Well ladies, I've had a pretty good month, apart from the hiccup the first few days after treatment 1, although that might have been my fault trying to do too much too soon.
I've been feeling pretty good this past couple of weeks and having my bloods done today, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm ok for round 2 on Wednesday. I'm hopeing I get through the next one without any problems, just need to learn to rest a bit more. Had the bloods done at 3pm and was told they would phone me if the count was not high enough, so far, no phone call.
My only hitch has been the dressings used for the picc line, my skin does not like the adhesive on the dressings and I've had a few trips back to the hospital just to try and sort it, I had the same problem with the dressings on the lymph node scar, so I'm not surprised. Today the nurse put a great big brown plaster over the picc line with just a small amount of adhesive around the edges. I can't see if the area around the picc line becomes red or anything, but fingers crossed it behaves.
If it was not for the picc line, cleaning my teeth three or four times a day and wearing my lovely scarf hats, I would not believe there was much wrong with me. The only thing I've noticed is a growing paranoia about people coughing and sneezing when I'm out, I feel like running a mile from them and my hubby told me today, I have a look of terror or fear on my face. But I'm still going into shops, at quiet times and trying to live a normal life, even went to Knole Park and Scotney Castle last week, lovely doing the walks around the estates.
Is it just me, or does anyone else have this constant anxiety about people with coughs and colds.
Hey Kateday, if you don’t mind my asking, how is your hair doing?
Ive had an itchy scalp this weekend, and today it feels sore, kind of like a sunburn feeling on my scalp (but I haven’t been out in the sun!), is anyone else getting anything like this?
Also, I may be imagining it but I think a few more strands than usual have come out when I run my fingers through my hair...
I’m picking up my wig on Wednesday so hopefully it’ll last until then!
Hi All you lovely ladies,
Has anyone else been disappointed by the lack of support from people you thought would be there for you?
If it wasn't for husband, daughter and friend of 45 years I would feel so isolated. Lets just say there will be a lot
fewer people on my christmas card list this year.
Hi Juzcooper1971
Was not in the mood for the session yesterday, felt like a spoilt child, very irritable! Anyway at least it was only the Paclitaxel. Had the itchy foo thing again, apparently its the steroids, then once they've put the antihistamine in it wore off! Not sure if its a weekly torture of pleasure
After about an hour of being home I had the worst "bottom explosion" for about 40 minites which I didn't get last week. I'm wondering if it was all the grapes I ate whilst having the treatment?! Note to self to give them a miss next week!
I have only been given the injections for this week and to carry on with the antibacterials. So no steriods this week or next. Should be sleeping better for the next couple of weeks.
Keep me posted on how you are doing - Hope the hangover feeling has settled
Lisa xxx
Hi Harkes
Just checked out your video recommendation, and you are so right reference the lyrics -
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
'Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul
Great inspirational words xxx
.Dear all,
Hope you are feeling OK and coping with your treatment. A song popped into my head yesterday from 1971/72 when I was 11, I remember being inspired by it then and tried to live my life as a woman by it.
Go to You Tube, type in, Helen Reddy - I am Woman. I am sure you will all agree what an inspirational song it is and how the words still hold true today. I have adopted it as my anthem
Hi all,
Day five after first FEC here, feeling much more rubbish today... have felt fine until now, but today I feel nauseous and have a tight head and am feeling generally low. I called the helpline and had a chat - they said an emotional dip after finishing the steroids (which I did lunchtime yesterday) is v common, so that makes perfect sense. Has anyone else experienced this? I've taken paracetamol for head and arm pain (had PICC line cleaned yesterday as well) - seems to be helping. Sals - my diagnosis and treatment is v similar to yours, only I'm HER2- so no herceptin here.
Interesting to hear that injections don't hurt if you do them in the evening - I'm doing mine in the evening just because it's more convenient, but I haven't experienced any bone/muscular pain so far either. All makes sense now!
Disturbed sleep is vv annoying and I don't know if it's due to anxiety or medication.... anyone got any tips??? or a magic wand???
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!
Helen
Hi all, I too felt well after first chemo and thought ok this manageable I can do this ! then unfortunately 5 days after ended up in a & e with a nasty breast infection feeling absolutely rubbish but they fixed me up with antibiotics and finally feeling normal again.
Take care everyone x
Hi Kateday
I've also been diagnosed triple negative (2 tumours) plus lymph node involvement so stage 3. I'm doing the same trial as Juzcooper1971 & Lilypad so will be interesting to see how we all get on.
Had the results of my bone scan yesterday which were clear (thank god), I was sooooo scared another sh*t storm was coming my way! I'm off for my second chemo session today so fingers crossed the upcomming week is similar to the last, completely manageable if it is. @Juzcooper1971 - Yesterday (day 7) was the best day ever. Felt totally normal and ate like a pig!
