May 2017 chemo starters

[katie11]

Well done ladies! Jay and rosie must have felt strange and nice to finally put a face to our names . Which hospital are you both at?

Keep in touch Heather and Jay. We are all in this to the end! Hope everyone's side effects are doable! How many more weeklys now rosie ? How's your skin been on paciltaxol? My has gone dry on my face and feel itchy everywhere else! X

[Anniej]

Congratulations on your last treatment, Raitchr. You were first on this group, so it's good to see you reach the finish line. Not long now until the third and final step. 💐🎉X 

[treehouse]

Oh my word Jay and Rosie it must be amazing to put a face to a name.
How did you find each other? Did you both wear a carnation in your pocket? 😂😂🌷😜

[Jay68]

Hi Rosie - YES we met!  How amazing was that!  

I'm done and back home - so pleased that part of my life is behind me - just got to get over the side effects one more time and then focus on operation date!

I hope the remainder of your treatment goes well for you - I'm staying on here to keep in contact and see how we all get on with our surgery/radiotherapy - this is a long journey and it's good to know what fantastic support is available from all you lovely ladies.

Heather - pleased your final one is behind you - you must stay in contact and let us know how things go and let us know what "normal life" feels like - give us all something to aim for!

Mai - glad your treatment went ahead today on 2nd attempt - it was one thing I was dreading today - but thankfully the vein was found first attempt and all went smoothly. 

Hopefully I'll sleep better tonight - I'm exhausted!  and I hope those of you on steriods also sleep a bit better tonight.

[Mai7]

Well done Raitchr, just a few ugly side effects to get through and you'll be able to put this behind you and move on. Such a good feeling.  I'm feeling much better about everything now I'm back on track, the two week delay felt pretty grim even though I made the most of feeling good. Keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on. We want to know about all the good stuff we have to look forward to.

Treehouse, the chomp army is doing its work again!  I don't care what my hair is doing for now as I'm baffled by the recent hairloss. There was hair on the pillow again this morning. The only thing different recently was whilst I was in hospital I had to use a detergent body wash (standard protocol for first 3 days) and I bathed and washed my head in it. I wonder if it was harsh on my very delicate follicles? ☹️

[treehouse]

Great news heather I am so happy for you. It's not over til the devil have gone. You are still one of us, don't be a stranger.

Well done Mai I am glad they poisoned you today I am sure it will work its magic and get chomping.
You mentioned your hair yesterday, I noticed a few falling this week too. With my combo I don't expect any regrowth until I have completely finished.

[Raitchr]

Hi

Chemo 6 and last one done today so that completes my active treatment. Now to get life back to normal.

Thanks for all your support and advice since I started 9th May, wishing you all well on the rest of your treatments.

Heather

[Mai7]

Hope everyone else on today's chemothon is well and buzzing and Jay and Raitchr are ringing that bell metaphorically or in reality. 🔔🔔 I didn't get to sleep until 3.30am last night then my phone made a noise at 6am and woke me up again!

Chemo no. 6 went in today, on second attempt at finding suitable vein. It was an 80% dose to reduce risk of neutropenia. I'm feeling pretty good. 2 chemos left to go. I checked with Oncologist and they want me to still have the full 8 rounds, if my neutrophils can cope with it, to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Curly, hang in there with the SEs it will get better soon. Just rest it out. X

Happy crocheting WolfEE! 🕸

Rosie, how many chemos do you have left?

[MJK]

Good luck to everyone today. 💉💉💉💉🔔🔔
Hope the crochet goes ok WolfEE, it's fiddly to get started but after that I find it easier than knitting.
Hugs Curlyh, day 4 is the worst but it passes. I'm on day 7 and feel human again. X

[curlyh]

Good luck today...Jay..Heather..Mai...hope all goes well...I am day 4 of  number 5 T...so coping with the pains atm...but at least I can say only 1 more to go now....have a good day all..

[treehouse]

Jay, Mai, Heather, Rosie good luck today
😀👍💃💪🏻🎺🎺🎺🎺

[WolfEE]

Today I'll be watching you tube tutorials on how 2 crochet. I have had my amazon delivery of needles and wool. I've never done it before but I saw a little basket my friend had crochet and it was so sweet so thought I'd try and learn.

[WolfEE]

Mai and Rosie your both up today as well. Gosh busy day today.
Xx

[Rosie65]

Good luck today Jay and Heather, will be thinking of you.

Back in the game today Mai - hope all goes well. Looks like we'll be dancing to the finish line together.

