after my injections stop for a couple of days. I don’t know if you have children, but it reminds me of the early part of labour.

 I take paracetamol and sit with a hot water bottle l, not too hot just tap water and this eases it. If it’s too bad might be worth ringing the unit to ask if you can use a gel like ibroprofen gel.

 Hope this helps

Oh check your temp before having pain relief in case of infection!

 Love 💕 Tara xxx

[CactusQueen]

Dear Cecilia

I’m sorry to hear that you’re not so good. My advice would be to get in touch with your chemo nurse team. I presume yours is like mine where they are available 24 hours a day, no problem too small. I have phoned a number of times and they are always friendly and welcoming. Where are you in your chemo cycle? If chemo wasn’t recent you may have a tummy bug. But I’m not a doctor so definitely get advice.

Take care.

Love CactusQueen 

[Tabs]

Happy Birthday Tara, I hope you have a lovely day.

Hi Cecilia, I haven't had stomach cramps, I'd call your chemo nurse for advice. They may ask what you ate before they started so see if you remember having eaten anything unusual. Good luck, Tabs

[cecilia]

good morning ladies I'm really sorry to disturb from your sleep

How is everyone hope you're all well 

Can somebody tell me please if they are also getting stomach cramps

if so is there anything I can to stop it 

thank you 

[Horseylass]

Happy birthday for tomorrow Tara. I hope you can have a good day. My husband really made my isolation birthday special. Fingers crossed that the weather stays nice for you. 

It must be nice to be able to see people. I’ve not seen anyone really since March apart from on FaceTime. We are staying totally shielded as that is what I’ve been told to do. Apart from medical appointments I’ve not been anywhere. 
I am lucky though living on a farm which means I have plenty of space to be able to get out and walk for miles without seeing anyone. I just keep thinking that once this year is over I’ll be able to get back to a more normal existence! At least with the Cancer coinciding with Covid I only miss one summer! 
Sleep well everyone. xx

[Anna45Anna]

Hi everyone, 

I'm another one for bloods tomorrow and round 2 on Tuesday, all being well. It’s a bank holiday here tomorrow (N.Ireland). The D.Nurse is coming as normal for the weekly Picc line check and normally will do my bloods then but tomorrow I have to take them in to the lab myself because of the holiday. I’m also due to get bloods taken for the genetics tests (BRCA1/2) as we now have two aunties and 3 first cousins in the family with breast cancer. The results of this won’t be back for about 10 weeks, hopefully near the end of my chemo. 

My hair is surprisingly hanging on. I expected it would be mostly gone by now (day 20) and it’s thinning but I guess round 2 will finish it off. I’m glad I didn’t shave before round 1 as I had originally convinced myself would be best. Mentally it’s been good to adjust gradually - it’s cut shorter than I’ve ever had it. Also not very keen on my wig, even though it’s been thinned it still feels like too much bulk. We’ll see. The AnnaBandana beanies are great. 

Good luck to all this week. x

[ttyler]

Hi ladies,

Butler, thanks for the birthday wishes. Sorry to hear you have not felt so well this time. I worry about that myself as some people say it gets harder the more you go through. I have detaxtol right at the end for 2 rounds, which I am a little worried about. 

Cactus queen, My husband told me I would be a third if the way through when I had my last treatment and when I have my next one I will be half the way through. He keeps me positive and focused that way. I am quite young to have breast cancer but unfortunately it does not discriminate and there are men and women a lot younger than me that get it. I just tell it that I am not going anywhere. I have made it my mission to see my boys grow up and to look after my grandchildren. I will be happy with that! I w as talking with my mum about things the other day and I said that although I had cancer I would rather have it than my children have it and she agreed with what I said. Although I am young I have still had 36 years of life, some children don’t get that.

My wig felt too hairy at first and most of the time I wear my bald head with pride but when I go out I do put it on and then as soon as I’m home take it off again. Maybe if it does not feel quite right your hair dresser could cut it for you?