Stay strong everyone and lets keep each other going. #WEGOTTHIS
Much love Lisa xxx
Hi All,
I am a bit behind some of you guys 7 wks post op mx recon and node clearance done on 18 th sept. Delay due to me agreeing to do trial, then spending a wk doubting my decision ( the doubts made me feel ill, worse in fact that how I felt on initial diagnosis). Spoke to oncologist so no longer on trial and now going ahead with chemo, having PICC line and bloods 16 th 1st round Fec 19th. Bit anxious but need this journey to start moving...... keen to hear how everyone gets on. Fingers crossed our SE’s not too bad.....🤗 hugs to you all.
Hi, @juzcooper1971 just read your message I feel sorry for you and my prayers with you and if you or anyone is looking for some information on cancer so please visit CancerBro they have latest and authentic information on cancer.
Kateday, I didn’t cold cap either, they’re not available in my hospital (I’m not sure I’d have chosen to do it anyway).
I’m on day 7 (I think? Had treatment 2 nov) and no hair loss yet, Ive been told it starts to go sometime after day 10.
Hope you’re all doing well, and good luck to anyone reading this who starts today. xx
Good morning All,
I started chemo yesterday. Biggest problem was the cannula, so hope to have a PICC line in for next time. Just feeling very tired so far today, all the anti sickness medication is working. Will need to keep close eye on blood sugar as diabetic, the stress sent it up quite a bit.
i didn’t expect to be well fed while there, or get a short therapy session while waiting, very nice extra.
Hiya Juzcooper1971
Next chemo is Friday (tomorrow) off for the blood tests this morning to check all good to go.
Yes, just the Placataxil so shouldn't be there as long
The Injections, my sister lives around the corner so has been popping over to do them. She watched a video on YouTube which helped as well as reading the leaflet. She's a dab hand at it now! The needle is so thin, you can barely feel it so you'll be fine. I think after the second one i started to feel a bit achey in my legs, so that would have been day 5, but appart from that I felt fine in myself, it was quite a good day. Yesterday was a good day again until about 4pm then I felt like I had been run over by a bus! My neck, back, everything ached and hurt to touch I had a hot bath and a lie down. This morning I feel pretty much ok again apart from a little headache, but as I'm off to the hospital this morning I'm just going to mention it, but sure these will just be side effects. I've also found that the days I was taking the steriods, i wasn't sleeping. Top Tip - Invest in some Senokot!! 3 Days in and a brought some
Hope youn are doing well yourself?
Lisa xxx
giving lots of love to everyone out there, it is great to read your stories. Now day 5 and it is the first day I haven't felt as though I was away with the fairies. I expected the tiredness, but not to feel as though I had drunk 2 bottles of red. I am using the cold cap but I don't know whether to have a wig if I do lose my hair. As regards the injections I am an ex-nurse of 35 years so said I would do them myself, that way I can do them when it is convenient for me in the comfort of my home at the time that is right for me. I think the thought of giving oneself an injection is worse than the reality, after all millions of diabetics do it every day.
We are wonderful!
Hi Sals, Well done you! That's good advice, had heard that drinking plenty helps and good to keep track of how much. I'm always telling my kids they should drink more so they can nag me for a change.
I didn't know that about the cold cap so thanks for sharing and that's really positive, I really hope it works for you. Went shopping with a friend today and she made me try on all these crazy hats. x
Hi there, I start my chemo next Friday 16th - it's good to read all your posts so far. It will be great to be part of such a supportive group. I hope you're all doing ok and coping with the side effects of treatment and good luck to those of you who start treatment this week.
I go for a look round the unit on Monday and am still undecided on the cold cap or not. Hope I can decide then with some more information from the nurses. We'll be needing those woolly hats to see us through the winter. xx
Good luck today Lilypad
Lisa xxx
Sals - 🤢 was how I felt last night. Much better today (see above) and the injection was pleasantly easy to do.
Hi everyone,
Great to read all your news, seems like we're doing pretty well so far...fingers crossed!
I'm feeling surprisingly well today - didn't sleep much (thanks to the steroids I think), but I haven't felt nauseous (eating little and often seems to be key, as well as taking the antisickness meds) and my headache has gone. I have developed very rosy cheeks though! Not sure what that's about...
I administered my first filgrastim injection this evening - it was much easier than I'd anticipated!
Managed to walk to the shops this morning and take the dog for a walk this afternoon, so energy levels are also pretty good.
I'm not taking anything for granted, but at least I've had a very positive start. I'll keep you posted, and wish everyone all the best.
Hiya, I just wanted to wish you all well and I'm glad to see you are determined to do some serious butt kicking, you totally have got this and if you can't be positive some days then be determined instead! Remember to drink 2 litres of water the day before, on the day and the day after chemo. Here's my blog which has lots of useful tips which may help: http://lifeafterlola.com/
Today, I am officially one year NED (no evidence of disease) since my surgery. There's a light at the end of the tunnel for you. Sending positive vibes your way. xxx