Jay - I may be wrong but think you may be at the same hospital as me, I'll look out for you at 11

[Jay68]

Ladies 

I've no idea where my long post went but just to say

GOOD LUCK HEATHER AND MAI - will be thinking of you both today!

To anyone else on treatment or having a bad day - my thoughts are with you - it will improve.

To all you others now having your good days - enjoy - you've deserved them!

[WolfEE]

Jay & Heather hope today goes well, good luck and looking forward 2 hearing from you when it's all over xx

[misyangel]

Good luck Jay & Heather today be thinking of you

[Jay68]

Hi Ladies

I'm feeling the steriod buzz but also the excitement of knowing today is my final chemo - HOORAY!!!!

Went for my pre-op assessment yesterday at 530 - all so real - again exciting but real if you know what I mean!

The nurse confirmed my bloods were excellent - a little iron deficiency - due to treatment (steak and spinach for my dinner the night previous obviously wasn't enough!)!

When she did the oxygen in my blood test - it was a little low - she seemed to think due to treatment!

Anyway all went well - I'm fit for surgery! - got this chemo and side effects to get over - but have my first Herceptin pencilled in for 14 September and an to date blood test for the operation which is going ahead on 19 Sept.

I have opted to stay overnight - I have to be at the hospital for 1pm - surgery doesn't commence til 130 - order of patients not decided until then - my op will take 2 hours.  So for peace of mind and to get full pain relief etc I took this decision..  It could mean otherwise being discharged as late as 10pm!

Can you believe - my hospital give no pain reflief to bring home after surgery?!  They suggest paracetamol and for something stronger solphadine.  

I will have 2 drains - one for the mx and one for the nodes.  Nurse will visit me at home to empty.

Mine is right hand side - life could be a little awkward for a couple of weeks for a right hand person, who is useless at using their left hand for things!

GOOD LUCK TO HEATHER ON YOUR FINAL CHEMO TODAY TOO - you really are at the end of this journey - I hope the light at the end of tunnel is nice and bright and when you get the other side of the side effects you will be able to step out and feel the fresh air on your face - enjoy!

GOOD LUCK TO MAI - you're a step closer to the finishing line - hope all goes well and will be thinking of you.

Anyone else on treatment today or suffering in some way - my thoughts are with you.

and for all the lucky ones now having their good days - enjoy them girls you've certainly deserved them....

Jay xx

[Trisha69]

Ring that bell girls xoxo

[katie11]

Good luck today ladies. For Heather and Jay I'll be thinking of you ringing that bell. Well done ladies you've made it xx

[Raitchr]

Slept relentlessly midnight to 6am, just want to get going with the poisoning!

Got to ring 8.30am to check authorised and what time to get there.

Good luck Jay and anyone else with appmt today, sorry have lost track of who has what going on.

Can't wait for bed time tonight!

Heather

[Jay68]

Snap Heather and Mai!!  Went to "sleep" just after midnight - up 3am to visit the toilet - oh the joys of drinking 2 litres of water and other beverages in a day! - then didn't manage to drop off until 6 - alarm went of 6.45 - steriods and excitement...!

[treehouse]

Thanks Annie all useful advice ( except hair brush lol 😂)
Definitely going shopping soon.
Hope you get some sleep heather.
X

[Anniej]

Hi Treehouse, afraid hubby needs a different bed, and you need a V shaped sleep pillow . You sleep in the middle of the bed, the drains go into little canvas shoppers and then you hook these over  chair back - or I did! Resting the drains on the floor was too long a stretch for the tubing, and you really don't want them in bed with you! 👎 If you have two drains a single bed might be a good idea.  The collection of fluid and other bits I thought was quite gruesome so I was pleased it was hidden in a cloth bag. Also useful for your books/ I pad/ lippy/ hairbrush as you totter around. You can buy special bags from a charity, but I used my RHS one. The hospital gave me a pretty paper gift bag to walk out with, some hospitals provide the nice cloth ones. You need to be propped up to help the fluid drain. As soon as I was producing 30cc  ( or was it mls?) my drain was taken out. I found the lumpectomy painless, but the full node clearance was a bit different. Slep well with all the painkillers though. Up and around in a couple of days. X

Everyone seems to be near the finishing line now . Good luck, ladies. X

[Raitchr]

I am wide awake ⏰ thank you steroids, catching up on Celeb Master chef. Wonder what silly o'clock I will wake up tomorrow....

[Mai7]

Treehouse, I've bought 2 front zipping bras and they are easy peasy to get in and out of.

Im going to attempt sleep now. Sleep well everyone! 🛌

[treehouse]

Not seen a bell either but will sing and dance loud and proud while the steroids let me.
No 6 for me a week tomorrow ( bloods permitting)

Has anyone tried the front zip fastening bras?