 Hope everyone has had a nice evening 

Sleep well

love Tara 😘 

[CactusQueen]

Dear Horseylass, Tara and everyone 

I’m also having my bloods done tomorrow, I really hope they are fine. I’ll also have a Covid test because all the cancer treatment around here is being done at a private hospital, as our local hospital is a Covid hotspot. They won’t do any treatments or operations with a clear test. So this will be test number five!
I know what you mean about dreading the chemo, Tara. I woke up with a really bad headache this morning and then started to feel sick. I even had to have one of my anti sickness tablets which I haven’t needed for well over a week. But as my sister says once I’ve had this second treatment I’ll be a third of the way through. 
Yesterday I tried the wigs on and hated them! They just looked too hairy 😂😂, I’m going to send for a couple more. If they are no good I’ll just wear hats.

Tara I thought you looked young in the photos you’ve posted. I now realise I’m old enough to be your mum! You are very young to get breast cancer. Sorry to hear about your friend. Have a happy birthday tomorrow.

Love CactusQueen 

[Butler10]

happy birthday for tomorrow tara. I had my 3rd chemo on Thursday and felt quite sick this time round but wasn't actually sick as took the tablets but they seemed to take longer to kick in this time.  Iv also been sat in garden as feeling really tired so nodded of a few times  lol.  Got to go for scan to tomorrow. I presume that to see if it shrinking ok  so fingers crossed  I can tell it not as big now but that might be just wish full thinking.  X

Love julie

[ttyler]

Hi Horseylass and other ladies,

 hope everyone is feeling okay today!

Well done you on the 3 mile walk, wish I could do that. I get breathless just walking around my garden. Not sure what to suggest about your itchy head. Now that mine is almost all out I find coconut oil soothes it. Maybe you could use this now, but check first with your team.

 Your tight it has been quiet in here for a few days hasn’t it? I have not been in because I had a really good day on Thursday, even managed to go out in the car and choose some new bathroom tiles. With a mask on of course and then Friday I was so tired, it was like it had knocked the stuffing out of me.

 It’s my birthday tomorrow and had a few members of my family over yesterday for a little cream tea in the garden. Also for a couple of days I had forgot about the cancer. Being distracted was lovely. Sounds weird but ever time I think about having chemo again I get nauseous. It’s not that I am finding it bad just the thought of how I feel for the first couple of days after. Sometimes I think feeling sick is actually worse than being sick.

 I found out last night that a friend of mine found a limo around the time I was diagnosed that was not cancerous but they were concerned from her ultrasound that there is tissue in her breast that could change to an aggressive cancer. I’m she had a mammogram Friday and is waiting for results. She is 39 a few years older than me but how common is this bloody disease?

 On a brighter side the weather is beautiful here today so I have been in the garden, which makes me feel happy. Hope everyone else is enjoying the beautiful weather!

 Lots of 💕 

Tara xxx

[Horseylass]

Hey ladies,

How is everyone? It’s been quiet on here this week. I hope you are all doing well?

I’m getting ready for bloods on Monday and all being well round 2 on Tuesday. My hair is getting noticeably thinner. My scalp feels really itchy but I’m trying desperately not to scratch it. 
I’ve been feeling good this week and have managed 3-4 miles walking everyday. 

[Horseylass]

Oh Ann that must be so frustrating for you. I have been warned the same but you just hope it won’t happen, don’t you? Hugs.

i was thinking about the smell thing and sniffing some of my clothes. I can’t smell anything on my clothes but since my surgery I have thought that I have a kind of clinical smell! When I got home after my first chemo my dogs were very interested in smelling me so they could obviously smell something different. 

I’ve a week to go til my next chemo and I’m feeling pretty well. I’ve walked over 3 miles today with the dogs.