[Raitchr]

I haven't seen a bell on my chemo ward, it can be a bit controversial as some don't ever finish chemo but in my head I will be ringing the virtual bell loud and proud!!

[MJK]

It reminds me of the male bird of paradise thing. He's a very handsome chap but she's only interested in whether he can build a comfortable nest... (is this the point to say my husband looks a bit like George Clooney?)
We were in twin beds so could relax more, the drains are put in pretty securely so shouldn't come out anyway. Which reminds me, take painkillers before they remove the drains 😣.
Excited for tomorrow's bell ringers, I've started counting down the Filgrastim injections. 9 more to go...

[treehouse]

Oh yes
New sewing projects : bags for drain bottles

[Raitchr]

Hope the camp bed is for him!!

[treehouse]

I don't have a recliner chair ☹️.
I am a bit of a fainter and I don't like the idea of me having a wobble and husband being in a different room in the middle of the night. ( he also said I had to tell you all how gorgeous he is and I can't bare not to sleep next to him 😂😂😂)
Camp bed on the floor it is I think .

My god we are really moving forward.

[Raitchr]

Had the steroids buzz this afternoon, 3 meals cooked and in fridge for next 3 days, trying to be organised. Felling tired now so chilling. Really fancy a beer but can't ! 🍺🍷

[Raitchr]

Treehouse, on other forums I have read that some sleep in a reclining chair whilst they have drains as it is more comfortable. 

I didn't have drains with Mx but it was uncomfortable to lay in bed, v shaped pillow helped. Hubby slept in spare room after surgery and still does around chemo as I am so restless and sweaty from hot flushes. And if my Mum came to stay to take me to chemo I ended up in youngest son's single bed and he went in his older brother. I actually found it easier in single bed as could just swing legs out of either side of bed. Didn't want to get stuck in our kings size bed bursting for a wee post surgery.

Just packed overnight bag for last time 😃

H

[treehouse]

Thanks for the link Rosie. A really interesting read. Will look into heart pillows, v pillows and drain dollies.
MJK and Katie thanks for advice. I like the idea of a dry run lol you can also imagine me sleeping with pillows and water bottles. 😂😂😂😂

[Mai7]

Well done Rosie, glad you are feeling better already. 👠👠 I feel that since I probably don't have the genetic factor and do have the hormone factor there must be something in my lifestyle I need to change. I may be wrong but I feel the need to do something. 

Katie, we'd better get shopping before stocks run out!?

[katie11]

Thanks for tip on lidl manuka honey Heather, have sent hubby to stock up.

Treehouse, I had two drains as had reduction on other side at same time. I used about 3 pillows to prop me up and used a v shaped pillow. The hospital gave me a draw string bag for drains. You will have to have a test run and sleep on your back. Use some bottles of water and see if hubby bumps into you lol!!

Good luck for tomorrow Heather and Jay. Ring that bell loud and proud x

I'm off to order some new pjs from sainsburys lol! Look what you have started wolfee. Sainsburys will love you xx

[MJK]

Re surgery and drains. I only had 1 side so 1 drain. I found lots of pillows help and, to be honest, separate beds for a couple of weeks would be a good idea. Buy or borrow a put up bed if you need to. You will both need your sleep, you to recover and him to do everything else. I would also suggest either he or someone else is around for at least the first week to look after you. I'm normally fiercely independent and self-sufficient so it didn't come naturally but it was necessary. The easier you make life for yourself the better your recovery. X

[Rosie65]

Treehouse my niece sent me an interesting link re bilateral mastectomy -https://theyarenottwinstheyaresisters.wordpress.com. It's complete with photos and tips etc. She suggests building a barricade in the bed between you and your husband to stop him rolling on you in the night. And she created drain dollies, surgical drain bags to keep the drains in which I think you can buy.

[Mai7]

I've had the concentration of a fruit fly this afternoon with the steroids! I've left a half made cuppa in the kitchen and keep flitting thoughts all over the place! 

Busybees, I think we're back to MJKs theory 90% good and 10% bad. Pick your guilty pleasures and moderate them. I too had introduced more veg whilst on FEC but on Docetaxol that's all out of the window. I'll get back to it when my tongue and intestine are back to normal post chemo. I think Sainsburys will be wondering why there is a sudden spike in demand for their front fastening PJs! We're a forecasters nightmare!

im not sure what my hair is doing at the moment. I had about a 1cm sparse covering all over except for a bald patch on top.  I now have peach fuzz on the bald spot but the last two mornings I've woken up to find hair on my pillow again so I'm a bit baffled.