Hope everyone else is ok? 
Hugs all round. xx

[ttyler]

Hi Ann,

Sorry to heat about your treatment. I know how you feel just want to get through it as quickly as possible. Suppose it has to be sage to do so though. I myself feel really tired today. It’s hard gong but we will get there!

Think a couple of other ladies had a delay which was gutting for them too.

Hope everyone else is okay?

 Lots of love 

💕 Tara xxx

[ann has cancer]

Feeling a bit gutted, my chemo has been delayed for a week as my bloods are a bit low, I had been warned that this could happen so not really a big surprise but any delay is not welcome.

[ttyler]

Hi ladies,

 sorry have not been on much over last couple of days. Step son is driving me 😠  

 About the smell. I can smell it too. I put bio oil on my scar after a shower or bath and coconut oil in my head, but it’s not like sweat but a funny smell. My family say they can’t smell it either. Perhaps we are just sensitive to smells.

 Hope everyone is okay today. Weather is nice.

 Lots of love

 Tara xxx

[Butler10]

Lol hi cactus queen.  I'm glad you said this. As I been saying to  my husband do i smell as csn smell a funny smell he was saying no.  Even after i showered and put clean clothes on i say it again.  So maybe it just a chemo smell we getting 🙈🙈 xx

[CactusQueen]

Dear Anna, Horseylass, anyone else who had their first treatment on 23rd June, and everyone 

I haven’t had any hair loss yet but it’s just a waiting game really. Maybe the cold cap just delays the inevitable. I’ve got a couple of wigs to try but so far haven’t been able to put them on. I’m terrible with the new things, I cried so much I first time I put a softie in my post surgery bra and tried that on! Later on this week my sister is going to come round while I try the wigs on.

Has anyone else noticed that their clean clothes smell funny?! 🤣 This morning I got a clean top out of my wardrobe, it was one I have worn since chemo. It had a really strong smell, a bit like olbas oil. I sniffed a couple of other tops, one them smelt. Other clothes I haven’t worn since chemo don’t smell. Now I’m wondering if I smell!! My husband and son say I don’t but  good job I’m not going anywhere.

Finally a sunny day here. Take care everyone 

Love CactusQueen 

[Jo77]

Hi Smclaire, 

Glad to hear you managed to cope with the hair loss and didn’t loose it all ! Maybe il keep some of mine too fingers crossed 🤞 although it’s very fine normally and even thinner now but trying not to shave it off until I know there’s no more hope . I hope you’re making tv good progress x

[smclaire]

Hey Ladies I also used the cold cap, my chemo ended in January, I had 4 EC. 
I just wanted you to know that although I lost about 70% of my hair, it was mainly from the top of my head , I still had enough to disguise the baldness and only wore my wig when I went somewhere nice. The worst hair shedding was around the time of my second EC and it just continued to fall out but by bit from there.

The good news is that it’s now 6 months on and my hair is really thick and curly!! In fact I can’t do anything with it , it’s growing so fast , so don’t give up on the cold cap, I think it protected my hair follicles and allowed my hair to recover quickly !!

Good luck with the rest of your treatments and hang in there xx

[Jo77]

Hi Tabs , I’ve had 2 cycles of Fec using the cold cap . Mine stated coming out last week a few days before cycle 2 , not clumps but lots of it ! Hoping it might stop before it becomes too noticeable. Have got a wig ready but not looking forward to the fact that I might be needing it . Pretty gutting  when we’ve pushed through that awful cold cap x

[Tabs]

Dear Anna and Horseylass, 

I had been foolish enough to suddenly get my hopes up that I may not lose my hair when it was all there on day 18 and 19 (of EC with cold cap). I thought maybe that's the difference the cold cap makes or maybe I'm just lucky. Previously, I'd been expecting it to go by day 15, but getting my hopes gave me an extra sad couple of days when it started coming out a pace on day 20. Am over it now but just warning you so that you can be more sensible xx

[Horseylass]

Yes Anna, Day 13. It was a bit of a shock but it gave my husband his first and probably only opportunity to cut my hair. 🤣 He made a good job of it I think. 

[Anna45Anna]

Gosh, horseylass, even if you’re expecting it, that’s got to be quite traumatic. I’m dreading it. Are you on day 13 same as I am? (23 June 1st treatment?) I’m expecting it any day now too. 

[cecilia]

I know I'm having one every week for nine weeks and then I have nine herceptin every three week I have not been sick or unwell since my first section Just a bit tired sometimes

 So far so good I did had to stop for two weeks because of low blood count Took about three weeks for my hair to completely fall outJust a bit tired sometimes

[Horseylass]

So I put my hand on my head this morning and came away with a handful of hair! 
The clippers have come out and I’ve gone loads shorter. I wonder how long until it all comes out. 

I also seem to have really sore toenails today. 

Gosh Cecilia your chemo sessions are really close together. Mine are 3 weeks apart. I can understand your concerns about having a line. I’m not sure I could cope with one.

[cecilia]

Hi Tara

Hi Tara

I'm booked in for nine section of chemotherapy and booked in for nine section of chemo 

New and I've already had three so by the 15th of July I would've already had five altogether leaving me with For 

This is the reason why I'm thinking to decline the offer of a picc line

I live in Hertfordshire And the service you seem to be quite slow I should've been offered a picc line right at the beginning of my treatment

i've been told that my my veins are very difficult to find and probably by the end of treatment it was a possible chance of veins collapse

are we got along to the appointment on the 15th and see what they say

 You are all well thank you for the compliment on the haircut 

[Butler10]

Hi jo77

My picc is in my right arm as my cancer is in my left breast. Thou it took a bit longer to get mine in due to my veins   I didnt feel a thing as they give you a numbing injection.  Takes a few days to get use to it. But now it no problem what's so ever. X

[ttyler]

Morning ladies,

Ceilia and lam I have to agree with the other ladies comments, you go look beautiful. Isn’t it funny how perfectly round our heads are? I never expected that! Also how much we think we look like other members of our family?

 Lam, I don’t know how you are working at the moment. Fair play and well done you!

 Jo, I am sorry that your veins collapsed that must not have been a nice experience. I think the PICC line is a good option. Hope you start to feel well soon.

Ann, you could be right about my step son as every time we have a dilemma in our house he can’t seem to cope and it’s like all attention has to be on him. It’s hard to try and ignore it but that is what I have to do. I have taken him to a councillor in the past who has told me that although he is really close to me he will do anything he can to try and get me to push him away like his mum did. He will get there in the end, but at this rate probably when he is 30!

 Cactus queen, glad you are feeling better now. The first week can be a bit iffy with sickness.

 Sun is shining here today Which is lovely to see. Hope everyone has a lovely day.

 Sorry if I have people names or replies to your posts incorrect I am trying to remember who has said what they have and reply to all but chemo brain does make it difficult 😝  

 Love to you all 💕  Tara xx

[Jo77]

Hi Butler10, 

Is your picc line in your left or right arm? Did it hurt? I’d rather be knocked right out to have it done but it’s only local anaesthetic as Mine has go from my right arm vein across chest 🤢 to near heart, due to having Axillary node clearance and mastectomy on the left . 
The hospital said a district nurse may be able to come in and flush it weekly for me as, like you , would have a 20 mole  treck to hospital otherwise. Maybe you could find out if a nurse could come to you ? X

[Butler10]

Hi jo 77

I had a picc line put in day before my treatment started.  It was fine bruised a bit but been ok. And you then dont hv to worry about needles or thinks as they just attache any think to the picc line.  I hv to go to picc clinic every week to get it flushed out  which is a bit of a pain as it takes 25 min to get there and then  I'm in and out .   I was given a waterproof covering  for showers and baths   but then I brought of Amazon some pretty picc covers to cover the bandage they give you.