Treehouse, you can totally do this. 💪🏼

I've got a new song on my collection "fighter" by Christina Aguilera (replace all references to a man with your own body/Cancer)

Best wishes for tomorrow everyone.  Jay and Raitchr - it's the final countdown! ⌛️

[treehouse]

Question to all the surgery ladies:
I am having bilateral mx so will have 2 drains, one on each side. My question is how do you sleep with 2 bottles? Did you manage to still share a bed with other half?
I am trying to imagine being propped up with pillows lying on my back with a bottle on the floor on one side and one in bed between my husband and I on the other.
Am I worried about nothing or is hubby going to be sleeping on the floor 😜?

[Rosie65]

You have all been busy this afternoon. Thanks for my ruby slippers Mai, I am dancing around in them now, I feel sooo much better!! Good news that you're good to go tomorrow, the chemo units are going to be busy with us all having treatment.

Katie - fingers crossed for your final one next week, I'll do an extra dance in my shoes for you. I generally eat healthily and exercise regularly (well pre chemo anyway)but don't exclude any particular food but try to cook from scratch. My daughter is an athlete so often have meals from the Joe Wicks Lean in 15 books! To be honest I was always going to get bc because of the gene regardless of what I ate and being tnbc the hormonal issues aren't really a factor.

How exciting to have a date treehouse, must feel like you're really moving forward. I am thinking of getting new dressing gown, slippers, wash bag etc to go with my pjs ha ha any excuse. I bought all new stuff when I had my oopherectomy and was only there for a morning!

[busybeeS]

Wow. Looks like there is a lot going on for people this week! Good luck to everyone and hope treatments go smoothly.
With regards to food, I think if I'd try to change my diet too much I wouldn't stick to it, so everything in moderation (with the odd pig out thrown in), the one good thing to come out of all this is I've increased m veg intake!
I think I've got PJ envy. I'd be popping to Sainsbury's this weekend myself for some but the nearest decent size one is 30 miles away!
Fingers crossed for everyone this week.

[treehouse]

Great news musketeers 😀We will all be cheering you on tomorrow.
Just had pre op chat with nurse. Provisional date for op 12th Oct.
I like to know what is coming, what to expect and what to look out for.
I can do this !!!

I know what you mean, I am not brave , I have no choice.
X

[Raitchr]

Yes taken steroids but 1st dose was late at 11.30 as nurses too busy to look at bloods when I phoned at 9am breakfast time. Just taken 2nd dose now. Not worried about being up late or awake early, got loads to catch up on Netflix so can have a late night and will take nap tomorrow afternoon. I think knowing that it is the last one I don't care if I asleep or not, kind of excited like night before going on holiday!!! 

[Jay68]

I took my second lot at 12.30 - I really do want to sleep tonight as didn't have a great night last night! Thank you and I hope it all goes well for you too. I haven't read that story but I'll pop in and have a read. It's so true - we need something else to focus on so with that in mind I've just booked another night away once I'm in my good week and before the family wedding I'm going to just before the operation. The only problem is I find things creep up just a bit too quick......! Everyone always says to me "you're so brave...!" - I think to myself every time - that's the only way I can deal with it - inside I'm not always feeling so "brave" and I imagine most of the ladies on this thread feel exactly the same!!!!

[Mai7]

Jay, thanks for reminding me. I took my steroids this morning but haven't taken the afternoon dose so should do that now if I want to fall asleep tonight!  Hope tomorrow goes well for you. We have to be braver than we want sometimes. I never wanted to be this brave, which reminds me about the Mountain lion story. Did you read that story in the 'coffee lounge'  'hope and inspiration' thread? Every time I think about surgery I just think of the Leona Lewis song 'better in time'. As hard as it is, we choose life every time and deal with the collateral damage. Xx

[Jay68]

Heather and Mai - hope you've remembered to take your steriods today.... buzzing is how I feel!  Going to steam through a pile of ironing now....!  Got my pre-op assessment at 5.30 today - whoo this is all getting too much!

[Jay68]

Best not get too anxious about it all (anxiety carries health warnings!) - after all life is for living - a little of anything in moderation is perfectly fine said my macmillan breast nurse and for me, that's fine! I do drink oat milk in preference to almond (I find almond too sweet).

[MJK]

Great news Mai. For our fab trio, go bust some chemo moves tomorrow (in a Charlie's Angels kind of way).
I am aiming for meat and dairy to be organic. I avoid Quorn but that's because it has the same effect on my bowels as Dozy Tax Hell 💩😐.